DUNNAGE CUT-ASSIST BIASING MEMBER
A conversion apparatus is provided herein. The conversion apparatus includes a cutting member having an edge configured for cutting the dunnage material. The conversion apparatus also includes a biasing member that is located adjacent to the cutting member such that the dunnage material passes between the biasing member and the cutting member. The biasing member operably contacts the dunnage material thereby biasing the dunnage material against the cutting member. The position of the biasing member relative to the cutting member is such that in response to the dunnage material being retracted back into the conversion apparatus the cutting member begins to sever the dunnage material, but in response to the dunnage material traveling in the dispensing direction the cutting member does not begin to sever the dunnage material due to the relative position.
1 . A method for processing a dunnage material in a dunnage apparatus, the method comprising:
providing a cutting member having an edge suitable for cutting or tearing the dunnage material;
driving the dunnage material along a material path past the cutting member;
moving a biasing member from a dispensing position, in which the biasing member allows the dunnage material to move along the material path past the cutting member, to a cutting position to bend the dunnage material about an edge of the cutting member to allow the cutting member to sever the dunnage material.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein in the dispensing position, the biasing member is spaced from the cutting member to allow the dunnage material moved along the material path to exit the dunnage apparatus.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the biasing member bends the dunnage material to provide an elbow in the material path where the dunnage material is bent around the cutting member.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the dunnage material is driven in a dispensing direction past the cutting member; and
the method further comprises severing a portion of the dunnage material by driving the dunnage material in a reverse direction, opposite the driving direction, thereby pulling the dunnage material against the edge of the cutting member to cut or tear the dunnage material thereagainst.
5 . The method of claim 4 , further comprising moving the biasing member to the cutting position from the dispensing position in response to a driving mechanism driving the dunnage material in the reverse direction.
6 . The method of claim 5 , further comprising moving the biasing member to the dispensing position from the cutting position after the dunnage material has been cut or torn.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein moving the biasing member to the cutting position causes one or more fingers of the biasing member to fit between teeth of the cutting member.
8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising moving the dispensing member from the cutting position to the dispensing position.
9 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising rotating a drum that contacts the dunnage material to advance the dunnage material in a first direction and retract the dunnage material in a second direction, wherein the drum drives a biasing linkage that actuates the biasing member.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the bending the dunnage to deflect the material path comprising forming a bend of at least 25°.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the bending the dunnage to deflect the material path comprising forming a bend of at least 45°.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein bending the dunnage material to deflect the material path comprises forcing, by the biasing member, the dunnage material against the cutting member when the biasing member is in the cutting position.
13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein, in the cutting position, the biasing member contacts the dunnage material downstream of the cutting member and is out of contact with the dunnage material at a longitudinal location at which the dunnage material contacts the cutting member.
14 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
converting supply material into low-density dunnage and moving the dunnage material in a dispensing direction along the material path.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein converting supply material into low-density dunnage comprises crumpling the supply material.
16 . A method for processing dunnage, the method comprising:
in a dunnage apparatus, crumpling supply material into low-density dunnage and driving the crumpled dunnage along a material path;
providing a cutting member having an edge suitable for cutting or tearing the crumpled dunnage; and
moving a biasing member from a dispensing position, in which the biasing member allows the crumpled dunnage to move along the material path past the cutting member, to a cutting position to bend the crumpled dunnage about an edge of the cutting member to allow the cutting member to sever the crumpled dunnage.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the biasing member is moved from the dispensing position to the cutting position when the dispensing is stopped.
18 . The method of claim 16 , wherein moving the biasing member from the dispensing position to the cutting position comprises pivoting the biasing member.
19 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the cutting member comprises a blade oriented in a generally downstream direction along the material path.
20 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising, upon severing the crumpled dunnage:
moving the biasing member from the cutting position to the dispensing position; and
crumpling additional supply material into additional low-density dunnage and moving the additional dunnage in the dispensing direction such that the biasing member in the dispensing position allows the additional dunnage to be dispensed past the cutting member.