Compact dunnage converter
First Claim
1. A dunnage converter for converting a sheet stock material into a relatively less dense dunnage product, comprising a converging chute having a first pair of opposed side walls that generally converge towards each other in a downstream direction and a second pair of opposed top and bottom walls that interconnect the side walls, the top and bottom walls defining a constriction adjacent an upstream end of the chute where the top and bottom walls gradually converge toward each other to define a minimum distance therebetween, wherein the top and bottom walls have protrusions that gradually curve toward each other at an upstream end of the converging chute to form the constriction.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A compact dunnage conversion machine includes a converging chute with a restricted inlet, a powered feed assembly with a sealed gearbox, a plurality of interchangeable power supplies, and a restricted outlet chute. The converter can convert a sheet stock material into dunnage for use in packaging one or more objects in a container. The restricted inlet and outlet make it more difficult for foreign objects to enter the converter and disrupt the conversion process. The sealed gearbox interposed between the driving elements of the feed assembly and an electric motor facilitates maintenance and repair of the feed assembly, while also protecting the gears therein. Finally, the power supplies provide electrical power to the motor and can include an electrical storage device, such as a battery, or an alternating-current-to-direct-current converter which is connectable to a source of electricity for supplying that electricity to the motor in an acceptable form.
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Citations
10 Claims
- 1. A dunnage converter for converting a sheet stock material into a relatively less dense dunnage product, comprising a converging chute having a first pair of opposed side walls that generally converge towards each other in a downstream direction and a second pair of opposed top and bottom walls that interconnect the side walls, the top and bottom walls defining a constriction adjacent an upstream end of the chute where the top and bottom walls gradually converge toward each other to define a minimum distance therebetween, wherein the top and bottom walls have protrusions that gradually curve toward each other at an upstream end of the converging chute to form the constriction.
Specification