Apparatus for inflating and sealing packing cushions employing film recognition controller
First Claim
1. An apparatus for inflating and sealing packing cushions from a supply of preconfigured film material having a plurality of chambers, the apparatus comprising a feed mechanism for feeding the film material along a path, an inflation mechanism for injecting inflation gas into the chambers, and a sealing mechanism for sealing the chambers, wherein the apparatus comprises a controller in communication with a reader for determining at least one property of the preconfigured film material from a data source associated with the preconfigured film material when the preconfigured film material is positioned in proximity to the apparatus;
- andwherein the reader is a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag reader for obtaining information from an RFID tag present on the film supply.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for inflating and sealing packing cushions utilizes a controller adapted for acquiring information from preconfigured film material and automatically setting one or more operation parameters suitable for inflating and sealing the film. The controller can avoid or limit the need for user input, thus simplifying use of the apparatus.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. An apparatus for inflating and sealing packing cushions from a supply of preconfigured film material having a plurality of chambers, the apparatus comprising a feed mechanism for feeding the film material along a path, an inflation mechanism for injecting inflation gas into the chambers, and a sealing mechanism for sealing the chambers, wherein the apparatus comprises a controller in communication with a reader for determining at least one property of the preconfigured film material from a data source associated with the preconfigured film material when the preconfigured film material is positioned in proximity to the apparatus;
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wherein the reader is a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag reader for obtaining information from an RFID tag present on the film supply. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus for inflating and sealing packing cushions from a supply of preconfigured film material having a plurality of chambers, the apparatus comprising a feed mechanism for feeding the film material along a path, an inflation mechanism for injecting inflation gas into the chambers, and a sealing mechanism for sealing the chambers, wherein the apparatus comprises a controller in communication with a reader for determining at least one property of the preconfigured film material from a data source associated with the preconfigured film material when the preconfigured film material is positioned in proximity to the apparatus;
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wherein the sealing mechanism comprises a pair of opposed belts for carrying the film past at least one heated block. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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Specification