EP-4735363-A2 - PACKAGING MATERIAL CONVEYANCE SYSTEM HAVING AIR DUCTS

Abstract

A packaging material conveyance system is configured to convey protective packaging articles including pads made of paper dunnage from a protective packaging machine to a receptacle. A main duct receives the articles output by the protective packaging machine and transports the articles to the receptacle. The articles are conveyed by an airflow generated by a blower that propels the articles through the main duct, and are deposited into the receptacle after being released through an outlet. The outlet may be associated with a diverter that forms part of the main duct in a closed position, and is configured to release the articles into the receptacle in an open position.

Inventors

• BERKVENS, Anthonius, Johannes Maria
• JANSSEN, Maikel, Henri Marie
• GEURTS, Jan, Pieter Jozef

Assignees

• Pregis LLC

Dates

Publication Date

20260506

Application Date

20240627

Claims (20)

1. 1. A packaging material conveyance system for conveying protective packaging articles from a protective packaging machine to a receptacle, the packaging material conveyance system comprising: a main duct having a packaging article inlet configured to receive formed packaging articles, and having a first outlet configured to allow the packaging articles to exit therefrom, the main duct being elongated and configured to transport the articles in a longitudinal direction within the main duct from the packaging article inlet to the first outlet; and a blower assembly operably connected to the main duct to generate airflow that enters the main duct from at least two non-adjacent sides of the main duct to propel the articles through the main duct.
2. 2. The conveyance system of claim 1, wherein the packaging article inlet is connected to an outlet of the protective packaging machine that converts a high-density supply material into the packaging articles having a lower density than the supply material.
3. 3. The conveyance system of claim 1, wherein the receptacle is arranged at the first outlet, and configured to receive the articles conveyed by an internal duct airflow from the packaging article inlet to the first outlet.
4. 4. The conveyance system of claim 1 , further comprising a blower duct section fluidly connecting the blower assembly and the main duct to introduce the airflow at an angle relative to the longitudinal direction of the main duct.
5. 5. The conveyance system of claim 4, wherein the blower duct section comprises first and second blower duct sections, and the airflow comprises first and second air streams configured to enter the main duct via the first and second blower duct sections at first and second angles, respectively.
6. 6. The conveyance system of claim 5, wherein the first and second angles are the same.
7. 7. The conveyance system of claim 6, wherein the first and second angles are not greater than about 90°.
8. 8. The conveyance system of claim 6, wherein the first and second angles are not greater than about 60°.
9. 9. The conveyance system of claim 5, wherein the first and second air streams are configured to energize boundary layers on top and bottom sides of the articles, respectively, so as to accelerate the articles from the packaging article inlet of the main duct.
10. 10. The conveyance system of claim 5, wherein the first and second air streams are configured to engage opposite sides of the articles.
11. 11. The conveyance system of claim 5, wherein the blower comprises a first blower for generating the first air stream and a second blower for generating the second air stream.
12. 12. The conveyance system of claim 11, wherein the first blower and the second blower are arranged on the at least two non-adjacent sides of the main duct.
13. 13. The conveyance system of claim 12, wherein the first and second blowers are arranged proximate the packaging article inlet of the main duct.
14. 14. The conveyance system of claim 1, wherein the main duct comprises first and second duct sections, the first and second duct sections each defining a substantially straight path.
15. 15. The conveyance system of claim 14, wherein the first and second duct sections are rectangular in shape.
16. 16. The conveyance system of claim 14, wherein the first duct section is generally horizontal and defines a change in elevation.
17. 17. The conveyance system of claim 14, further comprising an elbow of the main duct arranged between the first and second duct sections, the elbow being wider than the first and second duct sections.
18. 18. The conveyance system of claim 1, wherein the main duct is configured to receive the articles at the packaging article inlet that have been cut and separated by the protective packaging machine.
19. 19. The conveyance system of claim 18, wherein the articles are paper dunnage pads.
20. 20. The conveyance system of claim 19, wherein the pads are two-ply paper pads.

Description

PACKAGING MATERIAL CONVEYANCE SYSTEM HAVING AIR DUCTS CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] The present application claims under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63/523,611 filed on June 27, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. BACKGROUND (a) Technical Field [0002] The present disclosure is directed to a packaging material conveyance system, more particularly, to the packaging material conveyance system including at least one air duct for conveying packaging articles from a protective packaging machine to a receptacle. (b) Description of the Related Art [0003] It is known to produce protective packaging articles including relatively lightweight plastic-based articles such as inflatable cushioning and air pillows, and move such articles from one place to another, e.g., using ducting. However, paper-based protective packaging articles have different considerations, and typically are heavier than the plastic-based articles. Such paper-based protective packaging articles, including dunnage, may be formed into paper packing cushions or pads. The paper-based articles may become jammed if conveyed using the same type of ducting as plastic-based articles. [0004] Previous ducts used to convey paper-based articles rely on a blower producing an airflow on a single side. This type of air duct may be suitable for moving plastic-based articles, but presents problems for moving paper-based articles, which may have a relatively larger size and/or weight. With stiffer, larger dunnage, this can have the effect of forcing the dunnage against an opposite wall of the duct, resulting in the dunnage becoming stuck within the wall of the duct. It also can make it more likely that the dunnage becomes stuck at bends or joints of the duct. It would be desirable to provide a solution to allow paper-based articles to be conveyed through ducting without becoming stuck or jammed. SUMMARY [0005] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a packaging material conveyance system for conveying protective packaging articles from a protective packaging machine to a receptacle may include: a main duct having a packaging article inlet configured to receive formed packaging articles, and having a first outlet configured to allow the packaging articles to exit therefrom, the main duct being elongated and configured to transport the articles in a longitudinal direction within the main duct from the packaging article inlet to the first outlet; and a blower assembly operably connected to the main duct to generate airflow that enters the main duct from at least two non-adjacent sides of the main duct to propel the articles through the main duct. [0006] The packaging article inlet may be connected to an outlet of the protective packaging machine that converts a high-density supply material into the packaging articles having a lower density than the supply material. [0007] The receptacle may be arranged at the first outlet, and configured to receive the articles conveyed by an internal duct airflow from the packaging article inlet to the first outlet. [0008] The conveyance system may further include a blower duct section fluidly connecting the blower duct and the main duct to introduce the airflow at an angle relative to the longitudinal direction of the main duct. [0009] The blower duct section may include first and second blower duct sections, and the airflow may include first and second air streams configured to enter the main duct via the first and second blower duct sections at first and second angles, respectively. For example, the first and second angles may be the same. The first and second angles may be not greater than about 90°, more preferably, the first and second angles may be not greater than about 60°. [0010] According to the present disclosure, the first and second air streams may be configured to energize boundary layers on top and bottom sides of the articles, respectively, so as to accelerate the articles from the packaging article inlet of the main duct. For example, the first and second air streams may be configured to engage opposite sides of the articles. [0011] According to the present disclosure, the blower may include a first blower for generating the first air stream and a second blower for generating the second air stream. For example, the first blower and the second blower may be arranged on the at least two nonadj acent sides of the main duct. The first and second blowers may be arranged proximate the packaging article inlet of the main duct. [0012] According to the present disclosure, the main duct may include first and second duct sections, the first and second duct sections each defining a substantially straight path. The first and second duct sections may be rectangular in shape. For example, the first duct section may be generally horizontal and defines a change in elevation. An elbow of the main duct may be arranged betwee