Systems and methods for air pillow conveyance and separation

Abstract

An inflatable packaging system includes an inflatable cushioning supply and a conveyance module. The conveyance module includes a sliding conveyor, a fixed conveyor, a belt-drive, and an encoder. The sliding conveyor is adjustable, relative to the fixed conveyor, such that a space between the sliding conveyor and the fixed conveyor is adjustable. The belt-drive displaces the inflatable cushioning supply through the space between the sliding conveyor and the fixed conveyor. The encoder is coupled to the belt-drive.

1 . An inflatable packaging system, comprising:
 an inflatable cushioning supply; and   a conveyance module, including
 a sliding conveyor, 
 a fixed conveyor, 
 a belt-drive, and 
 an encoder; 
   wherein the sliding conveyor is adjustable, relative to the fixed conveyor, such that a space between the sliding conveyor and the fixed conveyor is adjustable,   wherein the belt-drive displaces the inflatable cushioning supply through the space between the sliding conveyor and the fixed conveyor, and   wherein the encoder is coupled to the belt-drive.   
     
     
         2 . The inflatable packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the system calculates a total length of inflatable cushioning supply that is displaced through the conveyance module. 
     
     
         3 . The inflatable packing system of  claim 1 , wherein the system calculates a total quantity of inflatable cushioning supply that is displaced through the conveyance module. 
     
     
         4 . The inflatable packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable cushioning supply is a strand of air pillows. 
     
     
         5 . The inflatable packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the conveyance module further includes a separator assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The inflatable packaging system of  claim 4 , wherein the separator assembly is configured to tear the inflatable cushioning supply at a perforation zone. 
     
     
         7 . The inflatable packaging system of  claim 6 , wherein the separator assembly tears the inflatable cushioning supply at the perforation zone by reversing the belt-drive. 
     
     
         8 . The inflatable packaging system of  claim 6 , wherein the separator assembly tears the inflatable cushioning supply at the perforation zone by over-driving the belt-drive. 
     
     
         9 . The inflatable packaging system of  claim 6 , wherein the separator assembly tears the inflatable cushioning supply at the perforation zone by over-driving and reversing the belt-drive. 
     
     
         10 . The inflatable packaging system of  claim 6 , wherein the separator assembly partially tears the inflatable cushioning supply at the perforation zone, such that the inflatable cushioning supply is configured for manual tearing via an operator. 
     
     
         11 . The inflatable packaging system of  claim 6 , wherein the separator assembly includes a plurality of hinged doors. 
     
     
         12 . The inflatable packaging system of  claim 6 , further comprising a proximity sensor. 
     
     
         13 . The inflatable packaging system of  claim 1 , further comprising a spring, wherein the spring is configured for biasing the sliding conveyor and the fixed conveyor towards one another. 
     
     
         14 . An inflatable packaging system, comprising:
 a strand of air pillows;   a conveyance module, including
 a sliding conveyor, 
 a fixed conveyor, 
 a belt-drive, and 
 an encoder; and 
   a separator assembly configured to tear the strand of air pillows at a perforation zone.   
     
     
         15 . The inflatable packaging system of  claim 14 , wherein the sliding conveyor is adjustable, relative to the fixed conveyor, such that a space between the sliding conveyor and the fixed conveyor is adjustable. 
     
     
         16 . The inflatable packaging system of  claim 15 , wherein the belt-drive displaces the strand of air pillows through the space between the sliding conveyor and the fixed conveyor, and wherein the encoder is coupled to the belt-drive. 
     
     
         17 . The inflatable packaging system of  claim 14 , wherein the system calculates a total length or quantity of the strand of air pillows that is displaced through the conveyance module. 
     
     
         18 . The inflatable packaging system of  claim 14 , wherein the separator assembly tears the inflatable cushioning supply at the perforation zone by reversing the belt-drive. 
     
     
         19 . The inflatable packaging system of  claim 14 , further comprising a proximity sensor. 
     
     
         20 . The inflatable packaging system of  claim 14 , further comprising a spring, wherein the spring is configured for biasing the sliding conveyor and the fixed conveyor towards one another.