Cushioning conversion system and method

摘要

A system for creating and dispensing cushioning dunnage includes a plurality of material shaping members to convert a sheet stock material into a continuous strip of cushioning product. The shaping members include a constant-entry roller assembly having at least two tapered rollers supported end to end for rotation about respective ones of first and second axes arranged at an obtuse angle whose aspect faces a circumferential side of the rollers that first engages sheet stock material traveling over the rollers from a supply roll of the material. The tapered rollers present material engaging surfaces on an imaginary material conversion line transverse to the travel direction of the material where the material first engages the rollers for more precise and consistent control of alignment of the stock material. The roller assembly has free ends over which the sheet stock material can be folded to reduce the width of the material traveling over the rollers.