(19)
(11) EP 1 348 536 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
18.08.2004 Bulletin 2004/34

(43) Date of publication A2:
01.10.2003 Bulletin 2003/40

(21) Application number: 03076782.6

(22) Date of filing: 14.05.1999
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7B31D 5/00
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT CH DE FR GB LI NL

(30) Priority: 15.05.1998 US 85721 P
04.09.1998 US 99237
21.10.1998 US 105136 P

(62) Application number of the earlier application in accordance with Art. 76 EPC:
99923114.5 / 1077808

(71) Applicant: Ranpak Corp.
Concord Township, Ohio 44077 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • Harding, Joseph J.
    Mentor, Ohio 44060 (US)
  • Ratzel, Richard O.
    Westlake, Ohio 44145 (US)
  • Manley, Thomas E.
    Mentor, Ohio 44060 (US)
  • Lencoski, Michael J.
    Claridon Township, Ohio 44024 (US)
  • Timmers, Mike J.
    6374 RB Landgraaf (NL)
  • Rinkens, Roger P.M.
    6441 CA Brunssum (NL)
  • Kung, Jurt
    8447 Daghsen (CH)
  • Marchioni, Livio
    8910 Affoltern am Albis (CH)

(74) Representative: Powell, Timothy John et al
Eric Potter Clarkson, Park View House, 58 The Ropewalk
Nottingham NG1 5DD
Nottingham NG1 5DD (GB)

   


(54) Cushioning conversion machine and method


(57) A cushioning conversion machine (100) comprising a conversion assembly (101) which converts a sheet stock material into a three-dimensional strip of cushioning. The conversion assembly (101) includes a forming assembly (120) that forms the stock material into a strip of stock material. The forming assembly (120) comprises an external forming device (122) and an internal forming device (124). The internal forming device (124) includes interacting and/or mandrel portions (164) which internally interact with lateral portions of the strip of stock material to internally reshape the cross-sectional geometry of the strip.







Search report