FI99006C - Method and apparatus for making a paper product from a sheet of paper and a packaging product - Google Patents

Abstract

The packing product (23) includes a plurality of narrow, elongated strips (20) of material having a natural resilience with each of the strips (20) including a plurality of transverse folds (310) against the natural resilience to form a plurality of interlocked, longitudinally compressed strip elements (22). A method of producing the packing product includes cutting sheet material (34) into a plurality of strips (20) between rotating overlapping cutting discs (240 and 242) and restricting each strip (20) from continued advancing to sequentially fold each of the strips (22) as they collect and interlock to form a resilient mass of the packing product (23).

Description

. 99006

Method and apparatus for making a paper product from a sheet of paper and a packaging product

The invention relates to a method according to the preamble of claim 1, a device according to the preamble of claim 11 and a related packaging product.

Styrofoam balls or nuts are commonly used in the wholesale and retail industries as a bulk packaging material. The nuts are used to position the product away from the inside sides of the 10 shipping boxes and to fill the empty space between them. The nuts are intended to protect the packaged product from shocks and other poor handling.

The administration of styrofoam nuts does not require a high degree of op-15 tension. The nuts are simply fed unloaded from large containers into empty spaces inside the packing box.

However, the use of styrofoam nuts has several drawbacks. For example, if styrofoam nuts are used to protect heavy goods placed inside a shipping box and such packaging is pushed and shaken, the goods will usually tend toward the bottom of the shipping box and the nuts will float upward. Eventually, the item will rest against the side or bottom of the box and damage to the item may occur. The light weight of the styrofoam allows them to be easily blown in the mood and dispersed.

Of particular concern is that styrofoam nuts are extremely difficult to get rid of and dispose of after use. In fact, due to the widespread use of this non-biodegradable product, which emits toxic gases when burned, styrofoam is a very high threat to the environment and is banned in more and more communities.

35 Styrofoam nuts are also dangerous for children - 99006 2 and wildlife, which often mix them with food and thus enjoy them. Styrofoam nuts do not melt easily in the body and cause a great source of clogging of the trachea in children.

5 Other packaging filler materials, such as paper torn into strips, have also been used. The paper torn into strips usually rests flat inside the box and a very large amount of paper is needed to provide the boost needed to fill the voids and protect the 10 items inside. Providing such a large amount of paper torn into strips is often costly and must be eliminated after such use. In addition, the shock-absorbing capacity of flat paper torn into strips is minimal.

15 Several patents are directed to the folding and corrugation of large sheets of materials. In particular, U.S. Patents 2,668,573, 3,150,576 and 4,012,932 are directed to corrugating or creasing large sheets of paper material.

Complex sheet creping, crimping or folding is disclosed in U.S. Patents 1,680,203 and 3,501,565. However, U.S. Patent 3,501,565 simply comprises preliminary steps prior to stretching the plastic sheet material or the like.

Other patents deal with the crimping of a sheet of paper material or the like to form filters. U.S. Patent 2,786,399 discloses such a shirred paper sheet material and uses a cutter to form small blocks of such material. U.S. Patent No. 2,924,154 is directed to a filter material and uses a gate means during the advancement of the sheet material to assist in the formation of crumpled blocks of material.

Several methods for forming anti-movement means are disclosed in several patents, which comprise folding or guiding a sheet of paper or material through a channel into a compact elongate shape. U.S. Patents 3,509,797, 3,613,522 and 3,650,877 disclose such an elongate movement-preventing material that has been twisted and compressed to provide a helical shape. U.S. Patents 4,085,662, 4,650,456 and 4,699,609 disclose accessories for folding and collapsing elongate sheet material. Some of these patents, which are directed to anti-movement, comprise at the outlet cutting means for providing pre-determined pieces of anti-movement material.

U.S. Patents 3,754,498 and 4,201,128 generally disclose shredders used in connection with compactors or extractors.

GB Patent 771,877 and U.S. Patent 3,217,988 disclose cutting plates to provide longitudinal cutting of sheet material to form longitudinal strips. An outlet support means 20 is provided to support the longitudinal strips during cross-cutting to form smaller pieces.

U.S. Patents 2,621,567, 2,686,466 and 2,770,302 disclose tearing devices comprising a hairdressing machine configuration for transferring a bend or percussion to strips cut in that manner.

It is believed that the prior art, taken alone or in combination, does not advance or make apparent the present invention. These citations do not constitute an endorsement of the relevance of such representations, or material to the present patent claims. Rather, these quotations relate only to the general scope of the presentation and have been quoted because they constitute a possible state of the art to be taken into account.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide apparatus and methods for folding large amounts of torn strips or strands of sheet material into continuous or segmented pieces of rapidly folded and corrugated interlocking bulk packaging material, such apparatus being: compact, easily constructed, durable, durable, built, cheap to manufacture and economical and simple to use.

It is a further object to provide an embodiment of the invention comprising an apparatus and method for producing large quantities of folded and corrugated torn strips of sheet material which: avoids interference with the otherwise normal operation of conventional tearing devices, does not require permanent modification of the tearing device structure or deterioration which can be used in any commercial tearing device, regardless of its construction or general shape.

Yet another object is to provide apparatus and methods for a commercial tearing device 20 that allows the device to be quickly and easily adjusted to optionally lengthen or shorten fragments of torn, folded, and corrugated strips of sheet material into segment segments that would otherwise be commercially impossible. modification or some careful or critical attention by the user.

Yet another object is to produce sets of folded interlocking strips of bulk packaging material that are produced from a colored sheet material and can be made from a wide variety of different colors or controlled combinations of colors.

Yet another object is to provide folded, interlocking strips of biodegradable pulp materials, such as paper, cardboard, or the like, the composition of which is edible and acceptable in U.S. Pat. Federal - 99006 5

By the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (US Food and Drug Administration) for use as edible packaging products.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide another preferred machine which is specifically adapted to produce and be capable of producing a desired packaging product.

It is also an object to provide a machine which feeds the sheet material into the cutting section for successively folding the longitudinal strip means formed in the cutting section 10.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a strip means of material having a natural resilience so that successive folding causes the strip means to compress in the longitudinal direction and is capable of flexible expansion during use.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an overall packaging product comprising a plurality of intertwined and intermixed strip means compressed longitudinally to provide full resilience and resistance to compression of the packaging product.

The set objects are achieved by a method according to the invention, which is characterized by what is set forth in the characterizing part of claim 1, and by a device according to the invention, which is characterized by the features of the characterizing part of claim 11. The packaging product according to the invention, in turn, is characterized by what is stated in claim 21.

The invention combines the advantageous features of both styrofoam nuts and shredded paper. The present invention also overcomes each of the aforementioned disadvantages.

Briefly, the invention provides an apparatus and methods for rapidly producing large quantities of bulk packaging material comprising folded and corrugated interlocking strips of sheet material that can be: a) used as a flexible padding to cushion heavy goods and to prevent them from tending towards the bottom and / or sides, such padding requires less amount of raw material to form a larger amount of interlocking bulk packaging material than was previously available, b) produce in optional lengths; shorter pieces being able to be self-fed in a box to fill the void left by the ban on Styro nuts, longer pieces being able to wrap around the product to provide a secure protective cushion, c) producing selectable colors and / or controlled colors made from biodegradable material, such as pulp material (i.e., paper, cardboard, or the like); and e) eat and / or accept US By the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in edible packaging products.

An embodiment of the invention may comprise an accessory for a commercial tearing machine or device. Such an accessory can be a simple, compact, durable, inexpensive moving barrier that is attached and easy to use. In this embodiment, the present invention does not necessarily require cruising or modification of the structure of the tearing device. Essentially, the accessory modifies the tearing device to cause sheet material, such as mylar, paper, cardboard, or the like, to be passed through it to strike or be forced against an obstacle after passing through the tearing device through a series of cutting blades.

li - 99006 7

The barrier causes the torn sheet material to be squeezed in a controlled manner between the barrier and the cutting blades. Continued rotation of the cutting blades forces additional amounts of sheet material into the shredder and the cutting blade. As a result, each torn strip of sheet material is folded against itself in a relatively controlled manner, thus repeatedly folding and creasing or creasing each strip and sealing it against the remaining barrier wall of the torn strips compressed within a limited space or area. The resulting effect is the folding or corrugation of each cut strip to an accordion-shaped mass.

The restricted area is preferably located near the outlet of the tearing device through which the torn strips 15 pass.

As the pressure rises behind the limited mass of torn strips, in one embodiment, the pressure sensitive gate opens to allow a portion of the compressed strips to escape. The gate maintains in a controlled manner the restraint of the remaining portion of the compressed strips within the restricted area. The gate thus allows additional pieces of torn sheet material to be further folded and pressed against the remaining barrier wall of the compressed strips without the modified device actually becoming clogged to the point where repair is required.

This means for compressing the paper in a controlled manner within a restricted area may comprise a simple, movable barrier placed close to the outlet of the tearing device. The barrier causes the torn strips 30 of sheet material to remain within the restricted area between the barrier and the cutting blades of the tearing device.

The restricted area may be a relatively small or large volume, the boundaries of which are initially defined by a barrier, a cutting blade and possibly lower, upper and side support groove-35 components. When the partial barrier wall of the torn strips is reached, the barrier wall itself further limits the volume of space left within the restricted area. As long as the partial barrier wall of the torn strips remains within a limited area, such torn strips 5 serve the purpose of a moving barrier and may even eliminate the need for continued use of the gate barrier.

In its simplest form, the barrier comprises a movable gate which is forced towards a closed position. The gate serves to prevent the exit of the torn strips and to limit the strips to a partially compressed space.

When additional amounts of sheet material are fed or drawn into the tearing device, the ejecting force of the tearing device forces the torn strips to a limited area. When the pressure forcing the compressed strips into the restricted area overcomes the means for driving the gate to the closed position, the gate is driven open to allow a portion of the folded and corrugated strips to escape.

Various methods and apparatus can be used to drive the gate toward its closed position and thus retain the torn strips within the restricted area. For example, a counterbalanced, hinged port can be used. Other embodiments include the use of a rotating gate that is driven toward its closed position by a spring or hydraulic or pneumatic piston.

Once the folded and corrugated strips of sheet material have been formed, the strips can be disabled inside the receiving container.

Alternatively, from the restricted area immediately adjacent to the cutting blades, the compressed space of the folded and corrugated strips after exit may be maintained by forcing the strips to pass through the restricted channel. The second cutting device or cutting device may be located at some point along or at the end of the restricted channel. The cutting device can be attached to cut or cut the compacted, folded and corrugated strips into segments.

Continued insertion of additional pieces of sheet material into the tearing device at a controlled speed naturally causes the folded strips to come out of the tearing device 5 at a similar controlled speed. If the strips are passed through a restricted channel and a cutting device is used, the cutting device may be activated at preselected intervals to cut, cut or cut into pieces compacted, corrugated strips passing within the restricted channel for different segment lengths. This method allows the formation of corrugated strips of material having any desired length from lengths of 30 m or more to segments of 2.5 or 5 cm or smaller.

15 If several layers of sheet material are passed through the tearing device at the same time, the cutting device forces each layer against the adjacent layer with immense force. This force is necessary to cause multiple layers of sheet material to deviate from the mouth-20 pin. However, such compression has the added advantage of sealing or partially overlapping the torn ends of parallel and torn strips. Overlapping each overlapping layer of sheet material into an approximately parallel sheet sheet material helps maintain structural integrity in interlocking folded and corrugated strips. Thus, a plurality of layered, torn, folded, and corrugated strips of sheet material can be cut into short segments overlapped at each end thereof.

30 These shorter segments serve very well to replace the use of styrofoam nuts. Such shorter segments can also be used in existing self-weighted feed systems.

Longer pieces of torn, folded and corrugated strips 35 can be used for decorative effects - 99006 10 at parties and / or window or room exhibits.

Longer pieces of folded strips can also be used as bulk padding and packaging material. When used in this way, the goods to be protected can be wrapped without saving 5 and literally into multiple pieces of torn and interlocking or tangled and corrugated torn strips.

As the brushes of the paper strips interlock with each other, the strips retain their shape and greatly increase the volume of space they occupy. It is therefore necessary to use a smaller amount of paper to protect specially packaged goods. The shock-absorbing capacity of the packaging material has also been sufficiently increased, since the effect of the shock is spread everywhere on each of the brushes or blades of the folded strips connecting them. The folded and corrugated state of the strips of the present invention takes into account a substantially greater degree of interlocking effect and shock absorption than the pulsating strips 20 described in U.S. Patents 2,621,567, 2,686,466 and 2,770,302.

If a sheet of paper material is used, the longer pieces of corrugated, torn strips can be placed inside a holding container or silo and a selected amount of bulk packaging material can be torn therefrom. This allows the user to use the exact amount of packaging material desired, thereby reducing waste.

Another important advantage of the present invention is the ability to use a large number of colors in the production of torn, folded and corrugated strips. This allows the inventor to produce a bulk packaging material of the present invention having selected colors from a particular store, company or enterprise. This is done simply by using a sheet material with the desired color.

A combination of colors can also be used. Two or more differently colored sheets of material can be released to produce a large number of color combinations. The only limiting factor is the capacity of the shredder. For example, a percentage for one color (such as 23% for dark blue) and another 5 to 5 percent for another color (such as 77% for light blue) may be used. Thus, folded and corrugated strips of packaging material can be produced with any number of combinations of colored sheet materials.

The printed, embossed, or other means of identification-10 may also be affixed to the sheet material to be torn. Such printing preferably places a longitudinally torn strip of printed matter along each length. Thus, a trade, company, or firm can have its name, logo, trade name, or a target substance 15 listed on each individual corrugated strip.

Another important advantage is that recyclable, biodegradable sheet material can be used. By using pulp materials, such as paper and / or cardboard, which decompose and decompose rapidly, the disadvantage of disposing of such material to the environment is minimized.

Depending on the composition of the sheet material, the environment may even be improved by discarding such packaging material. For example, fertilizers or other useful additives may be included in the sheet material. These benefits are a stark contrast to the damage caused by the removal of styrofoam.

Existing equipment and methods for packaging food products often cause substantial damage to the product itself, which they are intended to protect. For example, existing equipment and methods for packing chilled fish often cause scarring to appear in the fish. This difficulty is greatly overcome by the present invention because the folded and corrugated strips of the present invention are made of paper and are exposed to moisture, the folded strips conforming to the outline of the article to be packaged. This provides a more uniform and broader support frame for the goods and eliminates or at least substantially reduces scarring.

5 Edible sheet material and sheet material to which U.S. Pat. Approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in the packaging of edible or at least consumer products, may also be used. The wholesale and retail food industries are therefore now equipped with equipment and methods for packaging food products which have therefore not been available.

Additional uses for the corrugated sheet material include its use as a bulk material for initiating worm compost and / or animal pastes.

15 Equipment which produces such a universal model of its bulk packaging material is inexpensive and easy to manufacture. The operation of the equipment is also extremely childish and can be implemented by an unskilled worker.

The various objects of the invention are also given by its preferred embodiment, which comprises a method of producing a packaging product, comprising the steps of: feeding at least one sheet of material in a first direction; cutting at least one sheet of material into a plurality of strip means; the cutting is performed by rotating two groups of alternating, overlapping cutting plates; feeding at least one sheet of material is between two groups of cutting plates; causing each strip means to advance by rotating at least one outer surface corresponding to the cutting plates as the outer surface moves in the first direction; the continued advancement of each strip means in the first direction; and folding each strip means in succession by restricting it in the opposite direction to the advance.

Sequential folding can take place next to the outer surface corresponding to the cutting plates 35 in the first of the two groups and between adjacent cutting plates in the second of the two groups. The successive folding is against the natural resilience of the material of the strip device.

Successive folding produces a plurality of folds of the strip means 5 with adjacent folds in opposite directions. The successive folding of the plurality of folds is against the natural resilience of the material to provide prestressing in each fold, which tends to separate the adjacent longitudinal portions 10 of the strip means adjacent to each fold. Successive folding of each strip means produces a longitudinally compressed strip means. The method further comprises essentially assembling a plurality of longitudinally compressed strip means between two groups of cutting plates after cutting and successive folding. The method further comprises additionally assembling an additional plurality of longitudinally compressed strip means in an unloading chute remote from the two groups of shear plates. The additional assembly 20 provides resistance to the movement of a plurality of longitudinal strip means from the assembly, and the assembly of the longitudinally compressed strip means causes the restriction of each strip means to provide successive folding.

The feeding comprises feeding a plurality of sheets of material simultaneously, cutting each strip means produces layers of material strips in the strip means, and successive folding provides substantially aligned folds of the plurality of folds in each strip of strips, respectively.

The method comprises feeding comprising directing material from a roll toward two groups of cutting plates and cutting the material transversely in a direction transverse to the first direction from at least 35 of each sheet of material to provide cutting prior to cutting. Orientation involves orienting a plurality of layers of material simultaneously and cross-cutting to form a plurality of sheets of material for cutting.

The various objects are also provided by an apparatus for producing a packaging product, comprising: means for feeding at least one sheet of material in the first direction; means for cutting at least one sheet of material into a plurality of strip means; means for cutting 10, comprising two rotating groups of alternating, overlapping cutting plates; means for feeding, comprising means for directing at least one sheet of material between two rotating groups of cutting plates; means for limiting each strip means formed by the cutting means; and means for limiting the means to cause successive folding of each strip means.

The means for feeding may include means for initially orienting the material from the material storage 20 and means for cutting the material transversely to form at least one sheet of material. The feeding means may be intended for feeding a plurality of layers of material in at least one sheet of material. Each of the shear plates may include a cylindrical ul-25 copying.

The preferred cutting means comprises a plurality of combing machines, each of the plurality of combs respectively aligned with each cutting plate, each combing machine having an opposite end adjacent the strip means after forming with the cutting means, and opposite ends of the combing machine defining a strip channel area through the instrument. The opposite ends of the combing machine may be substantially parallel.

99006 15 The means for limiting each strip means includes an unloading chute extending from the cutting means. The apparatus may further comprise means for adjusting means 5 for limiting each strip means. The discharge chute may include wall means and the adjusting means may include means for adjusting the angle of the wall of the discharge chute. The combing machines may include extensions for orienting each strip means substantially in a first direction inside the discharge chute 10.

The objects of the invention are further provided by a packaging product comprising: a plurality of narrow, elongate strips of material; the material has a natural elasticity; and each strip means includes a plurality of transverse folds against natural resilience to form a longitudinally compressed strip means. Most folds contain a sharp angle. The material of the longitudinally compressed strip means may comprise several layers. The longitudinally compressed strip means of the Pi-20 are prestressed to expand longitudinally. The longitudinally compressed strip means are intertwined and locked together to join and form a flexible mass of packaging product. Each of the strip means compressed in the length-25 direction comprises substantially planar portions of a plurality of folds adjacent to each fold. Each longitudinally compressed strip means may include a predetermined width dimension, and most of the planar portions may include a length dimension between the predetermined width dimension and twice the predetermined width dimension.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon review of the following presentation by Luke-35 and the accompanying drawings.

. 99006 16

Figure 1 is a simplified, partial, cross-sectional side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the hinged gate in a closed position to be suitable as a barrier.

Figure 2 is a simplified, partial, cross-sectional side elevational view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 of the present invention with the gate driven out of its closed position.

Figure 3 is an enlarged, partial, cross-sectional side elevational view of the gate in its closed position.

Figure 4 is an enlarged, cut-away, cross-sectional front elevational view taken along line IV-IV of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an enlarged, cut-away, isometric view of the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a simplified, isometric view of a plurality of folded, corrugated interlocking segments of interlocking strips of torn sheet material that is a product of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a simplified isometric view of strips of torn paper as they are in the prior art.

Figure 8 is a simplified isometric view of a plurality of folded, corrugated interlocking strips of torn sheet material as provided by the present invention.

Figure 9 is a side elevational view of another preferred embodiment incorporating several features of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a cut-away sectional view of the embodiment of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a cut-away top view of the disassembly portion of the preferred embodiment of Figs. 9 and 10.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged, cut-away view of a sectional area of the embodiment of Figs. 99006179, 10 and 11.

Fig. 13 is a cut-away sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII of Fig. 11.

Fig. 14 is a cut-away sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV of Fig. 11.

Fig. 15 is a cut-away side view of a generally compressed preferred strip of material incorporating features of the invention, which may be made, for example, by the embodiment of Figs. 9, 10 and 11.

Fig. 16 is a cut-away side view of a generally compressed, acceptable strip of material incorporating various aspects of the invention, which may also be made with the embodiment of Figs. 9, 10 and 11.

Fig. 17A is a cut-away side view of a single-ply 15 or single-sided corrugated board material in the form of a sheet or fed to, for example, the feed section of the embodiment of Figs.

Fig. 17B is a cut-away side view of a generally compressed strip of the invention formed from the material of Fig. 20A.

Fig. 18 is a cut-away, isometric view of a narrow portion of sheet material incorporating another aspect of the invention, to be made, for example, by the embodiment of Figs. 9, 10 and 11.

25 It should be understood that drawings are not necessarily to scale and components are sometimes depicted by graphic symbols, outlines, schematic representations, and cut-outs. In certain cases, details which are not essential to an understanding of the present invention or which disclose other details which are difficult to detect have been omitted from the drawings. For example, the preferred embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 typically includes cutting plates rotatably mounted on two parallel shafts and having serrated cutting edges, neither of which is specifically shown in the drawings. In addition, the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 generally uses a type of cutting or tearing machine that typically includes comb teeth, spacers, combing machines, or tears between the cutting plates on each rotating shaft, but has also been removed to simplify the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, and in particular to Figure 7, in which the same reference numerals indicate the same parts, the prior art generally teaches that paper sheets can be cut into elongate strips 20. However, the strips 20 do not provide much resilience or forgive when subjected to impact or other poor handling. . A large number of strips 20 are required to fill a given void.

Figure 8 illustrates a plurality of torn, elongate, interconnected strips 22 folded and corrugated using the apparatus and methods taught herein. The folds within the corrugated strips 22 lock together to form an elastic mass of twisted and joined strips of decorative or bulk packaging material. The folds also form a large number of different oblique protrusions and / or strips that distribute any punch or impact received in a split manner through each of the interlocking folds of the interlocked, corrugated strips 22. Such folds cause the corrugated strips 22 to fill a larger volume of space using a smaller amount of sheet material than would otherwise be required.

Figure 6 illustrates a plurality of torn, elongate, interlocking strips 22 folded, corrugated, and cut into strip segments 23. The strips 22 are also overlapped at one of the front end 24 and its rear end 35 26 to form a strip segment 23.

• 99006 19

Figure 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a crimping apparatus 30 that can be easily attached to a commercially available commercial tearing apparatus 32, shown in a simplified form. In one embodiment of the invention 5, any suitable tearing device 32 may be used.

The various tearing devices 32 are well known in the art and need not be described further here except to mention that the sheet material 34 is fed to a plurality of 10 parallel cutting plates 36 and 38 which rotate therein, cutting the sheet material 34 into a plurality of strips 20.

The conveyor belt 40 may be used to support and drive the sheet material 34 into the cutting plates 36 and 38. The conveyor belt 40 may be freely rotating or motorized by a motor (not shown).

Preferably, in the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the cutting plates 36 and 38 are toothed cutting plates that facilitate easy tearing of the sheet material 34 and assist in pulling the sheet material 34 into the tearing device 32 as the sheet material 34 adheres to the cutting plates 36 and 38.

After passing between the cutting plates 36 and 38, the sheet material 34 is cut into elongate strips 20, which are then directed towards the outlet 25 42 of the tearing device 32 and driven outwards. The strips 20 are generally driven out through the outlet 42 at a very rapid speed. In this preferred embodiment, the strips 20 are driven out of the outlet 42 along a path generally indicated by arrow 43 at a speed of about 38.1 m / min.

The crimping device 30 is essentially a simple, durable, easily constructed and inexpensive accessory for the tearing device 32 which can be easily attached and used.

The attachment of the crimping device 30 to or near the tearing device 32 99006 20 may be performed by any suitable means and does not necessarily require permanent modification or distortion of the tearing device 32. For example, the crimping device 30 may be securely attached or secured to a raised riser or support member 44 attached to a structure (not shown) below and / or having sufficient weight to resist displacement. The bulk of the weight of the crimping apparatus 30 may rest on the support portion 44. When attached, the crimping apparatus 30 can be properly positioned near the opening 42 of the outlet 10 even without securing it to the tearing device 32.

Alternatively, the crimping apparatus 30 may be physically secured to the tearing device 32. For example, the crimping apparatus 30 may be releasably attached to the structural frame 45 of the tearing device 32 by any suitable support means. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the crimping apparatus 30 is releasably attached to the housing of the tearing device 32, such as the rear wall 46, by a support bracket 47, such as a corner iron portion. The means 20 for releasably securing the support bracket 47 to the crimping apparatus 30 and the structural frame 45 of the crimping apparatus 32 may comprise a plurality of removable screws 48, bolts, or the like. If the crimping apparatus 30 is used as an optional or retrofit accessory, it 25 is positioned adjacent the outlet 42. If the disintegrator 32, the inside space allows, crimping apparatus 30 is positioned immediately adjacent the front end of the cutting discs 36 and 38 of the exhaust side.

The tearing device 32 may also be specifically designed to incorporate the subject matter of the present invention, which reduces the need for an accessory.

The crimping apparatus 30 converts the tearing device 32 to provide a sheet material 34, which may be made of mylar, paper, cardboard, or the like, and which is fed therethrough, against an obstacle to push or drive 60 99006 21 after passing between the cutting plates 36 and 38. The barrier 60 causes the torn strips 20 to assume a partially compressed space within the compression chamber or restricted area 62 located between the barrier 60 and the cutting plates 36 and 5 38.

Continued tearing of the additional sheet material 34 by the tearing device 32 forces the additional elongate strips 20 into a restricted area 62 to form a barrier wall or temporarily compressed strips 20. Once the barrier wall of the torn strips 10 20 is formed, the front wall closest to the cutting plates 36 and 38 ' When additional amounts of sheet material 34 are fed or drawn into the tearing devices 32, the ejection force applied by the cutting plates 36 and 38 forces the strips 20 15 into the restricted area 62. When the strips 20 are forced against the barriers 60 or 60 ', the strips 20 are limited within the restricted area 62 and forced to fold. against themselves in a relatively controlled manner. Such folding and further insertion of the strips 20 into the restricted area 62 20 causes the folded strips to seal and against each other, thereby creating corrugated strips 22. Sealing the strips 20 within the restricted area 62 causes the strips 20 to corrugate at each fold. The continued insertion of the strips 20 within the restricted area 62 25 against the barrier 60 or 60 'folds and corrugates each strip 20 repeatedly and relatively uniformly into an accordion-shaped mass of corrugated strips 22.

The function of the crimping apparatus 30 is to act as a pressure sensitive barrier 60 capable of temporarily closing the channel of the strips 20 driven out of the tearing device 32. Towards this end the crimping apparatus 24 is provided with means for driving the barrier 60 towards the closed position.

In its preferred embodiment, the barrier 60 comprises a compression door or port 70 having a closed position within a generally vertical plane and an open position within a generally horizontal plane. Figures 1 and 3 illustrate the gate 70 in the closed position. Figure 2 shows the gate 70 in the open position.

Initially, the gate 70 is driven toward its closed position by a drive means 72. The drive means 72 may comprise a spring, a weight, or a pneumatically or hydraulically controlled piston 74 connected to the port 70 by a lever means 76. The force applied to the port 70 by the drive means 72 can be controlled by either spring , or a valve means 78 attached to the piston 74. If the piston 74 is used, the fluid or air pressure reservoir 80 may be provided and suitably connected to the piston by a hose 82. Electronic pressure sensors 15 may also be used to determine the amount of pressure applied to port 70 and to activate and / or release vehicle 72 as needed.

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the accessory and the operation of the lever means 76 and the piston 74 of the port 70, 20. The gate 70 extends the width of the restricted area 62 and is secured to the compression door shaft or hinge rod 84. The hinge rod 84 allows the gate 70 to rotate between its open position and its closed position. The hinge rod 84 may pass through sidewalls 86, 25 and 88 to assist in defining the restricted area 62. The hinge rod 84 may be firmly attached to the linkage means 76 by a wedge member 90 inserted into a keyway 92 disposed within the hinge rod 84 and the linkage means 76. The linkage means 76 30 may comprise an angle arm as illustrated in Figures 1-5.

The linkage means 76 is firmly attached to the hinge rod 84 by a locking nut 94 having a dowel pin 96 therein to prevent the locking nut from loosening. The linkage means 76 is then connected to the second rod 98 or the connecting rod 35 by means of a pair of nuts 99 and 99 '. The second rod 98 is

II

99006 23 is attached to the first end 100 of the piston 74. The second end 102 of the piston is connected either to the structure of the crimping apparatus 30 itself or to some other component which facilitates the operation of the piston 74. Figure 3 illustrates the second end 102 of the piston 74 attached to the top wall 104, which further defines the restricted area 62 by means of a pin 106 and a support bracket 108.

The recess 110 may be provided within the top wall 104 adjacent the hinge bar 84 so that the port 70 can be retracted there when placed in the open position sa. Thus, the hinge bar 84 and the gate 70 do not support the flow of the corrugated strips 22 when the gate 70 is placed in its open position.

In this preferred embodiment, the restricted area 15 62 is limited by a gate 70, sidewalls 86 and 88, top wall 104 and bottom wall 112, and cutting plates 36 and 38. Once the barrier wall of the partially compressed corrugated strips 22 is once within the restricted area 62, the corrugated strips 22 and top wall 104 , the frictional resistance between the side walls 86 and 88 of the lower wall 112 and 20 provides sufficient holding force to eliminate the need for the gate 70. At this point, the gate 70 can be raised automatically or manually to its open position as shown in Figure 2. The remaining barrier-25 wall of the corrugated strips 22 performs the function of gate 70. Therefore, the operation of the gate 70 is only needed temporarily until a sufficiently large barrier wall of the partially compressed strips 22 is within the restricted area 62.

As described above, the barrier 60 may comprise some resistance 30 which causes a sufficiently large number of corrugated strips 22 to be partially compressed within the restricted area 62 to the point that frictional resistance along the inner sides of the restricted area no longer requires the use of the barrier 60. Therefore, an alternative embodiment 35 of the barrier 60 may be a simple board or other article that tracks. 99006 24 indicates the occurrence of a compressed state. For example, a piece of wood, cardboard, or other material that temporarily fills an empty space within the restricted area 62 serves this purpose. A board can be used for this purpose.

Alternatively, a given number of previously produced strips 20 or 22 may be forced into the restricted area 62 to initiate the process described above.

In addition, if it is desirable to increase the amount of frictional resistance between the corrugated strips 22 and the interior, top and bottom walls of the restricted area 62 10, the volume of the restricted area 62 may be reduced. Thus, the same amount of sheet material 34 could be forced through a smaller area of the restricted area 62. This can be accomplished by providing the bottom wall 112 with means 114 for raising the bottom wall 15 112 relative to the top wall 104 and the side walls 86 and 88. For example, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the support member 44 may be provided with a vertically oriented bolt extending from the one that can be rotated to force the bottom wall 112 upward relative to the remaining components of the crimping apparatus 20.

In a preferred embodiment, the top, bottom and side walls 104, 112, 86 and 88 are made of aircraft LEXAN, a highly useful translucent material that allows the user to view the space of the crimping apparatus 30 as glass. Other materials such as steel, aluminum, wood, plastic and the like can also be used.

Once formed, the corrugated strips 22 may pass through the restricted area 62 and may be located in the receiving vessel 116. If necessary, a trough or ramp 118 may be used to facilitate the movement of the corrugated strips 22 into the receiving vessel 116.

The length of the corrugated strips 22 is also limited. For example, if the sheet material 34 has a limited length, then as such sheet material 34 passes through the tearing device 32 and the crimping device 30, the crimped strips 99006 25 formed will necessarily have a limited length.

Alternatively, continuous pieces of sheet material 34 may be passed through the tearing device 32 and the crimping device 5. The compacted space of the folded, corrugated and compressed strips 22 can be maintained through the corrugation apparatus 30 by requiring the corrugated strips 22 to travel along a path having a generally limited area. The cutting, splitting, or cutting device 120 may then be attached at pre-selected intervals to cut the compressed strips 22 into strip segments 23. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the cutting device 120 may utilize the blade 122 to cut the compressed corrugated strips 22.

The length of the corrugated strips 22 can be adjusted by: controlling the speed of transit of the strips 22 through the corrugating apparatus 30; and / or by controlling the speed or interval between which the blade 122 cuts the strips 22. Poi-20 twisted strips 22 can be produced at lengths in excess of 30.48 meters or more, or at lengths less than 2.54 cm.

As described above, splitting or cutting multiple layers of corrugated strips 22 can compress such layers of strips 22 against each other to the extent that bonding between the strips 22 occurs. Thus, strip segments 23 can be provided.

The preferred method of producing corrugated strips 22 30 comprises the steps of: a) passing the torn sheet material in the form of a strip into a restricted area 62; b) preventing the strips of sheet material 34 from exiting the controlled restricted area 62; and c) passing additional strips of sheet material 34 against a portion of the previously limited strips of sheet material 34 to cause such strips of sheet material 34 to fold against themselves and thus be folded and corrugated into a generally accordion-shaped strip.

An additional step may comprise the step of cutting the corrugated strips 22 into different segments.

As seen in Figures 10-13, another preferred embodiment of the invention is provided in the form of a machine 200 for forming a preferred packaging product. The preferred machine 200 comprises a feed section 202, a cutting section 204, and an unloading section 206. The feeding section 202 is arranged to feed one or more sheets of material to the cutting section 204 to be cut longitudinally in that manner. The strip means cut by the cutting portion 204 are then drilled from the cutting portion 204 into the unloading portion 206.

To provide a basic force to the machine 200, the feed section 202 includes a feed motor 208. The feed motor 208 has an associated reduction gear portion 210 in which the output of the reduction gear is in the form of a drive sprocket 212.

To motor the cutting section 204, the cutting motor 214 is provided with an associated reduction gear portion 216. The output of the reduction gear portion 216 is in the form of a drive sprocket 218.

The substrate material for initiating the operation of the machine 200 for forming the preferred packaging material is preferably fed in roll form (not shown) to supply one or more layers of material to the feed section 202. As seen in Figure 9, the material is initially oriented for alignment through reorient rollers 219. Although not specifically copied in Figure 9, three layers of material are preferred.

As seen in Figure 10, the feed section 202 is shaped to advance the material in the first direction A. However, the preferred machine 200 is different from the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2. For machine 200 99006 27, it has been determined that it is useful to provide pre-cut sheets of material rather than cutting the packaging material transversely after it has been formed. Thus, the first drive roller 220 feeds the material 5 to the transverse cutting component 222. The transverse cutting component 222 includes four rotating cutting blades 224 mounted for rotation on the shaft 225. The support cylinder 226 is aligned with the shaft 225 and includes neoprene portions 228 10 for special alignment and interaction with the blades 224.

Although not shown in the figures, each blade 224 includes a generally serrated edge but also includes a plurality of slits along their lengths to provide only partial cutting of the material as it is moved below it. When the material is only partially cut, it is advanced to a second drive roller 230 for further direction to the cutting section 204. To hold the material in place to advance to the transfer cutting component 222 ta-20, the first biased roller means 221 is biased toward and aligned with the first drive roller 220. The second biased roll means 231 is biased toward and aligned with the second drive roll 230.

The first drive roller 220, the support cylinder 226, and the second drive roller 230 all rotate at the same rotational speed. Each component in the feed section 202 is preferably more than 38.1 cm wide to provide material to the cutting section 204, which, as can be seen, is capable of accommodating 38.1 cm wide material. The first drive roller 220 is preferably knurled or rough to provide sufficient friction for the material to advance therethrough, while the second drive roller 230 is preferably smooth. In addition, the second drive roller 230 has a slightly larger diameter than the first drive roller 220 99006 28 to hold the material tightly for proper partial cutting by the transverse cutting component 222. Due to the smooth surface of the roll 230, the additional tightening 5 provided by the slightly larger second drive roll 230 is not sufficient to tear or separate the sheets of material 238 simply by the movement of the drive rollers 220, 230.

The means for arranging the rotation of the first drive roller 220, the cutting blade shaft 225, the support cylinder 226 and the second drive roller 230 10 is shown in Figure 9. With the base force provided by the feed motor 208, the second drive roller 230 includes a driven sprocket 232 rigidly mounted at its end for drive with chain drive 213. from a drive sprocket 15 212. A gear 232a on the shaft of the second drive roller 230 engages and rotates the first intermediate gear 233 mounted on the side housing of the feed section 202. The first intermediate gear 233, in turn, engages the gear 234 associated with the support cylinder 226.

The gear 234 engages a second intermediate gear 236 and a larger gear 238 connected to the rotating shaft 225 of the cutting blades 224. The gear 238 has a diameter twice the diameter of the gear 234 to provide a rotation 25 of the shaft 225 that is half the support. Thus, the four cutting blades 224 are brought into alignment with the two neoprene portions 228 of the support cylinder 226 as they rotate at different speeds, respectively. The second intermediate gear 236 engages and rotates the drive gear 237 at the end of the first drive roller 220. By parallel rotation of each sprocket and gear, as indicated by the small arrows in Figures 9 and 10, it can be understood that the roll of material is fed towards the cutting section 204 to the feed section 35a 202.

29 SSC06

In the preferred machine 200, the feed motor 208 is a variable speed, five horsepower motor in which the reduction gear portion 210 has a reduction gear ratio of ten to one. The motor 208 is preferably configured to provide a feed of material having a width of 20.32 cm to about 38.1 cm at a speed of about 109.73 m / min. The distance of the cutting blades 224 around the shaft 225 is such that a partial cut is made along every 11.18 cm of material length. Thus, the preferred sheets 238 to be fed to the cutting section 10 are 38.1 cm wide and 11.18 cm long.

As best seen in Figures 9, 10, 11 and 12, the cutting section 204 includes an upper and lower group of overlapping cutting plates 240, 242. The upper cutting plates 240 are fixedly mounted for rotation on the shaft 241, while the lower cutting plates 242 are fixedly mounted for rotation on the shaft 243. The lower shaft 243 includes a drive sprocket (not shown) and is connected by a chain 219a to the drive sprocket 218 of the shear motor 214. The shafts 241, 243 are connected by fitting gears (not shown) for corresponding rotation in the opposite direction as generally indicated by arrow B. The overlap and adhesion of the plates 240, 242 is such that adjacent cutting plates 240, 242 on their respective shafts 241, 243 25 are separated from each other to receive a cutting plate 242, 240 on another shaft 243, 241 therebetween. An overlapping row of cutting plates 240, 242 is capable of receiving material between them on each sheet 238 30, whether or not there are one or more layers, from the feed section 202. Once the sheets 238 are oriented between the cutting plates 240, 242, they are cut longitudinally. A strip means each strip means containing an equivalent number of layers as the original sheets 238 fed by the feed section 202.

99006 30

The sheets 238 are typically cut to form elongate strip means associated with each cutting plate 240, 242. The cuts are made between the side edges of each cutting plate 240 and the adjacent side edges of the adjacent cutting plate 242. The strip means provided by the cutting plates 240, 242 are generally aligned for passage through the cutting section 204 by a series of combing machines 244 associated with each group of cutting plates 240, 242.

Each combing machine 244 includes a central opening 245 for receiving a respective shaft 241, 243 therethrough. The hairdressing machines on the second shaft 241, 243 are aligned laterally or transversely with the respective cutting plates 242, 240 on the second shaft 243, 241. Each combing machine 244 is mounted on and supported by transverse bars 246 extending across the cutting portion 204 through respective holes at the end of the combing machine 244. Despite the support of the rods 246, the preferred combing machines 244 are capable of limited movement along the shafts 20 241, 243 in the same manner as the cutting plates 240, 242.

Each combing machine 244 most significantly includes a head surface 248 aligned with a corresponding cutting plate 240, 242 25 on the opposite shaft 241, 243. The shape of the cutting plates 240, 242 and the aligned end surfaces 248 of the combing machines 244 provide a common area for limited movement of the strip means formed by the cutting portion 204 as the sheets 238 pass therethrough. The aligned end surface 248 terminates at the extension 250 of each cutting machine 244 on the discharge side of the cutting section 204. The purpose of the extensions 250 is discussed below.

The cutting section 204 is motorized by a motor 214, which is preferably 15 horsepower with variable speed control and includes a reduction gear 216 with a reduction ratio of 35: 1. Each cutting plate 240, 242 is about 0.32 cm wide. Thus, each of the cutting shafts 241, 243 includes at least 60 cutting plates 240, 242 as a whole to provide at least 120 slicing plates 240, 242 to two groups of 38.1 cm level sheets to achieve the desired cutting. Preferably, the speed of the motor 214 is adjusted to provide a speed of about 115.82 m / min to the outer cylindrical surface of each sliding plate 240, 242. That is, the cutting plates 240, 242 rotate at a higher linear speed than the second drive roller 230. As a result, the higher speed of the cutting plates 240, 242 causes them to engage the sheets 238 as they intervene and pull each sheet from its next adjacent sheet 238 to separate the partially cut sheets 204. for progress through. As can be seen in Figure 10, the separation 15 has not yet occurred and tends to occur as the plate 238 leaves the second drive roller 230. It is desirable for the drive roller 230 to maintain contact with the next adjacent sheet 238 to maintain tension with the material for transverse cutting. Thus, each sheet 20, whether single or multiple layers of material, is cut longitudinally in the cutting section 204 before the next available sheet 238 enters the cutting section 204.

From the handling of the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, it should be apparent that the preferred machine 200 must also include some means for restricting movement of the strip means after they are formed in the cutting section 204. Thus, the unloading section 206 is aligned with the cutting section 204 and includes a substantially unloading chute 260. in place with a frame 258 firmly attached to opposite sides of the cutting section 204. The preferred discharge chute 260 is formed primarily of plexiglass or some other durable clear plastic material, such as that desired for the embodiment 35 of Figures 1 and 2.

- 99006 32

The discharge chute 260 includes a lower wall 262 and an upper wall 264 with two side walls 266 therebetween. To generally support the unloading chute 260, a pair of lower brackets 268 are securely attached to the frame 258 to receive and support the lower wall 262 thereto. The lead end of each sidewall 266 is movably secured between the bottom wall 262 and the top wall 264 by bolt means 276. To direct pressure to the bottom wall 262 and the top wall 264 to retain the sidewalls 266 completely therebetween, an adjustable support is provided at the top of the frame 258 264 across the top surface and are held in place by adjustable bolt means 274 extending through a rigid rod 272 secured between the side frame 258. Essentially, the bolt means 274 is intended to direct reinforcement pressure through the brackets 270 to the top wall 264 and the bottom wall 262 while also providing considerable frictional force to the top and bottom surfaces of the side walls 266.

This means of applying pressure to the side walls 266 is significant when it is understood that the preferred discharge chute 260 can be adjusted to include sheets of material of different widths when the strip means thus formed are discharged from the cutting section 204. That is, the discharge section 206 is as shown in Figure 11. , for receiving strip means formed of sheets of material about 38.1 cm wide. However, the feed section 202 and the cutting section 204 could sensibly include sheets of material as narrow as 20.32 cm. However, to account for proper disassembly through the disassembly section 206, the preferred trough 260 must be adjusted to provide sufficient resistance to the strip means disassembled from the cutting section 204. To maintain the increased resistance in the disassembled portion 206, the installation of sidewalls 266 by bolt-35 means 276 allows the rear end 99006 33 of each sidewall 266 to be rotated to cause the discharge chute 260 to have a tapered profile. In particular, if the side walls 266 are to be formed with a narrower profile for the manufacture of strip means 5 from narrower sheets of material, the bolts 274 may be loosened to reduce the pressure between the supports 268, 270. With the force reduced by the top wall 264 and the bottom wall 262, each side wall 266 can be rotated about its respective bolt means 266. To provide proper adjustment to the side walls 266, each frame 258 is provided with adjustable bolt means 278 for controlled positioning of the side walls 266 around the bolt means 276. Although the sidewalls 266 are shown to be parallel in Figure 11, for accommodating sheets of material about 38.1 cm wide, if the sheets of material were as narrow as 20.32 cm, the bolts 278 could be adjusted inward to make the rear end of the discharge chute 260 significantly narrowed to about 20.32 cm. The resulting tapered profile can create a reduced volume to assemble the strip means 20 therein and provide significant limitations for any strip means to be disassembled therethrough.

A further restriction on the passage of the strip means through the discharge chute 260 may be provided by an adjustable gate 280 at its outlet end. Gate 280 is hingedly connected to top wall 264. Support 286 at opposite ends of gate 280 may be used for manual or automatic adjustment means (not shown) for proper positioning of gate 280. As shown for the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, during continued production of the packaging product of the present invention, the gate 280 need not always be in the closed and restrictive position. That is, once the port 280 is closed to provide adequate assembly of the packaging product within the unloading chute 260, the general friction 35 created by the packaging product through the unloading chute 260 may be sufficient to cause 99006 34 sufficient restrictions on unloading the cutting member 204 to provide the desired properties to the strip means.

The preferred gutter means 260 has an internal height H of about 5.08 cm 5 and an internal width W that can vary between 20.32 cm and 38.1 cm. Due to the significant pressure and forces generated inside the discharge chute 260, the bottom wall 262 and the top wall have a thickness of about 1.91 cm, while each side wall 266 has a thickness of about 3.82 cm.

Although the preferred length of the discharge chute is about 30.48 cm, the length could be varied depending on the type of material used to provide the preferred packaging product. 5.08 cm height allows each combing machine 244 of the extensions 250 to be loosely positioned to engage the inner side 260 of the trough 15 in greater displacement in the shear portion 204 of the discharge portion 206.

As shown in Figures 9, 10 and 11, the preferred embodiment, which is in the form of a machine 200, does not contain any description of the packaging product thus formed.

20 Figure 12 an enlarged, fragmentary view, however, includes a representation of what is thought to occur within the cutting section 204 of the inner side. It should be understood that the preferred machine 200 provides an extremely packaged and compact set of strip means that essentially comprises the preferred packaging product 25 prior to expansion, release and mixing in the discharge chute 260 and the discharge chute 260 after departure. The plurality of tightly mixed and interconnected strip means provide the packaging product in such a compact form that it is quite difficult to actually identify the orientation and shape of the various strip means 30 within the cutting section 204 and the unpacking section 206. However, a best understood description of the packaging product as formed on the machine 200 is given in schematic form in Figures 12, 13 and 14.

35 It should be generally recognized that any substrate material for forming a preferred packaging product contains natural resilience with efforts to resist folding. Whether the material is paper, cardboard, mylar, or some other material in the form of a sheet, the material includes a tendency to remain in a straightened shape and to resist any folds or folds thereof. This principle can be easily detected by simply taking a small sheet of paper and trying to fold it in half. If someone tries to apply pressure or tension to move the folded memory into the sheet material, it is not uncommon for the fold to "trigger" when the two halves of the paper tend to separate naturally because the original "memory" in the paper tends to resist the fold. The same principle can also be observed if several ker-15 folds are also folded at the same time.

Throughout the remainder of the description below, it should be noted that each fold provided in the preferred strip means is at least initially quite tight so that adjacent longitudinal portions 20 of the strip means tend to be in intimate contact. However, as will be seen, when pressure is released from each strip means, the folds have a natural tendency to expand or release to cause the portions adjacent to the folds to stand out angularly / obliquely.

As shown in Figure 12, the sheets 238 are initially cut between their cutting edges as they extend between the cutting wheels 240, 242 to form an initial strip means 300a which tends to rest along the flat outer cylindrical surface 240c, 242c of the respective cutting wheels 240, 242. The al-30 sling means 300a is caused by the rotating surface 240c, 242c to advance continuously at least partially toward the discharge side of the cutting portion 204.

However, as with the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, significant resistance to each of the initially formed strip means 300a is provided by assembling the previously formed strip means 366 into the unloading section 206, which will be discussed below. Initially, it is sufficient to understand that a plurality of previously formed strip means are tightly collected on the discharge side of the cutting section 204. Thus, when each initially formed strip means 300a is caused to advance through a cutting section 204 on each cutting plate 240, 242 which imparts a frictional force to them, resistance at their ends causes the initially formed strip means 300a to be successively folded to provide longitudinally compressed strands 300. The longitudinally compressed strip means 300b is inherently formed within the cutting portion 204 as the previously formed and longitudinally fully compressed strip means 300b accumulate on its discharge side. It is impossible to stop the machine 200 longitudinally to see the exact location of the fully compressed strip means between the cutting plates 240, 242 and the combing machine 244. However, it is assumed that they tend to accumulate on the discharge side of the connecting line between the centers 20 of the shafts 241, 243. As a result, it is possible that the initially formed strip means 300a are relatively shorter than shown in Fig. 12. Successive folding of each strip means can begin when each strip means is cut longitudinally. However, as all of the cutting plates 240, 242 rotate toward the discharge side, it would be apparent that the frictional force generated on each longitudinally fully compressed strip means 300b would tend to accumulate toward the discharge end of the cutting section 204 rather than the connecting line of the cutting section 204.

A movable assembly of longitudinally fully compressed strip means 300b is held in place for disassembly on the aligned end faces 248 of each combing machine 244 and extension 250. As indicated above, the figure shown in Fig. 12 represents a poor understanding of the type of accumulation of the longitudinally fully compressed strip means 300b within the cutting portion 204 on its discharge side. Although the outer cylindrical surface 240c, 242c transmits some compressive force to each of the initial strip means 300a when the longitudinally fully compressed strip means 300b is formed, it should also be understood that the lateral surfaces 240s and 242s of each cutting wheel 240, 242 to the strip means 300b during and after their formation.

It should be noted that the preferred machine 200 differs from the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 by the inclusion of flat cylindrical outer surfaces 240c 15 and 242c of the cutting plates 240 and 242. The cutting plates of the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 preferably included a serrated or serrated shape that can adhere to the material provided therein and can tend to ensure proper longitudinal cutting of the material to form the strip means 20. However, it has been found that one aspect of the invention is improved by the inclusion of flat cylindrical surfaces 240c, 242c due to the type of longitudinal sealing of the various strip means that occurs within the cutting portion 204 of the machine 200. The flat outer cylinder-25 surface 240c, 242c does not tend to tear the material and significantly reduces the possibility of producing dust and other fine particles. Further, as can be seen in Figure 12, by tightly collecting the longitudinally fully compressed strip means 300b on the outlet side of the cutting plates 240, 242 30, the flat edges of the outer surfaces of the cutting plates can rotate freely with previously collected longitudinally fully compressed strip means 300b.

It should now be apparent that the general force provided by the rotation of the cutting plates 240, 242 to provide fully compressed strip means 300b in the longitudinal direction continues to transfer force to each previously formed strip means to cause travel and displacement toward the unloading portion 206. Depending on the thickness of the material and the number of folds produced, it would not be unusual for the longitudinally fully compressed strip means 300b formed from the 11.18 cm strip means to be only about 1.27 can - about 2.54 cm long in the cutting section 204.

As can be seen in Figure 13, the best possible observation is that the strip means appears to accumulate in the form of some type of wave near the inlet end 15 of the discharge chute 260 as the longitudinally tightly compressed strip means 300c travels through the discharge chute 260. Although the tightly longitudinally compressed strip means 300c have very tight folds therein, it is not expected that their folds will be quite as tight as the longitudinally fully compressed strip means 300b initially formed within the cutting portion 204. The resistance provided in the discharge chute 260, which tends to cause successive folding of each initial strip means 300a, is clearly greater within the cutting portion 204 than in successive positions along the discharge chute 260. The restraining force is greater on the discharge side of the cutting section 260 than at the additional locations along the discharge chute 260 due to the additional effects of frictional resistance of the various strip means as they tend to slide along the inner surface of the discharge chute 260. Thus, Fig. 13 is only a schematic representation of what appears to be happening at the inlet end of the discharge chute 260, and the waves are not likely to be as uniformly or evenly spaced. However, the strip means 300c should still be quite tightly longitudinally compressed, but not to the same extent as the fully longitudinally compressed strip means 300b. This tendency to be less longitudinally compressed is fully consistent with the resilient nature of the material used to form the strip means comprising the base packaging product.

As shown in Figure 14, at a location within the discharge chute 260 farther from the cutting section 204, a mixed set of longitudinally less compressed strip means 300d is included. As the pressure on the longitudinally less compressed strip means 300d tends to decrease due to the opening of the discharge end of the discharge chute 260, the natural resilience of each strip means tends to cause them to expand and be relatively displaced within the discharge chute 260. There is a significant volume expansion of the strip means 300d with a clear mixing and repositioning of all the longitudinally less compressed strip means 300d when they reach the mass of the end 260 of the discharge chute.

With the description given for Figures 12, 13 and 14, it should be clear that the basic force required to form the longitudinally compressed strip means is provided by rotating cutting plates 240, 25 242 against the previously formed longitudinally compressed strip means which tend to accumulate throughout the discharge chute 260. The natural elasticity of each longitudinally compressed strip means generally causes them to expand longitudinally as they move toward the end of the discharge chute 260, and once released from the discharge chute 260 into a container (not shown), further expansion of each strip means occurs. Thus, it should now be apparent that the preferred machine 200 does not simply include a tear machine configuration to form a collection of strip means compressed to form a packaging product. Instead, the preferred packaging product consists of a plurality of individually longitudinally compressed strip means that tend to expand in an interlocking and resilient manner to provide a resulting packaging product in which the single strip means has natural resilience, tendency to expand longitudinally, and tendency to resist.

As shown in Figure 15, typically the truncated portion of the strip means 300 compressed in the longitudinal direction would include a plurality of folds 310 with generally planar longitudinal portions 320 therebetween. The folds extend substantially transversely to the longitudinal direction of the strip means. One planar portion 320 extends in a second direction, generally transverse to the longitudinal direction, to terminate at the fold 310. The next planar portion 320 extends away from the fold 310 in a third direction, which is also transverse to the longitudinal direction and substantially opposite to the second direction of the previous planar portion 320.

It has been found that the proper resistance provided to the discharge chute 260 on most of the planar bodies or parts has a length P of about 0.32 to 0.64 cm for the longitudinally compressed strip means 25 300 formed in the preferred machine 200 in which the width of the cutting plates 240, 242 is 0 , 32 cm. In other machines similar to the preferred machine 200, in which the width of the cutting plates is about 0.64 cm, it is not uncommon for most of the planar portions 320 to have a length of about 0.64 to 0.27 cm. In any case, with at least 50% of the longitudinally compressed strip means being formed, as seen in Figure 15, the preferred packaging product includes the combined total resilience as desired. The longitudinally compressed strip means formed from 11.18 cm 99006 41 strip means would typically be only about 3.82-6.35 cm long.

As mentioned above, the general shapes shown in Figures 12, 13 and 14 are rather schematic and idea-5 added. Due to the tight sealing of the various strip means formed there, not all strip means clearly have the preferred, generally uniform, folding as shown in Figures 15. For example, as seen in Figure 16, it is not uncommon for some longitudinally compressed strip means 300x to have a varying shape of the folds and generally longitudinal planar portions therebetween. As can best be determined, a significant number of such longitudinally compressed strip means 300x15 may be formed due to individual slits that may occur near the cutting plates 240, 242 as the previously formed longitudinally fully compressed strip means 300b is formed and moved toward disassembly of the cutting section 204. The longitudinally compressed strip means 300x may have smaller longitudinal planar portions of length P1 equal to less than 0.04 cm and larger longitudinal planar portions of length P2 equal to 2.54 cm.

In any case, although the different longitudinally compressed strip means 300, 300x have a natural resilience and are generally prestressed along their length, it should also be noted that the resistance provided by the folds 310 tends to impart lateral or lateral strength to each strip 300 as they mix. with each other and related together throughout the low cost packaging product. Further, as the longitudinally compressed strip means 300, 300x tend to expand the initially formed folds having a zero angle between the longitudinal planar portions 320, the partially released angles of the folds 99006 42 could typically range from a small angle, such as 5 or 10 degrees, to greater than about 90 degrees. degree corners. A very small proportion of the individual folds can extend completely to about 180 degrees as the various longitudinally compressed strip means 300, 300x bend, bend and mix with each other to form an interlocking set of the desired packaging product. In fact, the mixing and joining of all the different strip means of the preferred packaging product is so complex and intertwined that it is practically impossible to describe with a drawing. In any case, it should be clear from the above description that the main features given to the preferred packaging product, similar to those shown schematically in Figures 15 6 and 8, are provided by the individual characteristics of each longitudinally compressed strip material of which the preferred packaging product is composed.

As shown in Figures 15 and 16, the strip spacers 300, 300x are preferably formed of three layers of sheet material initially provided by the feed section 202. The layers are shown separately for weighting but would normally be in close contact along their entire length. Again, lateral resilience and strength are not only provided with each fold 310, but additional lateral resistance and strength are provided by incorporating multilayers of material into each longitudinal body or portion 320.

As can be seen in Figure 17A, the preferred machine 200 30 can also be utilized to provide a much stronger packaging product by introducing single-sided corrugated board 238a. The corrugated board 238a has a planar side 238b, the transverse portions of which are joined along it by a corrugated side 238c, which is also formed of corrugated material. Feeding the single-sided corrugated board 238a into the cutting section again produces strip means that are longitudinally compressed but generally less uniform in shape than seen in the strip means 300, 300x of Figures 15 and 16. Such a planar portion 5,238b, shown in Figure 17B, is modified to have a plurality of folds 336 separated by generally planar portions 338. The wave side 238c is modified to have multiple portions and folds 334 depending on the resistance provided when the strip means is generally disassembled. In any case, the resulting product shown in Figure 17B is longitudinally compressed, while providing even greater lateral or lateral strength and resistance to collapse to provide overall rigidity and resilience to the packaging product thus formed.

As shown in Figure 18, a small portion of the second preferred sheet 238p, approximately 1.27 cm wide, is shown. While the entire sheet 238p may again be 38.1 cm wide, a smaller portion is shown in Figure 18 for presentation purposes. By appropriate printing or embossing on the sheet 238p, or the like, the company name, logo, or trademark may be provided at 340, which appears correctly aligned when the various strips 300p are initially formed to provide the desired packaging product.

Although the initially formed strip means 300p are only 0.32 cm wide, the entire machine 200 allows printing to be provided in a simplified form before the strip means are formed, which would normally be expected for such a small strip means packaging product.

From the foregoing description, it should be apparent that the present invention includes a method of providing a packaging product comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of narrow, elongate strips of material, each having a small width and a substantially larger length; causing each material strip means to advance in a first direction generally parallel to the length of each strip means; and successive folding of each strip of material means as it progresses generally towards itself.

The successive folding is intended to cause the adjacent longitudinal portions of each strip of material means to extend on each side of the folding in the second direction and in the generally opposite third direction, respectively, the second and third directions being substantially transverse to the first direction. Successive folding causes each adjacent longitudinal portion to be generally planar. Sequential folding produces a plurality of folds, respectively, between each adjacent longitudinal portion, and folding the material at each fold creates tension in the material. Sequential folding is accomplished by limiting each material strip means after advancing in the first direction. The restriction can be arranged by assembling the material strip means downstream of the propagation and successive folding.

The assembly of the strip means is preferably generally between parallel wall means which extend in the first direction and are located on opposite sides of the area of advance and successive folding. Assembling the Mate-25 material strip means provides at least some friction against advancing to the wall means.

Each strip means may comprise several layers of material, and the advancement and successive folding of each strip means may occur simultaneously for each layer of material in the strip means.

The advancement of each strip means may include the simultaneous advancement of a plurality of strip means with each strip means being side-to-side in relation to adjacent strip means. Providing a plurality of strip means 35 may include: feeding at least 99006 45 one sheet of material in the first direction; cutting at least one sheet of material into a plurality of strip means; the cutting is performed by rotating two groups of alternating, overlapping cutting plates; 5 feeding of at least one sheet of material is between two groups of cutting plates; and the advancement of each strip means is provided at least in part by rotating the respective cutting surface into cutting plates that intersect each strip means as the cutting surface moves in the first direction. The provision of a plurality of strip means may further include printing information on at least one side of the sheet of material prior to feeding the sheets of material. The feeding may include a plurality of sheets of material for forming each strip means to include a plurality of layers, and successive folding of the plurality of layers of each strip means occurs simultaneously. The plurality of layers of each strip means may include aligned folds and substantially aligned adjacent longitudinal portions on each side of the aligned folds, respectively. Successive folding of each strip means may initially take place adjacent to the corresponding cutting surface into the cutting plates. Sequential folding can take place next to the disassembly of two groups of cutting plates. Feeding a plurality of sheets may include sheets of at least two different colors to provide a packaging product for inclusion in a strip media having at least two colors.

The present invention also includes apparatus for producing a packaging product, including means for advancing each of the plurality of strip strip means 30 in a first direction, each strip strip having a small width and a substantially larger length extending in the first direction; and means for folding each strip of material 35 in succession generally against itself on the downstream side of the means for advancing. Each strip means may include a plurality of layers of material, the advancing means may simultaneously cause the layers of each strip means to advance, and the means for folding each strip means in succession may include folding each layer of each strip means, respectively, simultaneously. The means for successive folding causes adjacent longitudinal portions of each strip of material to extend in the second direction and generally in the opposite third direction, respectively, and the second direction and the third direction are substantially transverse to the first direction. Each adjacent longitudinal portion is substantially planar. The means for successive folding produces a plurality of folds, respectively, between each adjacent longitudinal portion, and the folds produce tension in the material at each fold. The means for sequential folding may include means for limiting each strip of material means 20 downstream of the means for advancing in the first direction.

The means for limiting each strip of material may preferably include collecting each strip of material between generally parallel wall means extending in the first direction and located on opposite sides of the area downstream of each means for advancing the strip means. The means for assembling the material strip means produces at least some friction on the surface of the wall means 30 as opposed to the means for advancing a plurality of material strip means.

The means for advancing the plurality of strip means may include means for causing the plurality of strip means to advance simultaneously with each strip means 35 being in a side-to-edge relationship with the plurality of adjacent strip means. The apparatus may also include means for cutting at least one sheet of material to provide a plurality of strips of material simultaneously. This at least one sheet of material may contain printed information on at least one side thereof before proceeding to the cutting means. In the apparatus, the cutting means comprises two groups of alternating, overlapping cutting plates; 10 two groups of cutting plates rotate in opposite directions, respectively; and each cutting plate provides means for advancing the respective strip means, which respective strip means is obtained by cutting the cutting plates. The cutting means includes a plurality of sheets of material for cutting each strip means to include a plurality of layers, and the means for sequential folding provides for the simultaneous folding of each layer of each strip means. The plurality of layers of each strip means include aligned folds and substantially aligned longitudinal portions on each side of the aligned folds, respectively. The means for sequentially folding each strip means causes initial folding in the area adjacent to each cutting plate. The means for successively folding the plurality of strip means 25 causes initial folding next to the unloading opening of the two groups of cutting plates. Multiple sheets comprise sheets of at least two different colors to cause the packaging product to include strip media of at least two different colors.

It should also be apparent from the foregoing description that the present invention includes a compacted material in a restricted area, which compacted material is used as a packaging product when released from the restricted area. The compacted material includes a plurality of pit-35 strips of material; each strip has a plurality of folds to be sealed against itself and from the plurality of strips against each other; and the folds entering the strips are relatively uniform to form a mass of strips having the shape of an accordion. The mass 5 of the strips is under pressure. The strips are twisted together and locked together and the mass of the strips is resilient. The material includes at least biodegradable material, pulp material, paper, cardboard or mylar.

Each strip may further comprise at least two layers of material. At least two layers of material could contain at least two colors to impart two colors to the compacted material. Alternatively, each strip could include a print on at least one surface thereof.

The invention also includes a packaging product comprising a plurality of narrow, elongate strips of material; each strip means includes a plurality of folds along its length; and the plurality of strip means are intertwined and joined together to form an elastic mass 20 of the packaging product. Adjacent folds of each strip means are generally arranged in opposite directions. Each strip means includes portions between adjacent folds that are substantially planar. The material contains a natural resilience and the natural resilience tends to resist folding at the fold of each strip means. The material of each strip means generally forms a sharp angle at most of the folds.

The invention further includes a packaging product comprising a plurality of intertwined and interlocked material strip means; each strip means includes a plurality of folds with the material compressed from each fold; and a plurality of intertwined and interlocked strip means in which the folds are compressed to provide a resilient mass of the packaging product. The folds are compressed by sealing each strip means at least against itself. The folds are relatively uniform to provide each strip means with a common accordion shape. Adjacent folds of each of the 5 strip means are generally oriented in opposite directions. Each strip means includes portions between adjacent folds that are substantially planar.

The invention may further include a packaging product comprising narrow, elongate strips of material; each strip means has a small width dimension and a substantially longer length dimension; each strip means has a plurality of substantially transverse folds; each strip means includes adjacent longitudinal portions 15 on respective opposite sides of each adjacent fold; and most of the adjacent longitudinal portions continue from the adjacent folds generally at an acute angle between them. Each of the adjacent longitudinal sections is substantially planar-20 in shape.

The invention further includes a packaging product comprising a plurality of narrow, elongate strips of material; the material has a natural resilience which tends to resist its bending; each strip means si-25 includes relatively uniform folds intended to become accordion-shaped; and the plurality of strip means are generally sealed against each other at the folds against resilience. The natural resilience of a plurality of strip means is intended to tend to extend each strip means in the longitudinal direction over time. Many material strip media with folds are generally able to expand under natural resilience by generally folding the folds open.

In all of the described embodiments, the package 35 product may include a material comprising at least one 99006 50 biodegradable material, pulp material, paper, cardboard, or mylar. Each strip means may comprise at least two layers of material. Accordingly, the two layers of material may contain at least two colors to impart two colors to the packaging product. Further, each strip means could include a print on at least one surface thereof.

The means and structure disclosed herein are exemplary and essentially comprise a preferred form for practicing the invention. Although the drawings illustrate a preferred and alternative embodiment of the invention, other embodiments have been described in the foregoing text. One skilled in the art will fully appreciate that the device shown may have a wide variety of shapes and configurations. In addition, those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains will take into account the foregoing teachings when making various variations, other embodiments, and alternative forms of the invention.

It is therefore to be understood that the invention is not limited to certain embodiments or certain features set forth herein. In contrast, the inventor claims the invention 20 in all its forms, including all alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and alternative embodiments, within the scope of the appended claims, which are appropriately construed as subject to the doctrine of equivalence.

For example, other configurations of cutting plates and combing machine can be used to provide a wider strip media and / or even to cut wider sheets of material to simultaneously produce more packaging product. Similarly, other means could be used to feed and / or create different lengths of sheets for cutting to produce longer strip means for the packaging product. The discharge chute could clearly be modified to provide a different means for assembling the compressed strip means therein for changing the resistance in the cutting section without departing from the claimed invention.

The folding and corrugating apparatus and method of using it as described herein can be used to fold and corrugate strips of sheet material Revit-5 to selected lengths into an interlocking bulk packaging and / or decorative material. Torn, folded, corrugated interlocking strips can act as a resilient pad and / or packaging material with different desired lengths. The corrugated strips may be produced in a large number of colors or combinations of colors and may have a print appearing therein. The corrugated strips are preferably made of a recyclable, biodegradable material and may also be made of an edible material or a material disclosed in U.S. Pat. Approved by the Federal Food and Drug Administration for use with edible products. The equipment is very durable in construction, is easy to build, is cheap and economical to manufacture, and is extremely simple to use.

It should be noted that the two paper products of the invention were tested to determine the overall quality of the packaging product to compare the properties with those of stryrofoam. Of the paper products, one containing 0.32 cm wide 22-pound strips, Kraft paper, and the other 0.32 cm wide product were formed from single-sided corrugated paper of the type described above. In the standard drop test, the packaging product formed of single-sided corrugated material was equivalent to styrofoam nuts. However, because only one layer of Kraft paper was used to form the 30 lighter packaging product, the drop test was not as successful for this product as styrofoam nuts. This thin, light paper would not normally be expected to have sufficient rigidity for the drop test compared to styrofoam nuts.

35 Nevertheless, based on the results of the experiments, the sample of packaging material showed some highly desirable properties for its intended use. When compared to standard styrofoam packaging material, the paper-based samples showed remarkable comparable performance in the drop test and superior properties in expansion, settling, and moisture resistance. It should be clear from the experiments that with the right choice of material, a preferred packaging product could clearly perform as well as standard styrofoam packaging material in most cases and significantly better in other cases without the disadvantages associated with styrofoam packaging material.

Claims (31)

99006 A method of making a paper product from a sheet of paper, the method comprising feeding a sheet of paper (34) longitudinally; the sheet of paper is cut into a plurality of strips (20) to form a member of the strips, the cutting being performed by rotating at least two groups of cutting plates (36, 38; 240, 242); and 10 each strip (20) is successively folded into a corrugated shape, characterized in that the successive folding step is achieved by feeding said plurality of strips (20) forward against barrier means (60; 70; 104, 112, 86, 88; 240, 242; 280) which 15 act on the strip member such that the natural resilience of the paper provides substantially uniform adjacent opposing folds (310) in each strip (20), with the strips conforming to a substantially similar corrugated shape. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the barrier means comprise at least one pair of longitudinally extending walls (104, 112; 262, 264) arranged downstream of the cutting plates (36, 38; 240, 242). Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the barrier means comprise a downstream movable barrier (60; 70; 280). Method according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the level of the barrier effect of the walls (104, 112; 262, 30 264) is adjusted. A method according to claim 3, characterized in that the barrier (60; 70; 280) is automatically moved away from the cutting plates (36, 38; 240, 242) in order to achieve a controlled release of a plurality of corrugated strips. 99006 A method according to claim 4, characterized in that the walls (104, 112; 262, 264) are adjustable at an angle to the discharge chute (260) arranged downstream of the cutting plates. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the paper sheet (34) is biodegradable. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the paper sheets are cut transversely into segments and that the segments are separated upstream of the barrier means. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the cutting plates have flat cylindrical outer surfaces (240c, 242c) and that the feeding of the strips is effected by rotating the outer surfaces. A method according to claim 9, characterized in that the cutting plates have opposite side surfaces (240s, 242s) and that the feeding of the strips is effected by rotating the side surfaces. An apparatus for making a paper product from a sheet of paper, the apparatus comprising means (36, 38; 240, 242) for feeding a sheet of paper in the longitudinal direction; and means (36, 38; 240, 242) for cutting a sheet of paper lengthwise into a plurality of strips (20) to form a member of the strips, the cutting means comprising at least two groups of rotating cutting plates, characterized in that the apparatus further comprises means for cutting said plurality of strips. (20) for feeding against barrier means (60, 70; 104, 112, 86, 88; 240, 242; 280) acting on the strip member such that the natural resilience of the paper provides substantially uniform adjacent opposite folds (310) to each strip (20); the jol-35 loi strips settle in a substantially similar corrugated shape. 99006 Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the barrier means comprise at least one pair of longitudinally extending walls (104, 112; 262, 264) arranged downstream of the cutting plates (36, 38; 5 240, 242). Device according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the barrier means comprise a downstream movable barrier (60; 70; 280). Device according to Claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the device comprises devices for adjusting the level of the barrier effect of the walls (104, 112; 262, 264). Device according to claim 13, characterized in that the device comprises means (72, 76; 15 282) for automatically moving the closure (60; 70; 280) away from the cutting plates (36, 38; 240, 242) in order to achieve a controlled release of a plurality of corrugated strips. Device according to Claim 14, characterized in that the walls (104, 112; 262, 264) can be arranged obliquely with respect to a discharge chute (260) arranged downstream of the cutting plates. Device according to Claim 11, characterized in that the paper sheet (34) is biodegradable. Apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the apparatus comprises means (222) for cutting the sheets transversely into segments and separating the segments upstream of the barrier means. Device according to Claim 11, characterized in that the cutting plates have flat cylindrical outer surfaces (240c, 242c). Device according to Claim 11, characterized in that the cutting plates have opposite side surfaces (240s, 240s). Packaging product, characterized in that it has 99006 a plurality of narrow, elongate strip means (20) made of a flat, substantially planar material (34), the material having natural resilience and each strip means (20) having a plurality of transverse folds (310) against natural elasticity to form a longitudinally compressed strip means. Packaging product according to claim 21, characterized in that most of the folds (310) comprise a sharp angle. Packaging product according to claim 21, characterized in that the material of the longitudinally compressed strip means (20) comprises a plurality of layers. Packaging product according to claim 23, characterized in that the plurality of layers are of different colors, respectively, in order to impart different colors to the packaging product. Packaging product according to claim 21, characterized in that the longitudinally compressed strip means (20) are prestressed to expand longitudinally. Packaging product according to claim 21, characterized in that the longitudinally compressed strip means (20) are intertwined and locked together to join and form the resilient mass of the packaging product. A packaging product according to claim 21, characterized in that each longitudinally compressed strip means (20) comprises substantially planar portions formed by a plurality of folds adjacent to each said fold. Packaging product according to claim 27, characterized in that each longitudinally compressed strip means (20) comprises a predetermined width dimension and most of the planar parts comprise a width dimension between a predetermined width dimension and twice a predetermined width dimension. Packaging product according to claim 21, characterized in that each strip means (20) comprises a print on at least one surface thereof. Packaging product according to Claim 21, characterized in that the material (34) contains at least one of biodegradable material, pulp material, paper, cardboard and mylar. Packaging product according to claim 21, characterized in that the folds (310) are relatively uniform to provide the strip means (20) with a common accordion shape. 99006