SPECIFICATION

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present disclosure is in the technical field of web materials having channels located on a side thereof. More particularly, the present disclosure is directed to a system and method for opening channels of web materials to aid in feeding the web materials.

[0002] Consumers frequently purchase goods from mail-order or internet retailers, which package and ship the goods to the purchasing consumer via a postal service or other carrier. Millions of such packages are shipped each day. These items are normally packaged in small containers, such as boxes or envelopes. To protect the items during shipment, they are typically packaged with some form of protective dunnage that may be wrapped around the item or stuffed into the container to prevent movement of the item and to protect it from shock.

[0003] Common types of mailing envelope are sometimes referred to as“mailers.” In some cases, these mailers have cushioning to provide some level of protection for the objects transported therein. The outer walls of cushioned mailers are typically formed from protective materials, such as Kraft paper, cardstock, polyethylene- coated paper, other paper-based materials, polyethylene film, or other resilient materials. The inner walls of cushioned mailers are lined with cushioning materials, such as air cellular material (e.g., BUBBLE WRAP™ air cellular material sold by Sealed Air Corporation), foam sheets, or any other cushioning material. The outer walls are typically adhered (e.g., laminated) to the cushioning material when forming the mailers. [0004] When goods are shipped in rigid containers, such as corrugated cardboard boxes, dunnage material is typically added to the containers to take up some of the void space within the containers. Inflated cushions, pillows, or other inflated containers are common void fill materials that are either placed loose in a container with an object or wrapped around an object that is then placed in a container. The cushions protect the packaged item by absorbing impacts that may otherwise be fully transmitted to the packaged item during transit, and also restrict movement of the packaged item within the carton to further reduce the likelihood of damage to the item. Another common form of void fill material is paper, such as Kraft paper, that has been folded or crumped into a low-density, three-dimensional pad or wad that is capable of filling void space without adding significant weight to the container.

[0005] It would be advantageous to automate the packaging process to minimize the amount of time required to package objects properly. However, given the wide variety of ways which objects can be packaged for shipping, automation of the packaging process can be challenging.

SUMMARY

[0006] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0007] In a first embodiment, a channel opening device includes a first passageway, one or more first vents in the first passageway, and a vacuum device. The first passageway is capable of having a first channel of a web material inserted into an interior thereof. The one or more first vents are configured to permit gas to pass between the interior of the first passageway and an exterior of the first passageway. The vacuum device is configured to draw a vacuum in the first passageway through the one or more first vents. When the first channel of the web material is inserted into the interior of the first passageway, the vacuum drawn by the vacuum device is configured to cause the first channel to be drawn to an inner surface of the interior of the first passageway such that the first channel has a tube-like shape.

[0008] In a second embodiment, the channel opening device of the first embodiment further includes a cavity located between the first passageway and the vacuum device. The vacuum device is configured to draw the vacuum in the first

passageway through the one or more first vents and through the cavity.

[0009] In a third embodiment, the channel opening device of the second embodiment further includes a base and sidewalls extending up from the base. The cavity is bounded in part by the base and the sidewalls.

[0010] In a fourth embodiment, the first passageway of the third embodiment is open through the base via an opening. The channel is capable of being inserted into the first channel through the opening.

[0011] In a fifth embodiment, the channel opening device of any of the previous embodiments further includes a leading end and a trailing end. The first

passageway extends between the leading and trailing ends and the first passageway is open through the leading and trailing ends.

[0012] In a sixth embodiment, the first passageway of any of the previous

embodiments has a cross-sectional shape that is at least one of a circle, a rectangle, a hexagon, an n-gon, an ellipse, or an irregular shape.

[0013] In a seventh embodiment, the first passageway of any of the previous embodiments includes a mesh that defines the one or more vents.

[0014] In an eighth embodiment, the channel opening device of any of the previous embodiments further includes a second passageway and one or more second vents in the second passageway. The second passageway is capable of having a second channel of the web material inserted into an interior thereof. The one or more second vents are configured to permit gas to pass between the interior of the second passageway and an exterior of the second passageway. The vacuum drawn by the vacuum device is configured to draw a vacuum in the second passageway through the one or more second vents. When the second channel of the web material is inserted into the interior of the second passageway, the vacuum drawn by the vacuum device is configured to cause the second channel to be drawn to an inner surface of the interior of the second passageway such that the second channel has a tube-like shape.

[0015] In a ninth embodiment, the vacuum device of any of the previous

embodiments includes a fan configured to draw air through the one or more first vents.

[0016] In a tenth embodiment, the first passageway of any of the previous embodiments includes a slot extending between transverse ends of the first passageway. The slot is configured to receive a longitudinal edge of the first channel to orient the first channel when the vacuum is drawn by the vacuum device.

[0017] In an eleventh embodiment, a system includes a channel opening device and a vacuum device. The channel opening device includes a first passageway capable of having a first channel of a web material inserted into an interior thereof, one or more first vents in the first passageway, a vacuum device configured to draw a vacuum in the first passageway through the one or more first vents, and a first rail. The one or more first vents are configured to permit gas to pass between the interior of the first passageway and an exterior of the first passageway. When the first channel of the web material is inserted into the interior of the first passageway, the vacuum drawn by the vacuum device is configured to cause the first channel to be drawn to an inner surface of the interior of the first passageway such that the first channel has a tube-like shape. The first rail is aligned with the first passageway.

The channel opening device and the first rail are positioned respectively so that the first channel can be slid out of the first passageway and the first rail is threaded inside of the first channel while the vacuum drawn by the vacuum device holds the first channel in the tube-like shape. [0018] In a twelfth embodiment, the channel opening device of the eleventh embodiment further includes a second passageway capable of having a second channel of the web material inserted into an interior thereof and one or more second vents in the second passageway. The one or more second vents are configured to permit gas to pass between the interior of the second passageway and an exterior of the second passageway. The vacuum drawn by the vacuum device is configured to draw a vacuum in the second passageway through the one or more second vents. When the second channel of the web material is inserted into the interior of the second passageway, the vacuum drawn by the vacuum device is configured to cause the second channel to be drawn to an inner surface of the interior of the second passageway such that the second channel has a tube-like shape. The system of the eleventh embodiment further includes a second rail aligned with the second passageway. The channel opening device and the second rail are positioned respectively so that the second channel can be slid out of the second passageway and the second rail is threaded inside of the second channel while the vacuum drawn by the vacuum device holds the second channel in the tube-like shape.

[0019] In a thirteenth embodiment, the system of any one of the eleventh to twelfth embodiments further includes a first sensor configured to sense a presence or an absence of the web material at or near the first passageway.

[0020] In a fourteenth embodiment, the system of the thirteenth embodiment further includes a computing device communicatively coupled to each of the first sensor and the vacuum device. The computing device is configured to cause the vacuum device to begin drawing the vacuum in the first passageway in response detection of the web material by the first sensor.

[0021] In a fifteenth embodiment, the system of the fourteenth embodiment further includes a second sensor configured to sense a presence or an absence of the web material over the first rail. [0022] In a sixteenth embodiment, the computing device of the fifteenth embodiment is communicatively coupled to the second sensor and the computing device is further configured to cause the vacuum device to stop drawing the vacuum in response to detection of the web material by the second sensor.

[0023] In a seventeenth embodiment, the system of any one of the eleventh to sixteenth embodiments further includes a trimming device located upstream of the channel opening device. The trimming device is configured to cut a leading end of the web material before the web material is advanced to the channel opening device.

[0024] In an eighteenth embodiment, the trimming device of the seventeenth embodiment is arranged substantially perpendicular to a downstream direction of movement of the web material.

[0025] In a nineteenth embodiment, the system of any one of the seventeenth to eighteenth embodiments further includes one or more sensors configured to sense a presence or an absence of the web material at or near the trimming device.

[0026] In a twentieth embodiment, the system of the nineteenth embodiment further includes a computing device communicatively coupled to each of the one or more sensors and the trimming device. The computing device is configured to cause the trimming device to cut the web material in response to detection of the web material by the one or more sensors.

[0027] In a twenty first embodiment, a method includes receiving, by a passageway of a channel opening device, a first channel of a web material inserted into an interior of the passageway. The first passageway includes one or more first vents configured to permit gas to pass between the interior of the first passageway and an exterior of the first passageway. The method further includes drawing, by a vacuum device of the channel opening device, a vacuum in the first passageway through the one or more first vents. When the first channel of the web material is inserted into the interior of the first passageway, the vacuum drawn by the vacuum device causes the first channel to be drawn to an inner surface of the interior of the first

passageway such that the first channel has a tube-like shape.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0028] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of the disclosed subject matter will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0029] Figs. 1 A and 1 B depict side and front views, respectively, of a channel opening device, in accordance with the embodiments described herein; [0030] Figs. 1 C and 1 D depict a top cross-sectional view and a side cross-sectional view, respectively, of the channel opening device shown in Figs. 1A and 1 B, in accordance with the embodiments described herein;

[0031] Figs. 2A and 2B depicts side and front views, respectively, of a first instance of an embodiment of the use of the channel opening device shown in Figs. 1 A and 1 B to aid in threading channels of a web material over the ends of rails, in accordance with the embodiments described herein;

[0032] Figs. 3A and 3B depicts side and front views, respectively, of a second instance of the embodiment of the use of the channel opening device shown in Figs.

1 A and 1 B to aid in threading channels of a web material over the ends of rails, in accordance with the embodiments described herein;

[0033] Figs. 4A and 4B depicts side and front views, respectively, of a third instance of the embodiment of the use of the channel opening device shown in Figs. 1 A and 1 B to aid in threading channels of a web material over the ends of rails, in accordance with the embodiments described herein; [0034] Figs. 5A, 5B, and 5C depict left side, front, and right side views, respectively, of an embodiment of a passageway that is usable in a channel opening device, in accordance with the embodiments described herein;

[0035] Figs. 6A and 6B depict views of an embodiment of a web material before and after, respectively, a vacuum being drawn through vents the passageway shown in Figs. 5A to 5C, in accordance with the embodiments described herein;

[0036] Figs. 7A and 7B depict views of another embodiment of a web material before and after, respectively, a vacuum being drawn through vents the passageway shown in Figs. 5A to 5C, in accordance with the embodiments described herein;

[0037] Fig. 8 depicts an embodiment of system that includes a channel opening device, in accordance with the embodiments described herein;

[0038] Fig. 9 depicts an example embodiment of a system that may be used to implement some or all of the embodiments described herein; and

[0039] Fig. 10 depicts a block diagram of an embodiment of a computing device, in accordance with the embodiments described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] The present disclosure describes embodiments of web materials that have multiple channels. In some embodiments, a web material is formed from two juxtaposed sheets sealed together. The seals in the sheets form a first channel proximate a first longitudinal edge of the web material, a second channel proximate a second longitudinal edge of the web material, and chambers that extends

substantially transversely across the web material between the first and second channels. The first channel is in fluid communication with the chambers. The first and second channels are closed so that the first channel is configured to be slid onto a first rail of an automated packaging machine and the second channel is configured to be slid onto a second rail of the automated packaging machine. Examples of web materials with common channels are described in U.S. Patent Application No.

62/783,250, and in U.S. Patent Application No. 62/845,354, the contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0041] Also described in U.S. Patent Application No. 62/845,354, are embodiments of automated packaging stations configured to inflate and seal a web material using rails for guiding the web materials during inflation and sealing of inflatable chambers in the web material. In some embodiments, an automated packaging station has two rails. The web material includes two channels that are closed so that each of the channels can be slid over one of the rails. The automated packaging station has a nozzle that inserts gas into one of the channels of the web material, which is in fluid communication with chambers of the web material so that the gas inserted into the channel can pass into the chambers to inflate the chambers. The automated packaging station also includes a sealing system that seals closed ends the chambers proximate the channel after inflation of the chambers. A shape of the first and second rails is configured to cause the first and second channels of the web material to diverge either before or during inflation of the chambers by the first nozzle.

[0042] While the automated packaging stations have rails that can guide inflatable web materials through the inflation and sealing process, the initial contact of the channels with the rails can be problematic. In one example, when the web material is first fed onto the ends of the rails, it can be difficult for an operator to thread the end of the rail through a channel in the inflatable material. Depending on the size of the channel, it may be difficult for the operator to hold the channel open while threading the end of the rail through the channel. The automated packaging station may have components located near the ends of the rails such that an operator may have difficulties accessing the ends of the rails and holding the channels open near the ends of the rails. In another example, after the ends of the rails are threaded through the channels, the channels may close, either partially or fully, such that the ends of the rails contact the inner sides of the channels. Depending on the force with which the film is fed, such contact between the ends of the rails and the channels may cause damage to or failure of the channels, such as stretching, slitting, ripping, and the like. It would be advantageous to reduce the difficulties in initially threading the ends of the rails through the channels of inflatable web materials and continuously feeding the channels past the ends of the rails.

[0043] Depicted in Figs. 1 A and 1 B are side and front views, respectively, of a channel opening device 100. Figs. 1 C and 1 D depict a top cross-sectional view and a side cross-sectional view, respectively, of the channel opening device 100. The channel opening device 100 includes a leading end 102 and a trailing end 104. The terms“leading” and“trailing” are described in the depicted embodiment with respect to a downstream direction 106 in which an inflatable web material will travel during normal operation. It will be understood that the channel opening device 100 could be rotated from the position shown in Figs. 1A and 1 B such that the leading end 102 becomes the trailing end after rotation and the trailing end 104 becomes the leading end after rotation. In the depicted embodiment, the channel opening device 100 is positioned with the trailing end 104 proximate ends of a first rail 108 and a second rail 1 10. In the way, a web material that passes in the downstream direction 106 would encounter the ends of the rails 108 and 1 10 soon after passing the channel opening device 100.

[0044] The channel opening device 100 includes a base 1 12 and sidewalls 1 14 that form a cavity 1 16 therebetween. In the depicted embodiment, the base 1 12 has a substantially rectangular shape. In other embodiments, the base 1 12 can have any other shape. In the depicted embodiment, the sidewalls 1 14 extend upward from the edges of the base 1 12. In the depicted embodiment, the sidewalls 1 14 narrow somewhat above the level of the base 1 12.

[0045] The channel opening device 100 includes a first passageway 1 18 and a second passageway 120. Each of the first and second passageways 1 18 and 120 extends between the leading and trailing ends 102 and 104 and each of the first and second passageways 1 18 and 120 is open through the leading and trailing ends 102 and 104. In the depicted embodiment, the first and second passageways 1 18 and 120 are open through the base 1 12 via openings 122 and 124, respectively. In the depicted embodiment, the first and second passageways 1 18 and 120 are substantially cylindrical and the openings 122 and 124 extend parallel to the axes of the first and second passageways 1 18 and 120. In some embodiments, the channel opening device 100 and the first and second rails 108 and 1 10 are positioned such that the first rail 108 and the first passageway 1 18 are axially aligned and the second rail 1 10 and the second passageway 120 are axially aligned. In the depicted embodiment, as can be seen in Figs. 1A and 1 C, the first and second rails 108 and 1 10 are located outside of the first and second passageways 1 18 and 120. In other embodiments, portions of the first and second rails 108 and 1 10 can be located inside of the first and second rails 108 and 1 10.

[0046] The first passageway 1 18 includes vents 126 configured to permit gas (e.g., air) to pass between the first passageway 1 18 and the cavity 1 16. The second passageway 120 includes vents 128 configured to permit gas (e.g., air) to pass between the second passageway 120 and the cavity 1 16. The channel opening device 100 includes a vacuum device 130 configured to draw a vacuum in the cavity 1 16 and in the first and second passageways 1 18 and 120. In the depicted embodiment, the vacuum device 130 is a fan configured to draw air from the first and second passageways 1 18 and 120 through the vents 126 and 128 into the cavity 1 16 and upward through the cavity 1 16. In some cases, the vacuum drawn by the vacuum device 130 is a high-flow, low-pressure vacuum.

[0047] The channel opening device 100 is capable of aiding in threading channels of a web material over the ends of the rails 108 and 1 10. One example of a web material that can be used with the channel opening device 100 is a web material 200 depicted in Figs. 2A to 4B. The web material 200 includes a first longitudinal edge 202 and a second longitudinal edge 204. Between the first and second longitudinal edges 202 and 204 are two juxtaposed sheets (e.g., sheets of film) that are sealed together to form chambers 206. In the depicted embodiment, the chambers 206 are in an uninflated state and the chambers 206 are capable of being inflated. In the depicted embodiment, each of the chambers 206 extends substantially transversely across the web material 200 and the pattern of the chambers 206 generally repeats in the longitudinal direction.

[0048] In the depicted embodiment, each of the chambers 206 includes a port 208 that is open and a distal end 210 that is closed. The ports 208 are located proximate the first longitudinal edge 202 and the distal ends 210 are located proximate the second longitudinal edge 204 so that the ports 208 and the distal ends 210 extend substantially transversely across the web material 200. The juxtaposed sheets are sealed between the ports 208 and the distal ends 210 such that each of the chambers 206 has substantially circular cells that are interconnected by channels that are narrower than the widest point of the cells. The chambers 206 are capable of being inflated by inserting a gas (e.g., air) through the ports 208. Once the chambers 206 are inflated, the cells form three-dimensional shapes (sometimes referred to as“bubbles”) along the inflated chambers 206. In the depicted embodiment, a pair of adjacent chambers 206 are offset so that the cells of one of the chambers 206 are aligned with the interconnecting channels of a subsequent one of the chambers 206.

[0049] The web material includes a first channel 212 and a second channel 222.

The first channel 212 is located proximate the first longitudinal edge 202 and the second channel 222 is located proximate the second longitudinal edge 204. In the depicted embodiment, each of the first and second channels 212 and 222 is a “closed” channel because the two sides of the first channel 212 are connected at the first longitudinal edge 202 and the two sides of the second channel 222 are connected at the second longitudinal edge 204. In this way, the first channel 212 forms a loop above the ports 208 and the second channel 222 forms a loop below the distal ends 210. In other embodiments, one or both of the first and second channels 212 and 222 can be formed from an“open” channel— where the two sides of the channel do not meet at the longitudinal edge— and the open channel is sealed closed near the first or second longitudinal edge 202 or 204 to form the open channel into a closed channel. [0050] In the depicted embodiment, the first channel 212 is in fluid communication with the chambers 206. In some embodiments, a nozzle can be inserted in the first channel 212 and direct a gas into the first channel 212. The gas inserted into the first channel 212 can pass through the ports 208 to inflate the chambers 206. In some embodiments, the nozzle may remain fixed while located within the first channel 212 and the web material 200 is moved longitudinally such that the nozzle sequentially inflates the chambers 206. Coupled to the nozzle may be a sealing device configured to close (e.g., seal closed) the ports 208 after inflation of the chambers 206. In the depicted embodiment, the second channel 222 is not in fluid communication with the chambers 206. A longitudinal seal 220 is located in the web material 200 between the distal ends 210 and the second channel 222. The longitudinal seal 220 deters any passage of gas between the chambers 206 and the second channel 222.

[0051] In some embodiments, the web material 200 can be folded and formed into a pouch for holding and cushioning an object. In some embodiments, the web material 200 can be folded, inflated, and transversely sealed to form an inflated pouch. An object can be inserted into the pouch and then the pouch can be closed to form a package around the object. In some embodiments, the web material 200 is formed from a material that is suitable for shipping the object. For example, the web material 200 may be opaque.

[0052] In the embodiments shown in Figs. 2A to 4B, the web material 200 in a folded state before inflation of the chambers 206. A longitudinal fold 214 has been formed in the web material 200. In the depicted embodiment, the web material 200 is en folded such that the longitudinal fold 214 substantially equidistant from the first and second longitudinal edges 202 and 204. Because the web material 200 is C-folded, the first and second channels 212 and 222 are located adjacent to each other. In other embodiments, the web material 200 is J-folded such that the longitudinal fold 214 is offset from the middle of the web material 200 between the first and second longitudinal edges 202 and 204. [0053] Depicted in Figs. 2A and 2B, 3A and 3B, and 4A and 4B, respectively, are first, second, and third instances of an embodiment of the use of the channel opening device 100 to aid in threading channels of a web material 200 over the ends of the rails 108 and 1 10.

[0054] In the first instance depicted in Figs 2A and 2B, the web material 200 is located below the channel opening device 100. As can be seen in Fig. 2A, a leading transverse end 230 of the web material 200 is located upstream of the ends of the rail 108 and 1 10. As can be seen in Fig. 2B, the first and second longitudinal edges 202 and 204 of the web material 200 are positioned to be aligned with the openings 122 and 124 in the base 1 12 of the channel opening device 100. In the first instance shown in Figs. 2A and 2B, the channels 212 and 222 are in their natural state (e.g., the state in which the channels 212 and 222 in the state they take without any unnatural force applied to them). In this natural state, the channels 212 and 222 may be folded flat, oblong (as shown in the depicted embodiment), or in any other shape. In some embodiments, the channels 212 and 222 are unable to be threaded over the ends of the rails 108 and 1 10 in their natural state.

[0055] From the first instance shown in Figs. 2A and 2B to the second instance shown in Figs. 3A and 3B, the web material 200 is moved upward. In this movement of the web material 200, the first longitudinal edge 202 was inserted through the opening 124 in the base 1 12 of the channel opening device 100 until a portion of the channel 212 was located inside of the second passageway 120. Similarly, the second longitudinal edge 204 was inserted through the opening 122 in the base 1 12 of the channel opening device 100 until a portion of the channel 222 was located inside of the first passageway 1 18. With the portions of the channels 212 and 222 located inside of the first and second passageways 1 18 and 120, the vacuum device 130 can be activated to cause the channels 212 and 222 to be drawn to the inner surfaces of the interiors of the first and second passageways 1 18 and 120 such that the channels 212 and 222 have a tube-like shape. In some embodiments, each of the channels 212 and 222, in the tube-like shape, has dimensions that are greater than the dimensions of the rails 108 and 1 10. It is noted that the term“tube-like” does not include only shape that has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape (as shown in Fig 3B), but also includes any cross-sectional shape of a channel, such as the shape of a rectangle, hexagon, any other n-gon, an ellipse, an irregular shape, or any other shape.

[0056] In the depicted embodiment, the movement of the web material 200 causes the first longitudinal edge 202 to be inserted through the opening 124 in the base 112 of the channel opening device 100 until a portion of the channel 212 was located inside of the second passageway 120. Similarly, the second longitudinal edge 204 was inserted through the opening 122 in the base 1 12 of the channel opening device 100. As an alternative, the web material 200 could be located in the first instance such that the leading transverse end 230 is located upstream of the leading end 102 of the channel opening device 100 with the first and second channels 212 and 222 positioned to be aligned with the first and second passageways 1 18 and 120. From that position, the web material 200 can be moved in the downstream direction so that the portion of the leading transverse end 230 at the channels 212 and 222 enters the first and second passageways 1 18 and 120 through the leading end 102. The web material 200 could be moved further in the downstream direction until the web material 200 reaches the position shown in the second instance depicted in Figs. 3A and 3B.

[0057] From the second instance shown in Figs. 3A and 3B to the third instance shown in Figs. 4A and 4B, the web material 200 is moved in the downstream direction. In the third instance, a portion of the rail 108 is located inside of a portion of the channel 222 and a portion of the second rail 1 10 is located inside of a portion of the channel 212. The channel opening device 100 is located with respect to the rails 108 and 1 10 such that the channels 212 and 222 maintain their tube-like shape sufficiently between the channel opening device 100 and the rails 108 and 1 10 so that the ends of the rails 108 and 1 10 are threaded into the channels 212 and 222. This arrangement allows a user to insert the channels 212 and 222 into the first and second passageways 1 18 and 120 and then thread the ends of the rails 108 and 1 10 into the channels 212 and 222 without having to manually adjust the shapes of the channels 212 and 222. In the depicted embodiment, the ends of the rails 108 and 110 are located downstream from and in proximity to the trailing end 104 of the channel opening device 100. In other embodiments, the ends of the rails 108 and 1 10 can be located inside of the first and second passageways 1 18 and 120.

[0058] As discussed above, the first and second passageways 1 18 and 120 include vents 126 configured to permit gas (e.g., air) to pass between the cavity 1 16 and one of the first and second passageways 1 18 and 120. In the depicted embodiment, the vents 126 include a set of three vents arranged at different radial positions around one of the first and second passageways 1 18 and 120, and the set of three vents is repeated axially along the first and second passageways 1 18 and 120. In some embodiments, it would be advantageous to maximize percentage of surface area of a passageway that includes a vent while still not permitting the channel of a web material to jam by partially passing through the vents.

[0059] Depicted in Figs. 5A, 5B, and 5C are left side, front, and right side views, respectively, of an embodiment of a passageway 340. The passageway 340 includes a first transverse end 342 and a second transverse end 344. In the depicted embodiment, as can be seen in Fig. 5B, the first transverse end 342 has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape. In some embodiments, the second transverse end 344 has a similar cross-sectional shape as the first transverse end 342. The first and second transverse ends 342 and 344 are spaced apart in a longitudinal direction. With a substantially circular cross-sectional shape to the first and second transverse ends 342 and 344, the passageway 340 defines a substantially cylindrical passageway. It will be understood that the first and second transverse ends 342 and 344 could have other cross-sectional shapes (e.g., rectangular, polygonal, elliptical, etc.) and to define a corresponding three- dimensional passageway.

[0060] The passageway 340 also includes an opening 346 that is bordered by a first longitudinal edge 348 and a second longitudinal edge 350. The first and second longitudinal edges 348 and 350 extend longitudinally between the first transverse ends 342 and 344. In the view shown in Fig. 5B, the opening 346 is at the bottom of the passageway 340. The passageway 340 also includes a longitudinal protrusion 352 that extends outward from a location opposite the opening 346. The

passageway 340 also includes a slot 354 that extends upward into the longitudinal protrusion 352 from the inner surface of the passageway 340. In the depicted embodiment, the longitudinal protrusion 352 extends between the first and second transverse ends 342 and 344 and the slot extends between the first and second transverse ends 342 and 344.

[0061] The passageway 340 also includes a first mesh 356 that forms vents 358. In the depicted embodiment, the first mesh 356 is located in an area that is bounded by the first transverse end 342, the first longitudinal edge 348, the second transverse end 344, and the longitudinal protrusion 352. In the depicted embodiment, as can be seen in Fig. 5B, the portion of the left side of the passageway 340 taken up by the vents 358 can be greater than the portion of the left side taken up by any or all of the first transverse end 342, the second transverse end 344, and the first longitudinal edge 348. The passageway 340 also includes a second mesh 360 that forms vents 362. In the depicted embodiment, the second mesh 360 is located in an area that is bounded by the first transverse end 342, the second longitudinal edge 350, the second transverse end 344, and the longitudinal protrusion 352. In the depicted embodiment, as can be seen in Fig. 5B, the portion of the right side of the passageway 340 taken up by the vents 362 can be greater than the portion of the right side taken up by any or all of the first transverse end 342, the second transverse end 344, and the second longitudinal edge 350.

[0062] The passageway 340 can be used in a channel opening device. Depicted in Fig. 5D is an embodiment of a channel opening device 300 that includes the passageway 340. The channel opening device 300 includes a base 312 and sidewalls 314 that form a cavity 316 therebetween. In the depicted embodiment, the sidewalls 314 extend upward from the edges of the base 312. In some

embodiments, the channel opening device 300 includes leading and trailing ends (not shown). In those embodiments, the first and second transverse ends 342 and 344 of the passageway 340 can be aligned with the leading and trailing ends of the channel opening device 300. In some embodiments, the channel opening device 300 can be positioned with respect to a rail (not shown) such that the passageway 340 is axially aligned with the end of the rail. In the depicted embodiment, the base 312 has an opening and the passageway 340 is positioned so that the opening 346 of the passageway 340 is aligned with the opening in the base 312.

[0063] The channel opening device 300 includes a vacuum device 330 configured to draw a vacuum in the cavity 316 and in the passageway 340. In the depicted embodiment, the vacuum device 330 is a fan configured to drawn air from

passageway 340 through the vents 358 and 362 into the cavity 316 and upward through the cavity 316. In some cases, the vacuum drawn by the vacuum device 130 is a high-flow, low-pressure vacuum. In the depicted embodiment, the channel opening device 300 includes a slot 332 configured to hold the longitudinal protrusion 352 of the channel opening device 300. In some embodiments, one of the slot 332 and the longitudinal protrusion 352 includes a spring-loaded mechanism (e.g., a spring-loaded ball) and the other of the slot 332 and the longitudinal protrusion 352 includes a coupling mechanism (e.g., a ball detent) configured to engage the spring- loaded mechanism so that the passageway 340 is releasably coupled to the slot 332.

[0064] As noted above, the passageway 340 includes a slot 354 located opposite the opening 346. The slot 354 can orient a channel of a web material when a vacuum is drawn through the vents 358 and 360. Examples of web materials being oriented by the slot 354 in the passageway 340 are shown in Figs. 6A to 7B. Depicted in those figures is an outline 308 of a possible location of a rail that is that axially aligned with the passageway 340.

[0065] Depicted in Figs. 6A and 6B are views of an embodiment of a web material 400 before and after, respectively, a vacuum being drawn through the vents 358 and 360 of the passageway 340. The web material 400 has a longitudinal edge 402 and a channel 412. In the depicted embodiment, the channel 412 is formed from a single sheet that is looped around. The longitudinal edge 402 includes a crease in the channel 412 that may be an artifact of the channel 412 having been folded (e.g., while being rolled up on a supply roll of the web material 400).

[0066] In the instance shown in Fig. 6A, the channel 412 is in its natural position before the vacuum is drawn through the vents 358 and 360. In its natural position, the channel 412 is not able to be threaded over the end of the rail shown by the outline 308. In the instance shown in Fig. 6A, the channel 412 is narrower than the outline 308. In the instance shown in Fig. 6B, the channel 412 is drawn toward the interior surface of the passageway 340 by the vacuum drawn through the vents 358 and 360. When the vacuum is drawn, the channel 412 has a tube-like shape having dimensions that are greater than the dimensions of the outline 308 of the rail. The crease in the channel 412 at the longitudinal edge 402 tends to slide into the slot 354 due to the force of the vacuum. In this way, the positioning of the longitudinal edge 402 in the slot 354 maintains the orientation of the channel 412 with respect to the passageway 340.

[0067] Depicted in Figs. 7A and 7B are views of an embodiment of a web material 500 before and after, respectively, a vacuum being drawn through the vents 358 and 360 of the passageway 340. The web material 500 has a longitudinal edge 502 and a channel 512. In the depicted embodiment, the channel 512 is formed from two sheets that are sealed together at the top of the channel 512 so that the channel 512 is a closed channel. The longitudinal edge 502 is crimped by the seal that closes the channel 512.

[0068] In the instance shown in Fig. 7A, the channel 512 is in its natural position before the vacuum is drawn through the vents 358 and 360. In its natural position, the channel 512 is not able to be threaded over the end of the rail shown by the outline 308. In the instance shown in Fig. 7A, the channel 512 is narrower than the outline 308. In the instance shown in Fig. 7B, the channel 512 is drawn toward the interior surface of the passageway 340 by the vacuum drawn through the vents 358 and 360. When the vacuum is drawn, the channel 512 has a tube-like shape having dimensions that are greater than the dimensions of the outline 308 of the rail. The crimped longitudinal edge 502 in the channel 512 tends to slide into the slot 354 due to the force of the vacuum. In this way, the positioning of the longitudinal edge 502 in the slot 354 maintains the orientation of the channel 512 with respect to the passageway 340.

[0069] Depicted in Fig. 8 is an embodiment of system 600 that includes a channel opening device 610. In the depicted embodiment, the system 600 is configured such that a web material moves in a downstream direction 602. The channel opening device 610 includes a passageway 612 that has vents 614. The vents 614 are configured to permit gas to pass between the interior of the passageway 612 and a chamber 616 outside of the passageway 612. The channel opening device 610 includes a vacuum device 618 configured to draw a vacuum in the cavity 616 and in the passageway 612. The system 600 includes a presence sensor 642 configured to sense the presence or absence of the web material at or near the passageway 612. While the depicted embodiment shows a single discrete presence sensor 642, it will be understood that the presence sensor 642 could include any number of discrete presence sensors.

[0070] The system 600 further includes a rail 620. In the depicted embodiment, the channel opening device 610 and the rail 620 are positioned respectively such that an end of the rail 620 is substantially aligned with the passageway 612. The system 600 includes sensors 642 and 644. In some embodiments, one or both of the sensors 644 and 646 are configured to sense the presence or absence of the web material over the rail 620. In some embodiments, one or both of the sensors 644 and 646 are configured to sense whether the web material is properly threaded on the rail 620. While depicted embodiment shows two discrete sensors 644 and 646, it will be understood that the sensors 644 and 646 could include any number discrete sensors, including a single sensor or a plurality of sensors.

[0071] The system 600 further includes a trimming device 630. The trimming device 630 is configured to cut a leading end of the web material square before the web material is advanced to the channel opening device 610. In the depicted embodiment, the trimming device 630 is located upstream of the channel opening device 610 (e.g., where the upstream direction is substantially opposite of the downstream direction 602) and arranged substantially perpendicular to the downstream direction 602. The system 600 also includes sensors 640. In some embodiments, one or both of the sensors 640 are configured to sense the presence or absence of the web material at or near the trimming device 630. In some embodiments, one or both of the sensors 640 are configured to sense whether the top and the bottom of the web material are present before the trimming device 630 cuts the web material. While depicted embodiment shows two discrete sensors 640, it will be understood that the sensors 640 could include any number discrete sensors, including a single sensor or a plurality of sensors.

[0072] The system 600 further includes a computing device 650. In the depicted embodiment, the computing device 650 is communicatively coupled to each of the vacuum device 618, the trimming device 630, and the sensors 640, 642, 644, and 646. In some embodiments, the computing device 650 is a local computing device that is co-located with the other components of the system 600 such that a user is able to access the computing device 650 and the other components of the system 600 at the same location. For example, the computing device 650 can be

communicatively coupled to each of the vacuum device 618, the trimming device 630, and the sensors 640, 642, 644, and 646 via a serial connection, a

communication bus, or other local communication protocol. In other embodiments, the computing device 650 is a remote computing device that is not co-located with the other components of the system 600, such as in another room, in another facility, in a remote server. For example, the computing device 650 can be communicatively coupled to each of the vacuum device 618, the trimming device 630, and the sensors 640, 642, 644, and 646 via a local area network, a wide area network, a wired network, a wireless network, or any combination thereof.

[0073] In some embodiments, the computing device 650 is configured to control operations of the vacuum device 618 and/or the trimming device 630. In one example, the computing device 650 may be configured to cause the trimming device 630 to cut the web material in response to the detection of the web material by the sensors 640. In another example, the computing device 650 may be configured to cause the vacuum device 618 to begin drawing a vacuum in the chamber 616 and the interior of the passageway 612 in response detection of the web material by the sensor 642. In another example, the computing device 650 may be configured to cause the vacuum device 618 to stop drawing a vacuum in the chamber 616 in response to detection of the web material by one or both of the sensors 644 and 646. In another example, the computing device 650 may be configured to cause the system 600 to stop feed in the web material in response to detection by one or both of the sensors 644 and 646 that the web material is not properly thread on the rail 620.

[0074] In a number of embodiments described any depicted herein, the embodiments of passageways of the channel opening devices are aligned with rails onto which the channel can be threaded. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the channel opening devices described herein can be used to open the channel of the web material not only for threading onto a rail but also for any other purpose.

[0075] Fig. 9 depicts an example embodiment of a system 710 that may be used to implement some or all of the embodiments described herein. In the depicted embodiment, the system 710 includes computing devices 720i , 7202, 7203, and 7204 (collectively computing devices 720). In the depicted embodiment, the computing device 720i is a tablet, the computing device 7202 is a mobile phone, the computing device 7203 is a desktop computer, and the computing device 7204 is a laptop computer. In other embodiments, the computing devices 720 include one or more of a desktop computer, a mobile phone, a tablet, a phablet, a notebook computer, a laptop computer, a distributed system, a gaming console (e.g., Xbox, Play Station, Wii), a watch, a pair of glasses, a key fob, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, an ear piece, a scanner, a television, a dongle, a camera, a wristband, a wearable item, a kiosk, an input terminal, a server, a server network, a blade, a gateway, a switch, a processing device, a processing entity, a set-top box, a relay, a router, a network access point, a base station, any other device configured to perform the functions, operations, and/or processes described herein, or any combination thereof.

[0076] The computing devices 720 are communicatively coupled to each other via one or more networks 730 and 732. Each of the networks 730 and 732 may include one or more wired or wireless networks (e.g., a 3G network, the Internet, an internal network, a proprietary network, a secured network). The computing devices 720 are capable of communicating with each other and/or any other computing devices via one or more wired or wireless networks. While the particular system 710 in Fig. 9 depicts that the computing devices 720 communicatively coupled via the network 730 include four computing devices, any number of computing devices may be communicatively coupled via the network 730.

[0077] In the depicted embodiment, the computing device 7203 is communicatively coupled with a peripheral device 740 via the network 732. In the depicted embodiment, the peripheral device 740 is a scanner, such as a barcode scanner, an optical scanner, a computer vision device, and the like. In some embodiments, the network 732 is a wired network (e.g., a direct wired connection between the peripheral device 740 and the computing device 7203), a wireless network (e.g., a Bluetooth connection or a WiFi connection), or a combination of wired and wireless networks (e.g., a Bluetooth connection between the peripheral device 740 and a cradle of the peripheral device 740 and a wired connection between the peripheral device 740 and the computing device 7203). In some embodiments, the peripheral device 740 is itself a computing device (sometimes called a“smart” device). In other embodiments, the peripheral device 740 is not a computing device (sometimes called a“dumb” device).

[0078] Depicted in Fig. 10 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a computing device 800. Any of the computing devices 720 and/or any other computing device described herein may include some or all of the components and features of the computing device 800. In some embodiments, the computing device 800 is one or more of a desktop computer, a mobile phone, a tablet, a phablet, a notebook computer, a laptop computer, a distributed system, a gaming console (e.g., an Xbox, a Play Station, a Wii), a watch, a pair of glasses, a key fob, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, an ear piece, a scanner, a television, a dongle, a camera, a wristband, a wearable item, a kiosk, an input terminal, a server, a server network, a blade, a gateway, a switch, a processing device, a processing entity, a set-top box, a relay, a router, a network access point, a base station, any other device configured to perform the functions, operations, and/or processes described herein, or any combination thereof. Such functions, operations, and/or processes may include, for example, transmitting, receiving, operating on, processing, displaying, storing, determining, creating/generating, monitoring, evaluating, comparing, and/or similar terms used herein. In one embodiment, these functions, operations, and/or processes can be performed on data, content, information, and/or similar terms used herein.

[0079] In the depicted embodiment, the computing device 800 includes a processing element 805, memory 810, a user interface 815, and a communications interface 820. The processing element 805, memory 810, a user interface 815, and a communications interface 820 are capable of communicating via a communication bus 825 by reading data from and/or writing data to the communication bus 825.

The computing device 800 may include other components that are capable of communicating via the communication bus 825. In other embodiments, the computing device does not include the communication bus 825 and the components of the computing device 800 are capable of communicating with each other in some other way.

[0080] The processing element 805 (also referred to as one or more processors, processing circuitry, and/or similar terms used herein) is capable of performing operations on some external data source. For example, the processing element may perform operations on data in the memory 810, data receives via the user interface 815, and/or data received via the communications interface 820. As will be understood, the processing element 805 may be embodied in a number of different ways. In some embodiments, the processing element 805 includes one or more complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), microprocessors, multi-core processors, co processing entities, application-specific instruction-set processors (ASIPs), microcontrollers, controllers, integrated circuits, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic arrays (PLAs), hardware accelerators, any other circuitry, or any combination thereof. The term circuitry may refer to an entirely hardware embodiment or a combination of hardware and computer program products. In some embodiments, the processing element 805 is configured for a particular use or configured to execute instructions stored in volatile or nonvolatile media or otherwise accessible to the processing element 805. As such, whether configured by hardware or computer program products, or by a combination thereof, the processing element 805 may be capable of performing steps or operations when configured accordingly.

[0081] The memory 810 in the computing device 800 is configured to store data, computer-executable instructions, and/or any other information. In some

embodiments, the memory 810 includes volatile memory (also referred to as volatile storage, volatile media, volatile memory circuitry, and the like), non-volatile memory (also referred to as non-volatile storage, non-volatile media, non-volatile memory circuitry, and the like), or some combination thereof.

[0082] In some embodiments, volatile memory includes one or more of random access memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), fast page mode dynamic random access memory (FPM DRAM), extended data-out dynamic random access memory (EDO DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), double data rate type two synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR2 SDRAM), double data rate type three synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR3 SDRAM), Rambus dynamic random access memory (RDRAM), Twin Transistor RAM

(TTRAM), Thyristor RAM (T-RAM), Zero-capacitor (Z-RAM), Rambus in-line memory module (RIMM), dual in-line memory module (DIMM), single in-line memory module (SIMM), video random access memory (VRAM), cache memory (including various levels), flash memory, any other memory that requires power to store information, or any combination thereof.

[0083] In some embodiments, non-volatile memory includes one or more of hard disks, floppy disks, flexible disks, solid-state storage (SSS) (e.g., a solid state drive (SSD)), solid state cards (SSC), solid state modules (SSM), enterprise flash drives, magnetic tapes, any other non-transitory magnetic media, compact disc read only memory (CD ROM), compact disc-rewritable (CD-RW), digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray disc (BD), any other non-transitory optical media, read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory

(EEPROM), flash memory (e.g., Serial, NAND, NOR, and/or the like), multimedia memory cards (MMC), secure digital (SD) memory cards, Memory Sticks, conductive-bridging random access memory (CBRAM), phase-change random access memory (PRAM), ferroelectric random-access memory (FeRAM), non volatile random access memory (NVRAM), magneto-resistive random access memory (MRAM), resistive random-access memory (RRAM), Silicon Oxide-Nitride- Oxide-Silicon memory (SONOS), floating junction gate random access memory (FJG RAM), Millipede memory, racetrack memory, any other memory that does not require power to store information, or any combination thereof.

[0084] In some embodiments, memory 810 is capable of storing one or more of databases, database instances, database management systems, data, applications, programs, program modules, scripts, source code, object code, byte code, compiled code, interpreted code, machine code, executable instructions, or any other information. The term database, database instance, database management system, and/or similar terms used herein may refer to a collection of records or data that is stored in a computer-readable storage medium using one or more database models, such as a hierarchical database model, network model, relational model, entity relationship model, object model, document model, semantic model, graph model, or any other model. [0085] The user interface 815 of the computing device 800 is in communication with one or more input or output devices that are capable of receiving inputs into and/or outputting any outputs from the computing device 800. Embodiments of input devices include a keyboard, a mouse, a touchscreen display, a touch sensitive pad, a motion input device, movement input device, an audio input, a pointing device input, a joystick input, a keypad input, peripheral device 740, foot switch, and the like. Embodiments of output devices include an audio output device, a video output, a display device, a motion output device, a movement output device, a printing device, and the like. In some embodiments, the user interface 815 includes hardware that is configured to communicate with one or more input devices and/or output devices via wired and/or wireless connections.

[0086] The communications interface 820 is capable of communicating with various computing devices and/or networks. In some embodiments, the communications interface 820 is capable of communicating data, content, and/or any other information, that can be transmitted, received, operated on, processed, displayed, stored, and the like. Communication via the communications interface 820 may be executed using a wired data transmission protocol, such as fiber distributed data interface (FDDI), digital subscriber line (DSL), Ethernet, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), frame relay, data over cable service interface specification (DOCSIS), or any other wired transmission protocol. Similarly, communication via the communications interface 820 may be executed using a wireless data transmission protocol, such as general packet radio service (GPRS), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Code Division Multiple Access 2000 (CDMA2000), CDMA2000 1X (1xRTT), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), Time Division-Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), Evolution-Data Optimized (EVDO), High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), IEEE 802.1 1 (WiFi), WiFi Direct, 802.16

(WiMAX), ultra wideband (UWB), infrared (IR) protocols, near field communication (NFC) protocols, Wibree, Bluetooth protocols, wireless universal serial bus (USB) protocols, or any other wireless protocol.

[0087] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, one or more components of the computing device 800 may be located remotely from other components of the computing device 800 components, such as in a distributed system. Furthermore, one or more of the components may be combined and additional components performing functions described herein may be included in the computing device 800. Thus, the computing device 800 can be adapted to accommodate a variety of needs and circumstances. The depicted and described architectures and descriptions are provided for exemplary purposes only and are not limiting to the various

embodiments described herein.

[0088] Embodiments described herein may be implemented in various ways, including as computer program products that comprise articles of manufacture. A computer program product may include a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing applications, programs, program modules, scripts, source code, program code, object code, byte code, compiled code, interpreted code, machine code, executable instructions, and/or the like (also referred to herein as executable instructions, instructions for execution, computer program products, program code, and/or similar terms used herein interchangeably). Such non-transitory computer- readable storage media include all computer-readable media (including volatile and non-volatile media).

[0089] As should be appreciated, various embodiments of the embodiments described herein may also be implemented as methods, apparatus, systems, computing devices, and the like. As such, embodiments described herein may take the form of an apparatus, system, computing device, and the like executing instructions stored on a computer readable storage medium to perform certain steps or operations. Thus, embodiments described herein may be implemented entirely in hardware, entirely in a computer program product, or in an embodiment that comprises combination of computer program products and hardware performing certain steps or operations.

[0090] Embodiments described herein may be made with reference to block diagrams and flowchart illustrations. Thus, it should be understood that blocks of a block diagram and flowchart illustrations may be implemented in the form of a computer program product, in an entirely hardware embodiment, in a combination of hardware and computer program products, or in apparatus, systems, computing devices, and the like carrying out instructions, operations, or steps. Such instructions, operations, or steps may be stored on a computer readable storage medium for execution buy a processing element in a computing device. For example, retrieval, loading, and execution of code may be performed sequentially such that one instruction is retrieved, loaded, and executed at a time. In some exemplary embodiments, retrieval, loading, and/or execution may be performed in parallel such that multiple instructions are retrieved, loaded, and/or executed together. Thus, such embodiments can produce specifically configured machines performing the steps or operations specified in the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations. Accordingly, the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations support various combinations of embodiments for performing the specified instructions, operations, or steps.

[0091] For purposes of this disclosure, terminology such as“upper,”“lower,” “vertical,”“horizontal,”“inwardly,”“outwardly, ”“inner,”“outer,”“front,”“rear,” and the like, should be construed as descriptive and not limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter. Further, the use of“including,”“comprising,” or“having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,”“coupled,” and“mounted” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. Unless stated otherwise, the terms“substantially,”“approximately,” and the like are used to mean within 5% of a target value. [0092] The principles, representative embodiments, and modes of operation of the present disclosure have been described in the foregoing description. However, aspects of the present disclosure which are intended to be protected are not to be construed as limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. Further, the

embodiments described herein are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. It will be appreciated that variations and changes may be made by others, and equivalents employed, without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such variations, changes, and

equivalents fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, as claimed.