초록 ▼

A packaging method and apparatus wherein each product is packaged by enveloping the product in flexible packaging material. A programmed microprocessor calculates the length of flexible packaging material needed to package the product based on the physical dimensions of the product, calculates the w

A packaging method and apparatus wherein each product is packaged by enveloping the product in flexible packaging material. A programmed microprocessor calculates the length of flexible packaging material needed to package the product based on the physical dimensions of the product, calculates the weight of the flexible packaging material needed, and calculates a total package weight as the sum of the weight of the product and the calculated weight of the flexible packaging material. A printer prints information specific to the product that is being packaged onto a label that is then affixed to the flexible packaging material prior to the product being packaged. The information can be a function of the package weight, and the calculated total package weight can be communicated from the microprocessor to the printer. Finally, the product is packaged in the flexible packaging material having the label already affixed thereto.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A method for packaging products of varying weights and physical dimensions using flexible packaging material of predetermined width and predetermined weight per unit area, comprising the steps of: providing to a programmed microprocessor the weight and physical dimensions of

What is claimed is: 1. A method for packaging products of varying weights and physical dimensions using flexible packaging material of predetermined width and predetermined weight per unit area, comprising the steps of: providing to a programmed microprocessor the weight and physical dimensions of a product to be packaged; using the microprocessor to calculate the length of the flexible packaging material needed to package the product, based on the physical dimensions of the product; using the microprocessor to calculate the weight of the flexible packaging material needed to package the product based on the length, the predetermined width, and the predetermined weight per unit area of the flexible packaging material, and to then calculate a total package weight as the sum of the weight of the product and the calculated weight of the flexible packaging material; using a printer to print information onto a label, said information comprising information that is specific to the product; and enveloping the product in the flexible packaging material to form a package comprising the label and an amount of the flexible packaging material corresponding to the calculated length and weight. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating the calculated total package weight from the microprocessor to the printer, and wherein the information printed on the label is a function of the total package weight. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein first and second rolls of the flexible packaging material are provided and an upper web is drawn from one of the rolls and a lower web is drawn from the other roll, each of the upper and lower webs being advanced by a web drive system, and wherein the product is disposed between the upper and lower webs and the webs with the product therebetween are advanced by the web drive system through a nip to adhere the webs to each other and envelop the product therebetween. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the lower web upstream of the nip is generally horizontal for receiving the product thereon. 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of scanning a product code associated with the product disposed on the horizontal lower web upstream of the nip. 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the steps of communicating the scanned product code to a customer terminal having a memory that stores data relating product codes of various products to information about said products. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the customer terminal generates information to be printed on a label and communicates said information to the printer, and the printer prints said information on the label for application to one of the webs. 8. The method of claim 4, wherein the lower web upstream of the nip is advanced over a scale for weighing the product, and the scale determines the weight of the product and communicates the weight to the microprocessor. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein a first product of a batch of identical products is weighed by the scale and the weight is determined for the first product, and wherein the microprocessor uses the same weight for each subsequent product of the batch without weighing each subsequent product. 10. The method of claim 3, further comprising the steps of using an automated label applicator to affix the label to the flexible packaging material, and verifying whether the label was affixed by the label applicator, and wherein the web drive system advances the webs and the product through the nip only after it has been verified that the label was affixed. 11. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of using a product length detector to determine the length of the product disposed on the lower web, and wherein the microprocessor calculates the length of each of the upper and lower webs of flexible packaging material needed for packaging the product based in part on said length of the product. 12. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of using a product height detector to determine the height of the product disposed on the lower web, and wherein the microprocessor calculates the length of each of the upper and lower webs of flexible packaging material needed for packaging the product based in part on said height of the product. 13. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of using a product length detector to determine the length of the product disposed on the lower web and using a product height detector to determine the height of the product disposed on the lower web, and wherein the microprocessor calculates the length of flexible packaging material of each of the upper and lower webs needed for packaging the product based on said length and said height of the product. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor calculates the length of flexible packaging material of each of the upper and lower webs needed for packaging the product based on the length and the height of the product disposed on the lower web, and calculates the weight of the flexible packaging material as the sum of the weight of the upper web and the weight of the lower web. 15. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of using a cutting device to sever the flexible packaging material along a cut line located upstream of the product after passage of the product through the nip. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the cutting device is controlled such that the cut line is longitudinally spaced from the product by a distance that is a function of a height of the product, said distance being calculated by the microprocessor, and wherein the microprocessor takes said distance into account in calculating the length of the flexible packaging material needed for packaging the product. 17. A packaging machine for packaging products of varying weights and physical dimensions using flexible packaging material of predetermined weight per unit area, the packaging machine comprising: one or more roll mounts structured and arranged to rotatably support a pair of rolls of the flexible packaging material; a web drive and guide system operable to advance an upper web from one of the pair of rolls and a lower web from the other roll of the pair of rolls, and to advance the upper and lower webs to a packaging station; an infeed bed located upstream of the packaging station, the lower web being supported by the infeed bed such that a product to be packaged can be placed onto the lower web on the infeed bed; the packaging station comprising a pair of rollers forming a nip through which the upper and lower webs with the product disposed therebetween are advanced in a longitudinal direction such that the webs are adhered to each other and envelop the product; a controller comprising a microprocessor programmed to determine the weight of the flexible packaging material needed to package the product based on known characteristics of the product, and to then calculate a total package weight as the sum of the weight of the product and the weight of the flexible packaging material; and a labeling unit disposed upstream of the packaging station, the labeling unit comprising a printer for printing information specific to the product onto a label and an automated label applicator for affixing the label to one of the upper and lower webs prior to the product being advanced through the nip. 18. The packaging machine of claim 17, the labeling unit being connected to the microprocessor for receiving the calculated total package weight and for printing information onto the label, said information being a function of at least the total package weight. 19. The packaging machine of claim 17, further comprising a product length detector operable to determine the length of the product disposed on the lower web, and wherein the microprocessor is programmed to calculate the length of each of the upper and lower webs of flexible packaging material needed for packaging the product based in part on said length of the product. 20. The packaging machine of claim 19, wherein the controller is programmed to coordinate the advancing of the webs by the web drive and guide system and the affixing of the label on said one of the webs by the label applicator, based on the length of the product, so that the label is substantially centered on a package in the longitudinal direction. 21. The packaging machine of claim 17, further comprising a product height detector operable to determine the height of the product disposed on the lower web, and wherein the microprocessor is programmed to calculate the length of each of the upper and lower webs of flexible packaging material needed for packaging the product based in part on said height of the product. 22. The packaging machine of claim 17, further comprising a product length detector operable to determine the length of the product disposed on the lower web, and a product height detector operable to determine the height of the product disposed on the lower web, and wherein the microprocessor is programmed to calculate the length of each of the upper and lower webs of flexible packaging material needed for packaging the product based on said length and said height of the product. 23. The packaging machine of claim 17, wherein the cutoff station comprises a cuffing device operable to sever the flexible packaging material along a cut line located upstream of the product after passage of the product through the nip. 24. The packaging machine of claim 23, wherein the controller is connected with the cutting device and is programmed to control the cuffing device such that the cut line is longitudinally spaced from the product by a distance that is a function of a height of the product, said distance being calculated by the microprocessor, and wherein the microprocessor is programmed to take said distance into account in calculating the length of the flexible packaging material needed for packaging the product. 25. The packaging machine of claim 17, wherein the controller is connected with a sensor associated with the automated label applicator, the sensor being operable to detect when a label has been received and affixed to the flexible packaging material and to send a signal to the controller indicating the label was received and affixed, the controller being programmed to verify whether the label was affixed by the label applicator, and wherein the controller is connected with the web drive system and is programmed to control the web drive system to advance the webs and the product through the nip only after the controller has verified that the label was affixed. 26. The packaging machine of claim 17, further comprising a scanner operable to scan a product code associated with the product disposed on the lower web, the scanner being adapted to be connected to a customer terminal having a memory that stores data relating product codes of various products to information about said products. 27. The packaging machine of claim 17, further comprising a scale located beneath the lower web for weighing the product disposed on the lower web, the scale being connected with the controller, wherein the scale determines the weight of the product and communicates the weight to the controller. 28. The packaging machine of claim 27, wherein the controller is programmed to operate the machine in either a batch mode or a non-batch mode, wherein in the batch mode a first product of a batch of identical products is weighed by the scale and the weight is determined for the first product and communicated to the controller, and wherein the controller uses the same weight for each subsequent product of the batch without weighing each subsequent product. 29. The packaging machine of claim 17, wherein the machine comprises a main frame supporting the roll mount, the infeed bed, the web drive and guide system, the packaging station, and the controller, and a module frame supporting equipment that comprises at least the labeling unit, the module frame and the main frame being configured to releasably dock the module frame with the main frame such that the module frame and the equipment supported thereby may be removed from the machine. 30. The packaging machine of claim 29, wherein the module frame is wheeled for rolling the module frame along a floor. 31. The packaging machine of claim 29, wherein the module frame further supports a customer terminal comprising a computer processor and a visual display monitor and an input device connected with the computer processor. 32. A packaging machine for packaging products of varying lengths for shipping, wherein each product is packaged by enveloping the product in flexible packaging material, the packaging machine comprising: one or more roll mounts structured and arranged to rotatably support a pair of rolls of the flexible packaging material; an infeed bed, a lower web being drawn from one of the rolls of flexible packaging material and being supported by the infeed bed such that a product to be packaged can be placed onto the lower web on the infeed bed; a packaging station located downstream of the infeed bed and comprising a pair of rollers forming a nip, an upper web being drawn from the other roll of flexible packaging material and the upper and lower webs being advanced through the nip with the product disposed therebetween, such that the webs are adhered to each other and envelop the product, wherein the rollers are driven by a motor to advance the webs through the nip; a product length detector operable to measure a length of the product placed on the lower web; and a controller connected to the motor and to the product length detector, the controller being programmed to alternately advance the webs by an index distance and bring the webs to a stop, with the index distance being determined by the controller for each product based on the length of the product indicated by the product length detector. 33. The packaging machine of claim 32, further comprising an infeed gate disposed between the infeed bed and the nip, the infeed gate being movable between a blocking position adjacent the lower web such that the infeed gate blocks passage of a product into the nip, and an unblocking position spaced from the lower web such that the infeed gate allows passage of a product into the nip. 34. The packaging machine of claim 33, wherein the product length detector is structured and arranged to measure a distance from the product length detector to a trailing edge of the product located on the lower web, in a longitudinal direction along which the product moves into the nip, the infeed gate being positioned such that a leading edge of the product is abutted against the infeed gate and thus at a known location in the longitudinal direction, whereby the length of the product can be deduced from said distance.