Packaging apparatus and method

摘要

Apparatus for packing an item (0) comprises a web supply and drive system for supplying and advancing two web portions (22, 24) of a flexible packaging material such that the web portions are generally parallel and oppose each other at an item-receiving station at which an item to be packaged is placed between the opposing web portions. A cut-off device (130) downstream of the item-receiving station is arranged to sever the web portions along a cut line to separate a package from the remainder of the web portions. A controller (C) connected to the web supply and drive system and the cut-off device is operable to coordinate operation of the cut-off device and the web supply and drive system so as to cause the cut line to be spaced from an adjacent edge of the item (0) by a spacing distance that is a function of a predetermined height dimension of the item, which may be sensed by a height detector positioned upstream of the item-receiving station and connected to the controller.