Packaging machine and method

摘要

A packaging method and apparatus (20) wherein each product is packaged by enveloping the product in flexible packaging material (24). A programmed microprocessor calculates the length of flexible packaging material (24) 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 (116) prints information specific to the product that is being packaged onto a label that is then affixed to the flexible packaging material (24) 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 (200).