Machine and Process for Packaging Unique Items

Abstract

A method of packaging a series of differently shaped objects. The method includes receiving a first object to be packaged and identifying a first length of a stock packaging material suitable for enclosing the first object. The method continues by creating, with a bag making machine, a first bag from the stock packaging material having approximately the first length, which leads to substantially enclosing the first object in the first bag. Then the method continues by receiving a second object to be packaged, the second object having a shape or size different from the first object. A second length of the stock packaging material suitable for enclosing the second object is identified. The method continues by creating, with the bag making machine, a second bag from the stock packaging material having approximately the second length, followed by substantially enclosing the second object in the second bag.

1 . A bag making machine configured to receive a flattened tubular stock material from a roll, a longitudinal axis of the tubular stock material corresponding with a direction of travel of the stock material from the roll and through the bag making machine, the bag making machine comprising:
 a feeder configured to draw a desired length of the stock material from the roll;   a cutter, which when activated, is configured to separate an upstream portion of the stock material from a downstream portion of the stock material;   a sealer, which when activated, is configured to separate an upstream portion of the stock material from a downstream portion of the stock material and substantially simultaneously form a seal in the upstream portion and a seal in the downstream portion of the stock material traverse to the direction of travel; and   a controller programmed to alternate between use of the cutter and use of the sealer, wherein the controller is programmed to operate the feeder to draw a desired length of the stock material from the roll after use of the cutter, and wherein the controller is programmed to operate the feeder to draw a desired length of the stock material from the roll after use of the sealer.   
     
     
         2 . The bag making machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the desired length is capable of being varied between each use of the cutter and the sealer. 
     
     
         3 . The bag making machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the desired length is determined by the controller based on the function (X+H)*(1+N), wherein:
 X is a first input substantially equal to a length of an object to be enclosed by the bag;   H is a second input substantially equal to a height of the object; and   N is an input designating a tolerance factor which is less than or equal to 0.25.   
     
     
         4 . The bag making machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the sealer comprises:
 a press, which when activated, is configured to clamp the stock material, and   a heating element, which when activated, is configured to contact and melt the stock material, thereby sealing and separating the stock material simultaneously.   
     
     
         5 . The bag making machine according to  claim 4 , wherein when activated, the press clamps the stock material for between 4 seconds and 8 seconds, and the heating element operates between 240 degrees F. and 300 degrees F. 
     
     
         6 . The bag making machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising pivotable receiver arms configured to hold the roll. 
     
     
         7 . The bag making machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the cutter comprises a perforation wheel configured to separate an upstream portion of the stock material from a downstream portion of the stock material. 
     
     
         8 . The bag making machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the cutter comprises a blade configured to separate an upstream portion of the stock material from a downstream portion of the stock material. 
     
     
         9 . A bag making machine configured to receive a flattened tubular stock material from a roll, a longitudinal axis of the tubular stock material corresponding with a direction of travel of the stock material from the roll and through the bag making machine, the bag making machine comprising:
 a feeder configured to draw the stock material from the roll;   a sealer configured to form a seal within the stock material traverse to the direction of travel;   a cutter independent of the sealer configured to separate an upstream portion of the stock material from a downstream portion of the stock material; and   a controller programmed to operate the feeder to draw a first desired length of the stock material from the roll, activate the sealer to form a seal after drawing the first desired length of the stock material from the roll, operate the feeder to draw a second desired length of the stock material from the roll while advancing the seal beyond the sealer, and to activate the cutter to separate an upstream portion of the stock material from a downstream portion after advancing the seal beyond the sealer.   
     
     
         10 . The bag making machine according to  claim 9 , wherein the cutter comprises a perforation wheel configured to separate an upstream portion of the stock material from a downstream portion of the stock material. 
     
     
         11 . The bag making machine according to  claim 9 , wherein the cutter comprises a blade configured to separate an upstream portion of the stock material from a downstream portion of the stock material. 
     
     
         12 . The bag making machine according to  claim 9 , wherein the desired length is capable of being varied between each activation of the cutter and the sealer. 
     
     
         13 . The bag making machine according to  claim 9 , wherein the first or second desired length is determined by the controller based on the function (X+H)*(1+N), wherein:
 X is a first input substantially equal to a length of an object to be enclosed by the bag;   H is a second input substantially equal to a height of the object; and   N is an input designating a tolerance factor which is less than or equal to 0.25.   
     
     
         14 . The bag making machine according to  claim 9 , wherein the sealer comprises:
 a press configured to clamp the stock material, and   a heating element configured to contact and melt the stock material to form the seal between an upstream portion and a downstream portion of the stock material.   
     
     
         15 . The bag making machine according to  claim 14 , wherein the press is configured to clamp the stock material for between 4 seconds and 8 seconds, and the heating element operates between 240 degrees F. and 300 degrees F. 
     
     
         16 . The bag making machine according to  claim 9 , further comprising pivotable receiver arms configured to hold the roll. 
     
     
         17 . A bag making machine configured to receive a flattened tubular stock material from a roll, a longitudinal axis of the tubular stock material corresponding with a direction of travel of the stock material from the roll and through the bag making machine, the bag making machine comprising:
 a feeder configured to draw a desired length of the stock material from the roll;   a cutter configured to separate an upstream portion of the stock material from a downstream portion of the stock material;   a sealer configured to form a seal within the stock material traverse to the direction of travel; and   a controller programmed to alternate between use of the cutter and use of the sealer, wherein the controller is programmed to operate the feeder to draw a first desired length of the stock material from the roll after use of the cutter and before the next use of the sealer, and wherein the controller is programmed to operate the feeder to draw a second desired length of the stock material from the roll after use of the sealer and before the next use of the cutter.   
     
     
         18 . The bag making machine according to  claim 17 , wherein at least one of the first desired length or the second desired length is capable of being varied between each use of the cutter and the sealer. 
     
     
         19 . The bag making machine according to  claim 17 , wherein the cutter comprises a perforation wheel configured to separate an upstream portion of the stock material from a downstream portion of the stock material. 
     
     
         20 . The bag making machine according to  claim 17 , wherein the cutter comprises a blade configured to separate an upstream portion of the stock material from a downstream portion of the stock material.