Automatic packaging apparatus with improved means for cutting and contour trimming of packages

Claim 2

In packaging apparatus of the type wherein a first sheet of plastic film is thermoformed into individual interconnected cupshaped containers to be filled and sealed, said apparatus including means for moving the plastic sheet past a series of operating stations, and means for moving a second sheet of plastic film into closure contact with the filled thermoformed containers forming a continuous chain of sealed packages, an improved cutting station comprising: cutting means including a curved sharpened edge for producing curved cuts in the continuous chain of sealed packages substantially matching the outline of the individual containers; means for receiving said curved sharpened edge to enable said sharpened edge to cut completely through the continuous chain of packages, said receiving means including a working surface having a rake to enable some portions of said working surface to contact the continuous chain prior to other portions; and means for effecting relative movement to bring said curved sharpened edge into severing contact with the continuous chain of sealed packages supported by said working surface whereby the individually sealed packages are sheared from the continuous chain in the direction of the rake.

Claim 3

Packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including means for orienting the chain of packages relative to the cutting station to allow the severed individually sealed package to move from the cutting station by the force of gravity.

Claim 4

Packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including holding and stripping means for holding the package against said receiving means to properly position the package for cutting and for stripping the severed package from said cutting means to remove it therefrom.

Claim 5

Packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said curved sharpened edge is arranged transversely to the direction of movement of the chain and extends slightly beyond the parallel edges of the chain of packages whereby the corners of the packages are rounded with a minimum of waste.

Claim 6

Packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1 for use with a chain of packages including two rows of interconnected packages wherein said curved sharpened edge is formed in a T-shape to provide severing of the individual packages from the interconnected rows with a minimum of waste.

Claim 7

Packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including means for heating said sharpened edge to aid in severing the individual packages from the continuous chain of packages.

Claim 8

Packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sharpened edge is bifurcated for producing at leasT two intersecting cuts simultaneously; and said receiving means includes a bifurcated slot arranged to receive said bifurcated sharpened edge.

Claim 9

Packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sharpened edge is bifurcated for producing at least two intersecting cuts simultaneously; said receiving means includes a bifurcated slot arranged to receive said bifurcated sharpened edge; and means is provided for heating said sharpened edge to aid in severing the individual packages from the continuous chain of packages.

Claim 10

In packaging apparatus of the type wherein a first sheet of plastic film is thermoformed into individual interconnected cup-shaped containers to be filled and sealed, said apparatus including means for moving the plastic sheet past a series of operating stations and means for moving a second sheet of plastic film into closure contact with the filled thermoformed containers forming a continuous chain of sealed packages, an improved cutting station comprising: means for cutting the continuous chain of sealed packages to form severed individually sealed packages, said cutting means including a bifurcated knife for producing at least two intersecting cuts simultaneously; said knife being formed of at least two knife strips sharpened only on one side of their cutting-edges and positioned with the unsharpened sides in overlapping contact forming a continuous cutting edge, said two knife strips extending in different directions away from the overlapping region; said overlapping sides including gaps to allow for thermal expansion and contraction; means for heating said knife to aid in severing the individual packages from the continuous chain of packages; means for receiving said cutting means to enable said cutting means to cut completely through the continuous chain of packages, said receiving means including a bifurcated slot arranged to receive said bifurcated knife; and means for effecting relative movement to bring said cutting means into severing contact with the continuous chain of sealed packages whereby individually sealed packages are severed from the continuous chain of packages.

Claim 11

In packaging apparatus of the type wherein a first sheet of plastic film is thermoformed into individual interconnected cup-shaped containers to be filled and sealed, said apparatus including means for moving the plastic sheet past a series of operating stations and means for moving a second sheet of plastic film into closure contact with the filled thermoformed containers forming a continuous chain of sealed packages, an improved cutting station comprising: means for cutting the continuous chain of sealed packages to form severed individually sealed packages, said cutting means including a bifurcated knife for producing at least two intersecting cuts simultaneously; said knife being formed of at least two knife strips sharpened only on one side of their cutting-edges and positioned with the unsharpened sides in overlapping contact forming a continuous cutting edge, said two knife strips extending in different directions away from the overlapping region; said overlapping sides including gaps to allow for thermal expansion and contraction; means for heating said knife to aid in severing the individual packages from the continuous chain of packages; means for receiving said cutting means to enable said cutting means to cut completely through the continuous chain of packages, said receiving means including a bifurcated slot arranged to receive said bifurcated knife; and means for effecting relative movement to bring said cutting means into severing contact with the continuous chain of sealed packages whereby individually sealed packages are severed from the continuous chain of packages.

Claim 12

In packaging apparatus of the type wherein a first sheet of plastic film is thermoformed into individual interconnected cup-shaped containers to be filled and sealed, said apparatus including means for moving the plastic sheet past a series of operating stations and means for moving a second sheet of plastic film into closure contact with the filled thermoformed containers forming a continuous chain of sealed packages, an improved cutting station comprising: means for cutting the continuous chain of sealed packages to form severed individually sealed packages, said cutting means including a bifurcated knife for producing at least two intersecting cuts simultaneously; said knife being formed of at least two knife strips sharpened only on one side of their cutting-edges and positioned with the unsharpened sides in overlapping contact forming a continuous cutting edge; means for heating said knife to aid in severing the individual packages from the continuous chain of packages; means for receiving said cutting means to enable said cutting means to cut completely through the continuous chain of packages, said receiving means including a bifurcated slot arranged to receive said bifurcated knife; and means for effecting relative movement to bring said cutting means into severing contact with the continuous chain of sealed packages whereby individually sealed packages are severed from the continuous chain of packages.

Claim 13

In packaging apparatus of the type wherein a first sheet of plastic film is thermoformed into individual interconnected cup-shaped containers to be filled and sealed, said apparatus including means for moving the plastic sheet past a series of operating stations and means for moving a second sheet of plastic film into closure contact with the filled thermoformed containers forming a continuous chain of sealed packages, an improved cutting station comprising: means for cutting the continuous chain of sealed packages to form severed individually sealed packages, said cutting means including a bifurcated knife for producing at least two intersecting cuts simultaneously; said knife being formed of at least two knife strips sharpened only on one side of their cutting-edges and positioned with the unsharpened sides in overlapping contact forming a continuous cutting edge; means for heating said knife to aid in severing the individual packages from the continuous chain of packages; means for receiving said cutting means to enable said cutting means to cut completely through the continuous chain of packages, said receiving means including a bifurcated slot arranged to receive said bifurcated knife; and means for effecting relative movement to bring said cutting means into severing contact with the continuous chain of sealed packages whereby individually sealed packages are severed from the continuous chain of packages.