Abstract:
A cutting disc for separating containers ( 30 ) in a container-packaging-assembly ( 44 ) into defined container groups ( 31 ), the cutting disc ( 24 ) including two individual discs ( 22   a   , 22   b ). The individual discs ( 22   a   , 22   b ) each include at least one separator, and the rotational speeds of the individual discs ( 22   a   , 22   b ) are individually adjustable and preferably controllable separately of each other. Likewise, a cutting device ( 20 ) is disclosed that is employed within a packaging device ( 10 ) for containers ( 30 ). The described method makes it possible to separate an assembly ( 44 ) made from a continuous packaging ( 40 ) and a multitude of containers ( 30 ) connected with said packaging ( 40 ) into predefined container groups ( 31 ).

Description:
[0001]    This claims the benefit of German Patent Application DE 10 2009 026 113.3, filed Jul. 7, 2009 and hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a cutting disc and a cutting device as well as a method for separating package units. The package units are produced by cutting apart containers that are held together by means of foil. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Preceding packaging machines downstream, there is often a separate machine, which is utilized for pulling a continuous plastic foil, adjusted to the respective containers, over the container stream, and subsequently arranging this assembly according to the requested format. This is accomplished by cutting the plastic foil at the intended connecting strips or points. The packages thus formed are then supplied into another packing machine, where these so-called Hi-Cone packages are further assembled and provided with an outer packaging (for example, a pad in the form of a tray or an outer packaging, also called wraparound). 
         [0004]    Methods for applying the foil and thus holding together containers of a container stream are known to the expert from prior art. 
         [0005]    The packages are cut, for example, by means of laterally rotating cutter rollers. As the cutter rollers would otherwise impede each other, this is only possible for a maximum of two parallel lanes. In order to avoid this difficulty and thus also enable packaging of a multilane container stream, this technology can be combined with a disc arranged at a 45° angle to the transportation direction, whereby the said disc comprises blades attached to it. In particular, devices are known that use one disc each per inner lane, while the two outer lanes are cut with the (also known) rotating cutter rollers. 
         [0006]    A further known method for cutting in any number of lanes utilizes blades that push through the packages transversely to the transportation direction and in this way cut all connecting strips or points in the foil. 
         [0007]    All the said methods for cutting depend on precise spacing; i.e. altering the container shape or measurements also necessitates the exchange of change-over parts and adjusting them to the bodies to be packaged. This process often involves a considerable effort. 
         [0008]    European Patent EP 456 357 B1 describes a device for connecting a multitude of containers (articles), whereby a plastic clip is first applied over the containers, said clip subsequently being cut by separating means. 
         [0009]    European Patent EP 572 160 B1 describes a method for producing packages from a plurality of containers. The carrier applied consists of a carrier stock produced from a single sheet of resilient polymeric material, whereby the carrier stock is transversely severable into single carriers. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,032,943 A also describes the application of a plastic clip that is subsequently cut as appropriate. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,991,640 A shows the application of a plastic clip over a plurality of containers, with said plastic clip being supplied as continuous strip that is subsequently cut by means of star wheels with blades and a further cutting mechanism in the form of an individual disc with blades. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,054,257 A discloses a device that connects a multitude of can-type containers to each other with a continuous foil strip and separates them by means of a cutting device into units of a predetermined length. The cutting device works with an exchangeable blade. 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,542,231 A describes a similar apparatus, whereby the said apparatus comprises a so-called means for striking, which breaks the carrier stock at the frangible junctions between the handle portion of a first carrier and the handle portion of a second carrier. The said means for striking comprises a polygonal wheel with three arms extending outward and shaped as thin, dull blades. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,032,943, 3,991,640, 5,054,257 and 5,542,231 A are hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
         [0014]    European Patent EP 1 495 969 B1 describes a packing machine for unitizing a plurality of containers using a flexible carrier material. The said flexible carrier stock is divided into appropriate packages by means of a cutoff wheel. The cutoff wheel comprises a plurality of blades positioned around its perimeter at appropriate increments, based upon a desired size of the package. If, for instance, six-packs are desired, the blades will be positioned in between every three container pockets. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    One task of the present invention is to specify a compact cutting disc with which assemblies made from continuous packaging means and from containers of different sizes and/or shapes can be separated. 
         [0016]    Another alternate or additional task of the present invention is to specify a cutting device with which assemblies made from continuous packaging means and from containers of different sizes and/or shapes can be separated without converting the cutting device. 
         [0017]    A further alternate or additional task of the present invention is to specify a method for separating containers held together by means of a continuous packaging material into package units. Said separating into packaging units is to be performed quickly, simply, and without any conversion effort for containers of different sizes and/or shapes. 
         [0018]    It is a further alternate or additional object of the present invention to provide a cutting disc, and in particular a cutting disc for separating containers into predefined container groups, whereby the containers are connected with each other by packaging, i.e. packaging means. 
         [0019]    The containers involved are for instance bottles made of plastic or glass, cans, or the like. In their upper area the containers preferably comprise a shoulder or a similar widening, resulting in an at least slightly enlarged cross-section in the said area as compared to the container top. 
         [0020]    The packaging means involved is preferably a foil with pre-punched openings, which are fitted over the containers. The foil is resilient in nature, so that the openings are slightly stretched when fitted over the container, and afterward fit so closely against the containers as to prevent the foil from slipping. Preferably, the packaging means is secured against sliding off the top by the above-described widening. The packaging means can in particular be a continuous foil. 
         [0021]    A cutting disc according to the invention comprises two individual discs, with said discs being arranged on a common axis. Said individual discs comprise at least one separating means each. The separating means involved can, for instance, be a sharp blade for cutting the packaging means. Furthermore, said separating means could, however, also be a largely dull means, in particular if the packaging means is previously perforated so that it can be easily separated at the appropriate points. 
         [0022]    According to the invention, the rotational speeds of the individual discs can be adjusted individually and they can preferably be controlled separately and independently of each other. According to a preferred embodiment, the two individual discs are operated at different speeds, so that the separating means of the first individual disc move in relation to the separating means of the second individual disc. 
         [0023]    Furthermore, the individual discs can each be operated at a constant speed, or else also at a non-constant, time-variant speed. By modifying the control of the two individual discs composing the cutting disc, it is thus possible to easily adjust said cutting disc to differently shaped packages, or to alternating package sizes and/or to varying speeds of the conveyor belt, which supplies the containers to the cutting disc. 
         [0024]    By appropriately controlling the speed of the individual discs it becomes possible, for instance, to separate containers alternately after each two, or three, etc. containers, thus producing different package sizes. 
         [0025]    According to a preferred embodiment, each of the two individual discs of a cutting disc comprises at least one angular recess on which a separating means is deposited. The said separating means is thereby deposited in such a way as to form an angle between the cutting blade, or the like, and a plane defined by the respective individual disc. 
         [0026]    The two individual discs, in turn, are assembled to form the cutting disc in such a way that the angle between the at least one separating means of the first individual disc and the plane of the cutting disc equates to the negative value of the angle between the at least one separating means of the second individual disc and the cutting disc. The angle between the at least one separating means of the first individual disc and the plane of the cutting disc preferably amounts to 45° and the angle between the at least one separating means of the second individual disc and the plane of the cutting disc to −45°. 
         [0027]    The invention furthermore relates to a cutting device to be employed within a packaging device for containers. 
         [0028]    In such a packaging device, the containers are guided in lanes by means, for instance, of lane separators. The packaging means, for instance a continuous plastic foil, is applied onto the containers employing an application device. Said task is performed employing, for instance, a common method whereby the packaging means is withdrawn from a stock and guided over an application roller which incorporates the known technology necessary for fitting the packaging means over the containers. 
         [0029]    The containers assembled by the packaging means subsequently have to be separated into the appropriate, desired container groups. 
         [0030]    In particular, the cutting device serves for separating a multitude of containers as described above into container groups, in each of which at least two containers are packaged together, employing a packaging means. Such a cutting device comprises at least one cutting disc with at least two separating means. 
         [0031]    According to a preferred embodiment, a cutting disc comprising two individual discs according to the above description is employed. A certain number of blades or other devices for separating the packaging means are attached to these discs at an angle of 45° to the disc plane (in the example shown in the figures there are four separating means per individual disc, i.e. a total of eight separating means per cutting disc). The tilt position of the separating means in relation to the disc plane reduces the dipping angle between the cutting edge of the separating means and the packaging means so that the separating means can be inserted deeper into the spaces between the containers without colliding with said containers. 
         [0032]    According to a preferred embodiment, the separating means of the first individual disc are arranged at an angle complementary to that of the separating means of the second individual disc. 
         [0033]    According to a preferred embodiment, the separating means of the two individual discs are arranged in such a way that they do not touch each other in the instance of being guided one above the other with the individual discs operated at different speeds. That is to say that the separating means are arranged so that it is possible for the individual discs to counter-rotate free from interference with relation to one another. 
         [0034]    According to a preferred embodiment, the cutting device comprises cutting discs in the same number as the number of parallel container rows, which are supplied in the container stream to be processed. 
         [0035]    According to a further preferred embodiment, the at least one cutting disc is arranged in the packaging device at an angle to the transportation direction of the container stream supplied. The said angle is preferably 45°. 
         [0036]    The above described angle of 45° between separating means and disc plane together with the 45° angle between disc plane and transportation direction of the containers add up to a pressure angle of 90° at which the separating means is inserted into and separates the packaging means which is to be severed. In principle, other angles between separating means and disc plane or between cutting disc and transportation direction of the containers are also possible, as long as the angle of tilt position of the cutting disc and the angle of tilt position of the separating means (for example blade) add up to 90°. 
         [0037]    The rotation of the cutting discs results in the separating means dipping into the spaces between the containers, with said containers being connected by the packaging means, and said separating means thus cutting said packaging means at the intended connecting strips or points. In particular, at the precise moment of the cutting process the separating means are at an angle of 90° related to the transportation direction of the containers, or more specifically, perpendicular to the packaging means to be severed. In the severing process, the two individual discs composing the cutting disc alternate with being inserted into the packaging means. 
         [0038]    Furthermore, it is possible to combine the cutting device with a fixed separating means, for instance a fixed blade, where said means is preferably arranged downstream and perpendicular to the supplied container stream, thus allowing the production of all common or desired package formations. 
         [0039]    The two individual discs composing the cutting disc are each coupled to a drive unit, for instance a servomotor or the like, and said discs can be controlled independently of each other. The fact that the speed differences of the individual discs can thus be adjusted in relation to each other allows the movements of the separating means dipping into and emerging out of the area of the spaces between the containers to be performed optimally in relation to container speed. With regard to the measurements of the containers to be processed, to desired groupings of the containers, etc., this embodiment provides a very high degree of flexibility. 
         [0040]    Furthermore, a method is herewith described, with which it is possible to separate an assembly made from a continuous packaging means and containers or to shape said assembly as desired. 
         [0041]    In particular, such a method for separating containers that are held together in package units by a packaging means comprises a number of steps, described as follows. 
         [0042]    First, the containers to be packaged are supplied in a continuous container stream of at least one row. The containers are subsequently packaged together with the aid of a packaging means. For instance, an appropriate plastic foil with pre-punched openings, as already described above, is fitted over the containers. Afterward, the packaging means is severed at predefined points by means of a cutting disc according to the invention and as described above. In said cutting disc, the speeds of the first and the second individual discs are controlled by at least one controlling means each and separately from each other. 
         [0043]    According to another embodiment, a further separating means, for instance in the form of a blade, may be provided for. Said blade can be deposited in extension of a lane separator and thus be employed for severing the packaging means between the containers in the direction of transportation. 
         [0044]    In this way, the containers are packaged together in the form of package units with a predefined size. 
         [0045]    The invention thus describes a cutting disc, a cutting device, and a method, allowing to cut the assembly made from continuous packaging means and containers and, respectively, to shape it according to the requested, common format, for instance as 1×2 containers, 2×2 containers, 2×3 containers, n×m containers, etc. This can be performed regardless of the desired format and, respectively, container measurements. The conversion to a different format or different container measurements is performed by a new instruction from the controlling device, for example by an adjustment of width and/or by converting various parameters in the controlling software of the controlling unit. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0046]    In the following passages, the attached figures further illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and their advantages. The size ratios of the individual elements in the figures do not necessarily reflect the real size ratios. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention. 
           [0047]      FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of a packaging device for assembling and packaging containers, wherewith the cutting disc according to the invention is employed; 
           [0048]      FIG. 2  shows a lateral view of the packaging device according to  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0049]      FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b  and  3   c  show an embodiment of a cutting disc (cutting wheel) according to prior art in the form of one individual disc; 
           [0050]      FIGS. 4   a ,  4   b  and  4   c  show the cutting disc according to  FIGS. 3   a  to  3   c  being employed for severing a foil sheet (prior art); 
           [0051]      FIG. 5  shows a foreshortened view of one embodiment of the cutting disc according to the invention in the form of a double disc; 
           [0052]      FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  show top views of two alternative embodiments of the cutting device according to the invention, as employed in a packaging device according to  FIG. 1  and, respectively,  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0053]      FIG. 7  shows a detailed, lateral view of one separate double disc of the cutting device according to  FIG. 6   a  or  6   b  for a single lane and 
           [0054]      FIGS. 8   a  to  8   d  show detailed lateral views of a number of steps in the cutting process using the cutting device according to  FIGS. 6   a ,  6   b , and  7 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0055]    The same or equivalent elements of the invention are designated by identical reference characters. Furthermore and for the sake of clarity, only the reference characters relevant for describing the respective figure are provided. It should be understood that the embodiments described are only examples of designing the cutting device, the cutting wheel, or the method according to the invention, and they are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. 
         [0056]      FIG. 1  shows a general view of the modules involved in an embodiment of a packaging device  10 . The containers  30  to be packaged are guided into the appropriate lanes  33  with the aid of lane separators  32 . This is followed by the application of the plastic foil  40  as a packaging means over the containers  30 , employing a common method. The prefabricated foil  40 , comprising pre-punched openings  42 , is thereby withdrawn from a stock and guided over a roller  50 . The roller  50  incorporates the technology necessary for fitting the foil  40  over the containers  30 , resulting in a container-foil-assembly  44 . 
         [0057]    The foil  40  is subsequently cut with the aid of a cutting device  20 . The cutting device  20  comprises a plurality of cutting discs  24  deposited next to one another, as described in more detail in  FIGS. 5 to 8   d . Furthermore, the packaging device  10  comprises an additional cutting device  28  deposited downstream in the direction of transportation R. Said cutting device  28  performs the severing of the foil  40  and the containers  30  along the direction R of transporting the containers  30 . A further cutting device  28  may comprise, for instance, a fixed, a laterally slidable, or also a completely removable blade. 
         [0058]    Severing the container-foil-assembly  44  with the aid of the cutting device  20 , and, as the case may be, in combination with an additional, optional cutting device  28 , results in package units  31  of the required size or shape. 
         [0059]      FIG. 2  shows a lateral view of the elements involved and already described in the context of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 3   a  shows the prior art as known, for instance, from U.S. Pat. No. 3,991,640 A, in a lateral view of a cutting disc  24  in the form of an individual disc  22  with four separating means  26  for cutting foil (the latter not illustrated in  FIG. 3   a ). 
         [0061]    The individual disc  22  comprises four angular recesses  25 , on each of which a separating means  26 , for instance a cutting blade or the like, is deposited. 
         [0062]      FIG. 3   b  shows a further illustration of the individual disc  22 , namely of a section along the line X-X of  FIG. 3   a . As is easily recognizable in this figure, the separating means  26  are arranged at an angle A related to the individual disc  22 . This provides for an optimal dipping of the separating means  26  into the packaging material  40  (the latter not illustrated in  FIG. 3   b ) and severing of the same. 
         [0063]      FIG. 3   c  shows an extract of cutting disc  24  according to the  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b , and in particular the separating means  26  in detail. The said separating means comprises, for instance, two cutting edges  27  for cutting the packaging means. 
         [0064]      FIGS. 4   a  to  4   c  show the process of cutting a container-foil-assembly  44  by means of an individual disc  22  according to the  FIGS. 3   a  to  3   c . The separating means  26  with their cutting edges  27  are attached to the individual disc  22  at defined spacings. Said spacings result in the foil  40  always being cut at predefined intervals. If it is required to package containers  30  of a different shape and/or of a different size, or if different package sizes or different package units  31  are required, for instance packages of threes, etc., instead of packages of twos  31  as shown here, a different individual disc  22  of a different diameter and/or with a different number of separating means  26  will need to be selected. This involves the exchange of individual discs  22  on the machine. Said exchange can be performed manually or electronically controlled via a robot, causing an extended standstill of the machine and thus being time-consuming and costly. 
         [0065]      FIG. 5  shows an embodiment of the cutting disc according to the invention in the form of a double disc  24 . Here, the cutting disc in the form of an individual disc  22 , as known from the prior art and as illustrated in  FIGS. 3   a  to  3   c  as well as in  4   a  to  4   c , is designed as a double disc  24 , whereby each individual disc  22   a ,  22   b  can be separately controlled and adjusted with regard to rotational speed and with regard to the ratio between the rotational speeds of the individual discs  22   a ,  22   b . This is described in more detail in  FIGS. 8   a  to  8   d.    
         [0066]    The two cutting discs  22   a ,  22   b , which are arranged on a common rotational axis  23 , are, for instance, each coupled to a servomotor  122   a ,  122   b , respectively, or a similar drive unit, so that the individual discs  22   a ,  22   b  can be controlled independently of each other, via for example a controller  100 . This makes it possible for the two individual discs  22   a ,  22   b  to rotate at different speeds in relation to each other. In this way, the dipping and emerging of the separating means  26  into and, respectively, out of the spaces  34  between the containers  30  can be performed optimally in relation to transportation speed, size, etc., of the containers  30 . 
         [0067]    If it is thereby required to process containers  30  or packages of a different shape, it will no longer be necessary to exchange the cutting disc  24 . Instead, the speeds of the two individual discs  22   a ,  22   b  composing the double disc  24  are accordingly readjusted and reset. 
         [0068]    In particular, it is possible to operate the two individual discs  22   a ,  22   b  independently of each other at a non-constant speed. The velocity curves of the individual discs  22   a ,  22   b  are thereby controlled so as to be adjusted optimally to the required container groups  31 . 
         [0069]    Thereby, the separating means  26  with their cutting edges  27  are deposited on each of the individual discs  22   a  and  22   b  in such a way that the cutting edges  27  of each of the individual discs  22   a  and  22   b  form an angle A 1  and A 2 , respectively, in relation to the planes of the individual discs  22   a  and  22   b , respectively. The said angles A 1 , A 2  are preferably of the same value and arranged complementary in relation to the disc plane as defined by cutting disc  24 . 
         [0070]      FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  show the basic designs of two alternative embodiments of a cutting device  20  according to the invention. The cutting device  20  in both embodiments comprises a multitude of double discs  24 , as already illustrated in  FIG. 5 . For each container lane  33  involved in the process, one double disc  24  is needed, with each said double disc in turn comprising two rotating individual discs  22   a ,  22   b . By employing two individual discs  22   a ,  22   b  per double disc  24 , whereby each of the said individual discs  22   a ,  22   b  can be controlled and adjusted independently of the other, a very high degree of flexibility is achieved with regard to the measurements of the processed containers  30  and with regard to the required package units  31 . 
         [0071]    According to a preferred embodiment, the double discs  24  are arranged at an angle B, in particular at an angle of 45°, in relation to the direction R of transporting the containers  30 . On the individual discs  22   a ,  22   b  composing the double discs  24 , a defined number of blades  26  or other means for severing the foil  40  is deposited, preferably at an angle of A 1 =45° and A 2 =−45°, respectively, in relation to the corresponding disc plane, as illustrated in detail in  FIG. 5 . The illustrated embodiment provides for four blades  26  per individual disc  22   a ,  22   b  so that a double disc  24  comprises a total of eight blades  26 . In these two alternative embodiments, preferably all left-hand individual discs  22   a  of each double disc  24  are to be operated with a first, common drive, and all right-hand individual discs  22   b  of each double disc  24  with a second, common drive. 
         [0072]      FIG. 6   a  shows a compact first embodiment of the cutting device  20  according to the invention, with the separate double discs  24  being arranged in such a way that their rotational axes  23  are each parallel to and separate from each other. Each cutting disc  24  is thereby provided with its own drive. 
         [0073]      FIG. 6   b  shows a second embodiment of the cutting device  20  according to the invention, with the separate double discs  24  being arranged on a common rotational axis  23 . The resulting structure of the cutting device  20  is thus slightly larger; the coupling of the discs  24 , on the other hand however, goes along with constructive advantages. 
         [0074]    In principle, other angles A 1 , A 2 , B are also possible, as long as the angle of the tilt position B of double disc  24  in relation to the transportation direction R of the containers  30  and the angle A 1  and A 2 , respectively, of the separating means  26  in relation to the disc plane add up to an angle of 90°. The tilt position of the double disc  24  in relation to the transportation direction R, and thus in relation to the foil  40 , reduces the dipping angle of double disc  24  so that it is possible for the separating means  26  to be inserted deeper into the spaces  34  (see  FIGS. 4   a ,  7 ) between the containers  30 , without that the separating means  26  collide with the containers  30 . 
         [0075]    The rotation of the cutting discs  22   a ,  22   b  results in the separating means  26  to be dipped into the spaces  34  between the containers  30  of the container-foil-assembly  44  and further results in the separating means  26  to cut or sever the foil  40  at the intended connecting strips or points. In combination with a fixed blade  28 , it is thus possible to produce all common package formations  31 . The conversion to a different container size is thus performed by converting the relevant parameters in the software of the controlling unit and by adjusting the width settings for the cutting discs. 
         [0076]    In particular, it is possible to provide for the separating means  26  to be adjustable in relation to the plane of the cutting disc  24 . They can then be accordingly adjusted, when the angle of tilt position B of double disc  24  relative to the transportation direction R of the containers  30  is changed. It will preferably be adjusted in such a way that the sum of the absolute values of angles A 1  and B, and the sum of the absolute values of angles A 2  and B, respectively, always adds up to 90°. 
         [0077]    The described cutting device  20  allows for single lane as well as multilane processing. All left-hand cutting discs  22   a  are coupled to a first servomotor and all right-hand cutting discs  22   b  to a second servomotor, i.e. it is possible to rotate or operate the left-hand individual discs  22   a  independently of the right-hand individual discs  22   b . Preferably, the two individual discs  22   a ,  22   b  are operated at different speeds so that the two individual discs  22   a ,  22   b  in a double disc counter-rotate relative to one another. With this possibility of the two individual discs  22   a ,  22   b  being operated at different speeds relative to one another, the movement of the separating means  26  respectively dipping into and emerging out of the spaces  34  between the containers  30  can be performed optimally in relation to container  30  speed. This is described in detail in  FIGS. 8   a  to  8   d.    
         [0078]    In a detailed view,  FIG. 7  shows the employment of one separate double disc  24  of a cutting device according to  FIG. 6   a  or  6   b  for one single lane  33 . The foil  40 , which is fitted over the assembled containers  30 , is severed with the aid of the separating means  26 , for instance blades, of the two individual discs  22   a ,  22   b  composing double disc  24 . 
         [0079]      FIGS. 8   a  to  8   d  illustrate the exact procedure of the process of cutting a container-foil-assembly  44 , employing a cutting disc  24  according to the invention. According to  FIGS. 8   b ,  8   c  and to the embodiment described here, the respective separating means  26  of the cutting disc  24  dips deepest into the foil  40 , when the separating means  26  is perpendicular to the taut foil  40 , or more specifically, to the transportation direction R of the containers  30 . 
         [0080]    In these figures it is recognizable that the two individual discs  22   a ,  22   b  composing the cutting disc  24  are always alternately, one after the other, inserted into the foil  40 . It is possible to adjust the respective spacings, at which the container-foil-assembly  44  is cut, according to the selected speed of the individual discs  22   a ,  22   b . The cuts can be performed, for instance, after every row of containers  30 , after every other row, after every three rows, etc. 
         [0081]    This adjustment is performed with the aid of an electronic control. In particular, only software parameters need to be altered without requiring the mechanical exchange of cutting discs  24 . It is thus not necessary to provide different change-over parts for varying package units  31 . In addition, this process requires no manual exchange of the cutting discs  24  or of their change-over parts, which would otherwise result particularly in an extended standstill of the cutting device  20 . Furthermore, this system provides for a high degree of flexibility with regard to the container groups  31 . 
         [0082]    The invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments. To the expert it is also conceivable, however, to make changes and modifications without leaving the scope of protection of the appended claims. 
       LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS 
       [0000]    
       
         
           
             A, A 1 , A 2  Angle between separating means and disc plane 
             B Angle between cutting disc and container stream 
             R Direction of transportation of the containers 
               10  Packaging device 
               20  Cutting device 
               22 ,  22   a ,  22   b  Individual disc 
               23  Axis of rotation 
               24  Double disc/cutting disc 
               25  Angular recess 
               26  Blade/separating means 
               27  Cutting edge 
               28  Additional cutting device 
               30  Container 
               31  Container group/package unit 
               32  Lane separator 
               33  Lane 
               34  Space between the containers 
               40  Plastic foil/packaging means 
               42  Openings in packaging means 
               44  Container-packaging means-assembly/container-foil-assembly 
               50  Roller 
               100  Controller 
               122   a  Servomotor 
               122   b  Servomotor