Packaging machine with a cutting device with optimized power consumption

A packaging machine for packaging packaged items using a stretchable film, the packaging machine comprising:

• a film transporter for feeding the stretchable film to a packaging item to be packaged;
• and
• a cutting device with a blade for cutting the stretchable film from the film transporter to size,
• wherein the cutting device is transferrable by a drive with a driving force from a rest position into an extended position,
• wherein the stretchable film is severable by the cutting device in the extended position,
• wherein the cutting device is connected to a housing surrounding the cutting device via a return mechanism spatially separate from the drive,
• wherein the return mechanism is activatable upon the cutting device being transferred from the rest position into the extended position,
• wherein a return force in a direction of the rest position is exertable by the return mechanism in an activated state on the cutting device in its extended position, the force being greater than a return resistance of the cutting device in its extended state by which the cutting device is held in the extended state without action of the driving force, and
• wherein the cutting device has a blade guide comprising one or more guide plates,
• wherein the blade guide has at least one slide guide for at least one slide block formed on the blade, and
• wherein at least one spacer is arranged between the blade guide and the housing surrounding the cutting device, which can be guided along the housing of the cutting device during the transfer of the cutting device from the rest position into the extended position.

A packaging machine for packaging packaged items using a stretchable film, the packaging machine comprising:

• a film transporter for feeding the stretchable film to a packaging item to be packaged;
• and
• a cutting device with a blade for cutting the stretchable film from the film transporter to size,
• wherein the cutting device is transferrable by a drive with a driving force from a rest position into an extended position,
• wherein the stretchable film is severable by the cutting device in the extended position,
• wherein the cutting device is connected to a housing surrounding the cutting device via a return mechanism spatially separate from the drive,
• wherein the return mechanism is activatable upon the cutting device being transferred from the rest position into the extended position,
• wherein a return force in a direction of the rest position is exertable by the return mechanism in an activated state on the cutting device in its extended position, the force being greater than a return resistance of the cutting device in its extended state by which the cutting device is held in the extended state without action of the driving force,
• wherein the drive and/or the return mechanism has coupling elements for connection to the blade,
• wherein the coupling elements have a curved cross profile and are insertable into recesses in the blade guide and are configured to grip around the blade.