Apparatus and method for the production and filling of containers designed to contain food

A method for the production and filling of containers designed to contain food, the method including the following steps:

• forming a sheet made of polymeric material in order to provide a plurality of accommodation receptacles which have at least one access opening,
• filling, through said access opening, said accommodation receptacles with at least one type of food,
• sealing said access opening by means of a closure film,
• removing, by die-cutting or punching, a plurality of portions to be removed from the sealed accommodation receptacles,
• providing at least one weakening portion at a connecting edge between at least two adjacent accommodation receptacles, said provision step comprising a step of emitting laser radiation at at least one portion of said connecting edge in order to provide a localized reduction of a transverse cross-section of said connecting edge along said weakening portion, and
• separating the accommodation receptacles into groups of accommodation receptacles;
• said polymeric material being chosen from the group consisting of:
• PET (polyethylene terephthalate);
• PP (polypropylene) and copolymers thereof;
• providing an apparatus with a first section which accommodates structure to perform said step of filling, structure to perform said step of sealing and structure to perform said step of removing;
• and
• providing said apparatus with a second section which accommodates structure to perform said step of emitting laser radiation, said second section being separate from said first section.