Mechanism and method for cutting a sleeve

Sleeve cutting mechanism for cutting a sleeve being conveyed along a sleeve conveyance axis through a labelling machine, comprising:

• a basis with a sleeve passage extending along a central axis which coincides with the sleeve conveyance axis;
• a plurality of pivoting arms which are held on the basis;
• a plurality of rotary cutters which are held on the basis at a radial distance to and at angular distances around the central axis of the sleeve passage, and each of which comprises a carrier which is held rotatably around a first axis of rotation parallel to the central axis of the basis, and at least one blade fixed to the carrier for cutting the sleeve, wherein each rotary cutter is rotatably mounted to one end portion of the pivoting arm so as to be pivotable about a respective pivoting axis;
• and
• a pivoting drive, wherein the pivoting arm engages, at its other end portion opposite to the one end portion, with the pivoting drive, which is configured to adjust the radial distances of the rotary cutters with respect to the central axis of the sleeve passage, wherein the pivoting drive comprises a ring engageable with each one of the plurality of pivoting arms such that rotation of the ring causes a change in the radial position with respect to the central axis of each one of the plurality of the pivoting arms, and thereby each one of the plurality of rotary cutters.