Cutting device and method for applying cut tracks in an outer packaging

A cutting device for applying a substantially circumferential cutting path in side walls in an outer packaging filled with goods up to a filling level, wherein the cutting device:

• is configured to apply a first cutting path in a first side wall of the side walls and a second cutting path in a second side wall of the side walls and a third cutting path in a third side wall of the side walls and a fourth cutting path in a fourth side wall of the side walls, such that the first, second, third and fourth cutting path adjoin one another and form the circumferential cutting path for cutting off a collar,
• and a first cutting module, which comprises two opposite cutting systems, each with a cutting unit, wherein the cutting units are movable parallel to a first cutting direction such that a cutting path of the cutting paths can respectively be applied in the opposite side walls of the outer packaging, and
• wherein the cutting units each have a cutting head and a cutting element mounted on the cutting head,
• wherein the cutting device further has
• a control unit for determining a cutting height, which is configured to actuate the cutting units such that the circumferential cutting path is applied at the cutting height, and
• a positioning device, which is configured to position the outer packaging for applying the first and second cutting path in a first cutting position and for applying the third and fourth cutting path in a second cutting position.

A method for applying a circumferential cutting path in side walls of an outer packaging filled with goods up to a filling level by a cutting device, in particular by a cutting device, comprising the steps:

• i) providing the outer packaging at the cutting device,
• ii) determining a cutting height, at which the circumferential cutting path is to be applied to the outer packaging by a control unit,
• iii) moving the outer packaging to a first cutting position by a conveying device and positioning the outer packaging in the first cutting position by a positioning device,
• iv) actuating opposite cutting systems to apply a first cutting path pair, which comprises a first and a second cutting path, by the control unit, wherein the opposite cutting systems each comprise a cutting unit, each having a cutting element, and wherein the cutting elements are aligned at the determined cutting height,
• v) applying, parallel to a cutting direction for applying the first cutting path pair,
• the first cutting path in a first side wall of the outer packaging by the cutting element aligned at the determined cutting height of step iv), the cutting element being of a first cutting system of the opposite cutting systems for applying the first cutting path pair, and
• the second cutting path in a second side wall of the outer packaging by the cutting element aligned at the determined cutting height of step iv), the cutting element being of a second cutting system of the opposite cutting systems for applying the first cutting path pair,
• vi) moving the outer packaging from the first cutting position to a second cutting position, in particular by the conveying device, and positioning the outer packaging in the second cutting position by the positioning device,
• vii) actuating opposite cutting systems to apply a second cutting path pair, which comprises a third and a fourth cutting path, by the control unit, wherein the opposite cutting systems each comprise a cutting unit, each having a cutting element, and wherein the cutting elements are aligned at the determined cutting height,
• viii) applying, parallel to a cutting direction for applying the second cutting path pair,
• the third cutting path in a third side wall of the outer packaging by the cutting element aligned at the determined cutting height of step vii), the cutting element being of a first cutting system of the opposite cutting systems for applying the second cutting path pair, and
• the fourth cutting path in a fourth side wall of the outer packaging by the cutting element aligned at the determined cutting height of step vii), the cutting element being of a second cutting system of the opposite cutting systems for applying the second cutting path pair,
• such that the first, second, third and fourth cutting path result in a substantially horizontally circumferential cutting path, thereby cutting off a collar of the outer packaging,
• ix) lifting the cut-off collar of the outer packaging, and
• x) transporting the outer packaging from the second cutting position after lifting the collar according to step ix) by the conveying device.