AU2013100538A4 - Cutting and Moving Apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to apparatus and a method for use in the removal of items from a package so as to allow the items, which in one embodiment are empty containers, to be moved onwardly to a location at which the containers are filled. The apparatus includes a blade provided with a series of teeth formed therein and the blade is moved onto the sheet material at one side of the package such that the teeth of the blade puncture the same and then, as the blade is moved further, the cut line is formed. The blade can be moved through the package to perform the cutting action on the opposing wall of the package. Sheet material removal means and movement means for moving the freed items onwardly are also provided, with the movement means allowing the leading row of the group of containers to be separated and moved from the remainder of the group of containers. 2013-04-l8,CAUsers\Sharlene\Docaments\SPEClFtCATlONS'knightinnpatmipd,]8

Description

TITLE OF INVENTION Cutting and Moving Apparatus TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The invention to which this application relates is to apparatus which allows an improved handling of articles such as containers and particularly, but not necessarily exclusively, to apparatus which can be used to "debag" a number of articles from a containment package in which the same are supplied to a location for use. The invention also relates to apparatus to be used to move the said articles once released from the said package. BACKGROUND [0002] In processing industries, such as food and/or drinks processing, there is a need for the liquid or foodstuff to be dispensed from a holding location, such as a vat, into a range of containers such as bottles or jars, to form a retail item which can then be placed into the retail environment for purchase. The containers can be formed on site and supplied at the location for filling or the containers are formed off site. In either case there is often a need for the containers to be gathered or bagged into a quantity and supplied to the filling location in the packaged condition. The containers are typically retained in this condition by a plastic sheet material surrounding the same and which is provided to enclose the same relatively tightly so as to retain the containers in the required configuration in the package. The sheet material is also provided to allow the containers to be stored hygienically until required to be filled with the storage often being required as a result of the filling of the containers having a quicker throughput than that at which the containers can be manufactured. [0003] At the filling location, the containers are required to be debagged or removed from the sheet material package so that the same can be supplied as individual units and moved towards the filling point. Conventionally, the debagging has been carried out by a human operator with a sharp instrument which is used to cut through the sheet material to then allow the operator to 2013-0-1S,C:\Users\Shadene\DocumentsSPECIFICATIONS'kightinpat.wpd,1 2 remove the sheet material and present the containers into the apparatus for filling. This procedure has several problems. One problem is that an operator is required to be employed to perform this task and this represents a cost to the employer. It can also mean that the containers may not always be provided in the correct orientation to the filling apparatus if, for example, the containers spill out of a partially opened package. A further problem is that the procedure may not be performed in a similar manner each time and there is a risk that the procedure may take too long to perform and thus represent a bottleneck in the filling procedure. A yet further problem is the safety risk which is inherent in the operator having to use a sharp instrument in a time pressure situation. A further problem is that with the human operator performing the cutting action there is a significant risk of contamination of the containers occurring from the operator, the tools used by the operator and, or the cut sheet material which, in due course, can cause contamination problems with the containers and the product with which they are subsequently filled. [0004] It is known that attempts have been made previously to automate this process. One known method has been to utilise a hot wire which is passed through the sheet material to melt the same and hence open the package and allow the containers to be debagged. However in practice it is found that the molten sheet material quickly clogs and sticks to the wire. Unpleasant and/or dangerous fumes may be also be created by the melting process which, in extreme circumstances, may represent a risk of contamination of the material with which the containers are to be filled. [0005] It is also known that even when the containers have been removed from the packages, problems are experienced in being able to efficiently and speedily move the containers to the filling location and a known problem with conventional movement apparatus is that the same use drive chains and associated components which are relatively heavy and complex in terms of both initial assembly and also with regard to subsequent maintenance. This therefore leads to the apparatus being prone to breakdown and/or requiring relatively frequent, and possibly expensive, maintenance schedules which, in turn, means that the apparatus can be out of use for a significant period of time which can be particularly problematic in manufacturing or filling facilities where relatively high throughput of articles is required. 2013-4-18,C:\Users\Srl \DmentsSPECIFICATIONS\knight.inpat.wpd,2 3 SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0006] The aim of the present invention is therefore to provide apparatus which allows the debagging of bagged items such as containers, in a manner which allows the process to be performed reliably, safely and repeatedly. Furthermore the aim is to provide the apparatus in a manner which allows the debagging to be achieved by the apparatus without an operator's direct involvement being required. A further aim is to allow the containers to be efficiently moved once separated from the packages. [0007] In a first aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for use with a package comprising sheet material substantially surrounding a plurality of items which are retained by the sheet material in the package, said apparatus including a surface on which the items are placed and an elongate blade which can be moved towards the package, said blade is provided with a plurality of tooth formations along at least part of the length thereof characterised in that the package is initially punctured at a plurality of spaced locations by the tooth formations as the blade makes contact with the sheet material of a first wall of the package and subsequent movement of the blade causes the same to cut through the sheet material of said first wall and the blade continues to be moved through the package to puncture and cut through the sheet material of the opposing wall of the package so as to form the package into two parts. [0008] In one embodiment the continued movement of the blade causes the portions of the sheet material between the punctures to be cut to hence form the line of cut along the sheet material of a wall of the package. [0009] Typically the orientation of the package, the items in the package, the longitudinal axis of the blade and the direction of movement of the blade are selected such that the blade passes between adjacent rows of items in the package without damaging the same. Typically the orientation of the package and items is also selected such that when freed from the package the items are standing on their respective bottom faces on the surface of the apparatus. [0010] In one embodiment the blade is provided to be used in conjunction with a tensioning 2013-04-I8,C:\Users\ShaeneDocuments\SPECIFICATIONS nightnnpatvpd,3 4 means which causes the sheet material of the package, at least adjacent the location of the first line of cut, to be tensioned or taut prior to the puncture by the blade. In one embodiment the tensioning means includes a nib portion which runs along the length of the blade, at least to one side thereof. Typically the front end of the nib precedes the blade teeth in the direction of the travel of the blade such that the nib contacts the sheet material to tighten the same prior to contact by the blade. Typically the blade and nib are independently movable. [0011] In one embodiment a nib is provided to each side of the blade. In one embodiment the tensioning means is biased to the advanced position of the blade teeth so as to ensure that the sheet material is brought to a predetermined tension level before the blade contacts and punctures the sheet material, thus ensuring that an effective and efficient cut of the sheet material is achieved. [0012] In one embodiment the action of the tensioning means on the sheet material also acts to move apart the items on adjacent rows and between which rows the blade is to move. [0013] Typically the surface of the apparatus on which the package is located is provided with a slot or recess which is shaped and located so as to accommodate the tensioning means and/or blade, thus allowing the tensioning means to move the sheet material of the second face to be cut into the slot to tension the same and for the blade to be moved through the sheet material filly, in order to cut the same. [0014] Typically the position of the blade can be altered to suit the particular configuration of the package which is to be cut at that time. [0015] In one embodiment the apparatus includes sheet material removal means which act on the sheet material once the cuts have been performed on the same. The removal means in one embodiment are provided in the form of at least a first means which acts to draw a first part of the sheet material, typically that which is parallel with the direction of movement of the blade, when cut, in a direction away from the blade, and second means which then act to grip said first part of the sheet material and move the same in a direction away from the base of the apparatus 2013-04-18,C\Users\ShareneDounnts\SPECIFICATIONSkighimnpat wpd,4 5 to fully remove the said part of sheet material out of contact with the items. [0016] Typically, another set of sheet material removal means are provided to act on the second part of the sheet material on the other side of the cut line. Preferably said first and second removal means act simultaneously once the first and second cut parts have been formed by the cutting action of the blade to move the respective sheet material parts out and upwardly from the items. [0017] Typically the freed items from the package are then provided to be moved towards further apparatus, which, in one embodiment, may be filling apparatus. In one embodiment the items are containers such as bottles which are to be filled with liquid and the items are moved in rows towards a filling point. [0018] There is provided apparatus for the movement of articles from a first position to a second position, said apparatus including at least one pusher member to contact with and move at least one of the articles at a time and wherein the said pusher member is located on at least one belt which is driven by drive means so as to move the said at least one pusher member along a predetermined path between the first and second positions to move said articles between said positions. [0019] In one embodiment, a row of articles is provided to be moved by the pusher member at the same time and the pusher member contacts the last article in said row with regard to the direction of movement of the articles. [0020] In one embodiment, the at least one belt is a timer belt which, in one embodiment, has a relatively smooth outer surface and, on the inner surface, has a plurality of teeth formed thereon, said teeth provided to engage with matching teeth formations provided on at least one drive wheel so that the movement of the drive wheel can be transferred into movement of the said belt. [0021] In one embodiment, the belt includes a guide formation and the longitudinal axis of the guide formation is substantially parallel with the direction of movement of the belt. 2013-041.C:\Users\Shee\ooents\SPECFICATIONSkirght.innpat.wpd,5 6 [0022] In one embodiment, the guide formation is a protruding ridge which is received in a guide slot which is formed in the at least one drive pulley and/or further pulley wheels and/or wear plate along which the said belt moves. It should be appreciated that although it is preferred that the protrusion be provided on the belt and the slot be provided on the wear plate, drive pulleys and/or other pulleys, that it is within the scope of the invention for the guide arrangement to be reversed in terms of the guide slot is provided in the belt and the guide protrusion is provided along the wear plate, drive pulleys and/or other pulleys. [0023] In one embodiment, the teeth are formed such that the longitudinal axes of the teeth are perpendicular to the direction of movement of the belt. [0024] In one embodiment, the pusher members are located on said belt using mechanical fixing means. [0025] In one embodiment, a plurality of belts are provided, said belts arranged in parallel and in one embodiment the pusher members are located to both of said belts so as to secure the pusher members in location and also join said belts together at that location and hence ensure that the two belts move in a synchronised manner. [0026] Typically both belt means have the same guide formation and teeth configuration. [0027] In one embodiment, the apparatus moves said articles onto a conveying means. [0028] In one embodiment, prior to movement of said articles onto the conveying means, at least the leading article in the row of articles which is being moved is subjected to an airflow which is created to draw at least the leading article towards the at least one belt. [0029] In one embodiment, the airflow is created by a vacuum generating means located to the opposing side of the belt to which the articles are located, with the airflow passing through apertures, typically provided between the belts, if more than one belt is provided. In one embodiment, the apertures are located so as to allow the airflow to pass between the said belt so 20344-18,C:\Users\Shalene\Documents\SPECIFICATIONS\Wightimpat wpd,6 7 as to act on the said at least one leading article and/or can pass through apertures provided in the belt or belts themselves so as to allow the airflow to reach and influence the at least one article. [0030] Typically, the vacuum generating means and apertures are located so that the airflow acts on at least the leading article in the row of articles which is moved at that time. The provision of the airflow is to maintain the article in the required orientation particularly when the same starts to move, and so prevent the same from toppling or falling over which is a common problem with conventional apparatus of this type. [0031] In one embodiment, the airflow generating means as described herein, acts to draw the article into contact with the one or more movement belts as the article is moved from the apparatus onto the conveying means. [0032] In one embodiment, the airflow generating means described herein is provided in conjunction with apparatus which uses a chain drive rather than a belt drive and can still be used to advantage in maintaining the position of the at least one article in the row of articles which is to be moved. [0033] In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for the movement of one or more articles from a first position to a second position, said apparatus including at least one pusher member provided to contact with at least one of the articles to cause the movement of the articles in a desired direction, drive means connected to said pusher member to cause movement of the pusher member in the required direction and wherein an airflow generating means is provided to generate an airflow to act on at least one of the articles to encourage the said at least one article to stay in substantially the same orientation during movement of the same. [0034] In one embodiment, the movement means is provided in the form of a belt or, alternatively, is provided in the form of a chain. [0035] In one embodiment the said apparatus is provided as part of movement apparatus provided for the purpose of moving the articles in the form of empty containers from a location at 20]3-01-18,C:\UsersShadn \DcumetsPECIFCATIONSight innpa.npd,7 8 which the same are removed from packaging to a location at which the same are filled with a substance. [0036] In one embodiment the containers are moved by the said apparatus when empty. In one embodiment the substance with which the containers are filled is a liquid. [0037] In a further aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for use in the removal of a sheet material surrounding items which are retained by the same, said apparatus including means to allow the sheet material to be separated into two parts wherein said apparatus includes at least one sheet material removal means, said removal means including first means to move a first part of the sheet material in a first direction away from the items and second means to move the said part in a second direction away from the items. [0038] In one embodiment the first means includes one or more suction cups to attract the package part thereto and hence move the package part to the side of the said items. The second means typically includes gripping means which grip the said part and move the surface upwardly away from the base on which the items are mounted. [0039] Typically the above apparatus can be used without the need for direct operator intervention and can therefore be performed automatically. [0040] In a yet further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of removing a plurality of items from a package enclosure, said method comprising the steps of placing the package on a surface, moving a tensioning means onto a first wall of the package to tension the area of sheet material of the package adjacent the tensioning means and advancing a cutting blade to first puncture and then cut through the sheet material at said tensioned area of the sheet material. [0041] Typically the tensioning means and blade are further advanced and the method repeated on the opposing wall of the package so as to separate the package sheet material into two cut parts. 2013--18,C:\Uss\Sharlene\Documents\SPECIICAIONS'tnightimpat pd, 9 [0042] Typically the method further involves the steps of applying a suction force onto opposing uncut side of the package to move the respective first and second cut parts in opposite directions away from the items and subsequently applying a gripping force on the first and second cut parts to move the same away from the items in a second direction. [0043] In one embodiment the first movement is a sideways movement and the second movement is an upwards movement. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0044] Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein [0045] Figures la-d illustrate apparatus utilising the invention as herein described in one embodiment. [0046] Figure 2a-c illustrate the blade of the invention in one embodiment. [0047] Figure 3 illustrates a package of items of a type which can be separated using the apparatus and method of the invention. [0048] Figure 4 illustrates schematically the movement of the containers which can be achieved in accordance with the invention. [0049] Figure 5 illustrates part of apparatus which is used to move articles from a first location to a second location including apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. [0050] Figures 6 and 7 illustrate front and rear perspective views of the apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention. [0051] Figure 8 illustrates a cross section view of one of the belts of the apparatus of Figure 5-7 2013--18,C:\UsersShareneDocumentsSPECIFICATIONSknightinnpat wpd,9 10 along line A-A. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [0052] Referring firstly to Figure 3, there is shown a package of a type for which the current invention can be used to advantage. The package 1 includes enclosing walls 3 formed by sheet material, such as plastics sheet material. The sheet material encloses therein a plurality of items which in this case are a plurality of empty plastics containers 6. The containers are held in rows 19 within the package by the sheet material. In order to be able to fill the containers it is necessary to remove the same from the sheet material while at the same time, ideally ensuring that the containers are retained together as a group, thereby improving the speed and efficiency of the ongoing handling of the same once freed from the package. [0053] Figure 4 illustrates the required movement of the containers which can be achieved using apparatus in accordance with the invention. The packages 1 are introduced as indicated by arrow 70 to the base or surface 4 at which a cutting operation is performed by the apparatus as will be described. This opens the package and frees the containers which are then moved as indicated by arrow 42 to a point 72 at which the leading row of the containers are moved as indicated by arrow 44 for subsequent filling. [0054] Referring now to Figures 1a-d, there is shown apparatus 2 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The apparatus includes a surface base 4 on which a plurality of items 6, in this case in the form of plastic bottles, are located in a selected configuration. The configuration is maintained by the sheet material surrounding the same and in which the same are delivered to the apparatus. In order to be able to fill and move the bottles individually the sheet material needs to be removed and this is achieved automatically by the apparatus as now described. [0055] With the bagged containers in position on the base surface 4, a blade and tensioning means 8 are advanced downwardly from the position shown in Figures la-c down onto the top side wall 7 of the package which lies substantially in parallel with the tops of the containers 6. 2013-04-18,C\Users\Sharlen) ocument\SPECICATIONSknightimpat-wpd,10 11 [0056] The blade and tensioning means 8 is shown in more detail in Figure ic and includes tensioning nibs 10 in advance of a blade 12. This means that the nibs 10 contact the sheet material 3 of the top 7 first and renders the same taut prior to contact by the blade. Typically the tensioning nib and blade are independently movable. [0057] A preferred embodiment of the blade is shown in Figures 2a-c. The blade is elongate and linear and bevelled at one side of the cutting edge 14. Along the cutting edge 14 are provided a series of teeth formations 16 each having a puncture point 18. As the blade is brought into contact with the package sheet material so the puncture points form a series of spaced punctures in the sheet material side wall 7 along the length of the blade. The provision of the tensioning nib and the teeth formation in conjunction is found to improve the ability to cut through the sheet material significantly. The subsequent further advancement of the blade allows the whole cut to be performed through the sheet material of the side wall 7. [0058] The blade and tensioning means movement is continued in a straight downward path and the package is arranged with respect to the blade such that the blade and tensioning means will pass down and between adjacent rows 20, 22 of bottles without damaging the same. The blade and tensioning means eventually reach the opposing side wall 9 of the package and the same cutting process is repeated so as to cut through the side wall 9 with the blade passing into a slot in the base surface 4 so as to ensure that the blade passes through the sheet material to cut the side wall 9. This splits the package into first and second parts 26, 28. [0059] With the package separated there is then a need to automatically remove the first and second parts of the sheet material from the bottles whilst allowing the bottles to remain upstanding and in the required configuration. In accordance with the invention this is achieved by two sets of removal means 30, 32. [0060] Each of the sets 30, 32 comprise first means which include suction cups provided to entrain the sheet material of the respective side wall 36, 38 of the parts 26, 28 sideways in respective directions perpendicular to the direction of movement of the blade. Second means are provided in each set which include grippers 34 which grip the sheet material and move the part 2013-04-1,C:\UsesSharlee\D ooments\SPECIFICAT[ONSnight innpat.wpd, II 12 upwardly and away from the base 4. The bottom radius of the external bottles in the group of bottles of the package assist in the sliding movement of the sheet material parts of the package away from the bottles and hence the bottles are then freed from the package and can be moved and filled as required. [0061] In one embodiment the movement of the freed containers is achieved, by movement means (not shown) in the form of a plate or portion which contacts a number of the containers from the first opened package towards a further handling point. When the containers of the first opened package are detected as having reached a certain location, then the containers from the second opened package can be moved forward and so on so as to ensure that the containers are being supplied as required. The containers are moved forwards in a first direction such that there is a provided a leading row of a required number of the containers. The leading row of the containers is then moved in a second direction 42, typically transverse or perpendicular to the first direction 42. [0062] Figures 5-8 illustrate movement apparatus for use in the subsequent movement of the freed containers. [0063] Referring firstly to Figure 5, there is illustrated apparatus 102 for the movement of articles. In this case, the apparatus is provided for the movement of articles in the form of empty bottles or containers which are initially held in a holding area 104 and which are encouraged by conventional movement means to move in the direction of arrow 106 towards the apparatus 108 provided at the end 110. The articles in the holding area 104 are moved such that as they approach the apparatus 108, a leading row of the articles will be provided at the front end thereof and which row has a longitudinal axis 110. The purpose of the apparatus 108 in accordance with the invention is to then allow that leading row of articles to be moved in a direction 112 which is parallel to the longitudinal axis 110 such that each of the articles leave the apparatus and pass onwardly to conveying means 114 so that the same can then be passed to, typically, filling apparatus which allows the articles to be filled, with for example milk, then passed onwardly for sealing to form a retail pack. 2013-0-18,C:\Users\Shadene\Documents\SPECIFICATIONSknight inpatuwpd,12 13 [0064] The movement of the row of articles is achieved by the provision of a pusher member 116 which is moved so that the leading face 118 of the same contacts with the rear surface of the last of the articles in the row such that a continued movement of the pusher plate causes the row of articles to move in the direction of arrow 112. Typically, a number of pusher members 116 will be positioned at equally spaced intervals on the apparatus, with each pusher member being brought into contact with the rear surface of the last article in successive rows as each of the rows is moved into position. [0065] Figures 6 and 7 illustrate front and rear views of the apparatus 108, with Figure 7 illustrating the side 108' along which the articles are moved and Figure 6 illustrating the return side 108" which allows the pusher members 116 to be moved back to a position to contact the rear face of the last article in the leading row of articles and which position is illustrated in Figure 7. [0066] In accordance with the invention the apparatus comprises two belts 120 and 122 which, in this case, are joined together at locations by the pusher members 116 which are mechanically located to both of the belts. The location of the pusher members to both of the belts firstly, ensures that the pusher member 116 is located accurately and, secondly, allows the synchronicity of movement of the belts to be improved. Each of the belts on the inner face includes a plurality of teeth, a portion of which are indicated in Figure 6 for illustration purposes. However it should be appreciated that the external face 124 is relatively smooth and in this embodiment it is only the internal face which has the teeth formed thereon. In addition to the teeth, there is also provided a guide formation 126 in the form of a ridge and the purposes of this will be described subsequently. The teeth 128 of the belt are provided to engage with matching teeth formations formed on the drive means components in the form of the drive wheel 130 and pulley wheel 132. The drive wheel 130 and pulley wheel 132 are spaced apart so as to define the length of the forward and return paths of the belt as shown respectively in Figures 7 and 6. The drive wheel 130 can be driven by a suitable motor such as a servo motor, inverter motor or the like in order to ensure the synchronised movement of both of the belts. The provision of the teeth formation on the drive and pulley wheels and the engagement of the same with the teeth 128 on the belts ensures that the drive is imparted efficiently to the teeth 128 on the belts 120,122 so as to cause 2013-4-1 8,C:\UsrShadebDmnts\SPECIFICmTONS~knght inpatwpd,13 14 the movement of the same and hence the pusher members. [0067] The belts are provided in this embodiment, as stated previously, with guide formations 126 which are shown in the form of a raised ridge protrusion. The protrusion is provided to be received within guide slots which are formed in any or any combination of wear plates 134, drive wheels 130 and /or pulley wheels 132. It is preferred that the guide slots are provided in each of the above components as the purpose of the same is to ensure that the movement of the belt is guided in the required path. [0068] Figure 8 illustrates a cross sectional view through one of the belts and the wear plate so as to illustrate the arrangement between the guide formations along the line XX and illustrates how the guide ridge protrusion 126 is located within a guide slot 136 in the wear plate 134 and this therefore prevents movement of the belt 124 with respect to the wear plate 134 in directions other than the intended direction of movement and thereby ensures correct location of the belt with the apparatus as a whole. [0069] With the articles being moved in the direction 112, as illustrated in Figure 7, it will be appreciated that when the pusher member 116 contacts the last article in the row, and then continues to move in the direction of arrow 112, there is a risk that one or more articles at the leading end of the row may topple as the movement is exerted thereon and particularly when one considers that the articles are relatively light weight as they are typically empty at the time of movement using the apparatus in accordance with the invention. In order to alleviate this problem, the apparatus is provided with a vacuum generating means 138 which is located between the wear plates 134 of the apparatus. The vacuum generating means is provided with apertures 140 which, in this case, are located so as to lie to the top and bottom of, and between, the belts 124. The airflow generated by the apertures and vacuum generating means contacts with and acts directly on the article or articles which are positioned adjacent to that part of the apparatus and which, in this case, are the leading articles in the row. The provision of the vacuum generating means and the air flow created thereby, causes articles at that point to be drawn towards and typically into contact with the belts 124 so as to encourage the articles to remain in the preferred orientation for movement. 2013 -04-S,C:\UsersShadeneDocuments\SPECIFICATIONSkirdght inpatpd, 14 15 [0070] In another embodiment, further or alternative apertures may be formed in the vacuum generating means and wear plates and also in the belts themselves so as to allow air to pass through the apertures in the belt and influence the orientation of the articles accordingly. [0071] There is therefore provided in accordance with the invention, apparatus which has significant advantage over the prior art as the use of the belts in the manner described, ensures that the location and use of the same to move the pusher members is achieved and controlled whilst, at the same time, the use of belts rather than chains, means that the overall apparatus is lighter and less complex to operate. In turn, the maintenance of the same is less complex and therefore cost savings can be achieved. [0072] The apparatus as herein described therefore provides a means whereby the items can be freed from the enclosing package automatically and without human intervention being required. The specific arrangements of the invention allow the process to be repeatedly done with a high level of confidence. 2013-04-1 SCAUsers\Shadene\Documnts'SPEClHCATIONS'krightimpatlipd,15

Claims (5)

1. Apparatus for use with a package comprising sheet material substantially surrounding a plurality of items which are retained by the sheet material in the package, said apparatus including a surface on which the items are placed and an elongate blade which can be moved towards the package, said blade is provided with a plurality of tooth formations along at least part of the length thereof characterised in that the package is initially punctured at a plurality of spaced locations by the tooth formations as the blade makes contact with the sheet material of a first wall of the package and subsequent movement of the blade causes the same to cut through the sheet material of said first wall and the blade continues to be moved through the package to puncture and cut through the sheet material of the opposing wall of the package so as to form the package into two parts.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the blade is used in conjunction with a tensioning means which causes the sheet material of the package, at least adjacent the location of the first line of cut, to be tensioned or taut prior to the puncture by the blade.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus includes sheet material removal means with first means which act on the sheet material once the cuts have been performed on the same to draw a first part of the sheet material in a direction away from the blade, and second means which then act to grip said first part of the sheet material and move the same in a direction away from the base of the apparatus to fully remove the said part of sheet material out of contact with the items.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus includes means for the movement of articles once freed from the package from a first position to a second position, said apparatus including at least one pusher member to contact with and move at least one of the articles at a time and wherein the said pusher member is located on at least one belt which is driven by drive means so as to move the said at least one pusher member along a predetermined path between the first and second positions to move said articles between said positions.

2013-04-1,C:\Users S linDocnentsPECIFICATIONSnightinnpat pd,16 17

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the at least one belt is a timer belt which is provided on at least one surface with a plurality of teeth formed thereon, said teeth provided to engage with matching teeth formations on at least one drive wheel so that the movement of the drive wheel can be transferred into movement of the said belt. 2013-0- 18,C:\UssSadene)ociuentsSPECIFICATIONSknightinnpatnpd,17