Abstract: Apparatus and method for monitoring the width of the transverse sealing web of a sealed, cut package unit in which products are packaged and which is transported further in a cyclic or continuous manner in the longitudinal direction. Two laser-optical sensors are arranged opposite one another above and below the cut package units. The measured values of the sensors, the said measured values corresponding to the distance from the package unit, are acquired at a speed-proportional clock frequency. A difference value is formed from the measured values of the two sensors which have been recorded in the same clock cycle, and an output signal is generated if the number of successive difference values which exceed or fall below a predetermined reference value falls below a predetermined critical value.

Abstract: An apparatus for the dimensionally accurate cutting of a product carrier (1) which is in the form of a strip, is transported further in a cyclic or continuous manner in the longitudinal direction and has cells which are arranged one behind the other and are sealed in an airtight manner comprises a rotating cutter roller (15), which severs the product carrier (1) in each case in the region of a sealing web (4) which is situated between two cells (2), is arranged transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction and is provided with a lattice-like embossing (19). In order to identify and localise the sealing web (4), an optical reflection sensor (6) is arranged above and/or below the product carrier (1) and generates an AC voltage signal which corresponds to the lattice structure when the sealing web (4) is located in the region of the reflection sensor (6), the number of periods being a measure of the width b of the sealing web (4).