Abstract: A rotary cutting mechanism includes a holder and a fixture that cooperate to hold an article therebetween. A cavity is formed in the body of the fixture. A blade is rotatably mounted in the fixture cavity. The blade rotates between a first position in which the cutting edge of the blade is not operative to cut the article, and a second position in which the cutting edge is operative to cut the opening in the article. In another embodiment, the rotary cutting mechanism includes a fixture having a cavity formed in the fixture body, and a holding mechanism that holds the article on the fixture. A blade is rotatably mounted in the fixture cavity to cut the opening in the article.

Abstract: A method for cutting openings in a sheet of thermoformed containers. The sheet of containers is indexed into a cutting assembly. The cutting assembly includes a shear plate having a plurality of openings formed therethrough, and having an upper surface which defines a cutting plane. A locating means including a plurality of anvils is raised so that the anvils enter the containers and raise the sheet toward the shear plate. The end portions of the containers are located within the openings of the shear plate, and a portion of the containers is positioned in the cutting plane. The cutting assembly includes a blade mounted on piston/cylinder assembly for sliding movement along the upper surface of the shear plate. The cylinder is actuated to move the blade along the cutting plane. The blade cuts off the portion of the containers and creates an opening in the containers.