Method and moil configuration for trimming non-circular containers

Abstract

The invention includes a method and moil configuration to trim non-circular products. The moil may include a cam having surfaces that employ principles of the Reuleaux triangle, i.e., the cam surfaces represent surfaces of constant width.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A non-circular product, comprising: 
 a container having a cross section that defines at least one flat side;    a moil coupled to the container at a trim line, the moil having a first cam, the first cam having at least one lobe.    
     
     
         2 . The non-circular product of  claim 1  wherein the cross section of the container is a polygon cross section.  
     
     
         3 . The non-circular product of  claim 1  wherein the cam assumes the shape of a closed curve of constant width.  
     
     
         4 . The non-circular product of  claim 4  wherein the closed curve defines an equilateral configuration.  
     
     
         5 . The non-circular product of  claim 1  wherein the first cam defines a perimeter, the perimeter having a plurality of segments that are derived from the principles of the Reuleaux triangle.  
     
     
         6 . The non-circular product of  claim 5  wherein the moil includes a second cam and wherein the first cam is disposed between the container and the second cam so as to form a groove.  
     
     
         7 . The non-circular product of  claim 5  wherein the polygon cross section defines a triangle and the container includes a lip disposed between the trim line and the container.  
     
     
         8 . The non-circular product of  claim 7  wherein the first cam and the lip form a trim groove having a first opening distance and wherein the first cam is part of a guide, the guide further having at least one depression formed into the guide at an angle that presents a second opening distance that is greater than the first opening distance.  
     
     
         9 . The non-circular product of  claim 1 , wherein the first cam defines a plurality of non-circular curves of constant width.  
     
     
         10 . The non-circular product of  claim 1 , wherein the polygon cross section defines a plurality of vertices that define a smooth curve.  
     
     
         11 . A moil, comprising: 
 a first cam having at least one lobe.    
     
     
         12 . The non-circular product of  claim 11  wherein the cam assumes the shape of a closed curve of constant width.  
     
     
         13 . The non-circular product of  claim 12  wherein the closed curve defines an equilateral configuration.  
     
     
         14 . The moil of  claim 11  wherein the first cam defines a perimeter, the perimeter having a plurality of segments that are derived from the principles of the Reuleaux triangle.  
     
     
         15 . The moil of  claim 11  wherein the moil includes a second cam that forms a groove with the first cam.  
     
     
         16 . The moil of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 a lever disposed above the first cam.    
     
     
         17 . A method to trim a non-circular product, comprising: 
 presenting the non-circular product, the non-circular product including a container having a polygon cross section and a moil coupled to the container at a trim line, wherein the moil includes a first cam having at least one lobe;    placing the non-circular product in a trimming machine the trimming machine having a blade, a first rail, and a second rail, wherein the trim line aligns with the blade and the first cam is disposed between the first rail and the second rail; and    urging the non-circular product over the blade.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , the trimming machine further including a bottom guide, wherein placing the non-circular product in the trimming machine includes moving the non-circular product along the bottom guide.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein urging the non-circular product over the blade includes engaging the first cam with a conveyor belt.