Tube slotter

A tube slotting machine for cutting a series of transverse slotted openings in flexible corrugated tubing comprising a main framework, tube supporting and conveying means connected to the framework for guiding the tubing through the machine, and cutting means adapted to engage the tubing as it travels through the machine and to cut transverse slotted openings therein, the cutting means including a plurality of primary cutter blades, an equal number of spaced apart secondary blade pairs, the secondary blades of each secondary blade pair being slightly spaced apart with a primary blade located therebetween, each primary blade being mounted for sliding engagement with the secondary blades of its associated secondary blade pair, each of the secondary blades having a curved portion that complements the curvature of the tubing, means for positioning the curved secondary blade pairs next to the exterior of the tubing as it moves through the machine along its path of travel, and means for shifting the primary cutter blade across its associated secondary blade pair when that blade pair is next to the exterior of the tubing whereby the primary blade penetrates the tubing and sweeps across its associated secondary blade pair in sliding engagement therewith to thereby cut a slivered portion from the tubing to provide a transverse slotted opening therein.