Packaging machine having a slitter for forming slits in ends of packages

In an improved assembly for dividing a continuous tubular film strip containing a plurality of longitudinally spaced articles into a plurality of individual sealed packages containing a selected number of said articles, said assembly being of the type which includes a first roller member, a second roller member mounted in cooperative relationship with said first roller member, cooperating means carried by both said first and second roller members for sealing and transversely severing said tubular strip at preselected intervals for forming said packages containing said articles, each of said packages including sealed end portions having outer edges, an improvement in said assembly comprising, in combination, slitter means mounted on said sealing and severing means carried by said first roller member for slitting said end portion, means on said sealing and severing means carried by said second roller member for holding said end portion while said slitter means cuts said end portions, said slitter means and said holding means being constructed and arranged to form at least one slit in at least one of said sealed end portions of each of said packages, said slitter means being positioned on said sealing and severing means for forming said slit substantially simultaneously with said sealing and severing of said tubular strip when forming said packages, said slit being in a direction transverse to and through one of said edges and being spaced from and not penetrating the interior of said package.