Abstract: A cutting mechanism which cooperates with certain types of package forming machines to produce packages of a plurality of containers. The certain package forming machines continuously deliver at least three rows of containers with a strip of applied carrier stock interconnecting the containers in rank and file to a cut-off station. The cutting mechanism mounted at the cut-off station includes a knife blade assembly that is rotated in timed relationship to the movement of the rows of containers with the applied carrier stock to cut the applied carrier stock between certain ranks which are between the side files of the containers. Cutting means are also provided for cutting the applied carrier stock on the side files of the containers between the same ranks where the carrier stock is cut by the knife blade assembly to form individual packages of a predetermined plurality of ranks of said containers.