Abstract: An apparatus for cutting tear-off strips from a strip of material having a width equal to the length of the tear-off strip and for applying the tear-off strip to a conveyed web of packaging material is disclosed. The apparatus has one movable and one stationary straight knife for the progressive cutting of the strip, a device to which suction can be applied for transferring the cut strip along its longitudinal axis to a suction roll, the suction roll being partially covered by the continuously conveyed packaging material. The strip is conveyed to the roll and the combination passes through a welding device for welding the tear-off strip to the web of packaging material.