Abstract: An apparatus for cutting open and removing a sheet-like package material from an elongate packaged object such as a stack of can ends includes a device for stretching the package material to form a loop-like slackened portion of the package material extending in a longitudinal direction of the packaged object, a cutter for cutting open the slackened portion, and a moving device for continuously moving the package material in the longitudinal direction of the packaged object. The package material wrapped around the packaged object is stretched to form the slackened portion. While the packaged object and the cutter are being moved relatively to each other, the slackened portion is continuously cut open by the cutter, and the cut-open package material is removed from the packaged object by a removing device.