Abstract: A method and apparatus for partially separating bags in a longitudinally extended continuous flattened extruded tubular web having a series of seal lines and rupturable separation lines defining a series of separable individual bags. A rupturing member applies force perpendicular to a portion of the surface of the web while the web moves and is under tension in the longitudinal direction and thereby causes the separation lines to partially rupture, leaving a slot in the middle of each separation line and leaving the outer portions of each separation line intact, so that the position of the separation line can be readily determined by a person holding a roll of partially separated bags.