Abstract: An apparatus and method for making a composite packaging material for easy-open packages includes means for pulling a running length of packaging film, the film having defined rupture characteristics. The packaging film is perforated with a sequence of spaced apart at least one perforation separated from another at a substantially constant fixed interval between adjacent ones of the sequence along the length of the film. A tape with a continuously extending dry edge is formed from a continuous supply of tape and tape pieces are formed and spaced apart along the length of the film. Successive discrete pieces of tape are adhered to the packaging film in overlying sealing relationship to successive ones of the sequence of at least one perforation.

Abstract: A novel package wrapper made of plastic film with a line of package-opening perforations through the film positioned in one face of the package and being overlaid by a piece of plastic tape which seals the perforations, the tape having a dry edge. The perforations and overlying tape are spaced inward from the edges of the package and extend substantially linearly, but have the tape ends terminate short of any package seal so that they are not bound into the seals. In one embodiment the package wrapper is made of air and moisture non-permeable shrink wrap film, and the tear down tape is made of a non-permeable non-shrink plastic which has been processed to exhibit the same shrink characteristics as those of the shrink wrap film, so that when the wrap film is shrunk during packaging the tape shrinks the same amount as the film and does not itself pucker or wrinkle the film. The package is completely sealed but does not require the use of any tool to open it.