Abstract: The present invention is directed to means for forming frangible, reclosable access portals in various types of film packaging, and specifically, to means for forming reclosable access portals that exhibit improved uniformity in the presentation of the access port beneficial for forming an effective reclosable seal, while substantially reducing the potential of deleterious tearing of the film packaging. The access port is formed from a region of the film packaging, which has been subjected to mechanical weakening of the film substrate, wherein the weakened regions include frangible, failure elements and force directing elements. Failure elements of the weakened region induce the film substrate to preferentially fail (i.e. tear) continuously in the general direction and bounds of the element.