US Patent 8684224 Canister style package with opening feature

A cylindrical tubular canister package has a body and ends. A tear-away strip is formed in the body by a pair of spaced partial cuts on the outside of the body. A thin strip of tear tape is secured to the inside of the body underlying and extending along the tear-away strip. A tab is formed at one end of the tear away strip. The canister package is opened by grasping the tab and pulling away from the canister body, which causes the tear-away strip to be severed from the body to open up the canister. The strip may extend axially, circumferentially, spirally, or otherwise along the canister body.