Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for packaging products between first and second plastic components sealed by using a hot melt adhesive applied by a dispensing applicator in one of several serially arranged stations of a packaging operation. The first plastic component is supported for indexing movement on a transport and moved under a hot melt applicator which is continuously driven in a predetermined path of travel which traverses the entire periphery of the product-loaded first plastic component. The first plastic component is stopped under the applicator for a predetermined dwell time during which the applicator dispenses the hot melt adhesive, then advanced to a position where the second plastic component is applied to form a filled package which is the evacuated and sealed. Apparatus is provided for preventing dripping or stringing of the hot melt adhesives.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically loading stacks of sliced food products into package receptacles. The sliced food products are transported from a first conveyor to a loading station having a drop station positioned over and aligned with a series of package receptacles which are indexed intermittently through the loading station. A retractable pusher arm having a pusher mounted thereon is driven in the loading station to engage and sweep a stack of sliced product into the drop station, and then is retracted and returned to its initial ready position to perform the next sweeping action on a subsequent stack of sliced food product. A ram is mounted in the drop station in a normally inactivated position over the stack of sliced product when the product is swept therein by the pusher.