Abstract: In a vacuum packaging apparatus for packaging relatively large articles, a rotary valve is provided over a turntable having a plurality of vacuum chambers at its periphery so that an amount of air is supplementarily discharged from a vacuum chamber into one of other vacuum chambers before a complete vacuum is made and that a small amount of atmospheric air is sucked into the chamber to shrink preliminarily a packaging bag before its open end is sealed.

Abstract: Articles to be packaged are introduced at a constant rate into a continuous length of heat sealable film which is being folded into approximately tubular shape while being fed at a speed selected in accordance with the size of the articles. The side edges of the folded film are heat sealed over the successive articles received therein at longitudinal spacings. A package conveyor receives the side sealed film, together with the articles contained therein, for transporting the same along a linear track between an upper sealer conveyor carrying a series of heater bar assemblies and a lower sealer conveyor carrying a series of anvil bar and cutter assemblies. The heater bar assemblies and the anvil bar and cutter assemblies coact to engage therebetween the side sealed film, at points intermediate the articles received therein, and to cut the film, at the entrance end of the package conveyor.