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: An automatic packaging apparatus has a bag forming device for automatically forming bags each containing one or more articles and a vacuum sealing device for sealing open ends of the bags in a vacuum. The vacuum sealing device has a plurality of bag supporting devices revolving synchronously with the feeding device and having respective pillow heads for resting thereon the open ends of the bags and vacuum covers each cooperating with a respective one bag supporting device to form one vacuum box in which the open end of the bag is sealed by and between a heating member provided in the vacuum box and the pillow head. Further the pillow head or a platform of the bag supporting device is moved vertically.

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.