Abstract: A sealed package comprising a cup-shaped container of relatively heavy-gauge, semi-rigid (form-retaining) plastic, with a protective member of relatively stiff material over the opening. Between the container and the protective member is a hermetic sealing closure member in the form of a relatively thin (flexible) plastic film secured around the rim of the cup. The package interior is evacuated and atmospheric pressure stretches the flexible film into the cup to engage the packaged article(s) across the full width thereof, i.e., up to the side walls of the cup. A relatively rigid and planar paper board sheet overlies the flexible film and is secured thereto by an adhesive stronger than the bond between the flexible film and the semi-rigid cup.

Abstract: Automatic packaging apparatus and methods for packaging food products such as bacon in evacuated or gas-filled packages. The disclosed machine is capable of convexly thermoforming two webs of packaging material into respective sets of pockets which are brought together in opposed positions to enclose the product. One preferred package made by the disclosed techniques comprises a transparent semi-rigid cup-like shell and a back-formed flexible film sealed over the shell opening. In operation of the disclosed machine, the product is loaded into the semi-rigid package shell from below, so that the upper sides of the product as introduced into the machine are pressed up against the inside surface of the shell, and after evacuation are held in that position by atmospheric pressure acting through the flexible film beneath the product. Thus, such upper sides of the product are visible through the transparent shell which serves as the display side of the package.

Abstract: A method for packaging is disclosed including forming a semi-rigid plastic sheet into a receptacle, filling the formed receptacle with the product to be packaged and forming a semi-rigid plastic sheet into a recloseable cover over the packaged product.

Abstract: A packaging machine for thermoforming plastic packages, filling them with the desired contents, and sealing them under vacuum or gas if desired, wherein a train of packages move through the machine in a horizontal path at substantially constant speed, the machine including reciprocating interacting package forming and sealing elements with support means acting simultaneously on the upper and lower sides of the train of packages as they move through the machine. In an alternate arrangement, lids may be applied to package portions preformed by separate apparatus.