Abstract: The apparatus comprises a housing having a pair of opposed side walls closed at their upper edges by a panel spanning the side walls with the panel being slotted between the side walls and depressible at least in the areas of either side of the slotting. Below and in line with the slot is mounted a rodless cylinder operable by air pressure deliverable at one end or the other of the cylinder as determined by a control device mounted on one of the side walls adjacent one end of the slot. A cutting element extends upwardly from the carrier of the rodless cylinder to move therewith. An arm is pivotably mounted on the opposite side wall from the central device and in line with the slot so that when the arm is brought down onto any sheet disposed on the top panel along the slot line, the arm depresses the sheet and underlying areas of the panel and simultaneously triggers the control device to move the cutting element along the slot to sever the sheet pressed down to meet the cutting element as it so moves.

Abstract: Apparatus for skin packaging articles on a backing card in which a heating unit for film is disposed behind a work table having a vacuum platen on which may be placed a backing card with an article to be packaged; and, upon activation, is moved vertically between a first position above the level of the table and a second position not higher than the table level. A film clamping frame holds a section of film closely above the heating unit when it is in its first position, and when the unit is moved to its second position, moves the heated clamped film section forward and downward onto a backing card where it is drawn down tightly against the article on the card upon creation of a vacuum. Upon completion of the packaging, the backing card is pulled forwardly off the table and its film is severed from the further film which is pulled with it, such further film then being clamped on the film clamping frame which is moved back up to its elevated position for repetition of the cycle.

Abstract: A vacuum packaging apparatus for packaging a product between a plastic film and a backing card comprises a base having a stationary heating hood. A reciprocal table is mounted on the base beneath the hood. Two packaging wells are mounted side by side on the table, each well being dimensioned for holding a backing board on which the product is placed for packaging. The reciprocal table moves laterally on the base so that when one packaging well is in a packaging position under the hood, the other packaging well is not and extends out from beneath the hood. A sealing frame is mounted on the base beneath the hood for holding a sheet of wrapping material and moves vertically between a raised position and a lowered position. In the raised position, the sealing frame is adjacent the heating hood to heat the sheet. In the lowered position the sealing frame is adjacent the packaging well which is in packaging position to place the heated sheet over the board.

Abstract: A vacuum packaging apparatus for packaging a product between a plastic film and a backing board includes a base which has a stationary heating hood. A packaging table is mounted on the base and offset from the hood to extend laterally and outwardly from the hood. A sealing frame is mounted on the base for holding a sheet of wrapping material. First and second elongated arms are pivotally attached to both the base and the frame to connect the frame to the base. The arms may be pivoted to move the frame from a sealing position, wherein the frame is positioned adjacent the packaging table, to a heating position, wherein the frame is positioned adjacent the heating hood to heat the sheet. A vacuum motor is mounted in the base beneath under the packaging table. When the sealing frame is lowered to the sealing position to place the heated sheet over the board, a vacuum is drawn against the backing board to seal the heated sheet over the product onto the backing board.