Abstract: A method of and apparatus for vacuum skin packaging is provided. A heated, upper thermoplastic film, as held on the lower surface of a vacuum chamber is moved downwardly so as to drape the film around a product positioned on a lower thermoplastic film. This movement forms a hermetic seal between the vacuum chamber, the two films, a conveyor belt upon which the lower film rests, and a fixed vacuum plate over which the belt is moved. Enclosed within this seal are opposed sets of apertures in the belt, which apertures are aligned with the opposed openings in the plate. The space above the upper film and also around the product is evacuated, the latter occurring through the aligned apertures in the belt and the openings in the plate. The upper film is then pushed by pressure differential into skin-tight conformity with the product and into heat-sealing contact with the lower film to form a vacuum skin-package.

Abstract: A film severing method and apparatus is provided in which a film having first and second edges is engaged by film holding devices and the film is severed in a transverse path between such holding devices while the film is held on either side thereby, such severing including:Cutting the film at the first edge by moving a severing device into the film at a position spaced from the first edge and thereafter moving it in a first direction toward and through such first edge to form a partial cut andCompleting the severing of the film by moving another severing device in a second direction into the partial cut and thereafter through the film toward and through the second edge whereby to sever the film.