Abstract: A package of shrunken heat-shrinkable flexible film conformed to a contained food product has no gap or virtually no gap between the food product and the shrunken film. Prior to heat shrinking, the package is subjected to non-ionizing radiation.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an improved open-ended flexible plastic container which is adapted to package a meat article having protruding bone sections. In particular, the container comprises a flexible bag preferrably formed from an oriented, i.e. heat shrinkable, and heat sealable plastic material. Since the bag material is susceptible to puncture by bone sections which may protrude from a meat article, one face of at least one side of the bag is provided with a sheet of material which is more resistant to bone puncture than the bag material. The sheet may be adhered on an interior or exterior face of the side of the bag, as desired. The puncture resistant sheet is located on and adhered to the bag in such a manner that it can be aligned with and overlie the protruding bone sections upon insertion of the meat article into the bag. Preferably the sheet of puncture resistant material is smaller in size than the face of the side of the bag to which the sheet is adhered.

Abstract: In the prior art, vacuum skin packaging processes are performed by placing the product to be packaged on an impervious backing board; placing the product and board in a vacuum chamber; positioning a sheet of thermoplastic film above the product and backing board in the chamber; evacuating the chamber; then, either pulling the film down over the product or pushing the product up into the film; and, thereafter sealing the film to the board. In the present invention, a portion of the film is drawn by differential air pressure against the concave interior surface of the upper portion of a vacuum chamber; the film is then heated by surface contact; and then, after evacuation of the chamber, air pressure is used to blow the film down over the product and against the backing board. Thus, in the present invention, the film is shaped in a concave fashion surrounding the upper portion of the product and it is not necessary for the product to move.