Abstract: A sealing device 30 for a packaging material 10, comprising a linear sealing device 31 for sandwiching layers to be sealed 11A, 12A of plastic sheets 11, 12 are sandwiched by sealing bars 41, 42 narrower than a sealing width, and pressuring the layers to be sealed in a heated state, a surface sealing device 32 for sandwiching the layers to be sealed 11A, 12A of the plastic sheets 11, 12 with sealing bars 51, 52 of a width necessary for sealing by the sealing width, and pressing the layers to be sealed in a melting state.

Abstract: A method and machine for wrapping cigars provides for feeding the cigars continuously along a given path, along which a sheet of wrapping material is folded about each cigar, the sheet of wrapping material is closed about the cigar and at the opposite ends to form a closed wrapping, and the closed wrapping is sealed.

Abstract: A bag filling and sealing machine includes a bag holder, a bag opening and filling station, and a sealing station. The bag holder holds wicketed bags in a manner that allows the bags to be easily torn from the holder. A funnel assembly successively opens each bag, tears the bag from the bag holder, fills the bag with material, and releases the bag to a grabber assembly. The grabber assembly engages the sides of the bag while the bag is attached to a funnel assembly and later pulls the sides of the bag away from each other so that the top of the bag is closed and ready to seal when the bag is delivered to a sealing apparatus. The grabber assembly moves in a manner so as to minimize the lost height when moving from the filling station to the sealing station.

Abstract: A method and system for moistening and sealing an envelope in a high speed mail processing machine including steps and components for heating a liquid to moisten the glue on the envelope flaps to more quickly soften the glue and provide an improved seal.

Abstract: This invention encompasses a heat seal die incorporating heat to technology for controlling the variation of temperature across a heat seal die. The invention also encompasses a system and method for portion control size packaging using such a heat seal die.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a stand up bag having an indented bottom wall includes the steps of forming a tube of material and sealing the end of the tube. The sealed end is then moved up with respect to the sidewall to form a downwardly-extending rim. Portions of the rim are then welded to hold the bottom wall in this position.

Abstract: A package is wrapped with foil by forming a curtain of two foils pulled from respective supplies with the curtain extending transversely across a conveyor path at a wrapping station and displacing a package to be wrapped in a forward transport direction along the path into engagement with the curtain and through the station so that the foils extend downstream past the package. Then a pair of double-weld beams are moved together on opposite sides of the foils downstream of the station to press and weld the foils together downstream of the package while at the same time the package and beams are relatively displaced in the direction toward each other as the beams are moved together to reduce tension in the foils created by inward movement of the beams.

Abstract: A sack made of thermoplastic plastic that has been provided with gussets is closed after being filled in that the open side of the sack is pulled tight and provided with a crosswise seal. In order to be able to produce the crosswise seal even when the region to be sealed is contaminated, the lateral regions of the crosswise seal are formed on the region of the sack, which is still lying flat, including the gussets and extending to the transitional region by a first sealing sequence, preferably by a thermal sealing process. After the sack has been filled, the middle region of the crosswise seal is produced by a second sealing sequence, preferably an ultrasound sealing process.

Abstract: A rotary mechanism for cutting and/or sealing a web has a pair of counter-rotating rotors mounted on parallel axes and having radially projecting arms between which the web is momentarily gripped for cutting and/or sealing. Sealing is performed by heated pressure outer faces on the rotor arms. Cutting is performed by cutter and anvil bars on the opposed arms engaging the web. Bearer faces on the arms beyond the pressure faces set a gap between the pressure faces and a rectangular-section tongue and groove in mating contact faces one side of the pressure faces locate the pressure faces laterally. The cutting means are adjusted by a wedge bar bearing on the inner face of the cutter bar or anvil. The wedge bar is movable in the direction of rotation and has an outer face inclined in the same direction. Means accessible from the leading and/or trailing faces of the rotor arms are provided for adjusting the wedge bar and clamping the cutter and anvil bars.

Abstract: In surface packaging of thin resin packages such as resin molded memory ICs or the like, cracks of the package occur frequently at a solder reflow step where thermal impact is applied to the package because the resin has absorbed moisture before packaging.

Abstract: In order to handle bag configurations having extra layers in some portions, especially where thicker materials are used, the facings of the sealing jaws are relieved in the area of the extra layers, so that even pressure is applied to the material across the entire seal area. An improved transverse seal is obtained using this method.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for sealing a package. The apparatus comprises a first rotating belt and a second rotating belt adjacent to the first rotating belt. The first and second rotating belt have a synchronized travel speed. The first rotating belt carries a sealing device for sealing a package, the package being located between said first and second belts.

Abstract: There is described a packaging machine (1) for producing sealed aseptic packages (2) of a pourable food product from a tube (3) of packaging material fed along a vertical path (A) and filled continuously with the food product. The machine (1) has gripping means (13, 14) for gripping the tube (3) at equally spaced cross sections (15); and sealing means (23, 24; 34, 35) for sealing the packaging material of the tube (3) along the cross sections (15), and in turn having a first and a second sealing device (23, 24; 34, 35) forming part of respective distinct, successive units (10, 20) of the machine (1). The first sealing device (23, 24) interacts with the cross sections (15) of the tube (3) for a time (T1) shorter than the time (T) required to achieve complete sealing of the cross sections (15), but sufficient to form respective temporary aseptic transverse sealing bands (25); and the second sealing device (34, 35) interacts with said temporary sealing bands (25) to seal them completely. (FIGS.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a container sealed in sterile manner by a foil and which comprises a container body and at least one closure placed over the foil, wherein prior to the closure of the container with the closure, a foil is laminated on the side of the closure facing the container interior after closing. The closure container closed with the closure undergoes a heat treatment at a temperature adequate to bond the foil to the wall of the container body in the vicinity of the closure and so extensively detach it from the closure that during a subsequent removal of the closure the foil remains adhering to the container body and a container manufacturable by said method.

Abstract: A method for packaging a zeolite adsorbent by introducing the zeolite absorbent into a packaging bag having an opening, a constrictive part and at least two layers including a metal layer, through said opening and constrictive part. The method also includes sealing the bag above the introduced zeolite adsorbent at a first position of the constricted part, introducing a dehydrating agent through the constrictive part, and sealing the bag above the introduced dehydrating agent at a second position of the constricted part, such that the dehydrating agent is disposed between the first and second positions of the constrictive part.

Abstract: A method for packaging food items, such as processed cheese, into a plastic film package that entirely encloses the food item with peelable heat seals, such as hermetic peelable heat seals. The heat of the food item is used to activate a sealant within the plastic film. Plastic film formulations are provided for this purpose.

Abstract: The design comprising bag (36) formed with deep side gussets (42, 44). It has a body portion and a neck. The front face, rear face and gussets are heat welded together at the base of the bag. At the neck (56) the front face is welded to the front sheets of the gussets and the rear face is welded to the rear sheets of the gussets so that the gusset can open at these parts. At the free ends of the neck (66) the front face, rear face and gussets are heat welded together to be held together when the bag is opened.

Abstract: A diaper disposal system for packaging odorous waste objects in individual sealed (substantially air-tight) packages includes a body, base, hinged lid, flexible material, and a first sealing member and second sealing member. The sealing members are operable to seal or form a substantially air-tight seal in the flexible material to prevent the odor from escaping. The sealing members move between an open position and closed/sealing position by twisting an inner lid, closing the lid, or moving an activation arm. The sealing members preferably seal the tubing by thermally fusing the tubing. A method is also provided.

Abstract: Electronic components can be reliably supplied from a storage container for electronic components, which is easy to manufacture and highly economical, to a mounting device. The storage container for electronic components includes a storage region, in which electronic components are stored, a discharge hole, a lead portion for leading the electronic components to the discharge hole, the end of the lead portion becoming the discharge hole, a discharge hole side lead portion, provided with a taper (guide angle) so that its width becomes narrower toward the discharge hole, and a storage region side lead portion, positioned between the storage region and the discharge hole side lead portion, and provided with a taper (guide angle) so that its width becomes narrower toward the discharge hole side lead portion. In addition, the taper (guide angle) of the storage region side lead portion may be larger than the taper (guide angle) of the discharge hole side lead portion.

Abstract: A method for wrapping an elongated, substantially parallelepiped product (2) having two opposite longitudinal end bases (8), by engaging the bases (8) of the product (2) by a conveyor head (6) fed continuously by a conveyor (7) along a wrapping path (P1) and folding a sheet (3) of wrapping material into a U about the product (2) along a first portion of the wrapping path and further folding the material along a second portion of the wrapping path to stabilize the fold and form a tubular wrapping (10). The conveyor comprises a wheel (17) and a plurality of conveyor heads on the wheel, each head being movable with respect to the wheel (17) to cause the sheet (3) of wrapping material to cooperate, along the second portion of the wrapping path (P1), with at least one passive fixture (58, 61) operating on the sheet (3) to form the tubular wrapping (10).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a four sided seal sachet (10) filled with a pre-set volume of flowable material, the sachet being made from a flexible film comprising a metallocene catalysed resin, the sachet having a length L (11) between transverse seals (71) and a width W (12) between longitudinal seals (70), whereby the pre-set volume of flowable material is of more than 0.525×W2×L/&pgr;, so that leak-free seals are provided.

Abstract: To provide a heat-sealing apparatus capable of: achieving a complete sealing property by causing a liquid or dirt having entered small irregularities in a tube inner face to flow out of a sealed zone together with a molten resin; and a heat seal with no crack caused by the molten resin having flowed into container and with an excellent compression strength. A heat-sealing apparatus for forming a packaging material 1 made of a laminate including a synthetic resin layer into a tubular-shape of a container, and transversely heat-sealing a tubular packaging material container filled with fluid by using a sealing jaw 3 having a high-frequency coil 2 with a ridge 11 on its flat pressing face and a jaw 5 opposing to it, wherein a first groove 16 is disposed on at least one pressing face of the high-frequency coil 2, capable of forming a synthetic resin bulge adjacent to the outer side of a zone to be sealed on a container's interior side.

Abstract: In the packaging of a wide variety of products in flexible film bags, problems with edge tear and incomplete bag cut-off have been encountered. The edge tear and incomplete cut-off are worse for films containing low melting polymers, such as metallocene-catalyzed ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymers. These problems can be solved using a clamp-cut-seal process, as opposed to a clamp-seal-cut process. By cutting before sealing, the film is still cool, and the strain on the film due to the cutting does not pull on the seal area enough to cause edge tearing (i.e., tearing at the seal). The higher resistance to elongation of the cool, clamped film also serves to reduce or prevent incomplete bag tail cutoff. Also, by providing a means for sealing which clamps the film before it is cut, defective seals from bag “pull back” can be avoided.

Abstract: A method of sealing an opening portion of a packaging container by utilizing fusion bonding of the base material, together with an apparatus and method for inspecting the sealed portion. The container material has a welding layer as the innermost layer. The welding layer is melted at a seal portion defined along the edge of the opening portion of the container. A part of the melt from the welding layer is allowed to flow out from the edge of the opening portion, thereby sealing the seal portion and also forming an efflux layer outside the opening portion by the melt flowing out and solidified. An image of at least a part of the sealed portion and its vicinities is taken. At least a part of the image is defined as an inspection region. The image of the inspection region is subjected to predetermined image processing to calculate data concerning the efflux layer formed outside the sealed portion.

Abstract: A pouch containing a flowable material and films and processes for making the pouch are disclosed. The pouch is made from a sealant film having at least two heat-sealed edges and made from a material comprising a copolymer of ethylene and at least one C4-C10 alpha-olefin manufactured in a polymerization process using a single-site polymerization catalyst.

Abstract: A form-fill-seal machine in which a heated longitudinal seam sealer continuously forms a longitudinal lap seam along lapped edges of the tube being formed. This longitudinal lap seam sealer can be used in machines having conventional cross sealing jaws as well as in machines in which the cross sealing jaws move in the direction of the moving film during the cross sealing operation. The heated longitudinal seam sealer includes a wafer thin internal hot air dispenser that discharges hot air from both surfaces on the surfaces to be fused together. The heated longitudinal seam sealer also includes an external hot air dispenser that includes a plurality of hot air discharge jets through which hot air is discharges on the outer surface of one of the overlapped edges that not only provides necessary heat to cause fusion but also exerts sufficient pressure on the overlapped edge to insure proper sealing.

Abstract: The oxygen-absorbing package of the present invention is produced by packaging an oxygen-absorbing composition comprising, as an effective component, an iron powder containing a fine iron powder passing through a 200-mesh standard sieve in an amount of 5% by weight or less by an air-permeable packaging material using an automatic filling-packaging machine. By using the above oxygen-absorbing composition, the iron powder is prevented from being partially scattered to attach to the outer surface of the oxygen-absorbing package during the industrial packaging operation using the automatic filling-packaging machine of high productivity, thereby enabling to obtain an oxygen-absorbing package capable of preserving products for a long period of time without contamination and color change during the storage.

Abstract: A collapsible bag which is adapted to have another bag stacked thereon when the collapsible bag is filled with material. The collapsible bag includes a main body, a bottom portion, and a top portion. The main body defines a plurality of vertical sections to provide columnar support for holding the bag upright when the vertical sections are substantially filled with material. The bottom portion depends from the main body and includes at least one bottom seal for closing the bottom portion, wherein the bottom portion defines a substantially planar base. The top portion extends from the main body at an end opposite the bottom portion. The top portion includes a top seal for closing the top portion. The top portion defines an interior space within the bag between the top seal and an imaginary fill line.

Abstract: A method of continuously forming, filling and sealing of packages with a continuous web of film material is disclosed and comprises the steps of providing a continuous web of film material and folding the web to provide confronting sides joined along a bottom edge and forming a vertical seal at spaced intervals along the web. This process forms a series of horizontally disposed pouches having opposed sidewalls separated by the vertical seals with each pouch being unsealed along a top edge. The pouches are then opened by separating the opposed sidewalls and are then filled with a product.

Abstract: A sealing machine and process for sealing loaded bags of a novel web of side connected bags are disclosed. The web is fed through the sealer by a pair of grooved main transport belts. A holding belt is disposed in the groove of an associated main belt and extends into the groove of the other main belt as the belts move through the seal station. Processes of transporting and sealing side connected bags are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and an apparatus for sorting cylindrical articles such as dry cells and certainly cutting and heat-sealing a cylindrical film of thermal shrinkage resin at a boundary between a film portion enclosing one group and a film portion enclosing the next group in the course of carrying the article groups while keeping each interval between the two adjacent groups. Front side and rear side carrying conveyor belts disposed in front of and behind the upper and lower end sealers in the carrying direction are taken as holding conveyor belts capable of pressing from above the articles. At least one of the holding conveyor belts is movable forwardly and rearwardly relative to the other.

Abstract: A machine to make up doses of semen in a container comprising welded thermoplastics films that can be opened by hand without using instruments in order to insert therein an insemination probe includes a tubular needle having a nozzle over which is threaded a cleaning ring to prevent coating of a region to be sealed by welding with semen and to keep the walls of the thermoplastics films dry after filling the dose with semen. The sealing weld is made by a device having inverted U-shape jaws. An incision perpendicular to the branches of the U-shape is made at the same level as the latter by an incision device including an orientable blade.

Abstract: A machine to make up doses of semen in a container comprising welded thermoplastics films that can be opened by hand without using instruments in order to insert therein an insemination probe includes a tubular needle having a nozzle over which is threaded a cleaning ring to prevent coating of a region to be sealed by welding with semen and to keep the walls of the thermoplastics films dry after filling the dose with semen. The sealing weld is made by a device having inverted U-shape jaws. An incision perpendicular to the branches of the U-shape is made at the same level as the latter by an incision device including an orientable blade.

Abstract: A vented pouch arrangement is described which comprises: first and second opposed panel sections; a base gusset member; and, a gas filter arrangement oriented in one of the panel sections. The gusset member is preferably oriented between the panel sections; along ends thereof, to form a base by which the arrangement can be stood up during use. Preferably, the arrangement is provided with a rib and trough closure arrangement extending thereacross. In this manner, opening and reclosing the bag construction, for access to material therein, is facilitated. A method for formation of such a pouch arrangement, and methods of use, are also described.

Abstract: A method for the packaging of coffee in a pouch arrangement having first and second opposed panel sections, a base gusset member, a rib and trough closure arrangement constructed and arranged for selective closure of the pouch arrangement, and a gas filter arrangement oriented in one of the panel sections. The method includes filling the pouch arrangement with coffee to a first level no greater than the rib and trough closure arrangement and sealing the pouch.

Abstract: A packaging machine and process for loading bags of a novel web of side connected bags are disclosed. The web is fed through a bagger section by a pair of grooved main transport belts and a pair of lip transport belts each disposed in the groove of the associated main belt to trap bag lips in the grooves. Adjustable belt spreaders space reaches of the transport belt as they move through a load station whereby to sequentially open the bags into rectangular configurations. A closure section in the form of a novel and improved heat sealer is releasably connectable to the bagger section. The sections are adjustable together between horizontal and vertical orientations. Processes of opening, closing and sealing side connected bags are also disclosed.

Abstract: A sealing machine and process for sealing loaded bags of a novel web of side connected bags are disclosed. The web is fed through the sealer by a pair of grooved main transport belts. A holding belt is disposed in the groove of an associated main belt and extends into the groove of the other main belt as the belts move through the seal station. Processes of transporting and sealing side connected bags are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for packaging one or more articles surrounded by a tubular web moving downstream along a path includes a first station having a tacking jaw at a first downstream location along the path. The tacking jaw is movable between a first open position and a second closed position for sealing a central portion of the tubular web between the one or more articles. The first station also includes two tucking blades at the first downstream location on opposite sides of the tacking jaw and the tubular web. The tucking blades are movable toward one another for forcing the sides of the tubular web toward the central portion of the tubular web while the tacking jaw is in the closed position. The system also includes a second sealing station downstream from the first sealing station including a sealing jaw substantially perpendicular to the path of the tubular web.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an ink cartridge for use in an ink jet recorder, comprising the step of providing an ink bag having a top end, and a bottom end below the top end, the top end being open and the bottom end having an ink feed port therein; moving the ink bag from a first position near a top edge thereof and positioning the ink bag in a vacuum chamber; depressurizing the vacuum chamber; charging a selected quantity of ink into the ink bag; sealing the open end of the ink bag at a second position below the first position; pressing the sealed portion of the ink bag to a selected thickness with press plates; sealing the bag in the pressed position at a third position below the second position; and cutting the ink bag between the second and third positions.

Abstract: Bags, (1) produced at generic machines (2), are removed by means (3) toward grippers (5) associated to a conveyor line consisting of endless chain sections (4)-(10), including means (8) for weighing the bags (1), and bar-code and bag dimension verifying means (48) and (28). The sections (4) and (10) are related by transfer means (9) which may or may not connect the same, depending on an order received from means (8), (48) and (28), rejecting in the latter event faulty bags or grippers without a bag, or directing them toward a fitting station (12) at which the grippers and bags are released from the chain (10), suspended at different heights and grouped in the projection of a box (16) that is lifted toward the group by a lift (17).

Abstract: An end seal wrapping machine (10), and method of forming an end seal in a spaced series of articles (A) moved therethrough, is disclosed. The wrapping machine has a first rotating shaft (40) on which at least a first upper sealing and crimping head (41a, 41b) is positioned, with a spaced second counter-rotating shaft (81) on which a second opposed sealing and crimping head (82a, 82b) is positioned. The wrapping machine is supplied with a regularly spaced series of articles which are substantially enclosed in a continuous tube (27) of packaging film (20) upstream of the sealing and crimping heads. The articles in the tube of packaging film are passed between the sealing and crimping heads for being wrapped within the film. The first sealing and crimping head includes an elongate knife (43) formed as a part thereof, with an elongate platen (92) formed as a part of the second sealing and crimping head, and opposed to the knife.

Abstract: A packaging machine and process for loading bags of a novel web of side connected bags are disclosed. The web is fed through a bagger section by a pair of grooved main transport belts and a pair of lip transport belts each disposed in the groove of the associated main belt to trap bag lips in the grooves. Adjustable belt spreaders space reaches of the transport belts as they move through a load station whereby to sequentially open the bags into rectangular configurations. A closure section in the form of a novel and improved heat sealer is releasably connectable to the bagger section. The sections are adjustable together between horizontal and vertical orientations. Processes of opening, closing and sealing side connected bags are also disclosed.

Abstract: The synthetic resin at a projecting end portion (5) projected from a clamping device (9) is heated to melt, then the projecting end portion (5) is positioned in a press molding space, which comprises an opening between an aluminum foil layer (3c) of a laminated aluminum tube and a molding wall of the press molding space. The projecting end portion (5) is pressed and molded into a sealed portion in the press molding space. The tube produced with this method has a sealed portion (8) with a desired shape, the aluminum foil layer (3) at the sealed portion (8) being completely covered and encapsulated with the synthetic resin, and the density of the sealed portion (8) improves providing excellent sealing quality.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for successively sealing open ends of a plurality of packages being conveyed in series along an infeed lane is provided. A sealing station aligned with the infeed lane for receiving the packages to be sealed is employed. A first package is transported from the infeed lane to the sealing station, the open end of the first packaged is engaged for sealing operations, and this engagement is maintained for a minimum sealing time while a second package is transported from the infeed lane to the sealing station. The open end of the second package is engaged for sealing operations, and the engagement is maintained for the minimum desired sealing time while a subsequent package is transported to the sealing station. These steps may then be repeated for subsequent packages. A plurality of sealing rigs moveable between receiving and holding positions may be employed for sealing operations.

Abstract: A tubular blank of filter paper containing measured and separate quantities of tea, or a similar infusionable substance, is pleated and folded so as to obtain a bag with two envelopes by a method that includes the steps of advancing blanks singly and in succession along a feed direction tangential to an indexing wheel with radial grippers, taking up each blank in a position above three bearing elements ordered along the feed direction, forming a pleat in an intermediate portion of the blank, then pinching the two ends of the blank by use of movable pressure elements interacting with two of the bearing elements so as to prevent the escape of the contents from the envelopes while at the same time drawing the tubular blank toward the wheel to bring the two envelopes together and give the filter bag its final shape.

Abstract: The coating of a RF active material on a non-RF active substrate material of typical thickness for packaging purposes, can generate sufficient thermal energy to effect strong bonding of the substrate materials. The RF active material may be-deposited on less than the entire inner surface area of the substrate material, preferably, at or near the portion of the substrate surface which represents the heat seal interface. In this manner of application, additional coating or printing of other substances on the substrate surface can be achieved without hampering the heat sealing process. Flexible medical containers capable of containing a product which is maintained and removed under sterile conditions, can be constructed on commercial production machines from these coated non-RF active substrate materials.

Abstract: Systems, processes and devices are provided which are useful for testing blood or plasma donations to detect those specific donations which are contaminated by virus above a predetermined level. An apparatus and process is described which forms individual, separately sealed, and connected sample-containing pouches from a flexible hollow tubing segment connected to a fluid donation container. The tubing segment is sealed at spaced-apart intervals along its length, with tubing segment portions in the intervals between the seals defining pouches, each of which contains a portion of a plasma sample. The contents of the pouches are formed into pools which are subsequently tested for virus contamination by a high sensitivity test such as PCR. When a pool tests positive, indicating it is contaminated by a virus, a further pouch is removed from each of the tubing segments used to form the initial pool.

Abstract: A method of packaging an article comprises wrapping the article in a plastic film; and heat sealing the film using a sealing apparatus comprising a main sealing element, and a second sealing element attached at an angle to the main sealing element, and shorter than the main sealing element, such that when the film is sealed, a sealed notch that can be used to initiate opening of the package is made. A package comprises an article wrapped in a plastic film, the film being heat sealed to form a seal, the seal comprising a main seal, and a second seal attached at an angle to the main seal, and shorter than the main seal, and defining a sealed notch that can be used to initiate opening of the package. A sealing apparatus for making an easily opened package comprises a main sealing element, and a second sealing element attached at an angle to the main sealing element, and shorter than the main sealing element, and capable of creating a sealed notch that can be used to initiate opening of the package.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for forming a package with heat tack seals for a slice of a food item. A web of thermoplastic material is first formed into a tubular arrangement with a longitudinal heat tack seal. To form the tubular arrangement, means are provided for folding a continuous web of thermoplastic material into a tube and for continuously forming a heat seal along the longitudinal face of the folded web. The food item which has been formed into a soft mass, is then inserted into the tubular member and the tubular member is flattened to form a thin film tube. Means are provided for forming a heat tack cross-seal which is disposed substantially transverse to the longitudinal forward moving direction of the web.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for cutting and heat sealing a film with a smooth seam which extends substantially the transverse width of a wrapped package utilizes a mechanism having a cool clamping portion and a hot sealing portion which are sequentially actuated. The clamping portion, with segments upstream and downstream of a sealing position, is activated to firmly hold the film against a base plate. The sealing portion is located between the upstream and downstream segments of the clamping portion. The heated sealing portion is brought into contact with the film as a cutting member cuts the film. The sealing head is retracted as the clamping portion holds the film to allow longitudinal film shrinkage and prevent transverse film shrinkage of the film. The clamping portion separates and the next package in a succession of film-enclosed packages is moved downstream of the sealing position.