A packaging apparatus comprising: a control unit; a loading station configured to position a tubular film around a product to be packaged; a sealing station coupled to the control unit, the control unit being configured to control the sealing station to create one or more seals on the tubular film; an evacuation assembly coupled to the control unit, the evacuation assembly including a first member (60a, 60t) and a second member arranged opposite the first member (60a, 60t), the first member (60a, 60t) including a holder portion (66, 66t) and a deformable portion (68, 68t) coupled to the holder portion (66, 66t) and facing the second member, the first (60a, 60t) and second members being relatively movable between: - a first configuration, in which the first (60a, 60t) and second members are spaced apart from one another, - a second configuration, in which the deformable portion (68, 68t) contacts at least part of the second member and/or part of the tubular film which in use is resting against the second member, and - a third configuration in which the deformable portion (68, 68t) is compressed in a compression direction towards the second member; and a means for moving the product relative to and from the evacuation assembly, characterized in that the deformable portion (68, 68t) is in the form of an apron coupled to the holder portion (66, 66t) and defines the side wall of said chamber. a control unit; a loading station configured to position a tubular film around a product to be packaged; a sealing station coupled to the control unit, the control unit being configured to control the sealing station to create one or more seals on the tubular film; an evacuation assembly coupled to the control unit, the evacuation assembly including a first member (60a, 60t) and a second member arranged opposite the first member (60a, 60t), the first member (60a, 60t) including a holder portion (66, 66t) and a deformable portion (68, 68t) coupled to the holder portion (66, 66t) and facing the second member, the first (60a, 60t) and second members being relatively movable between: - a first configuration, in which the first (60a, 60t) and second members are spaced apart from one another, - a second configuration, in which the deformable portion (68, 68t) contacts at least part of the second member and/or part of the tubular film which in use is resting against the second member, and - a third configuration in which the deformable portion (68, 68t) is compressed in a compression direction towards the second member; and - a first configuration, in which the first (60a, 60t) and second members are spaced apart from one another, - a second configuration, in which the deformable portion (68, 68t) contacts at least part of the second member and/or part of the tubular film which in use is resting against the second member, and - a third configuration in which the deformable portion (68, 68t) is compressed in a compression direction towards the second member; and a means for moving the product relative to and from the evacuation assembly, characterized in that the deformable portion (68, 68t) is in the form of an apron coupled to the holder portion (66, 66t) and defines the side wall of said chamber.