A packaging process comprising: providing a semi-sealed package containing a product to be packaged, the semi-sealed package being made from a film and having a first sealed end and a second open end, providing a vacuum chamber including a first member and a second member arranged opposite the first member, the first member and the second member being relatively movable between a first configuration, in which the first and second members (351, 352) are spaced apart from one another, and a second configuration, in which the first and second members (351, 352) are in contact with one another along a perimeter thereof except for at least one opening being formed between the first and second members (351, 352), adjusting a spacing between the first and second members (351, 352) to bring the first and second members (351, 352) into the first configuration, thereby opening the vacuum chamber, relatively positioning the semi-sealed package and the vacuum chamber such that a terminal portion of the second end is positioned within the vacuum chamber and a non-terminal portion of the second end is positioned outside the vacuum chamber, an intermediate portion of the second end passing through the opening, the intermediate portion extending between the terminal and non-terminal portions (236, 232) of the second end, adjusting the spacing between the first and second members (351, 352) to bring the first and second members (351, 352) into the second configuration, wherein in the second configuration, the first and second members (351, 352) are, except for the opening, substantially sealingly in contact with one another, and the intermediate portion of the second end is received in the opening, with the first and second members (351, 352) in the second configuration creating, within the vacuum chamber, an internal vacuum pressure that is lower than an ambient pressure present in an ambient atmosphere outside the vacuum chamber, the internal vacuum pressure being selected such as to: - determine a gas flow through the opening causing opposing layers of the film at the second end to maintain a substantially spaced-apart configuration, and - aspirate both gas from inside the semi-sealed package and gas from the ambient atmosphere through the opening, and creating a second seal on the semi-sealed package at the second end, thereby forming a sealed package containing the product and having first and second sealed ends. providing a semi-sealed package containing a product to be packaged, the semi-sealed package being made from a film and having a first sealed end and a second open end, providing a vacuum chamber including a first member and a second member arranged opposite the first member, the first member and the second member being relatively movable between a first configuration, in which the first and second members (351, 352) are spaced apart from one another, and a second configuration, in which the first and second members (351, 352) are in contact with one another along a perimeter thereof except for at least one opening being formed between the first and second members (351, 352), adjusting a spacing between the first and second members (351, 352) to bring the first and second members (351, 352) into the first configuration, thereby opening the vacuum chamber, relatively positioning the semi-sealed package and the vacuum chamber such that a terminal portion of the second end is positioned within the vacuum chamber and a non-terminal portion of the second end is positioned outside the vacuum chamber, an intermediate portion of the second end passing through the opening, the intermediate portion extending between the terminal and non-terminal portions (236, 232) of the second end, adjusting the spacing between the first and second members (351, 352) to bring the first and second members (351, 352) into the second configuration, wherein in the second configuration, the first and second members (351, 352) are, except for the opening, substantially sealingly in contact with one another, and the intermediate portion of the second end is received in the opening, with the first and second members (351, 352) in the second configuration creating, within the vacuum chamber, an internal vacuum pressure that is lower than an ambient pressure present in an ambient atmosphere outside the vacuum chamber, the internal vacuum pressure being selected such as to: - determine a gas flow through the opening causing opposing layers of the film at the second end to maintain a substantially spaced-apart configuration, and - aspirate both gas from inside the semi-sealed package and gas from the ambient atmosphere through the opening, - determine a gas flow through the opening causing opposing layers of the film at the second end to maintain a substantially spaced-apart configuration, and - aspirate both gas from inside the semi-sealed package and gas from the ambient atmosphere through the opening, and creating a second seal on the semi-sealed package at the second end, thereby forming a sealed package containing the product and having first and second sealed ends.