Patent ID: 7644561

Claim:
A method of sealing a series of packages, wherein each said package includes a feature at an upper portion thereof, said method comprising the steps; providing a package conveyor for conveying said packages in an upright orientation; providing a downwardly-open vacuum extraction hood positioned above said package conveyor so that an upper portion of each said package is moved through said extraction hood, said extraction hood being connected in fluid communication with a vacuum source so that air is extracted from within each said package as it is conveyed through said extraction hood, providing a pair of guide elements extending within said vacuum extraction hood positioned above said package conveyor between which the upper portion of each said package is moved while being conveyed, so that said feature on each said package engages an upwardly facing surface of at least one of said guide elements, to thereby act to orient the upper portion in a generally upright configuration; extracting air from within each said package as it is being moved through said vacuum extraction hood in said generally upright orientation; and closing and sealing the upper portion of each said package subsequent to said extracting step.