Food packaging with gas between tensioned film & lid

Apparatus for producing packaging comprised of a relatively rigid base, goods positioned over said base, a flexible material stretched over said goods, and a lid sealed to said base, said base being rigid relative to said flexible material, said apparatus comprising:

• a) means for supporting said base with said goods thereover at a work station;
• b) means at said work station for holding said flexible material taut when said material is over and above said goods;
• c) means at said work station for moving said material toward said goods so that said material engages the top of said goods and is tensioned and stretched over said goods and compresses the same, the side regions of said material being moved to a position below the top of said goods;
• d) means for securing said side regions of said material to said base;
• e) means for applying a lid over said base so that when said lid is sealed to said base there will be a space between said lid and said flexible material;
• f) means for charging a gas in said space which will enhance the preservation of said goods;
• and
• g) means for sealing said lid and said flexible material to said base to confine said gas in said goods.