Vacuum packaging machine for product packages with multiple products

A vacuum packaging machine 141 and a conveyor 17 to deliver a product package from an upstream station 140 to a position adjacent a vacuum chamber 3 a. The conveyor 17 has a longitudinal direction defined by the direction of travel of the product package. The vacuum chamber has a heat sealing and cutting assembly 143 oriented transversely to the longitudinal direction of the conveyor and in a position with sufficient spacing between end walls of the vacuum chamber and the assembly 143 for the product package containing two or more products to be loaded into the vacuum chamber 3 a with at least one product located in front of the heat sealing and cutting assembly and at least one other product located behind the heat sealing and cutting assembly. The heat sealing and cutting assembly 143 seals and cuts between two products to form two separate evacuated packages.