a combination sealing and cutting device comprising : an elongated anvil having an elongated slot therein ; an elongated blade having a longitudinal aperture therein ; a heating element in the longitudinal aperture ; and an actuator mechanism for driving the blade toward and into the elongated slot to accomplish simultaneous sealing and cutting of overlying polymer films . according to various preferred embodiments , the combination sealing and cutting device further includes a pair of parallel flanges extending along both edges of the blade that serve to retain the blade ; and film retaining beads along the longitudinal edges of the parallel flanges that serve to retain the plastic films being cut and sealed against the outer edges of the elongated slot .