A vacuum cleaning unit for use with blister packaging includes a plate configured to closely overlie a conveyor having open blister packaging containing objects to be packaged, such as brushes. Angled slots on a lower portion of the plate apply full and uniform coverage of wells of the blister packaging as the packaging is indexed below the plate by the conveyor. Open areas of the plate are spaced apart by solid areas on either side of an open central area of the plate in flow communication with a source of vacuum or suction. The solid and open areas cooperate with the slots to direct air from the edges to the central suction area in a manner that keeps the objects in the wells more stable as they enter and exit the suction area.