Abstract: A vacuum packaging appliance for forming a hermetically sealed evacuated container. The appliance includes a lid adapted to define a vacuum chamber when moved to a closed position relative to a trough in the lower portion of the appliance. The trough in the lower portion of the appliance is removable from the lower portion of the appliance. In one embodiment, the appliance includes pneumatic latches that are used to hold the lid in a substantially fixed position relative to the lower portion of the appliance. Additionally, a single vacuum source can be used to active the pneumatic latches and the evacuate the vacuum chamber. The appliance is further adapted for connection to vacuum sealing attachments for various containers whereby the containers can be selectively evacuated.

Abstract: A portable vacuum packaging appliance for use with a bag is described. The vacuum packaging appliance includes a housing body with a slot opening for engaging bag for sealing the open bag end via the sealer mechanism; a bag penetration nozzle mechanism capable of puncturing holes in the bag with top and bottom gasket temporary seals, allowing evacuation of bag air and gas; a vacuum pump operatively coupled to the vacuum chamber portion and communicatively coupled with the penetration nozzle mechanism, isolating the bag contents in an evacuated state, and a sealer mechanism to seal the open bag end and also to re-seal along a perimeter between the bag penetration nozzle and the bag contents. The process of the invention vacuum sealing is instrumental in its compact design and mobile utility, which includes a bag sealing before evacuation and resealing.

Abstract: The foot-print of a vacuum packaging appliance may be decreased by decoupling the appliance into a base component and a movable receptacle unit according to certain embodiments of the invention.

Abstract: An appliance for storing articles within flexible and non-flexible containers under vacuum. The appliance comprises a lid adapted to define a vacuum chamber when it is moved to a closed position relative to a trough in the base of the appliance. The trough is slidably removable from the base of the appliance. The appliance is further adapted for connection to vacuum sealing attachments for various containers whereby the containers can be selectively evacuated. The appliance includes a thermal sealing mechanism for sealing a flexible container as well as a cutting mechanism for cutting the flexible container to a desired size. The appliance includes a control panel for selectively operating the vacuuming and sealing processes.

Abstract: A vacuum packaging appliance for forming a hermetically sealed evacuated container. The appliance includes a lid adapted to define a vacuum chamber when moved to a closed position relative to a trough in the lower portion of the appliance. The trough in the lower portion of the appliance is removable from the lower portion of the appliance. In one embodiment, the appliance includes pneumatic latches that are used to hold the lid in a substantially fixed position relative to the lower portion of the appliance. Additionally, a single vacuum source can be used to active the pneumatic latches and the evacuate the vacuum chamber. The appliance is further adapted for connection to vacuum sealing attachments for various containers whereby the containers can be selectively evacuated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for incremental seal wire activation is described. In an embodiment, the invention is a method of sealing a seam of a bag. The method includes sealing a first side of the seam utilizing a first configuration. The method further includes vacuuming gases from the bag. The method also includes sensing a vacuum condition responsive to vacuuming the bag. The method further includes shifting to a second configuration. The method also includes sealing a second side of the seam utilizing the second configuration.