Abstract: A method for manufacturing a bag for use in vacuum packaging comprises forming a first panel having a plurality of baffles for evacuating air and/or other gases from inside the bag using a suction source, while preventing liquids from being drawn into the suction source, and a second panel. Each panel comprises a gas-impermeable base layer and a heat-sealable inner layer molded from melt-extruded resin. The first panel is overlapped with the second panel, and three of four edges of the panels are heated such that the inner layers bond at the heated edges. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.

Abstract: An apparatus for vacuum sealing a storage bag including a base and a receptacle component for receiving the end of a storage bag. A vacuum generating device is disposed in either one of the base or the receptacle. The receptacle includes a vacuum chamber for accepting the open end of the bag. The receptacle is pivotally secured to the base and is rotatable relative thereto between a first and second position. A sealing device is disposed on the receptacle for sealing the open end of the bag.

Abstract: An apparatus for vacuum sealing a storage bag including a base and a receptacle component for receiving an end of a storage bag. The receptacle including a vacuum chamber for accepting an open end of the bag. The receptacle is pivotally secured to the base and rotatable relative thereto between a first operating position and a second storage position. A sealing device is disposed on the receptacle for sealing the open end of the bag.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a rigid container with vacuum channel walls is illustrated and described. In one embodiment, the invention is a tray for use with a vacuum appliance. The tray includes an inner wall formed of a material suitable for contact with food. The tray also includes an outer wall formed of a material suitable for contact with storage locations. The outer wall is joined to the inner wall in at least one area. The tray further includes a channel defined by the outer wall and the inner wall, with the channel including space between the inner wall and the outer wall. The tray also includes a valve through one of the inner wall and the outer wall, the valve positioned to allow communication between the channel and an external atmosphere.

Abstract: A method an appliance for making a waffle with a syrup holder or logo with a ring of three-dimensional flower-shaped flowers is described. The three-dimensional flower-shaped waffles have contoured surfaces that define, among other features, the petals of the flower. The underside of the waffle includes pyramidal wells that are shaped to allow for even cooking of the waffle.

Abstract: A method an appliance for making three-dimensional flower-shaped waffles is described. The three-dimensional flower-shaped waffles have contoured surfaces that define, among other features, the petals of the flower. The underside of flower-shaped waffle includes pyramidal wells that are shaped to allow for even cooking of the flower-shaped waffle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making boat-shaped waffles is described. The shape of the waffles is such that it is useful for holding waffle fillings and toppings including but not limited to ice-cream, whipped cream, fruit, chocolate, assorted confection and any combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a film having a pealably sealable layer. When used in the vacuum packaging bag material context, the result is a vacuum packaging bag that a consumer can evacuate and hermetically seal. The consumer may later open the bag through a manual pealing action that does not require a tool and that does not result in wasting or destroying a portion of the vacuum packaging bag. The present invention also contemplates a variety of applications for the pealably sealable films, including preformed bags and bag rolls, as well as a variety of apparatus for manufacturing the films and appliances for utilizing the bags and bag rolls.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vacuum hose management is illustrated and described. In one embodiment, the invention is an apparatus for use with a vacuum appliance. The apparatus includes a hose having a first end and a second end. The apparatus also includes a holding component coupled to the hose. The holding component is tension mounted to a housing of the vacuum appliance. The holding component has a first and a second position, the first position corresponding to the hose within the housing, and the second position corresponding to the hose partially outside the housing. The apparatus also includes a connector connected to the second end of the hose, the connector sized larger than an opening in the housing through which the hose is threaded. The holding component may be a wheel mounted on an arm, with the arm rotatably coupled to the housing through a pivot and a spring.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vacuum hose management is illustrated and described. In one embodiment, the invention is an apparatus for use with a vacuum appliance. The apparatus includes a hose having a first end and a second end. The apparatus also includes a holding component coupled to the hose. The holding component is tension mounted to a housing of the vacuum appliance. The holding component has a first and a second position, the first position corresponding to the hose within the housing, and the second position corresponding to the hose partially outside the housing. The apparatus also includes a connector connected to the second end of the hose, the connector sized larger than an opening in the housing through which the hose is threaded. The holding component may be a wheel mounted on an arm, with the arm rotatably coupled to the housing through a pivot and a spring.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a bag for use in vacuum packaging comprises forming a first panel having a receiving feature and a second panel having an insertion feature, such that the insertion feature can be removably connected with the receiving feature, thereby forming a zipper. Each panel comprises a gas-impermeable base layer and a heat-sealable inner layer molded from melt-extruded resin. The first panel is overlapped with the second panel, and three of four edges of the panels are heated such that the inner layers bond at the heated edges and the unbonded edge can be opened or closed via the zipper. Optionally, the bag can include a valve structure for evacuating the bag. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a bag for use in vacuum packaging comprises forming a first panel having a valve structure and a second panel. Each panel comprises a gas-impermeable base layer and a heat-sealable inner layer molded from melt-extruded resin. The valve structure can be formed on the first panel by a cooling roll having cavities and/or protuberances and a laminating roll having cavities and/or protuberance. The first panel is overlapped with the second panel, and three of four edges of the panels are heated such that the inner layers bond at the heated edges. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a vacuum packaging appliance spice rack accessory is illustrated and described. In one embodiment, the invention is an apparatus for use with a vacuum appliance. The apparatus includes a first module including a manifold and a drawer. The manifold has a cavity sized to receive the drawer, and a set of valves, each valve of the set of valves set into a wall of the manifold between an internal cavity of the manifold and an exterior surface of the manifold. The manifold has a drawer valve, the drawer valve set into a wall between the cavity to receive the drawer and the internal cavity. The manifold has a hose valve, the hose valve set into an exterior wall of the manifold between the internal cavity and a back end of the manifold. The drawer is sized to fit into the cavity to receive the drawer. The drawer has a valve positioned to mate with the drawer valve of the manifold. The drawer is sized to fill the cavity and to seal an opening of the cavity.

Abstract: A vacuum packaging appliance that detects the amount of liquid present while evacuating and sealing a container is disclosed. 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 device. The trough in the lower portion of the device contains a heat-sealing element used to seal the contents of the bag once the vacuum packaging is complete. Disclosed are several embodiments relating to a liquid sensor molded into the walls of the trough. The liquid sensor comprises two electrodes that may be located on opposite sides of the trough or on the same side of the trough. When liquid is present in the trough, the capacitance and resistance between the electrodes changes, thereby sending a signal to a controller indicative of the amount of liquid within the trough while the container is being evacuated. The exact amount of liquid present is compared to a predetermined level of liquid.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a bag for use in vacuum packaging comprises forming a first panel having an embedded timer and/or sensor for communicating information to a user and a second panel. Each panel comprises a gas-impermeable base layer and a heat-sealable inner layer molded from melt-extruded resin. The timer and/or can be encapsulated in the resin, or alternatively impregnated into the resin. The first panel is overlapped with the second panel, and three of four edges of the panels are heated such that the inner layers bond at the heated edges. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.

Abstract: A vacuum bag comprises a first panel and a second panel, wherein each panel comprises a gas-impermeable base layer and a heat-sealable inner layer with at least one panel having indicia. The indicia can be informative, decorative, and/or functional, and optionally can be colored so that the indicia can be easily identified by a user. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.

Abstract: Commercially available jars and containers may be adapted for use for vacuum packaging using a suitable vacuum packaging appliance. Such jars and containers may be adapted by using a vacuum packaging lid arrangement in place of the original lid of such jars and containers. Such a vacuum packaging lid arrangement includes a vacuum lid and/or an outer lid. Further, such a lid arrangement may also be decorative.

Abstract: A bag for use in vacuum packaging comprises a first panel and a second panel overlapping each other. One or more trays for retaining a perishable or other product is formed on one or more of the panels. Each tray can optionally have ridges for suspending a product above the tray so that liquid can collect in the tray. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.

Abstract: A vacuum bag comprises a first panel and a second panel, wherein each panel comprises a gas-impermeable base layer and a heat-sealable inner layer with at least one panel having a timer and/or sensor embedded or encapsulated by the inner layer. The timer and/or sensor can be used to monitor storage time, contents, and/or the condition of packaged products, or can be used to protect contents. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.

Abstract: A vacuum packaging appliance for sealing items in a plastic bag is disclosed. 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 device. The trough in the lower portion of the device contains a heat-sealing element used to seal the contents of the bag once the vacuum packaging is complete. In another embodiment, the heat-sealing element is mounted on the lid of the device and comes into contact with the vacuum bag when the lid is in a closed position.