Abstract: A vacuum packaging appliance with a sealing sub-assembly including a latching mechanism and release mechanism is described. According to certain embodiments, the release mechanism, latch and sealing sub-assembly operate in an integrated fashion such that the vacuum packaging appliance can be easily opened or sealed.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a bag clamp for use with a vacuum packaging appliance. The bag clamp has an open and a closed position. The open position is suitable for receiving an open end of a vacuum bag. The closed position is suitable for capturing and holding the open end of the vacuum bag during operation of the vacuum packaging appliance. A vacuum packaging appliance according to the present invention has at least one bag clamp, typically disposed within and fixedly attached to a drip tray. The present invention further teaches removable drip trays and vacuum packaging appliances with removable drip trays holding one or more bag clamps.

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 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 vacuum packaging appliance with a sealing sub-assembly including a latching mechanism and release mechanism is described. According to certain embodiments, the release mechanism, latch and sealing sub-assembly operate in an integrated fashion such that the vacuum packaging appliance can be easily opened or sealed.

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: 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 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: The present invention teaches a bag clamp for use with a vacuum packaging appliance. The bag clamp has an open and a closed position. The open position is suitable for receiving an open end of a vacuum bag. The closed position is suitable for capturing and holding the open end of the vacuum bag during operation of the vacuum packaging appliance. A vacuum packaging appliance according to the present invention has at least one bag clamp, typically disposed within and fixedly attached to a drip tray. The present invention further teaches removable drip trays and vacuum packaging appliances with removable drip trays holding one or more bag clamps.

Abstract: The invention comprises a write buffer system which provides residence time information that increases the merge potential and enhances the write collapse feature of a "smart" buffer. The write buffer has multiple buffer locations for storing data received from a central processor, a data merger for merging data designated by the central processor for subsequent storage in contiguous memory locations, and a write controller for selectively writing the data from the plurality of write buffer locations to the memory. The system further includes time stamp registers in communication with the write controller for storing and updating a time signal representative of the write buffer location having most recently received data. The controller is responsive in part to the time signal, and inhibits the writing to memory of the data in the write buffer location having most recently received data since this is the location most likely to be eligible for a data merge.