Vacuum sealer for a bag

Abstract

A vacuum sealer is disclosed which makes use of a flexible flap ( 24.2 ) secured along one of its edges to a base plate ( 12.2 ). The base plate ( 12.2 ) on which the bag (B) to be evacuated and sealed is placed has a vacuum port ( 16.2 ) in it so that air can be sucked out from between the base plate ( 12.2 ) and flap ( 24.2 ). A groove ( 36.2 ) is provided in the base plate ( 12.2 ). This assists in keeping the bag mouth from being sucked shut before evacuation is complete. An anvil ( 26.2 ) and a sealer bar ( 14.2 ) form a weld across the bag adjacent its open mouth after evacuation.

1 . A vacuum sealer which comprises a base plate onto which a bag of synthetic plastics material to be evacuated and sealed can be placed, a flexible flap which can be displaced between a lowered position in which it lies on the base plate and a lifted position in which it is clear of the base plate, a heating element for forming a seal to close the bag, and a port through which a source of suction can be connected to the space between the base plate and the lowered flap.  
     
     
         2 . A vacuum sealer according to  claim 1 , wherein the base plate has one or more grooves in it into which the lower film of a bag being evacuated is sucked thereby to leave one or more channels between said lower film and an upper film of the bag.  
     
     
         3 . A vacuum sealer which comprises a base plate onto which a bag to be evacuated and sealed can be placed, a port in said base plate for connection to a source of suction so that air can be drawn from above the base plate through said port, a flexible flap having a raised position in which it is clear of the base plate and a lowered position in which it lies on the base plate to confine a bag receiving space between itself and the base plate, elongate sealing means between the flap and the base plate for forming an elongate weld line across an evacuated bag to seal its mouth closed, and a groove in said base plate running transversely of said elongate means, said groove being in communication with said vacuum port.  
     
     
         4 . A vacuum sealer as claimed in  claim 3 , and including a plurality spaced apart parallel grooves in said base plate.  
     
     
         5 . A vacuum sealer as claimed in  claim 3  or  4  and including a separator in the form of a plate which is fixed along one edge, the separator being spaced from and overlying the base plate whereby a bag can be positioned with one film of the bag above the separator and below the flap, and the other film of the bag between the separator and the base plate and overlying the groove.  
     
     
         6 . A vacuum sealer as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said sealing means comprises an anvil carried on the underside of said flap and an electrically conductive wire carried by said base.  
     
     
         7 . A vacuum sealer as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said wire is carried by a sealer bar which is in slot of said base plate, said bar being secured to a diaphragm which divides a chamber into two compartments, an upper compartment communicating with said groove through said slot and a lower compartment being connectable selectively to a source of vacuum or to atmosphere.  
     
     
         8 . A vacuum sealer as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the flap is fixed along one of its edges and has a stiffening frame along its other edges.  
     
     
         9 . A vacuum sealer as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the-flap is fixed along one of its edges and has a stiffening frame along its other edges.