Clamps, systems, and methods for evacuating and hermetically sealing bags

Abstract

Clamps, systems, and methods for evacuating and hermetically sealing bags having an interior region and an open end. In one embodiment, a clamp includes a first clamp portion having a first chamber portion and a second clamp portion having a second chamber portion. The second clamp portion is movable between a released position and a clamped position. When the second clamp portion is in the clamped position, the first and second chamber portions define a vacuum chamber for removing gas from the bag. The clamp further includes a valve carried by the first or second clamp portion to control the flow of the gas out of the vacuum chamber.

1 . A clamp to substantially evacuate and hermetically seal a bag having an interior region and an open end, the clamp comprising: 
 a first clamp portion having a first chamber portion;    a second clamp portion having a second chamber portion, the second clamp portion being movable relative to the first clamp portion between a released position- and a clamped position, the first and second chamber portions at least partially defining a vacuum chamber for removing gas from the bag through the open end when the second clamp portion is in the clamped position; and    a valve carried by the first or second clamp portion to control the flow of the gas out of the vacuum chamber.    
   
   
       2 . The clamp of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the first clamp portion is pivotably coupled to the second clamp portion;    the first chamber portion includes a first recess and the second chamber portion includes a second recess, the first and second recesses at least partially defining the vacuum chamber;    the valve is a one-way valve to allow the gas to be exhausted from the vacuum chamber; and    the clamp further comprises a first seal coupled to the first clamp portion and a second seal coupled to the second clamp portion, the first and second seals circumscribing the vacuum chamber.    
   
   
       3 . The clamp of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the first clamp portion further includes a first slot extending into the first clamp portion in a first direction and a second slot extending into the first clamp portion in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction, the first slot intersecting the second slot and being configured to receive the open end of the bag, the second slot having a first surface defining part of the vacuum chamber;    the second chamber portion being sized and configured to slide into the second slot and having a second surface defining part of the vacuum chamber, the second surface being juxtaposed to the first surface when the second clamp portion is in the clamped position; and    the clamp further comprises a seal coupled to the first or second surface, the seal circumscribing the vacuum chamber.    
   
   
       4 . The clamp of  claim 1  wherein the first clamp portion is pivotably coupled to the second clamp portion.  
   
   
       5 . The clamp of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the first clamp portion further includes a slot; and    the second clamp portion is sized and configured to slide at least partially into the slot.    
   
   
       6 . The clamp of  claim 1 , further comprising a seal coupled to the first or second clamp portion, the seal circumscribing the vacuum chamber.  
   
   
       7 . The clamp of  claim 1  wherein the valve is a one-way valve to allow the gas to be exhausted from the vacuum chamber.  
   
   
       8 . The clamp of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the valve is a one-way valve to allow the gas in the bag to be exhausted from the vacuum chamber; and    the clamp further comprises a release valve coupled to the first or second clamp portion to selectively allow gas from an ambient environment to flow into the vacuum chamber to facilitate movement of the second clamp portion from the clamped position to the released position.    
   
   
       9 . The clamp of  claim 1  wherein the vacuum chamber is configured to be in fluid communication with the interior region of the bag and hermetically sealed from an ambient environment when the second clamp portion is in the clamped position.  
   
   
       10 . The clamp of  claim 1  wherein the first chamber portion includes a first recess and the second chamber portion includes a second recess.  
   
   
       11 . The clamp of  claim 1 , further comprising a securing device coupled to the first and/or second clamp portion to selectively lock the second clamp portion in the clamped position.  
   
   
       12 . The clamp of  claim 1  wherein the first clamp portion further includes a guide rail to facilitate proper positioning of the open end of the bag in the first chamber portion.  
   
   
       13 . The clamp of  claim 1  wherein the clamp is reusable.  
   
   
       14 . The clamp of  claim 1  wherein the clamp is washable.  
   
   
       15 . The clamp of  claim 1  wherein the clamp is safe for use with foodstuffs.  
   
   
       16 . The clamp of  claim 1  wherein the clamp is sized and configured to be received in a vacuum packaging appliance.  
   
   
       17 . A clamp to substantially evacuate and hermetically seal a bag having an interior region and an open end, the clamp comprising: 
 a first clamp portion;    a second clamp portion movable relative to the first clamp portion between a released position and a clamped position, the first and second clamp portions configured to clamp the bag when the second clamp portion is in the clamped position;    a vacuum chamber for removing gas from the bag through the open end when the second clamp portion is in the clamped position; and    a valve carried by the first or second clamp portion to control the flow of the gas out of the vacuum chamber.    
   
   
       18 . The clamp of  claim 17  wherein the vacuum chamber is configured to be hermetically sealed from an ambient environment when the second clamp portion is in the clamped position.  
   
   
       19 . The clamp of  claim 17  wherein the first clamp portion is pivotably coupled to the second clamp portion.  
   
   
       20 . The clamp of  claim 17  wherein the clamp is sized and configured to be received in a vacuum packaging appliance.  
   
   
       21 . A clamp to substantially evacuate and hermetically seal a bag having an interior region and an open end, the clamp comprising: 
 a first clamp portion;    a second clamp portion movable relative to the first clamp portion between a released position and a clamped position, the first and second clamp portions configured to clamp the bag when the second clamp portion is in the clamped position;    a vacuum chamber for removing gas from the bag through the open end when the second clamp portion is in the clamped position; and    a valve operably coupled to the vacuum chamber to control the flow of the gas out of the vacuum chamber.    
   
   
       22 . The clamp of  claim 21  wherein the vacuum chamber is configured to be hermetically sealed from an ambient environment when the second clamp portion is in the clamped position.  
   
   
       23 . The clamp of  claim 21  wherein the first clamp portion is pivotably coupled to the second clamp portion.  
   
   
       24 . A clamp for hermetically sealing a bag having an interior region and an open end, the clamp comprising: 
 a first clamp portion having a recess to receive the open end of the bag;    a second clamp portion having a surface, the second clamp portion configured to selectively engage the first clamp portion so that the surface and the recess define at least in part a vacuum chamber, the vacuum chamber configured to be in fluid communication with the interior region of the bag when the open end of the bag is received in the vacuum chamber; and    a valve carried by the first or second clamp portion to control the flow of a gas out of the vacuum chamber.    
   
   
       25 . The clamp of  claim 24  wherein the first clamp portion is pivotably coupled to the second clamp portion.  
   
   
       26 . The clamp of  claim 24  wherein: 
 the first clamp portion further includes a slot; and    the second clamp portion is sized and configured to slide at least partially into the slot.    
   
   
       27 . The clamp of  claim 24 , further comprising a seal coupled to the first or second clamp portion, the seal circumscribing the vacuum chamber.  
   
   
       28 . The clamp of  claim 24  wherein: 
 the valve is a one-way valve to allow gas in the interior region of the bag to be exhausted from the vacuum chamber; and    the clamp further comprises a release valve coupled to the first or second clamp portion to selectively allow gas from an ambient environment to flow into the vacuum chamber.    
   
   
       29 . The clamp of  claim 24  wherein the vacuum chamber is hermetically sealed from an ambient environment when the second clamp portion engages the first clamp portion.  
   
   
       30 . A clamp to seal a bag having an open end and an interior region, the clamp comprising: 
 a first clamp portion having a first surface;    a second clamp portion having a second surface, the second clamp portion being movable relative to the first clamp portion between a released position and a clamped position;    a seal coupled to the first or second surface, the seal, the first clamp portion, and the second clamp portion configured to hermetically seal the interior region of the bag when the second clamp portion is in the clamped position and the open end of the bag is disposed between the first and second clamp portions; and    a valve carried by the first or second clamp portion to control the flow of gas out of the interior region of the bag.    
   
   
       31 . The clamp of  claim 30  wherein the first clamp portion is pivotably coupled to the second clamp portion.  
   
   
       32 . The clamp of  claim 30  wherein: 
 the first clamp portion further includes a slot; and    the second clamp portion is sized and configured to slide at least partially into the slot.    
   
   
       33 . The clamp of  claim 30  wherein the seal is a first seal coupled to the first surface, and wherein the clamp further comprises a second seal coupled to the second surface.  
   
   
       34 . The clamp of  claim 30  wherein: 
 the valve is a one-way valve to allow the gas in the bag to be exhausted from the clamp; and    the clamp further comprises a release valve coupled to the first or second clamp portion to selectively allow gas from an ambient environment to flow into the interior region of the bag to facilitate movement of the second clamp portion from the clamped position to the released position.    
   
   
       35 . The clamp of  claim 30  wherein the first clamp portion further includes a first recess in the first surface and the second clamp portion further includes a second recess in the second surface, the first and second recesses defining at least in part a vacuum chamber when the second clamp portion is in the clamped position, the vacuum chamber configured to be in fluid communication with the interior region of the bag and hermetically sealed from an ambient environment.  
   
   
       36 . A system for hermetically sealing a bag having an interior region and an open end, the system comprising: 
 a clamp including a first portion and a second portion movable relative to the first portion between a released position and a clamped position, the first and second portions defining a vacuum chamber configured to be in fluid communication with the interior region of the bag when the second portion is in the clamped position and the open end of the bag is received in the vacuum chamber;    a valve operably coupled to the vacuum chamber to control the flow of gas out of the vacuum chamber;    an exhaust line coupleable to the valve; and    a vacuum pump coupleable to the exhaust line to remove the gas from the vacuum chamber and the interior region of the bag.    
   
   
       37 . The system of  claim 36  wherein the first chamber portion is pivotably coupled to the second chamber portion.  
   
   
       38 . The system of  claim 36  wherein the first chamber portion slideably engages the second chamber portion.  
   
   
       39 . The system of  claim 36  wherein the clamp further includes a seal coupled to the first or second chamber portion, the seal circumscribing the vacuum chamber.  
   
   
       40 . The system of  claim 36  wherein the vacuum chamber is hermetically sealed from an ambient environment when the second chamber portion is in the clamped position.  
   
   
       41 . The system of  claim 36  wherein the first chamber portion includes a first recess and the second chamber portion includes a second recess.  
   
   
       42 . The system of  claim 36  wherein the clamp further includes a securing device coupled to the first and/or second chamber portion to selectively lock the second chamber portion in the clamped position.  
   
   
       43 . A system for selectively evacuating and sealing a bag having an interior region and an open end, the system comprising: 
 a clamp including a first clamp portion and a second clamp portion, the first clamp portion having a recess, the second clamp portion having a surface and being configured to selectively engage the first clamp portion so that the surface and the recess define at least in part a vacuum chamber for removing gas from the interior region of the bag;    a valve carried by the first or second chamber portion to control the flow of gas out of the vacuum chamber;    an exhaust line coupleable to the valve; and    a vacuum pump coupleable to the exhaust line to remove the gas from the vacuum chamber and the interior region of the bag when the open end of the bag is received within the vacuum chamber.    
   
   
       44 . The system of  claim 43  wherein the first clamp portion is pivotably coupled to the second clamp portion.  
   
   
       45 . The system of  claim 43  wherein the first clamp portion slideably engages the second clamp portion.  
   
   
       46 . The system of  claim 43  wherein the clamp further includes a seal coupled to the first or second clamp portion, the seal circumscribing the vacuum chamber.  
   
   
       47 . The system of  claim 43  wherein the vacuum chamber is configured to be in fluid communication with the interior region of the bag and hermetically sealed from an ambient environment when the second clamp portion engages the first clamp portion.  
   
   
       48 . A vacuum packaging appliance for use with a clamp in evacuating a bag, the appliance comprising: 
 a base;    a lid movably coupled to the base;    a vacuum chamber at least partially within the base and/or lid, the vacuum chamber sized and configured to receive the clamp; and    a vacuum pump operably coupled to the vacuum chamber to remove gas from the vacuum chamber.    
   
   
       49 . The appliance of  claim 48 , further comprising the clamp removably disposed within the vacuum chamber, wherein the clamp comprises a first clamp portion, a second clamp portion, and a valve carried by the first or second clamp portion, the second clamp portion being movable relative to the first clamp portion between a released position and a clamped position, the first and second clamp portions being configured to clamp the bag when the second clamp portion is in the clamped position.  
   
   
       50 . The appliance of  claim 48 , further comprising a support member in the vacuum chamber to support the clamp.  
   
   
       51 . A reusable vacuum packaging system, comprising: 
 a reusable bag having an interior region and an open end; and    a reusable clamp including a first portion and a second portion movable relative to the first portion between a released position and a clamped position, the first and second portions hermetically sealing the interior region of the bag when the second portion is in the clamped position and the open end of the bag is positioned between the first and second portions.    
   
   
       52 . The system of  claim 51  wherein the bag is configured to contain foodstuffs.  
   
   
       53 . A vacuum packaging film for use with a clamp that does not require a heat-sealable layer, the vacuum packaging film comprising: 
 a gas impermeable layer; and    a structural layer coupled to the gas impermeable layer, wherein the structural and gas impermeable layers are not coupled to a heat-sealable layer.    
   
   
       54 . The vacuum packaging film of  claim 53  wherein the film is safe for use with foodstuffs.  
   
   
       55 . A method for hermetically sealing a bag with a clamp, the bag including an open end and an interior region, the clamp including a first clamp portion and a second clamp portion, the method comprising: 
 clamping a portion of the bag with the first and second clamp portions to hermetically seal the bag with the open end received in a vacuum chamber defined at least partially by the first and second clamp portions, the vacuum chamber being in fluid communication with the interior region of the bag and hermetically sealed from an external environment;    removing gas from the vacuum chamber and the interior region of the bag; and    storing the clamped and sealed bag with the clamp.    
   
   
       56 . The method of  claim 55  wherein the bag is a first bag, the method further comprising: 
 releasing and unsealing the first bag by moving the first clamp portion relative to the second clamp portion;    clamping a portion of a second bag with the first and second clamp portions to hermetically seal the second bag with an open end of the second bag received in the vacuum chamber;    removing gas from the vacuum chamber and an interior region of the second bag; and    storing the clamped and sealed second bag with the clamp.    
   
   
       57 . The method of  claim 55  wherein removing gas from the vacuum chamber includes drawing gas with a vacuum pump through a one-way valve carried by the first or second clamp portion.  
   
   
       58 . The method of  claim 55  wherein clamping a portion of the bag includes pivoting the first clamp portion relative to the second clamp portion.  
   
   
       59 . The method of  claim 55  wherein clamping a portion of the bag includes slideably engaging the first and second clamp portions.