Apparatus for creating a vacuum in containers for the preservation of foodstuffs

Abstract

The invention concerns a device to form a vacuum in flexible containers such as bags or rigid containers such as vessels or canisters, for vacuum-packed products. It comprises a plate or tray base and an upper body separably connected and where the upper body encloses a suction group, contains a heat sealing bar and means for commanding the functions of the device and is movable between a raised open position and a lowered closed position of the device. The plate or tray base has at least a positioning or guide means of the mouth of said flexible container, means interacting with a seal on the lower face of the upper body forming a suction chamber, and a profiled seal mating with the heat sealing bar of said upper body when the device is closed.

1 . Apparatus to form a vacuum in flexible containers, such as bags, or rigid containers, such as vessels or canisters, for the preservation of vacuum-packed attaching means, comprising a base plate or tray provided with a pair of lugs, an upper body, enclosing a suction group and holding a heat sealing bar and command means of the functions of the apparatus, said plate or tray and the upper body being separably connected and with the upper body movable between a raised open and lowered closed position of the apparatus, and between said base plate or tray and said upper body a suction chamber ( 35 ) being provided to receive the mouth of a flexible type container and in communication with said suction group by means of a suction duct when the device is closed, wherein the plate or tray base has at least a positioning or guide means of the mouth of a flexible container, means interacting with a seal located at a lower face of the upper body to form said suction chamber, and a profiled seal mating with the heat sealing bar of said upper body when the device is closed. 
   
   
       2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said plate or tray has, on an upper face, a groove housing the profiled seal and in parallel, on the rear of the latter, a transversal ledge rib provided to set the position of the container mouth with regards to the suction chamber, and a positioned around said rib and designed to mate with the seal of the upper body, forming the suction chamber when the device is closed. 
   
   
       3 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said ledge extends upwards from the bottom of the groove or from the same upper face of the plate or tray until it exceeds in height the plane seal that encloses it. 
   
   
       4 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said base plate or tray has, on its upper face in parallel, a groove housing the profiled seal, on the back of this a transversal ledge provided to define the position of the mouth of the flexible container with regard to the suction chamber, and between said profiled seal and said rib ledge, a linear seal on the upper body to define the suction chamber when the device is closed. 
   
   
       5 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said plate or tray has in parallel, on its upper face, a groove housing the profiled seal, a gripper rib to hold the mouth of the container with respect to the suction chamber, and a transversal rib acting as a locator or guide of the mouth of said container provided with interruptions or openings for a downflow of potential liquids. 
   
   
       6 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said plate or tray has in parallel, on its upper face, a groove housing the profiled seal, and a transversal rib provided to define the position of the mouth of the container with regards to the suction chamber. 
   
   
       7 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said plate or tray has a collection basin portion in one of its rear parts in a lower position with regards to the upper face of the plate or tray. 
   
   
       8 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the plate or tray has two end recesses forming lateral grip zones and/or front handles. 
   
   
       9 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , comprising in addition means for a connection of the suction group in said upper body with the lid of a rigid container of a vase or a canister.