Apparatus and method for sealing a vacuum bag

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus ( 100 ) for sealing a vacuum bag ( 200 ), comprising: a body ( 110 ) defining at least a part of a reception space ( 120 ), wherein the reception space ( 120 ) is configured to receive a vacuum bag ( 200 ) for sealing, and wherein the body ( 110 ) comprises a fluid collection space ( 130 ) for collecting fluid drawn out of the vacuum bag ( 200 ) during an evacuation process; and at least one absorbent unit ( 140 ) located in the fluid collection space ( 130 ) to absorb the fluid flowing into the fluid collection space ( 130 ).

1 . An apparatus ( 100 ) for sealing a vacuum bag ( 200 ), comprising:
 a body ( 110 ) defining at least a part of a reception space ( 120 ), wherein the reception space ( 120 ) is configured to receive a vacuum bag ( 200 ) for sealing, and wherein the body ( 110 ) comprises a fluid collection space ( 130 ) for collecting fluid drawn out of the vacuum bag ( 200 ) during an evacuation process; and   at least one absorbent unit ( 140 ) located in the fluid collection space ( 130 ) to absorb the fluid flowing into the fluid collection space ( 130 ).   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus ( 100 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid collection space ( 130 ) is provided by at least one recess in the body ( 110 ). 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus ( 100 ) of  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the at least one absorbent unit ( 140 ) includes, or is, a sponge. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus ( 100 ) of any one of  claims 1  to  3 , wherein the at least one absorbent unit ( 140 ) is configured to increase its volume when the fluid is absorbed. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus ( 100 ) of any one of  claims 1  to  4 , further including at least one contact element ( 150 ), wherein the at least one absorbent unit ( 140 ) is configured to contact the at least one contact element ( 150 ) once the at least one absorbent unit ( 140 ) has absorbed a certain amount of fluid. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus ( 100 ) of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one contact element ( 150 ) is an electrically conductive element. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus ( 100 ) of  claim 5  or  6 , wherein the at least one contact element ( 150 ) is an electrically conductive wire. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus ( 100 ) of any one of  claims 5  to  7 , further including a notification unit configured to notify a user when the at least one absorbent unit ( 140 ) contacts the at least one contact element ( 150 ). 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus ( 100 ) of any one of  claims 1  to  8 , wherein the body ( 110 ) includes a first portion ( 112 ) and a second portion ( 114 ) which define the reception space ( 120 ) therebetween. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus ( 100 ) of  claim 9 , wherein the first portion ( 112 ) is an upper portion and the second portion ( 114 ) is a lower portion of the body ( 110 ), and wherein the fluid collection space ( 130 ) is provided at the second portion ( 114 ). 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus ( 100 ) of  claim 9  or  10 , wherein the first portion ( 112 ) and the second portion ( 114 ) are moveable with respect to each other. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus ( 100 ) of any one of  claims 1  to  11 , wherein the apparatus ( 100 ) includes a service opening ( 160 ), wherein the service opening ( 160 ) is located such that the at least one absorbent unit ( 140 ) is moveable through the service opening ( 140 ) by a user and/or a drawer mechanism. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus ( 100 ) of any one of  claims 1  to  12 , further including at least one heater unit configured to evaporate the fluid in the fluid collection space ( 130 ) and/or the at least one absorbent unit ( 140 ). 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus ( 100 ) of any one of  claims 1  to  13 , further including a vacuum mechanism configured to remove air from the inside of the vacuum bag ( 200 ) during the evacuation process. 
     
     
         15 . A method for sealing a vacuum bag ( 200 ), comprising:
 evacuating a vacuum bag ( 200 ) using a vacuum mechanism; and   collecting fluid drawn out from the vacuum bag ( 200 ) during the evacuation in a fluid collection space ( 130 ), wherein the fluid is absorbed by at least one absorbent unit ( 140 ) located in the fluid collection space ( 130 ).