Vacuum packaging apparatus and method
AssigneeKoch Equipment LLC
InventorsScott Knowlton, Timothy A. Grove
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A combined cutting blade and heat bar for use with a vacuum packaging device having a lid for sealing over the cavity of a base is disclosed. The cutting blade and heat bar are connected to one another and movable via a single actuating mechanism mounted to the lid. In use, in one step the combined mechanism is lowered with the heat bar unheated and the cutting element cuts slits in the bag for evacuation of the air. After air evacuation, the combined mechanism is lowered with the heat bar heated, melting the bag closed behind the slitted area of the bag.
Claims20
A method of vacuum packaging a product comprising the steps of:
- extending a cutting blade and a connected heat bar as one element against a bag having an open end and a closed distal end;
- cutting a portion of said bag with said cutting blade;
- retracting the cutting blade and the connected heat bar as one element;
- evacuating air from inside said bag through the cut portion;
- heating the connected heat bar;
- and
- extending the cutting blade and the connected heat bar as one element with the connected heat bar contacting a part of said bag spaced from the portion of said bag cut with said cutting blade toward the distal closed end.
A mechanism for use with a vacuum packaging device which vacuum seals a bag, the mechanism having a base with a cavity therein and a lid, and said mechanism comprising:
- a cutting blade;
- a heat bar connected to the cutting blade;
- actuating means for simultaneously actuating said cutting blade and connected heat bar, said actuating means mounted to the lid of said vacuum packaging device, said actuating means for extending the cutting blade and the connected heat bar as one element with the connected heat bar contacting a part of said bag spaced from a portion of said bag cut with said cutting blade toward a distal closed end of the bag.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.