Vacuum Device For Perishable Food Items

A stand-alone vacuum device configured to remove air from within a flexible package, comprising:

• a base;
• a motor and fan blade assembly connected to the base and including a motor;
• a fan blade connected to and rotatable by the motor;
• a power supply housing having one or more air vents and surrounding at least a portion of the motor and fan blade;
• and
• a nozzle assembly connected to the motor and fan blade assembly and having an air passage in fluid communication with the one or more air vents,
• wherein air within the flexible package exits the flexible package and flows through the vacuum device upon an open portion of the flexible package substantially surrounding an end part of the nozzle assembly and operation of the motor.

A method for preserving perishable food items stored in a sealed flexible package that has been unsealed, comprising the steps of:

• positioning an open part of an unsealed flexible package around a first end of a nozzle assembly of a vacuum device having an air passage extending from the first end to a second end of the nozzle assembly;
• generating an air flow through the air passage such that substantially any air within the unsealed flexible package passes through the air passage and exits the vacuum device into the ambient environment;
• removing the unsealed flexible package from the first end of the nozzle assembly upon a substantial portion of the air within the unsealed flexible package exiting from the unsealed flexible package;
• and
• resealing the unsealed flexible package.