Apparatus and method for vacuumizing and sealing a package

An apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing one or more packages, the apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of platens operably secured to a rotating carousel configured to rotate about a single axis of rotation, wherein the plurality of platens are configured to travel along a platen travel path comprising an angular portion of the platen travel path and one or more linear portions of the platen travel path around the single axis of rotation;
• a linear-motion mechanism, embodied as the linkage assembly, operatively securing each of the plurality of platens to the rotating carousel and configured to enable the platens to move away from the axis of rotation and to rotate such that each of the plurality of platens remains aligned with a linear direction of travel as each of the plurality of platens moves along a linear portion of travel;
• and
• a plurality of vacuum chambers configured to selectably engage a corresponding platen of the plurality of platens to form an air-tight enclosure therebetween and operably secured to the rotating carousel such that the plurality of vacuum chambers travel along an angular chamber travel path synchronously with the plurality of platens such that each vacuum chamber of the plurality of vacuum chambers is aligned with the corresponding platen of the plurality of platens relative to the single axis of rotation.