Vacuum packaging machine

A vacuum packaging apparatus for use in evacuating the air in an open package and sealing the evacuated package, the apparatus comprising:

• a chamber sized for receipt of a package to be evacuated and sealed;
• a lid movable between an open position exposing the chamber and a closed position sealing the chamber;
• an evacuating means for evacuating air in the chamber;
• a sealing means inside the chamber for sealing the package after air in the chamber has been evacuated, the sealing means including a seal bar movable between a retracted position removed from pressing engagement with the package and an extended position in pressing engagement with the package, a sealing wire extending across the seal bar, and a circuit for supplying electricity to the sealing wire for heating the wire to a temperature sufficient to seal the package when the seal bar is in pressing engagement with the package;
• a moving means for moving the seal bar between the retracted and extended positions, the moving means including at least one cylinder and a piston movable within the cylinder and attached to the seal bar, the circuit including conductor means connected to the piston for conducting electrical current through the piston to the sealing wire the piston;
• and
• an attachment means for attaching the seal bar to the piston, the attachment means including a mechanical fastener that permits the seal bar to be detached from the piston and removed from the apparatus.