US 11,753,196 B2
Vacuum sealer and method of sealing same
David Matthew Schandel, Mechanicsville, VA (US)
Assigned to Hamilton Beach Brands, INC., Glen Allen, VA (US)
Filed by Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc., Glen Allen, VA (US)
Filed on Nov. 8, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/521,105.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/112,197, filed on Nov. 11, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0144468 A1, May 12, 2022
Int. Cl. B65B 31/00 (2006.01); B65B 31/06 (2006.01); B65B 51/14 (2006.01)
CPC B65B 31/00 (2013.01) [B65B 31/06 (2013.01); B65B 51/146 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A vacuum sealer, comprising:
a housing comprising a vacuum chamber therein;
a vacuum pump in fluid communication with the vacuum chamber;
a sealing mechanism adjacent a periphery of the vacuum chamber;
a valve positioned and configured to releasably seal the vacuum chamber, the valve movable between a first position, in which the valve forms a seal with the vacuum chamber, and a second position, in which the valve does not form a seal with the vacuum chamber; and
a controller operatively connected with the vacuum pump, the sealing mechanism, and the valve, the controller configured to move the valve from the first position to the second position during sealing by the sealing mechanism.
 
9. A method of vacuum sealing a bag, comprising the steps of:
a) positioning an edge of a bag to be sealed in a vacuum chamber of a vacuum sealer having a sealing mechanism;
b) applying a vacuum to the bag through the vacuum chamber;
c) sealing a first portion of the edge of the bag with the sealing mechanism;
d) opening a valve in the vacuum chamber to release the vacuum in the vacuum chamber; and
e) sealing a second portion of the edge of the bag with the sealing mechanism to complete sealing after step d) is performed.