Patent Publication Number: US-2022227511-A1

Title: Vacuum chamber for sealing storage bags and accessories therefor

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. Nos. 63/139,647 filed 20 Jan. 2021, 63/250,646 filed 30 Sep. 2021 and 63/256,191 filed 15 Oct. 2021, the contents of each of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a device for sealing storage bags, particularly, though not exclusively, for sealing bags containing foodstuffs, including liquid or particulate material. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Storage bags are known in the art and many different types of storage bags have been developed. Vacuum sealing systems for sealing storage bags are known for both commercial and domestic applications. A typical domestic sealing system includes two sealing bars. An open end of a heat-sealable bag is placed between the two sealing bars having heating wires or similar. A vacuum may be applied to remove extraneous air from within the bag, before heat is applied to the sealing bars to seal the top of the bag. Unfortunately, when used for food storage, in particular foods containing liquids such as soups or marinades, the liquids in the bag tend to be sucked to the top of the bag due to the differential in pressure between the top and bottom of the bag (the bottom has atmospheric pressure, while the top has a negative pressure). This can interfere with the sealing because it prevents heat bonding of the plastic layers of the bag together. Also, liquids can pass out of the top of the bag creating spillage. Usually, a trough is provided for collecting the spillage. The spillage can be sucked into the vacuum system and damage or interfere with the vacuum pump. 
     More recently, chamber based systems have been developed. A chamber machine puts the entire bag in a chamber and applies the vacuum to the entire chamber. Chamber machines are widely used in commercial applications, such as packaging of coffee beans but have found some use in domestic applications. A problem with the chamber based systems, particularly domestic systems, is that there is little chance to detect and interfere with the sealing process once started which can be a problem with amateur operators. Further, chamber systems can be inconvenient for less experienced operators to use, leading to faulty sealing operations. What is required, therefore, is a vacuum chamber sealing system that provides enhanced ease of operation and/or control. 
     SUMMARY OF ONE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION 
     Advantages of One or More Embodiments of the Present Invention 
     The various embodiments of the present invention may, but do not necessarily, achieve one or more of the following advantages: 
     provide a sealing system that can be used in conjunction with a canister for vacuum sealing; 
     provide a sealing system that can be used independently of the vacuum sealing canister; 
     provide a vacuum chamber sealing system where the sealing operation can be viewed; 
     provide a vacuum chamber sealing system where the sealing operation can be stopped or controlled during the sealing operation; 
     provide a vacuum chamber sealing system with an easier method of loading the sealing bag; 
     provide a vacuum chamber sealing system with an easier method of installing the sealing bag into the vacuum chamber, 
     provide a system for conveniently filling a bag and supporting the bag while being filled; 
     provide a sealing system that can vacuum seal delicate materials such as fruits and berries. 
     These and other advantages may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of the specification, claims, and abstract. 
     Brief Description of One Embodiment of the Present Invention 
     In one embodiment, there is provided a vacuum sealing device for sealing products within a heat sealable plastic bag. The vacuum sealing device may comprising a housing defining an internal vacuum chamber and an openable door cooperative with the housing for providing access to the internal vacuum chamber. One or more pumps control the atmosphere within the internal vacuum chamber. A sealing mechanism disposed within the internal vacuum chamber engages a bag loaded into the internal vacuum chamber and for seals an open end of the bag. The openable door may comprise at least one transparent panel that enables viewing of the sealing process in operation 
     In one embodiment, there is provided a method of sealing a bag. The bag may be loaded into a support sleeve and then material may be provided into the bag. The support sleeve, including the bag, may then be loaded into a vacuum chamber of a vacuum sealing device. A vacuum may be created in the vacuum chamber and an open end of the bag may be sealed while the vacuum chamber is under vacuum. 
     In one embodiment, there is provided a loading device for loading a bag to be sealed in a vacuum sealing process. The loading device may include a support sleeve that supports a base of the bag; and a funnel that is support by the sleeve. The funnel may comprise at least one outer wall of the funnel that, in use is external to the bag, and at least one funnel wall defining a funnel channel that is located, in use, in the open end of the bag. 
     In one embodiment, there is provided a vacuum sealing device for sealing products within a heat sealable plastic bag. The vacuum sealing device may comprise a housing defining an internal vacuum chamber and an openable lid cooperative with the housing for providing access to the internal vacuum chamber. A sealing mechanism may be disposed within the internal vacuum chamber for engaging a bag loaded into the internal vacuum chamber and for sealing an open end of the bag. A vacuum port may be connected to the vacuum chamber and configured to receive a connection to an external vacuum source. 
     In one embodiment, there is provided a method of sealing a bag. The method may comprise providing material into the bag and loading the bag into a vacuum chamber of a vacuum sealing device. The vacuum chamber may be connected to an external vacuum source to then create a vacuum in the vacuum chamber. An open end of the bag may be sealed while the vacuum chamber is under vacuum. 
     In one embodiment, there is provided a lid of a vacuum sealing device. The lid may comprise a housing. The housing may include an sealing surface that is able to seal against a canister body when the lid is located onto the canister body and an engagement mechanism for allowing the lid to engage the canister body. A sealing station may be supported by the housing and extend from the housing, the sealing station configured to heat seal an open bag. 
     In one embodiment, there is provided a vacuum sealing device comprising a canister body defining a vacuum chamber and a lid for engaging the canister body to seal the vacuum chamber. The lid may comprise a housing. The housing may include a sealing surface that is able to seal against the canister body when the lid is located onto the canister body and an engagement mechanism for allowing the lid to engage the canister body. A sealing station may be supported by the housing and extend from the housing, the sealing station configured to heat seal an open bag. 
     In one embodiment, there is provided a method for heat sealing a bag. The method may comprise providing the bag into a container, locating an open end of the bag into a sealing station supported by a lid, clamping the open end of the bag in the sealing station, relocating the lid on the container to seal the lid against the container with the bag inside the container, and actuating the sealing station to heat seal the open end of the bag. 
     In one embodiment, there is provided a lid of a vacuum sealing device. The lid may comprise housing means. The housing means may include sealing surface means that are able to seal against a canister body when the lid is located onto the canister body and an engagement means for allowing the lid to engage the canister body. Sealing station means may be supported by the housing and extend from the housing, the sealing station means for heat sealing an open bag. 
     In one embodiment, there is provided a vacuum sealing device comprising canister means for defining a vacuum chamber and lid means for engaging the canister means to seal the vacuum chamber. The lid means may comprise housing means. The housing means may include sealing surface means that are able to seal against a canister body when the lid is located onto the canister body and an engagement means for allowing the lid to engage the canister body. Sealing station means may be supported by the housing and extend from the housing, the sealing station means for heat sealing an open bag. 
     The above description sets forth, rather broadly, a summary of various embodiments of the present invention so that the detailed description that follows may be better understood and contributions of the present invention to the art may be better appreciated. Some of the embodiments of the present invention may not include all of the features or characteristics listed in the above summary. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described below and will form the subject matter of claims. In this respect, before explaining at least one preferred embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or as illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is substantially a front perspective of a vacuum sealing device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is substantially an exploded view of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is substantially a front perspective of the device of  FIG. 1  with a front cover removed; 
         FIG. 4  is substantially a rear perspective of the device of  FIG. 1  with a rear cover removed; 
         FIG. 5  is substantially a front perspective of a front cover assembly; 
         FIG. 6  is substantially a front perspective of a shake cover component of the front cover assembly; 
         FIG. 7  is substantially a front perspective of a shell component of the front cover assembly; 
         FIG. 8  substantially shows a support sleeve for supporting a bag in a loading process; 
         FIG. 9  substantially shows the support sleeve and bag being loaded into a vacuum sealing device; 
         FIG. 10  substantially shows the support sleeve of  FIG. 8  in use with a funnel; 
         FIG. 11  substantially shows a bag being filled through the funnel of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  schematically depicts a modified atmosphere embodiment; 
         FIG. 13  schematically depicts an embodiment of a vacuum packaging device that connects to an external vacuum source; 
         FIG. 14  substantially depicts a sealing bar located within the device of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  substantially shows an alternative sealing bar arrangement in an open configuration; 
         FIG. 16  substantially shows the sealing bar arrangement of  FIG. 15  in a closed configuration; 
         FIG. 17  schematically depicts the vacuum packaging device of  FIG. 13  connected to an external vacuum source; 
         FIG. 18  substantially shows a first end perspective view of a lid that can operate as an independent sealing unit; 
         FIG. 19  substantially shows a second end perspective view the lid of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 20  substantially shows the lid of  FIG. 18  disposed on a canister body in a vacuum configuration; 
         FIG. 21  substantially shows the lid of  FIG. 18  disposed on the canister body in a sideways filling position; 
         FIG. 22  substantially shows a canister body with funnel insert; 
         FIG. 23  substantially shows a method for heat sealing a bag; 
         FIG. 24  substantially shows a perspective view of a lid having an internal pump; 
         FIG. 25  substantially shows an end view of the lid of  FIG. 24 ; and 
         FIG. 26  substantially shows a schematic of a vacuum diagram. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this application. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     A vacuum packaging device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed in  FIG. 1 . The vacuum packaging device  100  is shown in an exploded view in  FIG. 2 . The following is a list of features and elements illustrated in  FIG. 2 :
       1  logo sticker,     2  front cover,     3  hook,     4  shaft,     5  shake cover,     6  sealing rubber,     7  sealing gasket/rubber,     8  bags hook,     9  teflon tape,     10  Mica sheet,     11  heating wire,     12  heating wire spring,     13  heating wire aluminum,     14  heating wire holder,     15  copper terminal,     16  silicone pad,     17  main body,     18  PCB control holder,     19  PCB control,     20  lampshade,     21  button holder,     22  upper button,     23  lower button,     24  upper button accessories,     25  lower button accessories,     26  lock fixing seat,     27  sliding lock,     28  lock connection plate,     29  microswitch holder,     30  operating lever,     31  microswitch,     32  cylinder,     33  cylinder fixing plate,     34  latch spring,     35  silicone sealing pad,     36  e-lock,     37  cylinder seal ring,     38  piston rod,     39  piston,     40  cylinder solenoid valve,     41   390  pump,     42   370  shockproof cotton,     43   390  motor fixer,     44  air escape solenoid valve,     45  air escape valve support,     46  shockproof cotton,     47  shockproof ring,     48  PCB power,     49  pump fixed plate,     50  pump,     51  non slip foot pad,     52  cable clip,     53  rear cover.   

       FIG. 3  shows the vacuum packaging device with the openable door comprising front cover  1  and shake cover  5  removed to reveal a vacuum chamber  310  defined by the main body  17 . The main body  17  includes a flat lower surface  312  that can support a sleeve or holder during a sealing operation, as will be described in more detail below. The vacuum chamber  310  also includes hooks  316  for holding a bag to be sealed. A sealing mechanism  320  including heating elements (including heating components  11 - 15 ) engage a bag hanging on the hooks and can heat seal the bag. The front cover is pivotally attached on mounts  324  and can swing open to provide access to the vacuum chamber  310 . A gasket seal  7  seals the vacuum chamber  310  when the front cover is closed. 
       FIG. 4  shows the vacuum packaging device  100  from the rear with the rear cover removed. The main body  17  defines a component chamber  410  that houses the main operating components of the device  100  including the control electronics, such as PCBs  19 ,  48 , pumps  50  for controlling the atmosphere and pressure within the vacuum chamber, pistons  39 , etc. 
     In operation, a bag containing material, such as a foodstuff, is hung on the hooks  316  within the vacuum chamber  310 , before the front cover  1  is closed. By selecting operation buttons  22 ,  23 , the sealing operation is activated. Initially, the atmosphere within the vacuum chamber  310  is controlled by pumping air from the vacuum chamber. An advantage of a vacuum chamber based sealing process is that because the bag is surrounded by vacuum pressure, there is no differential pressure on the bag and the material is not forced out of the bag as the air is removed from the bag. At the completion of the vacuum process, the heating wires engage the open top of the bag and melt the edges of the bag together to seal the contents within the bag. Once the sealing process is completed, the sealed bag may be removed from the vacuum chamber. 
     The front cover of the device  100  is shown in  FIGS. 5-7 . The front cover assembly ( FIG. 5 ) may include a shake cover  510  and a shell  520 . The shake cover  510 , shown in isolation in  FIG. 6 , may be made of various materials, typically kinds of plastic. The shake cover  510  includes a clear panel section  514  that provides a window through the front cover to enable viewing of the sealing process. The clear panel section  514  may be Perspex, polycarbonate, glass or any suitable clear material that allows viewing into vacuum chamber. The clear panel section  514  may be attached to the shake cover via vacuum seal or gasket that prevents air leakage around the panel. The shell  520 , shown in isolation in  FIG. 7 , may be a plastic molded piece  522  providing an aesthetic exterior for the device  100 . The shell  520  includes an opening  524  providing access to the panel section  514 . At the base of the shell portion are mounting projections  526  that engage with the mounting portions  324  of the main body  17  ( FIG. 3 ) to enable pivoting motion of the front cover on the device. 
     The window in the front cover provides viewing access to the sealing process for the user. The control electronics for the device  100  may include an interrupt button that enables the user to halt the sealing process if the user views or suspects a problem with the sealing process. An internal light and external switch may be provided for the user to activate the light to enable viewing of the sealing process. Alternatively, the light may be automatically activated when the chamber is in operation. 
     The quality of a vacuum seal is improved when the inner sealing surfaces of the bag are maintained clean and dry. Any residual foodstuffs, particularly liquids, can quickly cook during the sealing operation, preventing a proper inert seal from forming. This can be problematic when filling flexible bags with foodstuffs containing liquids. To combat this problem, an embodiment of the invention includes a filling system. The filling system includes a rigid sleeve  810 , shown in  FIG. 8  that is able to receive the base of a flexible fillable bag  830 . In one embodiment, the sleeve  810  is a substantially rectangular box having an open top for receiving the bag. The sleeve  810  includes narrow side walls  812  and wider front and back walls  814 . The front and back walls  814  include a cutout section  816  along the top edge. The sleeve provides a solid and stable base that provides rigidity to the fillable bag. The bag  830  may be inserted into the sleeve  810  with the top of the bag extending above the top edge of the sleeve. The bag  830  may then be filled and then the bag and sleeve may be inserted into the vacuum chamber  850  for sealing ( FIG. 9 ). The sleeve rests on the flat lower internal surface  312  of the vacuum chamber and disposes the bag at an appropriate height in the vacuum chamber to enable the bag to be hung on the hooks  316 , or to otherwise engaging the sealing mechanism including the heating wires. 
     The cutout  816  may be used to indicate a maximum fill line, while the higher surrounding walls on the side walls  812  provide support to a greater proportion of the bag. 
     In one embodiment, the sleeve may be configured to cooperate with a funnel.  FIG. 10  shows a funnel  900  in use with the sleeve  810 . The funnel  900  includes side walls  912  that are received within the width of the side walls  812  of sleeve  810 . The side walls  912  support a top piece  920 . The top piece  920  includes inwardly tapering side walls  922  that define a funnel channel through the funnel from a top opening  924  to a bottom opening that is located within the side walls  912 . To use the funnel, a bag  830  is located into the sleeve  810  in a similar manner as shown in  FIG. 8 . The funnel  910  is then coupled with the bag and the sleeve such that the side walls  912  are on the outside of the bag  830  and supported by the sleeve  810 . The tapering funnel channel  922  is located into the open end of the bag  830 .  FIG. 11  shows the bag  830  being filled with material, particularly liquid, through the funnel. The outer surface of the tapering funnel walls  922  engages the inner surface of the bag adjacent the bag opening, so that these surfaces of the bag are kept clean and clear of any filling material, enabling a cleaner and more efficient seal to be produced in the vacuum sealing process. Once the bag is filled, the funnel can be removed prior to placing the bag and sleeve into the vacuum chamber. 
     Different materials and foodstuffs can benefit from different environments in the sealing process. For example, cheese is best preserved in 100% carbon dioxide atmosphere, red meat requires a predominantly oxygen atmosphere with some carbon dioxide, while other foods such as pasta and vegetables require a predominantly nitrogen atmosphere with small amounts of oxygen and/or carbon dioxide. To this end, an embodiment of the vacuum chamber may be provided with means to modify the chamber atmosphere at the time the bag is sealed. A modified atmosphere embodiment is depicted schematically in  FIG. 12 . In this embodiment, an atmosphere source  1200  is connected to vacuum sealing device  100 . The atmosphere source may provide one or more gases. The gases may be single source gases, such as oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, etc. Alternatively, the gases may be pre-mixed gases. The atmosphere source may also include a mixer  1210  and control valve system  1210  for selectively mixing gases for supply to the vacuum sealing device. While the modified atmosphere source and mixer are shown as external components to the vacuum sealing device  100 , in alternative embodiments, the gas supplies may be housed within the device with integrated control electronics for controlling the supply of gas to the internal vacuum chamber. 
     To implement a modified atmosphere sealing process, a bag is loaded into the vacuum chamber of the device  100  in a manner as previously described herein. Air may then be pumped from the chamber. Next, a controlled atmosphere may be supplied into the chamber from the atmosphere source  1200 , either with mixing at the atmosphere source or at mixer  1210 . The controlled atmosphere in the vacuum chamber may be allowed to permeate for a required period of time, enabling displacement of any residual unwanted gases in the material in the bag. Finally, the controlled atmosphere is pumped from the chamber and the bag is sealed as previously described. 
     In one embodiment, the vacuum sealing device may be programmed with a marinade function. The marinade function may utilize the vacuum functions of the device  100  without implementing the sealing processes. Initially, a user may place meat or other food and a marinade in a bowl, places the bowl in the vacuum chamber and activates the marinade function. In the marinade function, the device operates the pumps to lower the pressure in the vacuum chamber. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that this causes pores in the food to open and for water to pass out of the meat. The low pressure is held for a period of time, e.g., 60 seconds. The device is then repressurized to one atmosphere which causes the marinade to be drawn into the food. In the repressurizing process, the air may be standard atmosphere or a modified atmosphere provided by the gas supply systems discussed above. The steps of evacuating and repressurizing may be performed any number of times, e.g. 4 cycles, to achieve the desired result. The marinaded food may then be stored or cooked. 
     In one embodiment, the vacuum sealing device may be programmed with a drying function. A drying function may be particularly useful for non-food items such as paper, flowers, electronics, etc. Here low pressure is held in the chamber which causes any water in the food or other material to “boil” or evaporate due to the low pressure. The pump may be cycled to removed accumulated vapor. A humidity sensor may be provided to provide an indicator of when the item is dry. 
     The vacuum packaging device may be used to vacuum package delicate materials such as fruit and berries. A cage or basket with an open top may be located inside the bag that gives the bag rigidity and prevents crushing of the delicate material when the bag is evacuated. The basket may include a rigid mesh, such as a metal wire or plastic mesh that enables air around and within the mesh to be removed. 
     The device  100  is depicted in the figures in a vertical orientation. In this orientation, the machine takes less counter space. The bottom wall includes support feet  51  for supporting the device on a surface. Similarly, the back wall includes support feet for supporting the device on a surface. This enables the device to also be used in a horizontal orientation. In the horizontal orientation, the control buttons will face the user, which may be preferable for some users. Indicia and buttons may be provided on the control panel that enable the indicia to be read when the device is used in either orientation. 
     An alternative embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 13 to 14 . As stated in the background section above, a typical known vacuum based domestic sealing system operates by sucking air from within a bag and then sealing the ends of the bag between two sealing bars. In some instances, these known devices provide an extension hose as an accessory so that the vacuum can be applied to other devices that do not require heat sealing, such as plastic food containers, jar sealers, bottle stoppers, and zipper bags. These devices can be made to interface with the hose to enable the devices to be vacuum sealed. 
     In the embodiment of the  FIGS. 13 to 14  the vacuum packaging device is modified to exclude the vacuum pump  50  and associated components. Instead, the vacuum chamber is modified to connect to an external source of vacuum via a vacuum port. An embodiment of an alternative vacuum packaging device  1300  is shown in  FIG. 13 . The device  1300  includes a canister body  1310 . The canister body  1310  may be plastic and in particular may be a transparent plastic. Each panel of the canister body may be transparent, or only some panels of the canister body  1310  may be transparent. In the depiction shown, the canister body is substantially an upright rectangular prism with a cutout formation  1314  in the front face  1312  of the canister. The cutout formation  1314  facilitates loading of bags within the canister. The angled internal top surface  1316  of the formation  1314  locates a sealing gasket  1318 . 
     The canister body  1310  receives a lid  1320 . The body  1310  and lid  1320  together define a vacuum chamber  1325 . The lid may be configured with a seal, gasket  1322  or similar to seal against the canister body. The lid has a user interface  1330  such as one or more control buttons and switches and a display screen. Alternatively, the user interface  1330  may include a touchscreen interface. The lid  1320  further includes a power cord  1326  for connecting to a power supply, such as a mains supply. Within the lid  1320  there may be control electronics such as a processor, memory, power control electronics and the like (not shown). The processor may execute programs to control the operations of the vacuum packaging device, including receiving inputs via the user interface, executing vacuum sealing programs and output results such as program status. 
     The lid  1320  may also include a port  1324  for receiving a vacuum hose  1328  of an external vacuum source. The port may provide a sealed connection with the vacuum hose. The port may extend through to the vacuum chamber  1325  such that vacuum applied at the port  1324  by an external vacuum source causes the chamber  1325  to be evacuated. 
     The lid  1320  may also include an electric seal bar  1340  with one or more electrically heated sealing wires for heat sealing bags. The seal bar  1340  may include a pivot  1342  that is operated by a handle that extends externally of the lid  1320 . The seal bar  1340  is mounted within the lid so that when the lid  1320  is correctly engaged with the canister body  1310  a gap  1346  exists between the seal bar  1340  and the sealing gasket  1318 . The gap  1346  is able to receive the free ends of a bag to be sealed. However, when the sealing bar is pivoted using the external lever, the sealing bar comes into proximity with the sealing gasket  1318  and heat seals the ends of the bag located therebetween. 
     To use the vacuum packaging device  1300 , food or other material is first placed in a bag and the bag is located in the chamber  1325  with the free ends of the bag passing through the gap  1346  between the sealing bar  1340  and the sealing gasket  1318 . The lid  1320  is placed on the chamber, thereby substantially sealing the vacuum chamber  1325 , and a vacuum hose  1328  from an external vacuum source is connected to the vacuum port  1324 . The vacuum pump of the external vacuum source is started and vacuum pressure is applied within the chamber  1325 . As for the previously described embodiments, an advantage of evacuating the entire chamber containing the bag is that any material within the bag, in particular liquids, receive vacuum pressure in all directions and thus are not drawn towards the open end of the bag where they could affect the quality of the subsequent sealing operation. When the appropriate pressure is reached, as may be indicated by a pressure sensor within the lid, or when the user determines by visual inspection through the canister body that sufficient evacuation has occurred, the user rotates the handle of the seal bar  1340  down to close and seal the bag. The external vacuum source may then be stopped and the vacuum chamber  1325  repressurized, allowing the lid  1320  to be removed and the sealed bag to be removed from within the canister  1310 . 
     The lid  1320  described herein is depicted as being wholly removable from the canister body  1310 . In alternative embodiments, the lid  1320  may be hinged to the canister body. 
     An alternative embodiment of the pivoting seal system  1500  is depicted in  FIGS. 15 and 16 . The pivoting seal system may be located within the lid of the vacuum packaging device  1300 . In this embodiment, the sealing system  1500  includes a heated sealing wire  1510  mounted on moving bar  1512 . A sealing gasket  1520  is located on a fixed bar  1522 . The moving bar  1512  is connected to a rod  1530  that is supported by eccentric cams  1532  at each end. The cams are received within similarly eccentric apertures  1534  of fixed end mounts  1536  that are connected to the fixed bar  1522 . A lever  1540  is connected at one end of the rod  1530 . 
     In the configuration depicted in  FIG. 15 , a gap  1546  is shown between the sealing wire  1510  and the gasket  1520 . The gap is able to receive the open end of a bag when a bag is mounted. When a sealing operation is required, the lever  1540  is rotated as shown in  FIG. 16 . As the rod  1530  rotates, the cams  1532  move within their apertures  1534 , causing downward movement of the moving bar  1512  and heating wire  1510  until the heating wire moves into proximity with the sealing gasket  1512  and sealing the layers of the bag located therebetween. 
     While a manually actuated lever is described, the lever may also be automatically actuated in alternative embodiments. 
       FIG. 17  schematically depicts the interaction between the vacuum packaging device  1300  and an external vacuum source  1700  including a vacuum pump  1710  and a vacuum tube  1712  connecting between the vacuum pump  1710  and the vacuum port  1324  located in the lid  1320  of the device  1300 . 
     As stated above, the vacuum packaging device  1300  may be powered through mains power. In one embodiment, the vacuum packaging device  1300  may alternatively include a power port  1360  that is able to receive power from an external source, such as the vacuum source  1700 . Similarly, the vacuum source  1700  may include a power supply  1720  that is able to provide power to the vacuum packaging device  1300 . An electrical supply cable  1722  may extend from the power supply  1720  to the electrical input port  1360  on the vacuum packaging device. 
     The external vacuum source  1700  may also include a controller  1770  that controls the vacuum packaging device  1300 . Additional conductors  1772  for conveying signals from the controller  1770  to the control electronics  1370  vacuum packaging device  1300  may be provided. The control electronics  1370  may include the previously described processor and memory of the vacuum packaging device. Alternatively, the external vacuum source  1700  and the vacuum packaging device  1300  may interface wirelessly. The controller  1770  allows the vacuum device  1700  to control the vacuum packaging device  1300 . For example, once the chamber within the canister body  1310  reaches a desired vacuum, a vacuum sensor located within the chamber  1325  defined by the canister body  1310  and lid  1320  (e.g. within the lid  1320 ) signals the controller, the controller then activates the close mechanism and then the seal bar. 
     In one embodiment, the vacuum tube  1712 , power cable  1722  and any signal conductors  1772  may be combined into a single utilities connection line to the vacuum packaging device  1300 . 
     By utilizing an external vacuum source, the vacuum packaging device can potentially be made light and more portable than other embodiments described herein. 
     A further embodiment of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 18 to 22 . In this embodiment, the lid may be made to operate independently of the canister body  1900 .  FIG. 18  shows an embodiment of a lid  1800 . The lid may have a lid housing  1810 . The lid housing may have a lower surface  1812  that defines a sealing surface. The sealing surface  1812  may be sized to engage a top edge  1901  of the canister and thereby define a sealing perimeter. The lid housing  1810  may have an inner projecting body portion  1820  that projects from the inner surface  1812  within the sealing perimeter. The inner projecting body portion  1820  is sized to be snugly received into the canister body  1900  ( FIG. 20 ). A circumferential seal  1808 , such as a rubber, nylon or polymer gasket, may be provided at the interface between the lower surface  1812  and the body portion  1820 . The inner projecting body portion  1820  supports the sealing station  1830 . The sealing station includes a heating wire and a clamping arrangement. The clamping arrangement may be actuated by a lever  1836 , or by automatic means, between an open and a closed configuration. The lever  1836  may be located at one end  1802  of the lid housing. In an open configuration, the sealing station includes a gap  1838  that is able to receive the open end of the bag. When the lever  1836  is rotated, the clamping mechanism is closed to clamp the ends of a bag. The heating wire may then be activated to heat seal the ends of the bag. 
     Each side  1804  of the lid may be considered a support surface that can be used to support the lid on the rim  1901  of the canister  1900 . The support surfaces  1804  may each include a set of ribs  184 ,  1816  that extend outwardly for a portion of the length of the side  1804 . The ribs  1814 ,  1816  define a gap  1818  between them. As shown in  FIG. 19 , a power cable  1842  and an auxiliary cable  1844  may extend from the end  1806  of the lid housing  1810 . The auxiliary cable  1844  may include a vacuum hose and/or communications and signaling lines. The vacuum hose  1844  may extend from a vacuum port  1848  located on the outside of the housing, i.e. outside of the sealing perimeter defined by the lower sealing surface  1812 . The auxiliary cable  1844  may include an end  1846  that connects to an external vacuum source. 
     The inner projecting body portion  1820  supports the sealing station  1830  within the sealing perimeter defined by the sealing surface  1812 . The sealing station  1830  may be surrounded by an air vent  1825 , or multiple air vents, that extend into the internal cavity of the housing. Air may there be drawn through these air vents into the housing and then exit via the vacuum port  1848 . 
     Shown in  FIG. 20 . the lid  1800  may be configured to be located on a canister body  1900 . In a closed configuration, the sealing surface  1812  rests on the top of the rim of the canister  1900 . In this closed configuration, the lid and the canister body define a chamber or sealed volume  1910  within the sealing perimeter. The sealing station protrudes into the chamber  1910  defined by the canister body and the lid. The circumferential seal  1808  provides a vacuum seal between the lid  1800  and the canister  1900 . Vacuum and sealing operations may be conducted in this configuration. The canister body  1900  may be at least partially transparent to enable a user to view any vacuum or sealing operations as they progress. 
     To facilitate loading of the bag, the lid  1800  may be rested on an upper lip or rim  1901  of the canister body  1900  in a sideways configuration using the ribs  1814 ,  1816  ( FIG. 21 ). That is, a side edge  1902  of the canister  1900  may be located in the gap  1818  between the ribs  1814 ,  1816 . In this configuration, the chamber volume is open and unsealed and the sealing station  1830  extends sideways, above the canister body  1900 . A user may provide a bag into the canister body. The bag may be pre-filled or the user may fill the bag once the bag is in the canister body. A funnel  1950  may optionally be located in the bag, after the bag is loaded into the canister  1900 , to facilitate filling of the bag (see  FIG. 22 ). The user may then pass the ends of the bag through the gap  1838  of the sealing station  1830  and rotate the lever  1836  to pinch or clamp the ends of the bag. The lid may then be lifted off the edge  1902  of the canister  1900  and placed on the canister body ( FIG. 20 ). The clamped ends of the bag will remain clamped as the lid is removed from its sideways position to its horizontal sealing position. A vacuum may then be applied to the canister body as described previously, e.g. through the auxiliary tube  1844 . Once a required vacuum point is reached, the sealing station may be activated to seal the ends of the bag. The sealing station may be activated manually, e.g. by pressing a button. The sealing station may be activated automatically, e.g. in response to the vacuum pump cutting off, or by a pressure sensor indicating that a required pressure has been achieved. The sealing station may also be activated by a control signal from the external vacuum source or other external control device. 
     A method for using the lid  1800  and container body  1900  to fill a bag will be described with reference to the flowchart  2300  of  FIG. 23 . At step  2302 , a bag is provided into the container. At step  2304 , the open end of the bag may be located into the sealing station of the lid  1800 . The lid may be supported on the container using the ribs during this operation, or the lid may be disposed in some other way. The open ends of the bag may be loosely clamped by the sealing station (step  2306 ). The lid may then be located on the container to seal the lid against the container with the bag inside the container (step  2308 ). Optionally, a vacuum may be applied prior to actuating the sealing station to heat seal the open end of the bag (step  2310 ). 
     The arrangement of  FIGS. 18-22  allows for the lid  1800  to be removed entirely from the canister body and used in isolation as a heat sealing device, i.e. without vacuum sealing. In one embodiment, the lid may be configured to operate upside down while resting on a tabletop with the sealing station projecting upwards. Pads or feet may be provided on the top housing surface  1811 , which provides a support surface, so that when the lid is placed upside down on a tabletop, the pads support the sealer on the table. The lever  1836  is disposed on the lid housing  1810  so that the lever can be operated without interference from the tabletop surface. Open ends of a bag may be passed into the gap of the upwardly projecting sealing station. The lever can be actuated to pinch the ends of the bag together. A button may activate the heating elements of the sealing device to invoke sealing of the bag. 
     The tabletop mode of the sealer allows a user to quickly seal a bag without evacuation. For example, the user might have an open bag of food that should not be vacuumed. If vacuum sealing is desired and the bag is fitted with a vacuum port, an external vacuum source may be connected to the bag while the bag is disposed in the sealer. The bag may be evacuated prior to pressing the sealing button on the lid. 
     While a rib arrangement has been shown for locating the lid onto the edge of the canister body  1900 , other arrangements may be apparent to the person skilled in the art. For example, the lid may include a detachable hinge that allows the lid to pivot on the canister body but also be easily removed therefrom. In an alternative embodiment the attachment may include a hook or similar mechanism on the lid and the upper edge of the canister may include a lip that supports the lid and hook mechanism, allowing the lid to rotate between open and closed positions on the canister body as well as allowing the lid to be easily removed from the canister. 
     The lid  1800  of  FIGS. 18-23  operates with an external vacuum source via the attachment hose  1844  connected to the external vacuum port  1848 . An alternative embodiment of the pump is depicted in  FIGS. 24-26 . In this embodiment, the lid  2400  is provided with an internal pump. The lid is configured for operation with a canister body  1900 , as described previously, or independently, i.e. in isolation of the lid, and can provide vacuum operations without external vacuum sources. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 24 and 25 , the pump  2400  includes the same sealing station  1830  as described previously for the embodiment of  FIG. 18 . In  FIG. 24 , the lid  24  is shown in an inverted configuration with the sealing station projecting upward. The lid housing  2410  defines an internal cavity  2412 . The lower surface  2414  of the lid housing  2410  (shown as the uppermost surface in  FIG. 24 ) may be a clear plastic to enable the user to see within the lid. Within the cavity  2412 , is a pump  2420 , vacuum solenoid  2424  and control circuit  2426 . Connected to the sealing station is a vacuum trough  2430 . The vacuum trough may define a second sealed volume in conjunction with the sealing station  1830 . When the ends of the bag are inserted through the gap  1838  in the sealing station  1830 , the ends become disposed in the vacuum trough  2430 . Vacuum may be selectively directed to either the vacuum trough  2430 , or to the canister, by selecting the position of the control selection knob  2440 . 
       FIG. 26  shows a vacuum diagram. The pump  2420 , which may be a double piston vacuum pump, is connected by a vacuum line  2436  to the solenoid  2424 . The solenoid  2424  has two outputs. A first output  2432  goes to the canister, e.g. through openings surrounding the sealing station as previously described, through other vents provided in the lower lid surface  2414 , through a hose connection through the lower lid surface  2414 , or by other means. The second output  2434  is connected by a sealed vacuum line to the vacuum trough  2430 . 
     The control selection knob  2440  may be a three-position switch. In a neutral position, the vacuum pump may be off. Turning the knob  2440  in a first direction, e.g. clockwise, may send a control signal via the control circuit  2426  to the solenoid  2424  to cause the vacuum to be directed to the vacuum trough  2430 . Turning the knob  2440  in a second direction, e.g. counter-clockwise, may send a control signal via the control circuit  2426  to the solenoid  2424  to cause the vacuum to be directed to the canister. Electronics within the control circuit  2426  may control the period of time for which the pump is operated prior to performing the sealing operation by the sealing station  1830 . The control electronics may receive pressure feedback from one or more sensors. 
     When the lid is used in isolation of the canister, a vacuum sealing operation may be performed by directing vacuum to the vacuum trough only so that air is drawn directly out of the bag opening, prior to sealing by the sealing station. When the lid is used in conjunction with a canister, a bag will be located substantially vertically in the canister so that its contents will be influenced by gravity towards the bottom of the bag. To vacuum seal the bag, vacuum can be directed to the canister volume and the vacuum trough so that the entire bag surroundings experience equal pressure. Thus, gravity will largely cause the contents of the bag to be retained in the bag while air is drawn out via the bag opening through the vacuum trough. 
     Although the description above contains many specifications, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the embodiments of this invention. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents rather than by the examples given.