Patent ID: 7726104

Claim:
A vacuum packaging system comprising: a housing for engaging a platen and enclosing a cavity therebetween; a vacuum system for evacuating fluid from the cavity; a bag retainer for securing a position of a bag within the cavity, wherein the bag retainer defines an engagement surface and is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein, when the bag retainer is in the engaged position, the engagement surface is in engagement with a wall of the bag so as to secure the position of the bag within the cavity, and wherein the bag retainer includes a plurality of recesses formed adjacent the engagement surface, and wherein, when the bag retainer is in the engaged position and the vacuum system is operated to evacuate fluid from the cavity, the wall of the bag is deformed into the recesses so as to enable evacuation of fluid from within the bag; a cutter positioned proximate the bag retainer for severing a terminal end of the bag, the cutter having a blade movable between an extended position and a retracted position, and wherein the blade includes an edge configured for engaging and severing the terminal end of the bag when the blade is moved to the extended position prior to operation of the vacuum system, and wherein the blade further comprises one or more openings spaced from the edge by a solid portion of the blade such that the openings in the blade are in fluid communication with the recesses in the engagement surface of the bag retainer to provide a flow path that enables the fluid to pass from the bag and through the one or more openings in the blade and into the cavity; and a sealer for sealing the bag after evacuation of the bag by operation of the vacuum system.