Patent ID: 7003928

Claim:
A method for evacuating a flexible container, said method comprising the steps of: providing a vacuum sealing appliance comprising: a base housing; a recess defined within said base housing, said recess defining a vacuum inlet port; a drip pan positioned within said recess and over said vacuum inlet port for preventing liquid from entering said port; a vacuum source located within said base housing and in fluid communication with said inlet port; a pair of clamping doors hingeably mounted to said base housing, said doors configured to cover said recess and retain a flexible container therebetween; vacuum nozzle means in communication with said vacuum source; and heat sealing means mounted to at least one of said clamping doors; placing an open end of said flexible container over a portion of said vacuum nozzle means, said container holding an amount of liquid; closing said pair of clamping doors over said recess to engage said container aroung said nozzle and cover said recess; activating said vacuum source to evacuate said container and draw a portion of said liquid into said nozzle; collecting said portion of said liquid in said drip pan; and activating said heat sealing means to seal said container.