Seal bar assembly

Abstract

The present invention is a seal bar for use in connection with a vacuum packaging machine, the seal bar being actuated by an air bladder and moved over floating guide shafts. The guide shafts provide the primary electrical connection to the seal bar, thereby eliminating the need for a direct electrical connection to the seal bar.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A seal bar assembly comprising: 
 a seal bar;    a heating wire extending across the seal bar;    the seal bar being mounted on at least two guide shafts, the guide shafts having electrical wire connection on the ends of the shafts opposing the seal bar; and    an air bladder for actuating the seal bar.    
     
     
         2 . The seal bar assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said seal bar is mounted on the guide shafts by thumb screws.  
     
     
         3 . The seal bar assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a cutting blade is attached to the seal bar.  
     
     
         4 . The seal bar of  claim 1 , wherein at least on of the guide shafts further include return springs.  
     
     
         5 . A vacuum packaging apparatus for use in evacuating the air in an open package and sealing the evacuated package, the apparatus comprising: 
 a chamber for receipt of a package to be evacuated, said chamber having a lid and a base;    a vacuum pump for evacuating the air in the chamber;    a seal bar assembly, said seal bar assembly having a seal bar with a heating wire extending across the seal bar, the seal bar being mounted on at least two guide shafts, the guide shafts having electrical wire connection on the ends of the shafts opposing the seal bar and being mounted to the chamber in a position that will allow the seal bar to seal the evacuated package; and    an air bladder for actuating the seal bar so that seal bar may be extended toward the package to seal the package.    
     
     
         6 . The vacuum packaging machine of  claim 1 , wherein the seal bar is mounted to the lid of the chamber.  
     
     
         7 . The vacuum packaging machine of  claim 1 , wherein the seal bar is mounted to the base of the chamber.  
     
     
         8 . The vacuum packaging machine of  claim 1 , wherein the seal bar has at least two arms rotatably connected to the seal bar and extending therefrom, the opposing ends of each arm connected to the chamber.