Vacuum hose storing device

Abstract

A method and apparatus for vacuum hose management is illustrated and described. In one embodiment, the invention is an apparatus for use with a vacuum appliance. The apparatus includes a hose having a first end and a second end. The apparatus also includes a holding component coupled to the hose. The holding component is tension mounted to a housing of the vacuum appliance. The holding component has a first and a second position, the first position corresponding to the hose within the housing, and the second position corresponding to the hose partially outside the housing. The apparatus also includes a connector connected to the second end of the hose, the connector sized larger than an opening in the housing through which the hose is threaded. The holding component may be a wheel mounted on an arm, with the arm rotatably coupled to the housing through a pivot and a spring.

1 - 53 . (canceled)  
     
     
         54 . An attachable hose storage apparatus for storing a vacuum hose for use with a home vacuum packaging appliance, the attachable hose storage apparatus comprising: 
 means for storing a vacuum hose; and    means for attaching said attachable hose storage apparatus to a working surface.    
     
     
         55 . The attachable hose storage apparatus of  claim 54 , wherein said means for storing a vacuum hose is a spool shaped mechanism around which said vacuum hose may be wrapped.  
     
     
         56 . The attachable hose storage apparatus of  claim 54 , wherein said means for attaching said attachable hose storage apparatus is a mechanical attachment device.  
     
     
         57 . The attachable hose storage apparatus of  claim 54 , wherein said working surface is a surface of a home vacuum packaging appliance.  
     
     
         58 . The attachable hose storage apparatus of  claim 54  wherein said working surface is a surface of kitchen counter or wall.  
     
     
         59 . A vacuum packaging appliance capable of convenient storage of a vacuum hose, said vacuum packaging appliance comprising: 
 a hood having an underside that is only exposed when said hood is open; and    a hose storage management system built into said underside of said hood.    
     
     
         60 . The attachable hose storage apparatus of  claim 56 , wherein said mechanical attachment device is a hooking mechanism.  
     
     
         61 . The attachable hose storage apparatus of  claim 56 , wherein said mechanical attachment device is at least one pair of mating snaps such that a first snap of said at least one pair of mating snaps is attached on said working surface and a second snap of said at least one pair of mating snaps is located on said attachable hose storage apparatus.  
     
     
         62 . The attachable hose storage apparatus of  claim 54 , wherein said means for attaching said attachable hose storage apparatus is an attachment pad.  
     
     
         63 . The attachable hose storage apparatus of  claim 62 , wherein said attachment pad is double-sided tape.  
     
     
         64 . The attachable hose storage apparatus of  claim 62 , wherein said attachment pad is velcro.  
     
     
         65 . The attachable hose storage apparatus of  claim 57 , wherein said means for storing a vacuum hose is a spool shaped mechanism around which said vacuum hose may be wrapped, and wherein said means for attaching said attachable hose storage apparatus is a mechanical attachment device.  
     
     
         66 . The attachable hose storage apparatus of  claim 65 , wherein said mechanical attachment device is a hooking mechanism.  
     
     
         67 . The attachable hose storage apparatus of  claim 65 , wherein said mechanical attachment device is at least one pair of mating snaps such that a first snap of said at least one pair of mating snaps is located on said working surface and a second snap of said at least one pair of mating snaps is located on said attachable hose storage apparatus.  
     
     
         68 . The attachable hose storage apparatus of  claim 57 , wherein said means for storing a vacuum hose is a spool shaped mechanism around which said vacuum hose may be wrapped, and wherein said means for attaching said attachable hose storage apparatus is an attachment pad.  
     
     
         69 . The attachable hose storage apparatus of  claim 68 , wherein said attachment pad is double-sided tape.  
     
     
         70 . The attachable hose storage apparatus of  claim 68 , wherein said attachment pad is velcro.  
     
     
         71 . The vacuum packaging appliance of  claim 59 , wherein said hose storage management system comprises one or more clamps attached to said underside of said hood and a vacuum hose spool, attached to said one or more clamps, wherein said vacuum hose is stored by wrapping said vacuum hose around said vacuum hose spool.  
     
     
         72 . A method for storing a vacuum hose in a vacuum packaging appliance, said method comprising: 
 opening a hood of a vacuum packaging appliance;    storing said vacuum hose using a hose storage management system coupled to an underside of said hood exposed by opening said hood; and    closing said hood.    
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 72 , wherein said hose storage management system comprises one or more clamps attached to said underside of said hood and a vacuum hose spool, attached to the one or more clamps, wherein said vacuum hose is stored by wrapping said vacuum hose around said vacuum hose spool.