Method and appratus for vacuum sealing

Abstract

A vacuum sealing apparatus has an inlet portion and an intermediate portion. The inlet portion is adapted to couple to, or insert into, a container to be vacuum sealed. The intermediate portion connects to a vacuum source, such as an in-house vacuum system. When the vacuum source is active, air is drawn in through the inlet portion. The vacuum sealing apparatus may also have a contamination filter disposed therein that substantially impedes contaminants from entering the vacuum source. In another configuration, the vacuum sealing apparatus is self-contained and includes a dedicated vacuum source.

1 . A device for facilitating vacuum sealing, said device comprising: 
 an elongated air inlet nozzle, said nozzle having a tubular end configured to be inserted into a resealable container, said nozzle further comprising a lumen extending therethrough;    a hollow intermediate section having a first port and a second port, said first port of said intermediate section configured to communicate with a vacuum source, and said second port of said intermediate section being in communication with said nozzle lumen;    an actuator configured to activate said vacuum source; and    an inline contamination filter disposed in a location between said tubular end of said nozzle and said first port of said intermediate section, wherein said contamination filter is configured to permit air flow through said nozzle lumen and said intermediate section, and wherein said contamination filter is further configured to substantially impede contaminants from entering said vacuum source through said tubular end of said nozzle.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the vacuum source comprises a central in-house vacuum system.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said contamination filter comprises a hydrophilic material.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said contamination filter comprises a labyrinth of narrow passageways.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said intermediate housing further comprises a collection chamber.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein said contamination filter is located downstream of said collection chamber.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said nozzle is pivotably coupled to said intermediate section.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein said actuator comprises a switch configured to activate said vacuum source.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein said nozzle is configured to actuate said switch when said nozzle is positioned in a substantially downward direction.  
   
   
       10 . An apparatus for use in vacuum sealing, said apparatus comprising: 
 an intermediate portion having a first port and a second port, said first port configured to communicate with a vacuum source;    an elongated air inlet portion having a tubular end, a connector end and a lumen extending therebetween, wherein said connector end of said air inlet portion is coupled to said intermediate portion such that said lumen of said air inlet portion is in communication with said second port; and    an actuator configured to activate said vacuum source, said actuator being located between said tubular end of said elongated air inlet portion and said first port of said intermediate portion, said actuator being operably coupled to said elongated air inlet portion such that movement of said elongated air inlet portion in a first direction actuates said actuator.    
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  further comprising a contamination filter disposed in at least one of said intermediate portion and said elongated air inlet portion.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said vacuum source comprises a vacuum pump.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said vacuum source comprises a central in-house vacuum system.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said actuator is configured to deactivate said vacuum source when said elongated air inlet portion is moved in a second direction after being moved in said first direction, wherein said second direction is opposite said first direction.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said actuator comprises an electrical switch.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said first movement is in a substantially downward direction.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said first movement comprises rotation of said elongated air inlet portion with respect to said intermediate portion.  
   
   
       18 . A system for facilitating vacuum sealing, said system comprising: 
 an air inlet portion, said air inlet portion having a tubular end configured for insertion into a handheld container, said air inlet portion further comprising a lumen extending therethrough;    an actuator configured to activate a vacuum source, said actuator being operably connected to said air inlet portion such that movement of said air inlet portion in a first direction actuates said actuator; and    an intermediate section comprising: 
 a first port configured to communicate with said vacuum source;  
 a second port in communication with said lumen of said inlet portion;  
 a collection chamber disposed between said first port and said second port; and  
 a mounting plate configured to attach said intermediate section to a substantially planar surface.  
   
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said actuator is configured to deactivate said vacuum source when said air inlet portion is moved is a second direction substantially opposite said first direction.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 18  further comprising said vacuum source.  
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 20  further comprising an outer housing substantially surrounding said vacuum source and said intermediate section.