Vacuum packaging apparatus

Abstract

A vacuum packaging apparatus includes a main body including a vacuum pump; and a chamber-forming part disposed in the main body and having a lower chamber body, an upper chamber body that is disposed over the lower chamber body, a chamber that is formed between the upper chamber body and the lower chamber body. The chamber includes a rear side that is configured to open when the upper chamber body covers the lower chamber body. The chamber also includes a foldable member that is configured to close the rear side of the chamber and couple the upper chamber body to the lower chamber body such that the upper chamber body pivots to the lower chamber body, the foldable member having an intake coupled to the vacuum pump.

1 . A vacuum packaging apparatus comprising:
 a main body including a vacuum pump; and   a chamber-forming part disposed in the main body and having a lower chamber body, an upper chamber body that is disposed over the lower chamber body, a chamber that is formed between the upper chamber body and the lower chamber body,   wherein the chamber includes:
 a rear side that is configured to open when the upper chamber body covers the lower chamber body, and 
 a foldable member that is configured to close the rear side of the chamber and couple the upper chamber body to the lower chamber body such that the upper chamber body pivots to the lower chamber body, the foldable member having an intake coupled to the vacuum pump. 
   
   
   
       2 . The vacuum packaging apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the lower chamber body has a lower seat configured to receive a packaging bag, a lower chamber surface that is recessed at a rear portion of lower seat as a portion of the chamber, and a lower end that is formed at a rear end of the lower chamber surface, below the lower seat,
 the upper chamber body has an upper seat that is formed to face the lower seat, an upper chamber surface that is recessed at a rear portion of the upper seat as a portion of the chamber, and an upper end that is formed at a rear end of the upper chamber surface, above the upper seat, and   the foldable member is configured to connect the lower end with the upper end.   
   
   
       3 . The vacuum packaging apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the lower end or the upper end, or both protrude toward the center of the chamber. 
   
   
       4 . The vacuum packaging apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a sealing member disposed at a front portion and first and second sides of the chamber to seal the chamber.   
   
   
       5 . The vacuum packaging apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the sealing member includes a lower sealing member disposed in the lower chamber body and an upper sealing member disposed in the upper chamber body. 
   
   
       6 . The vacuum packaging apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the sealing member further includes an intermediate sealing member disposed at a connecting portion of the lower sealing member and the upper sealing member, and
 the lower sealing member, the upper sealing member, and the intermediate sealing member are integrally formed.   
   
   
       7 . The vacuum packaging apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the sealing member further includes an intermediate sealing member disposed between the lower sealing member and the upper sealing member,
 the intermediate sealing member is thicker and wider than the lower sealing member, and   the intermediate sealing member is thicker and wider than the upper sealing member.   
   
   
       8 . The vacuum packaging apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the sealing member is disposed in sealing member seats formed on the lower chamber body and the upper chamber body. 
   
   
       9 . The vacuum packaging apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the chamber-forming part further includes hinges provided at sides of the lower chamber body and the upper chamber body such that the upper chamber body is pivotably joined to the lower chamber body, and
 the foldable member is provided between the hinges.   
   
   
       10 . The vacuum packaging apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the lower chamber body, the upper chamber body, and the foldable member are individual parts. 
   
   
       11 . The vacuum packaging apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the foldable member is fixed to a first end of the lower chamber body and a second end of the upper chamber body, the foldable member being formed of an elastic member. 
   
   
       12 . The vacuum packaging apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the lower chamber body, the upper chamber body, and the foldable member are integrally formed. 
   
   
       13 . The vacuum packaging apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the lower chamber body and the upper chamber body gradually decrease in thickness toward the foldable member. 
   
   
       14 . The vacuum packaging apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the main body includes a body provided with the chamber-forming part and a cover pivoting to cover the body, and
 the upper chamber body is configured to be closed by the cover pivoting.   
   
   
       15 . The vacuum packaging apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the chamber-forming part is separable from the main body. 
   
   
       16 . The vacuum packaging apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the lower chamber body has a heating unit disposed at the rear portion of the chamber to seal a packaging bag by heating, and
 the upper chamber body has a pressing member disposed on the lower side of the upper chamber body to press the packaging bag against the heating unit.