WO2004033315B1

WO2004033315B1 - Appliance for vacuum sealing food containers

Info

Publication number: WO2004033315B1
Application number: PCT/US2003/031506
Authority: WO
Inventors: Justin C Patterson; Salvatore R Siano; Chi Kin John Mak
Original assignee: Holmes Group Inc
Priority date: 2002-10-04
Filing date: 2003-10-03
Publication date: 2004-08-26
Also published as: AU2003282678A8; WO2004033315A3; CA2501342A1; CA2501342C; WO2004033315A2; AU2003282678A1

Abstract

A system for evacuating containers (1). The system includes a base housing (2) defining a recess (16) having a vacuum inlet port (14) in communication with a vacuum source (15). An inner door (6) is hinged to the base housing (2) and is sized to cover the recess (16) when in a closed position, and an outer door (10) having a sealing member (5) is hinged to close over the inner door (6). A vacuum nozzle (8) extends at least partially between the inner and outer doors and is in communication with the recess (16). The inner and outer doors cooperate to retain a flexible container therebetween and around the nozzle (8) so that the nozzle (8) is positioned for fluid communication with an inside of the container. A removable drip pan (4) is positioned to retain fluids drawn by the nozzle (8).

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS[Received by the International Bureau on 09 June 2004(09.06.2004): original claims 1-48 are unchanged and claims 49-120 are new (23 pages)] Claims

1. (Original) A system for evacuating containers comprising: a base housing; a recess defined within said base housing, said recess defining a vacuum inlet port; a vacuum source located within said base housing and in fluid communication with said inlet port; inner door hinged to said base housing, said inner door sized to cover said recess when in a closed position; an outer door hinged to close over said inner door and including a heat sealing means mounted thereon; a vacuum nozzle extending at least partially between said inner and outer doors, said nozzle in communication with said recess; and wherein said inner and outer doors cooperate to retain a flexible container therebetween and around said nozzle so that said nozzle is positioned for fluid communication with an inside of said container.

2. (Original) The system of claim 1 wherein said nozzle further comprises a generally hollow tubular member that provides a guided flowpath between a top surface of said inner door and said recess.

3. (Original) The system of claim 2 wherein said nozzle is attached to said top surface of said inner door, and at least a portion of said nozzle extends over said door.

4. (Original) The system of claim 3 further comprising a plurality of elastomeric seals attached to said doors to engage said flexible container around said nozzle.

5. (Original) The system of claim 1 further comprising a removable drip pan resting in said recess and in communication with said vacuum source wherein said drip pan is configured to receive fluids and particles withdrawn from said container through said nozzle.

AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)

6. (Original) The system of claim 5 wherein said drip pan is sized to closely fit inside the contours of said recess.

7. (Original) The system of claim 6 wherein said drip pan defines an upper vacuum port upstanding from the bottom of said pan, and said drip pan defines an annular wall surrounding said pan.

8. (Original) The system of claim 7 wherein said pan further defines a lower connection port for connection to said vacuum inlet port within said recess.

9. (Original) The system of claim 8 further comprising a sealing member on one of said lower connection port and said vacuum inlet port for ensuring a sealed connection between said connection port and said inlet port.

10. (Original) The system of claim 6 wherein the vertical height of said upper vacuum port is less than the vertical height of said annular wall.

11. (Original) The system of claim 1 wherein said base housing further comprises a plastic bag roll and cutting assembly comprising: a removable rod fixably attached to said base housing for holding a plastic bag roll; and a cutting tool slidably attached to said base housing for cutting a plastic bag from said plastic bag roll.

12. (Original) The system of claim 11 wherein said cutting tool is removable from said base housing.

13. (Original) The system of claim 1 wherein said base housing further comprises a status display consisting of a series of lights informing a user of current said system operations.

14. (Original) The system of claim 1 further comprising a wall mounting assembly to fixably attach said base housing to a fixed object.

AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)

15. (Original) The system of claim 1 wherein the vacuum source further comprises: an electric motor having a shaft; a cylinder member mounted to said motor, said cylinder defining a cylindrical chamber; a motor eccentric wheel connected to the shaft of said electric motor; a pump piston, pivotally connected at a first end of said pump piston to said motor eccentric wheel; a pump piston passageway defined within said pump piston to allow air flow into a bottom side of said pump piston and out a side of said pump piston; and means for directing air flow into said cavity chamber and through said pump piston passageway.

16. (Original) The system of claim 15 wherein said means for directing air flow further comprises at least one air break mounted to an end of said pump piston.

17. (Original) The system of claim 1 further comprising a pressure sensor mounted within said base and fluidly connected to said vacuum inlet port in said recess, said pressure sensor also in electrical communication with circuitry for controlling said motor and said heat sealing means.

18. (Original) The system of claim 17 wherein said pressure sensor further comprises: a sensor housing forming a sensor chamber and defining an airflow inlet; a pressure piston slidably mounted within said sensor chamber, a portion of said pressure piston carrying electrically conductive material; a spring biasing said pressure piston toward said airflow inlet; at least one terminal pin including conductive material extending into said chamber adjacent said airflow inlet; and wherein said pressure piston is movable against said spring upon a preset level of airflow received through said airflow inlet.

AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)

19. (Original) The system of claim 1 wherein said nozzle further comprises a bent tubular structure having reinforcing members extending along sides of said nozzle.

20. (Original) The system of claim 1 further comprising a canister interface for providing fluid communication between said vacuum source and a container located remotely from said base housing.

21. (Original) An apparatus for evacuating and sealing a plastic bag, said apparatus comprising: a base housing; a vacuum source mounted within said housing; a removable drip pan resting in said base and in communication with said vacuum source; a nozzle extending at least partially over said pan in communication with said vacuum source; a pair of doors hingeably mounted to said base housing and surrounding said nozzle for engaging said bag when an opening of said bag is positioned around said nozzle; and a heating element mounted on one of said doors for heat-sealing said bag.

22. (Original) The apparatus of claim 21 further comprising an elongated vacuum recess defined in a top surface of said base housing, said vacuum recess having fluid connection to said vacuum source.

23. (Original) The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said vacuum recess further comprises a vacuum intake opening.

24. (Original) The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said vacuum recess is sized to accommodate said drip pan, and said drip pan further comprises a coupling extending downwardly therefrom for removable, sealed engagement with said vacuum intake opening.

25. (Original) The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said pair of doors further comprises a first door adapted to sealably cover said vacuum recess and drip pan.

26. (Original) The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said nozzle further comprises a flexible plastic, and said nozzle is mounted to an upper side of said first door, said nozzle communicating with an underside of said door and extending forwardly from said door.

27. (Original) The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said pair of doors further comprises a second door adapted to cover said first door and said nozzle, said second door configured to press said nozzle toward said first door and to downwardly press said first door over said recess.

28. (Original) The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said nozzle further comprises at least one reinforcing member extending from a side of said nozzle to reinforce said nozzle structure.

29. (Original) The apparatus of claim 27 further comprising a plurality of elastomeric seals attached to said doors to engage said flexible container around said nozzle.

30. (Original) The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said drip pan defines an upper vacuum port upstanding from the bottom of said pan, and said drip pan defines an annular wall surrounding said pan.

31. (Original) The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the vertical height of said upper vacuum port is less than the vertical height of said annular wall.

32. (Original) The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said base housing further comprises a plastic bag roll and cutting assembly comprising: a removable rod fixably attached to said base housing for holding a plastic bag roll; and a cutting tool slidably attached to said base housing for cutting a plastic bag from said plastic bag roll.

AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)

33. (Original) The apparatus of claim 32 wherein said cutting tool is removable from said base housing.

34. (Original) The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said base housing further comprises a status display consisting of a series of lights informing a user of current said system operations.

35. (Original) The apparatus of claim 21 further comprising a wall mounting assembly for fixably attaching said base housing to a fixed object.

36. (Original) The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the vacuum source further comprises: an electric motor having a shaft; a cylinder member mounted to said motor, said cylinder defining a cylindrical chamber; a motor eccentric wheel connected to the shaft of said electric motor; a pump piston, pivotally connected at a first end of said pump piston to said motor eccentric wheel; a pump piston passageway defined within said pump piston to allow air flow into a bottom side of said pump piston and out a side of said pump piston; and means for directing air flow into said cavity chamber and through said pump piston passageway.

37. (Original) The apparatus of claim 36 wherein said means for directing air flow further comprises at least one air break mounted to an end of said pump piston.

38. (Original) The apparatus of claim 21 further comprising a pressure sensor mounted within said base and fluidly connected to said vacuum inlet port in said recess, said pressure sensor also in electrical communication with circuitry for controlling said motor and said heat sealing means.

39. (Original) The apparatus of claim 38 wherein said pressure sensor further comprises:

AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) a sensor housing forming a sensor chamber and defining an airflow inlet; a pressure piston slidably mounted within said sensor chamber, a portion of said pressure piston carrying electrically conductive material; a spring biasing said pressure piston toward said airflow inlet; at least one terminal pin including conductive material extending into said chamber adjacent said airflow inlet; and wherein said pressure piston is movable against said spring upon a preset level of airflow received through said airflow inlet.

40. (Original) The apparatus of claim 21 further comprising an interface for providing fluid communication between said vacuum source and a container located remotely from said base housing.

41. (Original) A system for evacuating containers comprising: a base housing; a recess defined within said base housing, said recess defining a vacuum inlet 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 mounted to one of said clamping doors, wherein doors may cooperate to retain said flexible container around a portion of said nozzle while allowing said nozzle to be positioned for fluid communication with an inside of said container and isolate said container from ambient; and adaptor means removably connectable to said vacuum source, said adaptor means configured to attach to standard mason jar-type containers and lids of accessory containers having valve means mounted therein.

42. (Original) The system of claim 41 wherein said adaptor means further comprises: an exterior casing defining a cup-like interior region and an annular lip around an opening of said interior region;

AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) a generally annular rubber gasket mounted on an interior perimeter of said interior region adjacent said lip, said gasket having an annular flange extending radially inwardly and outwardly from said lip to define an annular gasket recess, said annular flange sized to receive the mouth of a standard mason jar; a hollow vacuum pole extending downwardly from an upper portion of said interior region of said casing to allow airflow from said interior region of said casing to said exterior of said casing; and means for fluidly connecting vacuum pole to said vacuum source.

43. (Original) The system of claim 42 wherein said vacuum pole contacts a lid of said mason jar when said mouth of said jar is placed within said annular lip of said casing.

44. (Original) The system of claim 42 wherein said annular gasket recess is deformable to allow a substantially hermetic fit between said flange of said gasket and said mouth.

45. (Original) The system of claim 41 wherein said lid of accessory containers further comprises: a central recess defined in said lid; at least one central recess passageway located within said central recess able to sustain an air flow from an upper side of said canister lid to a lower side of said canister lid; a piston assembly mounted for reciprocal movement within said central recess; at least one piston passageway defined within said piston assembly capable of sustaining air flow through said piston assembly; a piston pipe configured to retain said piston within said central recess; and a knob configured to rotate said piston assembly via said piston pipe to align said at least one central recess passageway and said at least one piston passageway to allow air to pass through said central recess and out of said container and lid.

AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)

46. (Original) The system of claim 45 further comprising a plate spring embracing said piston pipe at a first end and said knob at a second end wherein said plate spring biases said knob into a position such that said at least one piston passageway does not align with said at least one central recess passageway.

47. (Original) An evacuable lid and container combination comprising: a container having an open mouth; a lid adapted to cover said open mouth to define an enclosable chamber, said lid defining a central recess therewithin; at least one central recess passageway located within said central recess able to sustain an air flow from an upper side of said canister lid to a lower side of said canister lid; a piston assembly mounted for reciprocal movement within said central recess; at least one piston passageway defined within said piston assembly capable of sustaining air flow through said piston assembly; a piston pipe configured to retain said piston within said central recess; and a knob configured to rotate said piston assembly via said piston pipe to align said at least one central recess passageway and said at least one piston passageway to allow air to pass through said central recess and out of said enclosable chamber.

48. (Original) 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;

AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) 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 around 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.

49. (New) An apparatus for evacuating a plastic bag, said apparatus comprising: a base housing; a vacuum source mounted within said base housing; a recess defined in said base housing and in communication with said vacuum source; a removable drip pan resting in said recess and configured to align with at least a portion of an open end of said bag; and at least one door hingeably mounted to said base housing and closable over said drip pan.

50. (New) The apparatus of claim 49 wherein said drip pan defines a fluid- retaining area on a top portion thereof.

51. (New) The apparatus of claim 49 wherein said at least one door is configured to engage said bag when an opening of said bag is aligned with said drip pan.

52. (New) The apparatus of claim 49 further comprising a vacuum port in communication with said vacuum source.

AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)

53. (New) The apparatus of claim 52 wherein said vacuum port upstands from a bottom of said recess.

54. (New) The apparatus of claim 52 wherein said drip pan further defines a vacuum opening, said vacuum opening being engageable with said vacuum port.

55. (New) The apparatus of claim 49 wherein said drip pan is in fluid communication with a vacuum inlet.

56. (New) The apparatus of claim 49 further comprising a heating element mounted to said at least one door to interface with said base housing for heat- sealing said bag.

57. (New) The apparatus of claim 49 wherein said recess is elongated in shape.

58. (New) The apparatus of claim 57 wherein said drip pan comprises an outer periphery that is configured to closely fit within said recess.

59. (New) The apparatus of claim 58 wherein said fluid-retaining area of said drip pan has an outline shape closely corresponding to that of said outer periphery.

60. (New) The apparatus of claim 49 wherein said removable drip pan is made of a cleanable material.

61. (New) The apparatus of claim 49 wherein said removable drip pan is replaceable.

62. (New) The apparatus of claim 49 wherein said at least one door comprises a first door hinged to said base housing to cover said recess and to cooperate with said base housing to retain said bag therebetween when in a closed position, and a second door containing a heat sealing means thereon, said second door covering said first door when in a closed position.

AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)

63. (New) A method of evacuating a flexible plastic container, said method comprising the steps of: providing an appliance comprising a base housing, a vacuum source mounted within said housing, at least one door hingeably mounted to said base, and a recess defined in said base housing and in communication with said vacuum source; placing a removable drip pan into said recess; placing an open end of said plastic container at least partially into said removable drip pan; closing said at least one door to engage a portion of said plastic container between said door and said base; operating said vacuum source to remove air from said container; and removing said drip pan from said recess.

64. (New) The method of claim 63 further comprising the step of heat sealing said container after said step of operating said vacuum source.

65. (New) The method of claim 64 further comprising the step of retaining liquid from said container within said drip pan.

66. (New) The method of claim 63 wherein said drip pan further comprises a liquid retaining area defined thereon.

67. (New) The method of claim 63 further comprising the step of cleaning said drip pan after removing said drip pan from said recess.

68. (New) The method of claim 63 further comprising the step of placing said drip pan back into said recess.

69. (New) A system for evacuating containers comprising: a base housing; a recess defined within said base housing, said recess defining a vacuum inlet;

AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) a vacuum source located within said base housing and in fluid communication with said inlet; at least one door hinged to said base housing, said at least one door sized to cover said recess and to cooperate with said base housing to retain a flexible container therebetween when in a closed position, said at least one door containing a heat sealing means mounted thereon; and a removable drip pan resting in said recess and in communication with said vacuum source wherein said drip pan is configured to receive fluids and particles withdrawn from said flexible container.

70. (New) The system of claim 69 wherein said at least one door comprises a first door hinged to said base housing to cover said recess and to cooperate with said base housing to retain said flexible container therebetween when in a closed position, and a second door containing a heat sealing means thereon, said second door covering said first door when in a closed position.

71. (New) The system of claim 69 wherein said drip pan is sized to closely fit within the contours of said recess.

72. (New) The system of claim 71 wherein said drip pan defines an upper vacuum port upstanding from the bottom of said pan, and said drip pan defines an annular wall.

73. (New) The system of claim 72 wherein said pan further defines a lower connection to said vacuum inlet.

74. (New) The system of claim 73 further comprising a sealing member on one of said lower connection port and said vacuum inlet for ensuring a sealed connection between said connection port and said inlet.

75. (New) The system of claim 74 wherein the vertical height of said upper vacuum port is less than the vertical height of said annular wall.

76. (New) The system of claim 69 wherein said drip pan is replaceable.

AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)

77. (New) The system of claim 69 wherein said drip pan is made of a cleanable material.

78. (New) An apparatus for evacuating and sealing a plastic bag, said apparatus comprising: a base housing; a vacuum source mounted within said housing; a removable drip pan resting in an upper portion of said base housing and in communication with said vacuum source; and at least one door hingeably mounted to said base housing wherein said at least one door cooperates with said base housing to retain said plastic bag when said at least one door is in a closed position.

79. (New) The apparatus of claim 78 wherein said drip pan is replaceable.

80. (New) The apparatus of claim 78 wherein said drip pan is made of a cleanable material.

81. (New) The apparatus of claim 78 wherein the at least one door comprises an inner door hingeably mounted to said base to cooperate with said base housing to retain said plastic bag and to cover said removable drip pan when in a closed position, and an outer door hingeably attached to said base housing to cover said inner door when in a closed position.

82. (New) A removable drip pan for a vacuum-sealing apparatus containing a vacuum inlet mounted in a base, said removable drip pan comprising: a fluid-retaining recess defined within said pan; an annular wall surrounding at least said recess; an upper vacuum port upstanding from the bottom of said pan and positioned within the area surrounded by said annular wall; and a lower connection in communication with said vacuum port, said lower connection defined on a bottom of said drip pan for providing removable fluid communication between said lower connection and said vacuum inlet.

AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)

83. (New) The removable drip pan of claim 82 wherein said drip pan is replaceable.

84. (New) The removable drip pan of claim 82 wherein said drip pan is made of a cleanable material.

85. (New) A method for evacuating a flexible container, said method comprising the steps of: isolating an open end of said flexible container from ambient air in a vacuum sealing appliance, said container holding an amount of liquid; activating a vacuum source within said vacuum sealing appliance to evacuate said container and draw a portion of said liquid into a removable drip pan positioned in said vacuum sealing appliance, said drip pan defining a recessed area for receiving said liquid; activating a heat sealing means mounted on said vacuum sealing appliance to seal said container; removing said flexible container from said vacuum sealing appliance; and removing said removable drip pan from said vacuum sealing appliance.

86. (New) The method of claim 85 further comprising the step of cleaning said drip pan after removal.

87. (New) The method of claim 85 further comprising the step of placing said drip pan back into said vacuum sealing appliance.

88. (New) An apparatus for evacuating and sealing a plastic bag, said apparatus comprising: a base housing providing means to isolate an open end of said plastic bag from ambient air, said plastic bag holding an amount of liquid; a vacuum source mounted within said housing to draw air from the interior of said plastic bag; and

AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) a removable drip pan resting in said base housing and in communication with said vacuum source to prevent said liquid from entering said vacuum source.

89. (New) The apparatus of claim 88 wherein the means for isolating an open end of said plastic bag from ambient air comprises at least one door hingeably attached to said base.

90. (New) The apparatus of claim 89 wherein the at least one door comprises a first door hingeably attached to said base housing to cooperate with said base housing to retain said plastic bag, and a second door hingeably attached to said base housing to isolate an open end of said plastic bag from ambient air.

91. (New) In a method for evacuating a flexible container, of the type wherein said flexible container holding an amount of liquid is placed within a vacuum sealing appliance; a vacuum source within said vacuum sealing appliance is activated to evacuate said container and draw a portion of said liquid into an elongated recess positioned within said vacuum sealing appliance; and a heat sealing means mounted on said vacuum sealing appliance seals said container, the improvement comprising: collecting said liquid in a removable drip pan positioned in said vacuum sealing appliance in said recess, said drip pan defining an open area for receiving said fluid; and removing said drip pan for cleaning after said heat sealing means seals said container.

92. (New) An improved vacuum-sealing appliance of the type having a base housing; a vacuum source mounted within said base housing; means on said base housing for securing a flexible container, said container holding an amount of liquid; and a top-open recess for collecting a portion of said amount of liquid, wherein the improvement comprises a removable drip pan positionable within said recess for collecting said portion of said amount of liquid.

93. (New) The improved vacuum-sealing appliance of claim 92 wherein said removable drip pan comprises:

AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) a fluid-retaining recess defined within said drip pan; an annular wall surrounding at least said recess; an upper vacuum port upstanding from the bottom of said drip pan and positioned within the area surrounded by said annular wall; and a lower connection in communication with a vacuum inlet on said vacuum-sealing appliance, said lower connection defined on the bottom of said drip pan for providing removable fluid communication between said lower connection and said vacuum inlet. ,

94. (New) The improved vacuum-sealing appliance of claim 92 wherein said drip pan is replaceable.

95. (New) The improved vacuum-sealing appliance of claim 92 wherein said drip pan is made of a cleanable material.

96. (New) An apparatus for evacuating a plastic bag, said apparatus comprising: a base housing; a vacuum source mounted within said base housing; a recess defined in said base housing and in communication with said vacuum source; a removable drip pan resting in said recess; and at least one door hingeably mounted to said base housing and closable

97. (New) The apparatus of claim 96 wherein the at least one door comprises an inner door hingeably mounted to said base to cover said removable drip pan when in a closed position, and an outer door hingeably attached to said base housing to cover said inner door when in a closed position.

98. (New) The apparatus of claim 98 further comprising a vacuum nozzle extending at least partially between said inner and outer doors, said nozzle in communication with said recess.

AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)

99. (New) The evacuable lid and container combination of claim 47 wherein said at least one central recess passageway comprises two central recess passageways.

100. (New) The evacuable lid and container combination of claim 47 wherein said at least one piston passageway comprises two piston passageways.

101. (New) The evacuable lid and container combination of claim 47 wherein said at least one central recess passageway and said at least one piston passageway are matching.

102. (New) The evacuable lid and container combination of claim 47 wherein said piston assembly comprises a piston ring and a rubber piston.

103. (New) The evacuable lid and container combination of claim 102 wherein said rubber piston is made of elastomeric material.

104. (New) The evacuable lid and container combination of claim 47 wherein said piston assembly is closely confined within said piston passageway by sidewalls of said passageway.

105. (New) The evacuable lid and container combination of claim 47 wherein said piston assembly may move upwardly or downwardly within said central recess.

106. (New) The evacuable lid and container combination of claim 47 wherein said piston assembly is cylindrical.

AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)

107. (New) The evacuable lid and container combination of claim 47 wherein said piston assembly contains at least one tab extending upward from said piston assembly.

108. (New) The evacuable lid and container combination of claim 47 wherein said knob contains at least one finger extending downwardly from said knob.

109. (New) The evacuable lid and container combination of claim 108 wherein said at least one finger contacts said piston assembly.

110. (New) The evacuable lid and container combination of claim 47 wherein said piston pipe contains at least one stop member to stop the rotation of said knob.

111. (New) The evacuable lid and container combination of claim 47 further comprising a spring placing a rotary bias on said knob.

112. (New) The evacuable lid and container combination of claim 111 wherein said rotary bias is in a counterclockwise direction.

113. (New) The evacuable lid and container combination of claim 111 wherein said spring embraces said knob and said piston pipe.

114. (New) A valve assembly comprising: a central recess chamber;

AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) at least one central recess passageway defined within said central recess chamber, said at least one central recess passageway capable of sustaining an airflow between a lower side and an upper side of said valve assembly; a piston assembly resting within said central recess chamber such that said piston assembly is able to rotate within said central recess chamber; at least one piston assembly passageway capable of sustaining an airflow through said piston assembly; a piston pipe adjacent said central recess chamber to hold said piston assembly within said central recess chamber; and a knob mounted rotatably to said valve assembly and adjacent said piston assembly such that rotation of said knob creates rotation in said piston assembly within said central recess chamber, resulting in alignment of said central recess passageway and said piston assembly passageway, creating an airflow through said central recess passageway and said piston assembly passageway.

115. (New) The valve assembly of claim 114 further comprising a spring placing a rotary bias on said knob.

116. (New) A method for creating a vacuum within an evacuable lid and container combination comprising: placing a vacuum source over an evacuable lid containing a canister lid valve assembly comprising: a central recess chamber; at least one central recess passageway defined within said central recess chamber, said at least one central recess passageway able to

AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) sustain an airflow between a lower side and an upper side of said canister lid valve assembly; a piston assembly resting within said central recess chamber such that said piston assembly is able to rotate within said central recess chamber; at least one piston assembly passageway capable of sustaining an airflow through said piston assembly; a piston pipe adjacent said central recess chamber to hold said piston assembly within said central recess chamber; and a knob mounted rotatably to said lid valve assembly and adjacent said piston assembly such that rotation of said knob creates rotation in said piston assembly within said central recess chamber, resulting in alignment of said central recess passageway and said piston assembly passageway, creating an airflow through said central recess passageway and said piston assembly passageway; creating a vacuum within said canister lid valve assembly to move said piston assembly away from said at least one central recess passageway; drawing air from an interior of said container up through said at least one central recess passageway and out of said canister lid valve assembly; creating a vacuum within the interior of said container resulting in said piston assembly moving toward and obstructing said at least one central recess passageway to seal the interior of said container from ambient air; and allowing ambient air into said canister lid valve assembly to secure said piston assembly against said at least one central recess passageway.

117. (New) The method of claim 116 further comprising:

AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) rotating said knob to align said central recess passageway and said piston assembly passageway to allow ambient air into the interior of said container.

118. (New) An appliance for evacuating a flexible container, said appliance comprising: a base housing; a vacuum source mounted within said base housing; a recess defined in said base housing and in communication with said vacuum source; a removable drip pan resting in said recess wherein said drip pan is made of a cleanable material; and at least one door hingeably mounted to said base housing and closable over said drip pan.

119. (New) The appliance of claim 118 wherein said drip pan is replaceable.

120. (New) An apparatus for evacuating and sealing a plastic bag, said apparatus comprising: a base housing; a vacuum source mounted within said base housing; a removable, cleanable drip pan resting in said base and in communication with said vacuum source; a nozzle extending at least partially over said drip pan in communication with said vacuum source;

AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) a pair of doors hingeably mounted to said base housing and surrounding said nozzle for engaging said bag when an opening of said bag is positioned around said nozzle; and a heating element mounted on one of said doors for heat-sealing said bag.

AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)