KR20050012179A - Clamps, systems and methods for evacuating and hermetically sealing bags - Google Patents

Abstract

Clamps, systems and methods for emptying and sealing bags with inner regions and open ends. In one embodiment, the clamp includes a first clamp portion with a first chamber portion and a second chamber portion with a second chamber portion. The second clamp portion is movable between the release position and the clamp position. When the second clamp portion is in the clamp position, the first and second chamber portions form a vacuum chamber for removing gas from the bag. The clamp further includes a valve provided by the first or second clamp portion to control the flow of gas entering and exiting the vacuum chamber.

Description

CLAMPS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR EVACUATING AND HERMETICALLY SEALING BAGS}

The present invention relates to a vacuum packaging. More specifically, the present invention relates to clamps, systems and methods for emptying and sealing a container.

Vacuum packaging removes air or other gases from the storage container and then seals the container so that the contents are not exposed to air. Vacuum packaging is particularly useful for protecting food and other perishables. Oxygen is a major cause of food decay and allows bacteria, fungi and yeast to grow. Thus, vacuum packaged food often lasts three to five times longer than food stored in conventional containers. Moreover, vacuum packaging is useful for storing garments, photographs, silver and other items while preventing discoloration, corrosion, rust and discoloration. In addition, vacuum-packed packages are compact, strong and dense, reducing the size of the article and allowing more space for other supplies.

1A and 1B are schematic perspective views of a conventional device 80 according to the prior art for vacuum packaging an object 79. The vacuum packaging device 80 includes a base 82, a cover 90 pivotally coupled to the base, a lower trough 84, an upper trough (not shown) aligned with the lower trough 84, and And a vacuum pump (not shown) operably coupled to the upper trough. The lid 90 has an open position (shown in FIG. 1B) where the bag 70 can be located between the cover 90 and the base 82 and the bag 70 can be emptied and heat sealed (FIG. 1A). Pivot between closed positions (shown in FIG. In the closed position, the trough and the lower trough 84 form a vacuum chamber to remove gas inside the bag 70. Base 82 includes a seal 85 surrounding the vacuum chamber to seal the vacuum chamber from outside air while gas is removed from the interior of bag 70. The vacuum packaging device 80 also includes a heating element 88 which heat seals the bag 70 after the gas is discharged.

Conventional vacuum packaging bags include two panels bonded to one another and open at one end. Typically, each panel comprises two or more layers. The inner layer may be a heat sealable material and the outer layer may be a gas impermeable material that blocks the ingress of air. The firing temperature of the inner layer is lower than that of the outer layer. Thus, the bag can be heated to seal the bag by heat bonding the inner layer without melting or piercing the outer layer of each panel during the heat seal cycle.

In the conventional vacuum packaging process, the object 79 is placed in the bag 70 and the open end 71 of the bag 70 is positioned near the lower trough 84 of the vacuum packing device 80. The lid 90 is then pivoted down to form a vacuum chamber around the open end 71 of the bag 70. The vacuum pump then removes gas from the interior of the vacuum chamber and the bag 70 in fluid communication therewith. After the gas is removed from the interior of the bag 70, the heating element 88 heats the strip of the bag 70 adjacent to the open end 71 to melt the inner layer of each panel to heat seal the bag 70.

Conventional vacuum packaging methods suffer from the inability to reseal and reopen heat sealed bags many times. More specifically, the heat sealed bag is opened by cutting the bag under the seal. The bag can then be resealed, but each time the bag is reopened, a portion of the bag must be cut. As another problem with conventional vacuum methods, the bag must have at least two layers having different firing temperatures. The firing temperature of each layer should be different so that the inner layers are heated and adhered to each other without the perforation or melting of the outer layers of the panel. Bags with panels with two different layers are expensive and complex to manufacture. Therefore, there is a need to improve the vacuum packaging process of bags.

1A and 1B are schematic perspective views of a conventional apparatus according to the prior art for vacuum packaging an object.

2 is a schematic perspective view of a system according to a first embodiment of the present invention for emptying and sealing a bag;

3 is a schematic enlarged side view of a portion of the bag of FIG. 2.

4 is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing that the first and second clamp portions of the clamp of FIG. 2 are in the clamp position.

5 is a schematic perspective view of a clamp according to another embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing the first and second clamp portions of the clamp of FIG. 5 in a clamp position.

7 is a schematic perspective view of a clamp according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing the first and second clamp portions of the clamp of FIG. 7 in a clamp position.

9 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating the clamp of FIG.

10 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a system according to another embodiment of the present invention for emptying and sealing a bag.

A. Overview

The present invention relates to clamps, systems and methods for emptying and sealing bags. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are provided in a particular clamp configuration so that the present invention may be fully understood and embodiments described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details set forth in the following description. In other instances, well-known structures and operations are not shown or described in detail in order to avoid obscuring features of the present invention.

A feature of the invention relates to a clamp for substantially emptying and sealing a bag having an inner region and an open end. In one embodiment, the clamp comprises a first clamp portion with a first chamber portion and a second clamp portion with a second chamber portion. The second clamp portion is movable relative to the first clamp portion between the release position and the clamp position. When the second clamp portion is in the clamp position, the first and second chamber portions form a vacuum chamber for removing gas from the bag. The clamp includes a valve provided in the first or second clamp portion to control the flow of gas entering and exiting the vacuum chamber. As a feature of this embodiment, the first clamp portion is pivotally coupled to the second clamp portion. Alternatively, the first clamp portion may further comprise a slot, the second clamp portion having dimensions and shapes that slide at least partially into the slot. As another feature of this embodiment, the clamp further includes a seal coupled to the first or second clamp portion. The seal surrounds the vacuum chamber.

In another embodiment, the clamp includes a first clamp portion with a recess and a second clamp portion with a surface to receive the open end of the magnetic domain. The second clamp portion is shaped to selectively engage the first clamp portion such that the surface and the recess form a vacuum chamber. The vacuum chamber is shaped to be in fluid communication with the inner region of the bag when the open end of the bag is received in the vacuum chamber. The clamp further includes a valve provided in the first or second clamp portion to control the flow of gas entering and exiting the vacuum chamber. As a feature of this embodiment, the valve is a one-way valve that allows gas in the interior region of the bag to be discharged from the vacuum chamber. The clamp may further include a release valve coupled to the first or second clamp portion to selectively allow gas to flow from the ambient environment into the vacuum chamber. Another feature of the invention relates to a system for sealing a bag having an inner region and an open end. In one embodiment, a clamp having a first chamber portion and a second chamber portion is included. The second chamber portion is movable relative to the first chamber portion between the discharge position and the clamp position. The first and second chamber portions form a vacuum chamber, which is in fluid communication with the inner region of the bag when the second chamber portion is in the clamp position and the open end of the bag is received in the vacuum chamber. The system includes a valve provided in the first or second chamber portion to control the flow of gas into and out of the vacuum chamber, an exhaust line coupleable to the valve and a coupler coupled to the exhaust line to remove the gas from the interior area of the vacuum chamber and bag. It further comprises a vacuum pump.

Another aspect of the invention is directed to a method of clamping a bag with a clamp. The bag has an open end and an inner region, and the clamp has a first clamp portion and a second clamp portion. In one embodiment, the sealing method includes clamping a portion of the bag with the first and second clamp portions to seal the bag with the open end of the bag received in the vacuum chamber formed by the first and second clamp portions. . The vacuum chamber is in fluid communication with the inner region of the bag and sealed from the external environment. The method further includes removing gas from the vacuum chamber and the interior region of the bag and storing the clamped and sealed bag with a clamp.

B. Embodiment of a System for Emptying and Sealing Bags

2 is a schematic perspective view of a system 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention for emptying and sealing a bag 170 containing an object 179 (shown in dashed lines). In the illustrated embodiment, the system 100 includes a clamp 110 for attaching the bag 170, a vacuum pump 180 (shown schematically) and a clamp 110 for removing gas from the bag 170. An exhaust line 198 that couples to the vacuum pump 180. The vacuum pump 180 may be a standalone device or part of a larger device. For example, a vacuum sealing device such as the device described in US Pat. No. 4,941,310, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, may include a vacuum pump coupled to clamp 110.

The clamp 110 includes a first clamp part 120 and a second clamp part 140 movably coupled to the first clamp part 120 to seal the bag 170. In the illustrated embodiment, the first clamp portion 120 is pivotally coupled to the second clamp portion 140 by a hinge 118. Accordingly, the first clamp portion 120 is clamped with the release position (shown in FIG. 2) where the bag 170 can be positioned between the first and second clamp portions 120, 140 and the bag 170 is clamped. It pivots against the second clamp portion 140 between the clamp positions (shown in FIG. 4) which may be sealed.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first clamp portion 120 includes a recess 124 in the inner surface 130 that receives the inner surface 130 and the open end 171 of the bag 170. The recess 124 includes a bottom 126 and a plurality of sidewalls 128. The recess 124 has a generally constant depth and a length L corresponding to the width W of the bag 170. More specifically, the length L of the recess 124 is larger than the width W of the bag 170 so that the open end 171 of the bag 170 can be partially received therein. In other embodiments, the depth may vary depending on the depth L and / or width of the recess 124. The first clamp portion 120 of the illustrated embodiment further includes a seal 132 attached to the inner surface 130. Seal 132 surrounds recess 124 to seal the vacuum chamber of clamp 9210. The seal 132 may be made of an elastomer or other flexible material to form a seal around the bag 170 when the bag 170 is positioned between the first and second clamp portions 120, 140. In one embodiment, the seal 132 and the first clamp portion 120 are made of food-safe and washable material so that the clamp 110 can be used in a bag containing food.

In the illustrated embodiment, the second clamp portion 140 includes an inner surface 150 and a recess 144 in the inner surface 150. The recess 144 includes a bottom surface 146 and a plurality of sidewalls 148, and the recess of the first clamp portion 120 when the first and second clamp portions 120 and 140 are in the clamp position. Aligned with 124. The second clamp part 140 further includes a sealing part 152 attached to the inner surface 150 and surrounding the recess 144. The recess 124 and the sealing part 132 of the first clamp part 120 form the first chamber part 122, and the recess 144 and the sealing part 152 of the second clamp part 140. Forms a second chamber portion 142. When the first and second clamp portions 120, 140 are in the clamped position, the first and second chamber portions 122, 142 may be vacuum chamber 112 to remove gas from the interior region 172 of the bag 170. ).

In another embodiment, the first clamp portion 120 and / or the second clamp portion 140 may not include a recess. For example, in one embodiment, the inner surface 9150 of the second clamp portion 140 may not include the recessed portion 144, such that the sealing portion 152 and the inner surface 150 have the second chamber portion 142. ). In further embodiments, the first chamber portion 120 and / or the second chamber portion 140 may not include seals or may further include seals of other shapes. In another embodiment, the clamp 110 is removable within one of the recesses 124, 144 to collect liquid and other material that is removed with gas in the interior region 172 of the bag 170. It may further comprise a trough. In further embodiments, the vacuum chamber may be independent of the first and second clamp portions 120, 140. For example, the vacuum chamber may be formed by a separate member disposed inside or positioned outside the first and second clamp portions 120 and 140.

The clamp 110 of the illustrated embodiment further includes a valve 160 (shown schematically) in fluid communication with the recess 144 and the exhaust line 198 to control the flow of gas into and out of the vacuum chamber 112. Include. The valve 160 may be disposed between the outer edge 154 and the recess of the second clamp portion 140 or may be provided in the first or second clamp portions 120, 140 at another position. In further embodiments, the valve 160 may be spaced outside the clamp 110 but still remain in fluid communication with the vacuum chamber 112. In these embodiments, valve 160 may be a one-way valve such that vacuum pump 180 may draw gas out of vacuum chamber 112 but gas may not flow from ambient environment into vacuum chamber 112. In another embodiment, the valve 160 is a vacuum chamber from the ambient environment such that the first and second clamp portions 120, 140 easily pivot from the clamp position to the discharge position, as will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. (112) may optionally be allowed to flow inside. 3 is an enlarged schematic side view of a portion of the bag 170 of FIG. 2 with the side panels pressed against each other. 2 and 3, the bag 170 includes a first panel 273 and a second panel 274 opposite thereto. The first and second panels 273 and 274 define an interior region 172 in which the object can be located. In the illustrated embodiment, panels 273 and 274 each have a first layer 276 of gas impermeable material. Panels 273 and 274 may optionally further include a second layer 277 (shown in dashed lines) that increases the strength and rigidity of bag 170. The second panel 274 also includes a plurality of intersecting channels 275 that discharge gas from the interior region 172 of the bag 170 when the panels 273, 274 are pressed against each other as shown in FIG. do. Thus, when clamp 110 is in the clamped position and bag 170 is sandwiched between first and second clamp portions 120, 140, the gas passes through channel 275 to interior region 172 of bag 170. ) Can be discharged. However, clamp 110 may be used for a bag that does not include a channel or has a different shape. For example, clamp 110 may be used in a bag comprising a plurality of layers, such as those disclosed in US Pat.

4 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the clamp 110 with the first and second clamp portions 120, 140 in the clamp position. When the open end 171 of the bag 170 is located close to the recess 124, the second clamp part 140 pivots in the S1 direction so that the bag 170 is disposed between the first and second clamp parts 120 and 140. ) Is caught. A portion of the seals 132, 152 adjacent the bag 170 presses and deforms the bag 170 to seal the vacuum chamber 112 from the surrounding environment. Since the inner region 172 of the sacks 170 is in fluid communication with the vacuum chamber 112, the vacuum pump 180 (of FIG. 2) causes gas to flow through the vacuum chamber 112 and the inner regions 172 of the sacks 170. I can extract it. After vacuum pump 180 (of FIG. 2) empties or evacuates vacuum chamber 112 and interior region 172, exhaust line 198 (of FIG. 2) is disconnected from clamp 110 and clamp ( 110 and bag 170 may be stored.

In one aspect of this embodiment, the clamp 110 is likely to stay in the clamp position after the inner region 172 of the bag 170 and the vacuum chamber 112 are emptied due to the pressure difference between the clamp 110 and the outside. More specifically, since the ambient pressure outside the clamp 110 is greater than the pressure inside the vacuum chamber 112, an external force is required to pivot the first and second clamp portions 120, 140 from the clamp position to the discharge position. Do. In another embodiment, such as the embodiment described below with reference to FIG. 5, the clamp 110 may include a fastening mechanism for selectively fastening the first and second clamp portions 120 and 140 to the clamp position.

The clamp of the illustrated embodiment is characterized by the ability to repeatedly seal and open the bag without consuming or damaging the bag. This feature is advantageous in that the life of the bag is significantly increased and thus the cost associated with bag replacement is reduced. Conventional devices heat seal the bags by joining the inner layers of the panels together. Opening a heat sealed bag requires cutting the bag, which damages and consumes part of the bag. Therefore, heat sealed bags have a limited lifetime and must be replaced frequently.

Another feature of the clamp of the illustrated embodiment is to seal the bags of single layers and the bags of multiple layers. This feature has the advantage that the clamp can be used on a wide variety of bags. In many conventional devices, the bag must have at least two layers having at least different firing temperatures so that the outer layer is not damaged and the inner layer can be heat sealed. These bags with multiple layers are more expensive and complex to manufacture.

C. Another embodiment of the clamp

5 is a schematic perspective view of a clamp 310 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The clamp 310 is generally similar to the clamp 110 described above with reference to FIGS. For example, the clamp 310 includes a first clamp portion 320 and a second clamp portion 340 pivotally coupled thereto. In the present embodiment, the first clamp portion 320 is the recess 124, the sealing portion 132 and the user to the open end 171 of the bag 170 (Fig. 2) the first and second clamp portion And guide rails 334 to assist with proper placement between 320 and 340. The guide rail 334 includes a first portion 336 attached to the bottom 126 of the recess 124 and a second portion 338 protruding from the first portion 336. The first portion 336 may be disposed generally perpendicular to the bottom 126, and the second portion 338 may be disposed generally perpendicular to the first portion 336. During operation, the user places the open end 171 of the bag 170 relative to the first portion 336 of the guide rail 334 when the first and second clamp portions 320, 340 are in the clamp position. The open end 171 may be arranged inside the vacuum chamber 312. Accordingly, the guide rail 334 places the bag 170 in a position where the open end 171 is sandwiched between the seals 132 and 152 so that the inner region 172 of the bag 170 is vacuum chamber ( To prevent fluid communication with 312). In other embodiments, the clamp 310 may not include guide rails or may include guide rails of other shapes.

The clamp 310 of the illustrated embodiment further includes a fastening device 364 for selectively fastening the first and second clamp portions 320, 340 to the clamp position. The fastening device 364 includes a support member 366 attached to the first clamp portion 320 and an engagement member 368 protruding therefrom. The support member 366 may be made of a flexible material to be bent around the first and second clamp portions 320 and 340 (as shown in FIG. 6) to fasten the clamp 310 to the clamp position. The second clamp portion 340 has a side wall 341 with a recess 369 for receiving the engagement member 368. Recess 369 and engagement member 368 may be dimensioned and shaped to form a friction fit that selectively engages clamp 310. In other embodiments, the clamp 310 may not have a fastening device or the fastening device may have a different shape. For example, the fastening device may have a strap with a button, loop or Velcro.

The clamp 310 may further include a discharge valve 362 (shown schematically) provided in the second clamp portion 340, which discharges ambient air into the vacuum chamber 312. And the first and second clamp portions 320 and 340 can be easily moved from the clamp position to the discharge position. As described above, when gas is discharged from the vacuum chamber 312, the external pressure of the clamp 310 becomes greater than the internal pressure of the vacuum chamber 312. Because of the pressure difference, significant force is required to move the first clamp portion 320 relative to the second clamp portion 340. By flowing ambient air into the vacuum chamber 312 to reduce or eliminate the pressure differential, the force required to move the first and second clamp portions 320, 340 from the clamp position to the discharge position can be reduced. In other embodiments, clamp 310 may not include discharge valve 362 or valve 160 may function as a release valve.

6 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of clamp 310 with first and second clamp portions 320, 340 in a clamp position. After the open end 171 of the sacks 170 is positioned relative to the guide rail 334, the second clamp portion 340 is sandwiched between the first and second clamp portions 320, 340. Pivot in the S2 direction. Some of the seals 132, 152 adjacent the bag 170 compress and seal the vacuum chamber 312 from the surrounding environment. Once bag 170 is clamped, gas is removed from interior region 172 and fastening device 364 fastens clamp 310 to the clamped position. To fasten the clamp 310, the support member 366 pivots in the direction D3 to fit the engagement member 368 into the recess 369 of the second clamp portion 340, and the bag 170 is the engagement member. It bends as it fits between 368 and recessed 369.

7 is a schematic perspective view of a clamp 410 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention used to empty and seal a bag. The clamp 410 includes a first clamp portion 420 and a second clamp portion 440 slidably engaged with the first clamp portion 420. The first clamp portion 420 extends into the first recess 424 extending into the first clamp portion 420 in the first direction and into the first clamp portion 420 in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction. An elongated second recess 425. The first recess 424 is a slot having a dimension and a shape for receiving the bag, and the second recess 425 is a slot having a dimension and a shape for receiving the second clamp portion 440.

8 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of clamp 410 with first and second clamp portions 420 and 440 in the clamp position. The first clamp portion 420 includes a surface 426 at the bottom of the second recess 425 that forms the first chamber portion 422. The second clamp part 440 includes a bottom surface 450 and a sealing part 452 attached thereto. The bottom surface 450 and the sealing portion 452 form the second chamber portion 442. The first and second chamber portions 422, 442 suitably form a vacuum chamber 412 for removing gas from the interior region 172 of the bag 170. The first clamp portion 420 further includes a hole 427 at the bottom of the second recess 425 to remove gas from the vacuum chamber 412. A valve similar to the valve 160 described above with reference to FIG. 2 may be coupled to the aperture 427 to control the flow of gas into and out of the vacuum chamber 412.

9 is a flow chart describing one method of operating the clamp 410. 8 and 9, in the first step 500, the open end 171 of the bag 170 is inserted through the first recess 424 to be positioned inside the second recess 425. In the second step 502, the second clamp portion 440 is slid into the second slot 425 in the direction S3 to sandwich the bag 170 between the first and second clamp portions 420 and 440. A portion of the seal 450 in contact with the bag 170 is modified to seal the vacuum chamber 412 from the surrounding environment. In step 3 504, gas is removed from the vacuum chamber 412 and the interior region 172 of the bag 170 through the aperture 427. In step 506, once the gas is removed, the sealed and clamped bag 170 and clamp 410 may be stored. In step 508, the bag 170 is opened by moving the second clamp portion 440 from the clamp position to the discharge position to use the contents of the bag 170 later.

In further embodiments, the clamp 410 may include a fastening device to fasten the second clamp portion 440 to the clamp position. For example, the second clamp portion 440 may have a tapered shape in which the upper portion 441 has a larger width than the lower portion 443 so as to form a friction fit in the second slot 425. In another embodiment, the second clamp portion 440 may include a handle so that a user can easily remove the second clamp portion 440 from the second slot 425.

D. Examples of Vacuum Packaging Devices Used for Clamps

10 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a system 600 according to another embodiment of the present invention for emptying and sealing the bag 17. In the illustrated embodiment, the system 600 includes a clamp 610 and a vacuum packaging device 680 (shown schematically) that detachably receives the clamp 610 and emptyes the bag 170. The vacuum packaging device 680 may be generally similar to the device 80 described above with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B. For example, the vacuum packaging device 680 may include a base 682, a lid 690 pivotally coupled to the base 682, a lower trough 684 in the base 682, and an upper trough in the lid 690. 691 and a vacuum pump 692 (shown schematically) in fluid communication with the lower and / or upper troughs 684, 691. The vacuum packaging device 680 may further include a lower seal 685 surrounding the lower trough 684 and an upper seal 693 surrounding the upper trough 691.

The cover 690 can move between an open position and a closed position (shown in FIG. 10) in which the clamp 610 can be placed within the device 680. When cover 690 is in the closed position, lower and upper troughs 684 and 691 form a vacuum chamber, which can be emptied, ie, evacuated, by vacuum pump 692. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower and upper troughs 684, 691 have dimensions and shapes to receive the clamp 610. Lower trough 684 may include a plurality of support members 689 (individually labeled 689a and 689b) that support clamp 610. In other embodiments, the vacuum packaging device 680 may have another shape to detachably receive the clamp 610 or other clamp.

In the illustrated embodiment, the clamp 610 is generally similar to the clamp 410 described above with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. For example, the clamp 610 may include a first clamp portion 620, a second clamp portion 640 slidably engaged with the first clamp portion 620, and a seal attached to the clamp portion 640. A portion 652 is included. When the second clamp part 640 is engaged with the first clamp part 620, the sealing part 652 and the first and second clamp parts 620 and 640 remove the gas from the inside of the bag 170. 612 is formed. In this embodiment, the first and second clamp portions 620, 640 have dimensions and shapes that are received in the lower and / or upper troughs 684, 691 of the vacuum packaging device 680.

The clamp 610 further includes a one-way valve 660 (shown schematically) provided in the first clamp portion 620 and in fluid communication with the vacuum chamber 612. One-way valve 660 allows gas to flow from vacuum chamber 612 to lower trough 684. Thus, when the clamp 610 is located in the vacuum chamber of the vacuum packaging device 680, the vacuum pump 692 may remove the gas from the inside of the bag 170. In other embodiments, the clamp 610 may have other shapes, including shapes similar to the clamp 110 described above with reference to FIG. 2.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, as described above, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is limited only by the appended claims.

The clamp of the present invention is characterized in that the bag can be repeatedly sealed and opened without consuming or damaging the bag, which significantly increases the life of the bag and thus reduces the costs associated with bag replacement. In addition, the systems and methods of the present invention have substantially the same advantages.

Claims (59)

A clamp for substantially emptying and sealing a bag having an inner region and an open end, A first clamp portion having a first chamber portion; A second clamp portion having a second chamber portion and movable relative to the first clamp portion between an ejection position and a clamp position, wherein the first and second chamber portions open the gas when the second clamp portion is in the clamp position; The second clamp portion, at least partially forming a vacuum chamber for removal from the bag via a stage; And And a valve provided in the first or second clamp part to control the flow of gas discharged from the vacuum chamber. The method of claim 1, The first clamp portion is pivotally coupled to the second clamp portion; The first chamber portion includes a first recess portion and the second chamber portion includes a second recess portion, wherein the first and second recess portions partially form the vacuum chamber; The valve is a one-way valve that allows gas to escape from the vacuum chamber; The clamp further includes a first seal coupled to the first clamp portion and a second seal coupled to the second clamp portion, wherein the first and second seals surround the vacuum chamber. clamp. The method of claim 1, The first clamp part further includes a first slot extending into the first clamp part in a first direction and a second slot extending into the first clamp part in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction. A first slot intersects with a second slot and receives an open end of the bag, the second slot having a first surface that forms part of the vacuum chamber; The second chamber portion has a second surface shaped to slide into the second slot and forms part of the vacuum chamber, the second surface juxtaposed with the first surface when the second clamp portion is in a clamp position ( Iii); The clamp further comprises a seal associated with the first or second surface, the seal surrounding the vacuum chamber. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the first clamp part is pivotally coupled to the second clamp part. The method of claim 1, The first clamp portion further comprises a slot; And the second clamp portion has a dimension and a shape that slides at least partially into the slot. The clamp of claim 1, further comprising a seal coupled to the first or second clamp, wherein the seal surrounds the vacuum chamber. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the valve is a one-way valve that allows gas to escape from the vacuum chamber. The method of claim 1, The valve is a one-way valve allowing gas in the bag to be discharged from the vacuum chamber; The clamp further comprises a discharge valve coupled to the first or second clamp portion such that gas can selectively flow from the ambient environment into the vacuum chamber such that the second clamp portion easily moves from the clamp position to the discharge position. Characterized by a clamp. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the vacuum chamber is shaped to be in fluid communication with an interior region of the bag and sealed from an ambient environment when the second chamber portion is in a clamp position. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the first chamber portion comprises a first recess and the second chamber portion includes a second recess. The clamp of claim 1, further comprising a fastening device coupled to at least one of the first and second clamp portions to selectively fasten the second clamp portion to a clamp position. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the first clamp portion further comprises a guide rail to easily and properly position the open end of the bag within the first chamber portion. The clamp of claim 1 wherein said clamp is reusable. The clamp of claim 1 wherein said clamp is washable. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the clamp is safe for use in foodstuffs. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the clamp has a dimension and a shape that is received in a vacuum packaging device. A clamp for substantially emptying and sealing a bag having an inner region and an open end, A first clamp portion; A second clamp portion movable relative to the first clamp portion between a discharge position and a clamp position; A vacuum chamber for removing gas from the bag through the open end when the second clamp portion is in a clamp position; And A valve provided in the first or second clamp part to control a flow of gas discharged from the vacuum chamber, And the first and second clamp portions are shaped to clamp the bag when the second clamp portion is in the clamp position. 18. The clamp as claimed in claim 17 wherein the vacuum chamber is shaped to be sealed from an ambient environment when the second clamp portion is in the clamp position. 18. The clamp of claim 17 wherein the first clamp portion is pivotally coupled to the second clamp portion. 18. The clamp as claimed in claim 17 wherein the clamp has a dimension and a shape that is received in a vacuum packaging device. A clamp for substantially emptying and sealing a bag having an inner region and an open end, A first clamp portion; A second clamp portion movable relative to the first clamp portion between a discharge position and a clamp position; A vacuum chamber for removing gas from the bag through the open end when the second clamp portion is in a clamp position; And A valve operatively coupled to the vacuum chamber to control the flow of gas exiting the vacuum chamber, And the first and second clamp portions are shaped to clamp the bag when the second clamp portion is in a clamp position. The clamp of claim 21, wherein the vacuum chamber is shaped to be sealed from an ambient environment when the second clamp portion is in a clamp position. 22. The clamp of claim 21 wherein said first clamp portion is pivotally coupled to said second clamp portion. A clamp for substantially emptying and sealing a bag having an inner region and an open end, A first clamp portion having a recess for receiving the open end of the bag; A second clamp portion shaped to selectively engage the first clamp portion such that one surface at least partially forms a vacuum chamber with the recess; A valve provided in the first or second clamp part to control a flow of gas discharged from the vacuum chamber, And the vacuum chamber is shaped to be in fluid communication with the inner region of the bag when the open end of the bag is received in the vacuum chamber. 25. The clamp of claim 24 wherein said first clamp portion is pivotally coupled to said second clamp portion. The method of claim 24, The first clamp portion further comprises a slot; And the second clamp portion has a dimension and a shape that slides at least partially into the slot. 25. The clamp of claim 24 further comprising a seal coupled to the first or second clamp portion, the seal surrounding the vacuum chamber. The method of claim 24, The valve is a one-way valve allowing gas in the interior region of the bag to be discharged from the vacuum chamber; And the clamp further comprises a release valve coupled to the first or second clamp portion to selectively allow gas to flow from the ambient environment into the vacuum chamber. 25. The clamp of claim 24 wherein said vacuum chamber is sealed from an ambient environment when said second clamp portion engages said first clamp portion. A clamp for sealing a bag having an open end and an inner area, A first clamp portion having a first surface; A second clamp portion having a second surface and movable relative to the first clamp portion between the discharge position and the clamp position; A seal coupled to the first or second surface; And A valve provided in the first or second clamp part to control the flow of gas discharged from the inner region of the bag, The sealing part, the first clamp part and the second clamp part sealing the inner region of the bag when the second clamp part is in a clamp position and an open end of the bag is disposed between the first and second clamp parts; Clamp. 31. The clamp of claim 30 wherein said first clamp portion is pivotally coupled to said second clamp portion. The method of claim 30, The first clamp portion comprises a slot; And the second clamp portion has a dimension and shape that slides at least partially into the slot. 31. The clamp of claim 30 wherein the seal is a first seal coupled to the first surface and the clamp further comprises a second seal coupled to the second surface. The method of claim 30, The valve is a one-way valve allowing gas in the bag to be discharged from the clamp; The clamp further comprises a release valve coupled to the first or second clamp portion to selectively allow gas to flow into the interior region of the bag such that the second clamp portion easily moves from the clamp position to the release position. Clamp. 31. The method of claim 30, wherein the first clamp portion further comprises a first recess in the first surface, the second clamp portion further comprises a second recess in the second surface, and the first and second recesses And at least partially forming a vacuum chamber when said second clamp portion is in a clamp position, said vacuum chamber being in fluid communication with said interior region and sealed from an ambient environment. In a system for sealing a bag having an inner area and an open end, A first portion and a second portion movable relative to the first portion between the discharge position and the clamp position, the first and second portions forming a vacuum chamber wherein the second portion is a clamp position A clamp configured to be in fluid communication with the inner region of the bag when the open end of the bag is received in the vacuum chamber; A valve operably coupled to the vacuum chamber to control the flow of gas exiting the vacuum chamber; An exhaust line connectable to the valve; A vacuum pump coupled to the exhaust line to remove gas from the interior of the vacuum chamber and bag. 37. The system of claim 36, wherein the first chamber portion is pivotally coupled to the second chamber portion. 37. The system of claim 36, wherein the first chamber is slidably engaged with the second chamber portion. 37. The system of claim 36, wherein said clamp further comprises a seal associated with said first or second chamber portion, said seal surrounding said vacuum chamber. 37. The system of claim 36, wherein the vacuum chamber is sealed from the ambient environment when the second chamber portion is in the clamp position. 37. The system of claim 36, wherein the first chamber portion comprises a first recess and the second chamber portion comprises a second recess. 37. The system of claim 36, wherein the clamp further comprises a fastening device coupled to the first and / or second chamber to selectively fasten the second chamber portion to the clamp position. In the system for selectively emptying and sealing the bag with the inner area and the open end, A first clamp portion and a second clamp portion, wherein the first clamp portion has a concave portion, and the second clamp portion has at least partially a vacuum chamber whose surface, together with the concave portion, removes gas from the inner region of the bag. A clamp configured to selectively engage with the first clamp to form; A valve provided in the first or second chamber part to control the flow of gas discharged from the vacuum chamber; An exhaust line connectable to the valve; And And a vacuum pump engageable with the exhaust line to remove gas from the vacuum chamber and the interior region of the bag when the open end of the bag is received inside the vacuum chamber. 44. The system of claim 43, wherein said first clamp portion is pivotally coupled to said second clamp portion. 44. The system of claim 43, wherein the first clamp portion is slidably engaged with the second clamp portion. 44. The system of claim 43, wherein the clamp further comprises a seal coupled to the first or second clamp portion, the seal surrounding the vacuum chamber. 44. The system of claim 43, wherein the vacuum chamber is shaped to be in fluid communication with an interior region of the bag and to be sealed from an ambient environment when the second clamp portion engages with the first clamp portion. In the vacuum packaging apparatus used for the clamp to empty the bag, donate; A cover movably coupled to the base; A vacuum chamber at least partially within the base and / or cover and having a dimension and shape for receiving the clamp; And And a vacuum pump operably coupled to the vacuum chamber to remove gas from the vacuum chamber. The method of claim 48, wherein the clamp is disposed detachably in the vacuum chamber, the first clamp portion, the second clamp portion and the valve provided in the first or second clamp portion, the second clamp portion And the first clamp portion is movable between the discharge position and the clamp position, and the first and second clamp portions are shaped to clamp the bag when the second clamp portion is in the clamp position. 49. The vacuum packaging apparatus of claim 48, further comprising a support member in the vacuum chamber to support the clamp. In a reusable vacuum packaging system, Reusable sacks with inner areas and open ends; And A first portion and a second portion movable relative to the first portion between the discharge position and the clamp position, wherein the first and second portions have the second portion in the clamp position and the open end of the bag being And a reusable clamp that seals the interior area of the bag when in the first and second positions. 53. The vacuum packaging system of claim 51, wherein the bag is shaped to contain a food product. In the vacuum packaging film used for the clamp which does not require a heat sealing layer, Gas impermeable layer; And It includes a structural layer bonded to the gas impermeable layer, And the structural layer and the gas impermeable layer are not combined with a heat seal layer. 54. The vacuum packaging film of claim 53, wherein said film is safe for use in foodstuffs. A method for sealing a bag having an open end and an inner region with a clamp having first and second clamp portions, the method comprising: A portion of the bag is clamped with the first and second clamp portions to seal the bag with an open end received in a vacuum chamber formed at least partially by the first and second clamp portions, such that the vacuum chamber is in fluid communication with the interior area of the bag. A clamping step in communication with and sealing from the ambient environment; Removing gas from the interior of the vacuum chamber and bag; And Storing the clamped and sealed sacks together with the clamp. The bag of claim 55, wherein the bag is a first bag, The method includes moving the first clamp portion relative to the second clamp portion to release and open the first bag; Clamping a portion of the second bag with the first and second clamp portions to seal the second bag with the open end of the second bag received in the vacuum chamber; Removing gas from the interior area of the vacuum chamber and the second bag; And Storing the clamped and sealed second bag together with the clamp. 56. The method of claim 55, wherein removing the gas from the vacuum chamber draws the gas through a one-way valve provided in the first or second clamp portion with a vacuum pump. 56. The method of claim 55, wherein clamping the portion of the bag pivots the first clamp portion relative to the second clamp portion. 56. The method of claim 55, wherein clamping the portion of the bag slidably engages the first and second clamp portions.