Vacuum Sealer Home Appliance With Integrated Customizable Date Code Stamp

Abstract

A vacuum sealer includes a housing having an upper platform and a lid pivotably attached thereto. A first heating plate is secured to one of the underside of the lid and the platform and an opposing, thermally insulating backing strip is secured to the other of the underside of the lid and the platform. The first heating plate and the backing strip heat seal a portion of a plastic bag positioned therebetween. A second heating plate is secured to one of the underside of the lid and the platform, and an opposing stamp wheel is rotatably mounted to the other of the underside of the lid and the platform. The stamp wheel has a plurality of raised characters spaced about a periphery thereof. The stamp wheel and the second heating plate heat stamp the raised characters facing the second heating plate onto a portion of a plastic bag positioned therebetween.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to a vacuum sealer home appliance and, more particularly, to a vacuum sealer with integrated, customizable heat stamping capability.

Vacuum sealers are small appliances, generally utilized to vacuum, i.e. evacuate air from, and heat seal plastic bags containing foodstuff for longer term storage. Vacuum sealing foodstuff packaging provides many benefits, with a particular advantage of preserving the freshness of the foodstuff for a longer period of time than if the foodstuff were otherwise stored while exposed to ambient air.

Despite the advantage of preserving the freshness of the foodstuff for a longer period of time, or because of the extended freshness, consumers get confused about the date on which the foodstuff contents were sealed, or, alternatively, identify a date by which to use, e.g., cook or consume, the foodstuff contents. Currently, a user must manually write the date onto the plastic bag, e.g., with a marker.

Accordingly, it would be advantageous to manufacture a vacuum sealer having the capability to also stamp a date to the plastic bag.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Briefly stated, one aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a vacuum sealer including a housing having an upper platform. A lid is pivotably attached to the housing, and movable between a closed position, covering the platform, and an open position, exposing the platform. The platform defines a first cavity and the lid defines an opposing second cavity in an underside of the lid, the first cavity and the second cavity being engaged in the closed position of the lid to form a sealed vacuum chamber therebetween. A pump is in fluid communication with the vacuum chamber to withdraw air from the vacuum chamber and create a vacuum therein, the sealed vacuum chamber being configured to receive an open end of a plastic bag therebetween and withdraw air therefrom via activation of the pump. A first heating plate is secured to one of the underside of the lid and the platform and an opposing, thermally insulating backing strip is secured to the other of the underside of the lid and the platform. The first heating plate and the backing strip are configured to heat seal a portion of a plastic bag positioned therebetween. A second heating plate is secured to one of the underside of the lid and the platform, and an opposing at least one selectively rotatable stamp wheel is rotatably mounted to the other of the underside of the lid and the platform. The at least one stamp wheel has a plurality of raised characters spaced about a periphery thereof, and the at least one stamp wheel and the second heating plate are configured to stamp the raised characters facing the second heating plate onto a portion of a plastic bag positioned therebetween.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a vacuum sealer comprising a housing having an upper platform and an internal compartment configured to house a roll of plastic bag stock therein. The compartment has an opening for accessing the roll of plastic bag stock therethrough. A door is pivotably mounted to the housing, the door being pivotable between a closed position, covering the opening, and an open position, enabling access to the compartment. The door includes a cutting bracket on an interior face thereof, an elongate track removably mounted upon the cutting bracket, a cutting blade holder slidably mounted upon the track and a cutting blade assembly mounted to the cutting blade holder. The cutting blade holder cantilevers forward from the track and includes a blade bracket at a terminal end thereof receiving the cutting blade assembly therein, such that the cutting blade is spaced forwardly from the track. A lid is pivotably attached to the housing, and movable between a closed position, covering the platform, and an open position, exposing the platform. The platform defines a first cavity and the lid defines an opposing second cavity in an underside of the lid, the first cavity and the second cavity being engaged in the closed position of the lid to form a sealed vacuum chamber therebetween. A pump is in fluid communication with the vacuum chamber to withdraw air from the vacuum chamber and create a vacuum therein, the sealed vacuum chamber being configured to receive an open end of a plastic bag therebetween and withdraw air therefrom via activation of the pump. A first heating plate is secured to one of the underside of the lid and the platform, and an opposing, thermally insulating backing strip is secured to the other of the underside of the lid and the platform. The first heating plate and the backing strip are configured to heat seal a portion of a plastic bag positioned therebetween.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description of the disclosure will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. It should be understood, however, that the disclosure is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front, top and left side perspective view of a vacuum sealer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, with a lid of the vacuum sealer in a closed position thereof;

FIG. 2 is a front and top perspective view of the vacuum sealer of FIG. 1, with the lid in an open position thereof;

FIG. 3 is a rear and left side perspective view of an upper housing of the vacuum sealer of FIG. 1, with an underside of the upper housing removed to show the internal components therein;

FIG. 4 is front, top and left side perspective view a door of the vacuum sealer of FIG. 1, having a cutting assembly on an inner face thereof; and

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the door and cutting assembly of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “lower,” “bottom,” “upper” and “top” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly,” “outwardly,” “upwardly” and “downwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the vacuum sealer, and designated parts thereof, in accordance with the present disclosure. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms “a,” “an” and “the” are not limited to one element, but instead should be read as meaning “at least one.” The terminology includes the words noted above, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.

It should also be understood that the terms “about,” “approximately,” “generally,” “substantially” and like terms, used herein when referring to a dimension or characteristic of a component of the invention, indicate that the described dimension/characteristic is not a strict boundary or parameter and does not exclude minor variations therefrom that are functionally similar. At a minimum, such references that include a numerical parameter would include variations that, using mathematical and industrial principles accepted in the art (e.g., rounding, measurement or other systematic errors, manufacturing tolerances, etc.), would not vary the least significant digit.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in FIGS. 1-5 a vacuum sealer, generally designated 10, for at least one of sealing and date stamping plastic bags (not shown) formed from a roll of bag stock 50 (as will be described in further detail below). Generally, the vacuum sealer 10 comprises an upper housing 12 and an underlying lower housing 14 supporting the vacuum sealer 10 atop an underlying support surface, e.g., a countertop (not shown). The upper housing 12 and the lower housing 14 are secured together in a manner well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, such as, for example, without limitation, via a complementary friction fit, a snap fit, an adhesive connection, fasteners, combinations thereof, or the like.

A lid 16 at a top end of the upper housing 12 is movably attached thereto, and pivotable between closed (FIG. 1) and open (FIGS. 2, 3) positions, as will be explained in further detail below. As shown best in FIG. 2, the upper housing 12 defines a platform 20 that is covered by the lid 16 when positioned in the closed position thereof and exposed, enabling access thereto, when the lid 16 is moved to the open position. The lid 16 is sized and shaped to generally correspond to the size and shape of the platform 20. As shown, the lid 16 is supported by at least one arm 17 (two arms 17 in the illustrated embodiment proximate opposing left and right sides of the lid 16) located at a rear end of the lid 16 and pivotably attached to the upper housing 12. The at least one arm 17 may include a torsion spring or the like, biasing the lid 16 into the open position thereof. The lid 16 is selectively pivotable downward onto the platform 20 into the closed position.

The platform 20 defines a first cavity 22 bordered by a first gasket 22a secured on the platform 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the platform 20 is formed at an upper end of the upper housing 12, but the disclosure is not so limited. As should be understood, the platform 20 may be formed elsewhere on the vacuum sealer 10, such as, for example, without limitation, on a flange of the lower housing 14. The lid 16 defines a second cavity 24 formed in an underside thereof and bordered by a second gasket 24a secured to the underside of the lid 16. The first gasket 22a and the second gasket 24a are sized, shaped and positioned to sealingly, i.e., air-tightly, engage one another when the lid 16 is pivoted into the closed position thereof, such that the first cavity 22 and the second cavity 24 form an airtight vacuum chamber 26 therebetween. A vacuum pumping device 18 (FIG. 3), e.g., a pneumatic pump, disposed within the vacuum sealer 10, e.g., within the upper housing 12, is in fluid communication with the vacuum chamber 26 in a manner well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, e.g., via an aperture (not shown) in the first cavity 22, to withdraw air out of the sealed vacuum chamber 26 and create a vacuum.

A lid handle 28 is mounted to the lid 16, e.g., to a front end of the lid 16, for a user to grasp and easily pivot the lid 16 between the open and closed positions, and, more importantly, to provide leverage for pressing the lid 16 down onto the platform 20 in the closed position to provide the required airtight seal between the first and second gaskets 22a, 24a. As shown best in FIG. 2, the lid 16 includes at least one latching member 32 (two latching members 32 in the illustrated embodiment) projecting from the lid 16 and configured to catch/hook onto a corresponding at least one latch (not shown) positioned in a respective at least one slot 34 (two slots 34 in the illustrated embodiment) in the platform 20 to fasten the lid 16 into the closed position thereof. A release bar 33 is mounted to the upper housing 12, e.g., the platform 20, and operatively connected to the at least one latch in a manner well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. The release bar 33 is selectively actuatable to release the at least one latch member 32 from the corresponding at least one latch, in order to disengage the lid 16 from the platform 20.

As should be understood, the platform 20 may alternatively include the at least one latching member 32 projecting therefrom and the lid 16 may include the corresponding at least one slot 34 having a latch therein. The release bar 33 may also be mounted to the lid 16. As also should be understood, the handle 28 and the release bar 33 may be combined into a single component. Alternatively, the lid 16 may be releasably fastenable/lockable to the platform 20 via any of numerous different means currently known or that later become known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

A conventional first heating plate 30, well known by those of ordinary skill in the art, is secured in/on the platform 20, adjacent, e.g., in front of, the first cavity 22. As should be understood, however, the heating plate 30 may be located elsewhere along the platform 20, or, alternatively, on the underside of the lid 16. As should be understood, the heating plate 30 includes a heating ribbon configured to heat up when electricity is applied thereto during a sealing operation to heat seal a bag. A corresponding backing strip/plate 31 is secured to the underside of the lid 16, opposite the first heating plate 30. As should be understood, the backing strip 31 may be formed of a thermal insulator, e.g., silicone, to prevent the heat from being transferred from the first heating plate 30 to the lid 16 and also to assist in the sealing operation. As also should be understood, the backing strip 31 may alternatively be located on the platform 20 opposite a heating plate 30 on the underside of the lid 16.

Referring to FIG. 2, at least one manually adjustable stamp wheel/dial 36 is rotatably mounted to the underside of the lid 16. In the illustrated embodiment, a set of manually adjustable stamp wheels 36 are mounted, including a month wheel 36a, a day wheel 36b and a year wheel 36c. Each wheel 36a-36c includes a plurality of raised characters thereon, e.g., alphanumeric characters, spaced about the peripheral surface of the wheel, in a manner well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, corresponding to months, days and years, respectively. Alternatively, each of the wheels 36b and 36c may include raised numbers 1-9 spaced about the respective peripheral surfaces thereof, and may be utilized by a user to indicate days or years. The stamp wheels 36 are manually rotatable by a user to display a selected date, e.g., an expiration, “use by” or “cook by” date. The disclosure is not so limited, however. The rotatable stamp wheels 36 may alternatively have raised characters thereon corresponding to other text, numbers, symbols, combinations thereof, or the like. A second heating plate 38 is secured in/on the platform 20 opposite the stamp wheels 36. Similarly to the first heating plate 30, the second heating plate 38 includes a heating ribbon configured to heat up when electricity is applied thereto. As should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, the at least one rotatable stamp wheel 36 may alternatively be mounted on the platform 20 and the opposing second heating plate 38 may be may be mounted on the underside of the lid 16.

The vacuum sealer 10 further includes a user interface 40, which is operatively connected to a controller 56 (FIG. 3) in a manner well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. The controller 56 is operatively connected with at least the first heating plate 30, the second heating plate 38 and the pumping device 18 to selectively energize at least one of the first heating plate 30, the second heating plate 38 and the pumping device 18 according to the selection made by the user on the user interface 40.

As shown best in FIG. 1, the vacuum sealer 10 may further include a plastic roll compartment 42 housing and storing the roll of plastic bag stock 50 therein. In the illustrated embodiment, the plastic roll compartment 42 is located within the lower housing 14. As shown, the base of the plastic roll compartment 42 is generally arcuate/tubular in order to accommodate/cradle the roll of plastic bag stock 50. As should be understood, the bag stock 50 is formed having two opposing side edges that are factory sealed. A desired length of bag stock is cut off the roll (as will be explained in further detail below), such that the cut bag stock has two opposing sealed side edges, e.g., left and right sides, and two opposing open ends.

The compartment 42 is accessible via a pivotable door 44 mounted to the lower housing 14 and movable between a closed position (FIG. 2), covering the compartment 42, and an open position (FIG. 1), enabling access to the roll of plastic bag stock 50. In the illustrated embodiment the door 44 is located at a front end of the lower housing 14, but the disclosure is not so limited. The door 44 is pivotably mounted to the lower housing 14 from a bottom end of the door 44, in a manner well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, such that the door 44 pivots outwardly (relative to the compartment 42) and downwardly to open. As one non-limiting example, the door 44 may include at least one hook 44a (two hooks 44a at opposing sides of the door 4 in FIG. 4) projecting from the bottom end of the door 44 (relative to the orientation of the door 44 while in the closed position) and hingedly attached to a base of the lower housing 14. Alternatively, as another non-limiting example, the door 44 may be connected to the lower housing 14 via a pin connection. In the open position thereof (FIG. 1), the door 44 takes the configuration of a forwardly extending lip from the base of the lower housing 14, generally parallel with the base of the lower housing 14 and spanning at least the width of the roll of plastic bag stock 50.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the door 44 includes a cutting bracket 48 on an interior face thereof, and spanning substantially the entire length of the door 44. The cutting bracket 48 may be integrally formed with the door 44, or, alternatively, may be individually constructed and secured to the interior face of the door 44. An elongate track 49 is removably attached to the cutting bracket 48 and extends substantially along the entire length of the cutting bracket 48. In the illustrated embodiment, the cutting bracket 48 includes a pair of latches 48a projecting toward the track 49 from opposing sides of the cutting bracket 48, and the track 49 includes a corresponding pair of deflectable clips 49a projecting toward the cutting bracket 48. The clips 49a latch onto the respective latches 48a and are deflectable to disengage from the latches 48a and separate the track 49 from the cutting bracket 48. As should be understood, however, the track 49 may be removably attached to the elongate track 49 via numerous different means, currently known or that later become known.

A cutting blade holder 52 is slidably mounted upon the track 49 in a manner well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. As one non-limiting example, the track 49 may define a front lip extending proximate a top and along a front edge of the track 49 and a rear lip extending proximate a top and along a rear edge of the track thereof. The cutting blade holder 52 may include a portion complementarily shaped to wrap around the top end of the track 49 and snap into abutment with the respective undersides of the front and rear lips of the track 49 such that cutting blade holder 52 is manually slidable back and forth along the track 49. As shown best in FIG. 4, the cutting blade holder 52 cantilevers forward (i.e., away from the compartment 42) from the track 49 and includes a blade bracket 52a at a terminal end thereof having an open base end to receive a downwardly facing cutting blade assembly 54. Accordingly, the cutting blade assembly 54 is spaced forwardly, i.e., away from the compartment 42, from the track 49 and the cutting bracket 48.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cutting bracket 48, the track 49 removably attached thereto, and the cutting blade holder 52 slidably attached to the track 49 are stowed away and hidden from view when the door 44 is in the closed position. To access the roll of plastic bag stock 50, the door 44 is moved to the open position, exposing both the roll of plastic bag stock 50 as well as the cutting bracket 48, the track 49, and the cutting blade holder 52 (FIG. 1).

The first time the roll of plastic bag stock 50 is used, the track 49 is removed from the cutting bracket 48 (for example, as explained above) and an open, free end of the roll of plastic bag stock 50 is pulled out and extended beyond the cutting bracket 48. The track 49 is re-attached to the cutting bracket 48 such that roll of plastic bag stock 50 extends through an open-ended slot 51 between the cutting bracket 48 and the underside of the track 49. The free end of the roll of plastic bag stock 50 is then pulled as desired to form a bag of the desired size. The cutting blade holder 52 is then slid along the track 49 and the downwardly facing cutting blade assembly 54 cuts through the roll of plastic bag stock 50, creating a cut piece of bag stock having opposing open ends.

Advantageously, the forward cantilevered extension of the cutting blade holder 52 from the track 49 positions the cutting blade assembly 54 forward from the cutting bracket 48 and the track 49. Thus, the cutting blade assembly 54 cuts the plastic bag roll 50 at a location spaced forward from the cutting bracket 48 and the track 49. Consequently, after a length of the plastic bag is cut by the cutting blade assembly 54, a new free end of the plastic bag roll 50 (which extends between the cutting bracket 48 and the track 49) remains exposed (i.e., extending beyond the cutting bracket 48 and the track 49 approximately to the cutting blade assembly 54) and can be easily grasped and pulled out to a desired length in preparation for the next cut.

After the cut piece of bag stock is obtained, the lid 16 is moved to the open position thereof (if not already in the open position) and one of the open ends of the cut piece of bag stock is positioned atop the first heating plate 30 and the lid 16 is thereafter closed. The user interface 40 is actuated to initiate a “seal only” operation, whereby the first heating plate 30 is energized to heat up for a prescribed time or to a prescribed temperature or combinations thereof and seal the open end of the cut piece of bag stock pressed between the first heating plate 30 and the backing strip 31, thereby forming a plastic bag with one remaining open end for receiving the item(s), e.g., foodstuff therethrough. The plastic bag is removed from the vacuum sealer 10 and the item(s) is thereafter placed in the bag via the remaining open end. As should be understood, however, the vacuum sealer 10 may alternatively be utilized with a separately obtained plastic bag (not formed from the roll of plastic bag stock 50) having one open end.

Thereafter, the lid 16 is once again moved to the open position thereof (FIG. 2) and the remaining open end of the plastic bag is positioned within the first cavity 22. The lid 16 is then pressed down to the closed position thereof to abut, or latch onto, the platform 20. Sealed engagement of the second cavity 24 with the first cavity 22, via the first and second gaskets 22a, 24a, in the closed position of the lid 16 creates the airtight vacuum chamber 26 around the open end of the plastic bag. The user interface 40 is actuated to initiate the “seal only” operation or a “vacuum-and-seal” operation.

To create a vacuum within the plastic bag, the pumping device 18 is energized (in a conventional manner well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art) to draw out air from the plastic bag via the open end thereof and through the aperture within the vacuum chamber 26. To seal the remaining open end of the plastic bag (after the removal of the air from the bag), the first heating plate 30 is then energized (in a conventional manner well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art) for a prescribed time or to a prescribed temperature or combinations thereof and seal the portion of the plastic bag pressed between the first heating plate 30 and the backing strip 31.

Prior to moving the lid 16 into the closed position, a user may also manually rotate the respective stamp wheels 36 to display a desired date, e.g., a “use by” date, and actuate the user interface 40 to initiate a “heat stamping” operation (in addition to the vacuum and/or sealing operations or alone). Upon pressing the lid 16 into the closed position thereof, the second heating plate 38 is energized, in a manner well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, for a prescribed time or to a prescribed temperature or combinations, to create an embossed (or engraved) heat stamp of the selection on the portion of the plastic bag pressed between the stamp wheels 36 and the second heating plate 38.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiment(s) described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. As one example, the stamp wheel(s) 36 may be positioned along the backing strip 31, such that the stamp is embossed along the plastic bag seal, thereby eliminating the second heating plate 38. It is understood, therefore, that this disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A vacuum sealer comprising: a housing having an upper platform;a lid pivotably attached to the housing, and movable between a closed position, covering the platform, and an open position, exposing the platform;wherein the platform defines a first cavity and the lid defines an opposing second cavity in an underside of the lid, the first cavity and the second cavity being engaged in the closed position of the lid to form a sealed vacuum chamber therebetween;a pump in fluid communication with the vacuum chamber to withdraw air from the vacuum chamber and create a vacuum therein, the sealed vacuum chamber being configured to receive an open end of a plastic bag therebetween and withdraw air therefrom via activation of the pump;a first heating plate secured to one of the underside of the lid and the platform;an opposing, thermally insulating backing strip secured to the other of the underside of the lid and the platform, the first heating plate and the backing strip being configured to heat seal a portion of a plastic bag positioned therebetween;a second heating plate secured to one of the underside of the lid and the platform; andan opposing at least one selectively rotatable stamp wheel rotatably mounted to the other of the underside of the lid and the platform, the at least one stamp wheel having a plurality of raised characters spaced about a periphery thereof, the at least one stamp wheel and the second heating plate being configured to stamp the raised characters facing the second heating plate onto a portion of a plastic bag positioned therebetween.

2. The vacuum sealer of claim 1, further comprising a first gasket secured on the platform and bordering the first cavity and an opposing second gasket secured to the underside of the lid and bordering the second cavity, the first gasket engaging the second gasket in the closed position of the lid to seal the vacuum chamber.

3. The vacuum sealer of claim 1, wherein the at least one stamp wheel comprises a month wheel, wherein the raised characters thereon correspond to months of the year, a day wheel, wherein the raised characters thereon correspond to days of the month; and a year wheel, wherein the raised characters thereon correspond to years.

4. The vacuum sealer of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a lower housing and an upper housing secured upon the lower housing, the upper housing defining the platform.

5. The vacuum sealer of claim 1, wherein the housing includes an internal compartment configured to house a roll of plastic bag stock therein, the compartment having an opening for accessing the roll of plastic bag stock therethrough and a door pivotably mounted to the housing, the door being pivotable between a closed position, covering the opening, and an open position, enabling access to the compartment.

6. The vacuum sealer of claim 5, wherein the door includes a cutting bracket on an interior face thereof, an elongate track removably mounted upon the cutting bracket, a cutting blade holder slidably mounted upon the track and a cutting blade assembly mounted to the cutting blade holder.

7. The vacuum sealer of claim 6, wherein the cutting bracket and the elongate track define an open-ended slot therebetween configured to receive bag stock therethrough.

8. The vacuum sealer of claim 6, wherein the cutting blade holder cantilevers forward from the track and includes a blade bracket at a terminal end thereof receiving the cutting blade assembly therein, such that the cutting blade is spaced forwardly from the track.

9. The vacuum sealer of claim 8, wherein the cutting blade assembly is configured to cut through bag stock during sliding along the track.

10. A vacuum sealer comprising: a housing having an upper platform and an internal compartment configured to house a roll of plastic bag stock therein, the compartment having an opening for accessing the roll of plastic bag stock therethrough;a door pivotably mounted to the housing, the door being pivotable between a closed position, covering the opening, and an open position, enabling access to the compartment, the door including a cutting bracket on an interior face thereof, an elongate track removably mounted upon the cutting bracket, a cutting blade holder slidably mounted upon the track and a cutting blade assembly mounted to the cutting blade holder, wherein the cutting blade holder cantilevers forward from the track and includes a blade bracket at a terminal end thereof receiving the cutting blade assembly therein, such that the cutting blade is spaced forwardly from the track;a lid pivotably attached to the housing, and movable between a closed position, covering the platform, and an open position, exposing the platform;wherein the platform defines a first cavity and the lid defines an opposing second cavity in an underside of the lid, the first cavity and the second cavity being engaged in the closed position of the lid to form a sealed vacuum chamber therebetween;a pump in fluid communication with the vacuum chamber to withdraw air from the vacuum chamber and create a vacuum therein, the sealed vacuum chamber being configured to receive an open end of a plastic bag therebetween and withdraw air therefrom via activation of the pump;a first heating plate secured to one of the underside of the lid and the platform; andan opposing, thermally insulating backing strip secured to the other of the underside of the lid and the platform, the first heating plate and the backing strip being configured to heat seal a portion of a plastic bag positioned therebetween.

11. The vacuum sealer of claim 10, wherein the cutting bracket and the elongate track define an open-ended slot therebetween configured to receive bag stock therethrough.

12. The vacuum sealer of claim 10, wherein the cutting blade assembly is configured to cut through bag stock during sliding along the track.

13. The vacuum sealer of claim 10, wherein the housing comprises a lower housing and an upper housing secured upon the lower housing, the lower housing defining the compartment therein, and the upper housing defining the platform.

14. The vacuum sealer of claim 13, further comprising: a second heating plate secured to one of the underside of the lid and the platform; andan opposing at least one selectively rotatable stamp wheel rotatably mounted to the other of the underside of the lid and the platform, the at least one stamp wheel having a plurality of raised characters spaced about a periphery thereof, the at least one stamp wheel and the second heating plate being configured to stamp the raised characters facing the second heating plate onto a portion of a plastic bag positioned therebetween.