Patents by Inventor Landen Higer
Landen Higer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9021771Abstract: A vacuum and sealing appliance comprises a heat sealing element for sealing a container during a sealing cycle. A controller controls the temperature of the heat sealing element during the sealing cycle based on a signal from a temperature sensor that senses the real-time temperature of the heat sealing element. A seal indicator light is provided which is lighted during the sealing cycle and extinguished at its completion. The signal from the controller energizes the heating element for a time to heat the sealing element to a pre-determined temperature for sealing the container and initiates a dwell time corresponding to cooling the heating element after sealing the container. Values of the real-time temperatures of the heat sealing element and values of the sealing times and the dwell times that correspond to the values of the real-time temperatures of the heat sealing element are stored in a look-up table.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2010Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.Inventors: Zhu Liu, Terry Sun, Francis Wong, Landen Higer
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Publication number: 20130333336Abstract: A vacuum and sealing appliance comprises a heat sealing element for sealing a container during a sealing cycle. A controller controls the temperature of the heat sealing element during the sealing cycle based on a signal from a temperature sensor that senses the real-time temperature of the heat sealing element. A seal indicator light is provided which is lighted during the sealing cycle and extinguished at its completion. The signal from the controller energizes the heating element for a time to heat the sealing element to a pre-determined temperature for sealing the container and initiates a dwell time corresponding to cooling the heating element after sealing the container. Values of the real-time temperatures of the heat sealing element and values of the sealing times and the dwell times that correspond to the values of the real-time temperatures of the heat sealing element are stored in a look-up table.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2011Publication date: December 19, 2013Applicant: Sunbeam Products, Inc.Inventors: Zhu Liu, Terry Sun, Francis Wong, Landen Higer
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Publication number: 20120060447Abstract: A vacuum and sealing appliance comprises a heat sealing element for sealing a container during a sealing cycle. A controller controls the temperature of the heat sealing element during the sealing cycle based on a signal from a temperature sensor that senses the real-time temperature of the heat sealing element. A seal indicator light is provided which is lighted during the sealing cycle and extinguished at its completion. The signal from the controller energizes the heating element for a time to heat the sealing element to a pre-determined temperature for sealing the container and initiates a dwell time corresponding to cooling the heating element after sealing the container. Values of the real-time temperatures of the heat sealing element and values of the sealing times and the dwell times that correspond to the values of the real-time temperatures of the heat sealing element are stored in a look-up table.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2010Publication date: March 15, 2012Inventors: Zhu Liu, Terry Sun, Francis Wong, Landen Higer
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Patent number: 7478516Abstract: An apparatus for vacuum sealing a storage bag including a base and a receptacle component for receiving the end of a storage bag. A vacuum generating device is disposed in either one of the base or the receptacle. The receptacle includes a vacuum chamber for accepting the open end of the bag. The receptacle is pivotally secured to the base and is rotatable relative thereto between a first and second position. A sealing device is disposed on the receptacle for sealing the open end of the bag.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2006Date of Patent: January 20, 2009Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.Inventors: Landen Higer, Charles Wade Albritton
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Patent number: 7464522Abstract: An apparatus for vacuum sealing a storage bag including a base and a receptacle component for receiving an end of a storage bag. The receptacle including a vacuum chamber for accepting an open end of the bag. The receptacle is pivotally secured to the base and rotatable relative thereto between a first operating position and a second storage position. A sealing device is disposed on the receptacle for sealing the open end of the bag.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2006Date of Patent: December 16, 2008Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.Inventors: Landen Higer, Charles Wade Albritton
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Patent number: 7334386Abstract: The invention is directed to methods providing intelligent and variable speed control of a vacuum pump, intelligent vacuum pump controllers, intelligent vacuum packaging appliances, and vacuum feedback devices and methods. This Abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b).Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2006Date of Patent: February 26, 2008Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.Inventor: Landen Higer
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Patent number: 7200974Abstract: A lidless vacuum packaging appliance whereby the number of movable parts is reduced is disclosed. A lidless appliance effectively reduces wear and tear of the appliance. Further, the lidless design allows for convenient placement in the operational environment of the appliance.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2004Date of Patent: April 10, 2007Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.Inventors: Landen Higer, Charles Wade Albritton
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Patent number: 7197861Abstract: Vacuum packaging appliances and methods of vacuum packaging objects are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an appliance includes a base, a lid movably coupled to the base, a vacuum chamber portion on the base and/or the lid for receiving an open end of a bag, and a vacuum pump operably coupled to the vacuum chamber portion for removing gas from the vacuum chamber portion. The lid includes a distal end, a proximal end opposite the distal end, and a major dimension between the distal and proximal ends. The base can also include a distal end, a proximal end opposite the distal end, and a major dimension between the distal and proximal ends.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2004Date of Patent: April 3, 2007Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.Inventors: Landen Higer, Hongyu Wu
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Publication number: 20070033907Abstract: The present invention teaches a bag clamp for use with a vacuum packaging appliance. The bag clamp has an open and a closed position. The open position is suitable for receiving an open end of a vacuum bag. The closed position is suitable for capturing and holding the open end of the vacuum bag during operation of the vacuum packaging appliance. A vacuum packaging appliance according to the present invention has at least one bag clamp, typically disposed within and fixedly attached to a drip tray. The present invention further teaches removable drip trays and vacuum packaging appliances with removable drip trays holding one or more bag clamps.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2006Publication date: February 15, 2007Inventors: Steven Small, Landen Higer
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Publication number: 20060230711Abstract: An apparatus for vacuum sealing a storage bag including a base and a receptacle component for receiving the end of a storage bag. A vacuum generating device is disposed in either one of the base or the receptacle. The receptacle includes a vacuum chamber for accepting the open end of the bag. The receptacle is pivotally secured to the base and is rotatable relative thereto between a first and second position. A sealing device is disposed on the receptacle for sealing the open end of the bag.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2006Publication date: October 19, 2006Inventors: Landen Higer, Charles Albritton
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Publication number: 20060218885Abstract: An apparatus for vacuum sealing a storage bag including a base and a receptacle component for receiving an end of a storage bag. The receptacle including a vacuum chamber for accepting an open end of the bag. The receptacle is pivotally secured to the base and rotatable relative thereto between a first operating position and a second storage position. A sealing device is disposed on the receptacle for sealing the open end of the bag.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2006Publication date: October 5, 2006Inventors: Landen Higer, Charles Albritton
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Publication number: 20060123737Abstract: The invention is directed to methods providing intelligent and variable speed control of a vacuum pump, intelligent vacuum pump controllers, intelligent vacuum packaging appliances, and vacuum feedback devices and methods. This Abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2006Publication date: June 15, 2006Inventor: Landen Higer
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Publication number: 20060117711Abstract: A direct insert vacuum packaging appliance is disclosed. The direct insert aspect of such a vacuum packaging appliance allows a vacuum packaging bag to be inserted into the vacuum packaging appliance directly and with ease. According to certain embodiments, the direct insert vacuum packaging appliance includes a vacuum chamber with drip tray and a clamping mechanism adapted for receiving an open end of a vacuum packaging bag for evacuation of gases from the vacuum packaging bag. Such a direct insert vacuum packaging appliance may be lidded or lidless and may vary from implementation to implementation.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2005Publication date: June 8, 2006Inventor: Landen Higer
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Publication number: 20060118565Abstract: Storage canisters that are specially adapted for use in the packaging process are disclosed. Such canisters can include latching mechanisms for latching the lid onto the base of the canister in a locked position, an easy-pour mechanism, an evacuation chamber, and either a process indicator or a vacuum indicator. Some embodiments include an adjustable baffle.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2005Publication date: June 8, 2006Inventor: Landen Higer
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Patent number: 7021034Abstract: The foot-print of a vacuum packaging appliance may be decreased by decoupling the appliance into a base component and a movable receptacle unit according to certain embodiments of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2004Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Assignee: Tilia International, Inc.Inventors: Landen Higer, Alexandre A. N. Baptista
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Patent number: 7021027Abstract: The invention is directed to methods providing intelligent and variable speed control of a vacuum pump, intelligent vacuum pump controllers, intelligent vacuum packaging appliances, and vacuum feedback devices and methods. This Abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b).Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2004Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Assignee: Tilia International, Inc.Inventor: Landen Higer
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Publication number: 20050188496Abstract: A method and apparatus for vacuum hose management is illustrated and described. In one embodiment, the invention is an apparatus for use with a vacuum appliance. The apparatus includes a hose having a first end and a second end. The apparatus also includes a holding component coupled to the hose. The holding component is tension mounted to a housing of the vacuum appliance. The holding component has a first and a second position, the first position corresponding to the hose within the housing, and the second position corresponding to the hose partially outside the housing. The apparatus also includes a connector connected to the second end of the hose, the connector sized larger than an opening in the housing through which the hose is threaded. The holding component may be a wheel mounted on an arm, with the arm rotatably coupled to the housing through a pivot and a spring.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2005Publication date: September 1, 2005Inventors: Steven Small, Landen Higer, Charles Albritton
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Publication number: 20050183396Abstract: The foot-print of a vacuum packaging appliance may be decreased by decoupling the appliance into a base component and a movable receptacle unit according to certain embodiments of the invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2004Publication date: August 25, 2005Inventors: Landen Higer, Alexandre Baptista
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Publication number: 20050178089Abstract: A method and apparatus for vacuum hose management is illustrated and described. In one embodiment, the invention is an apparatus for use with a vacuum appliance. The apparatus includes a hose having a first end and a second end. The apparatus also includes a holding component coupled to the hose. The holding component is tension mounted to a housing of the vacuum appliance. The holding component has a first and a second position, the first position corresponding to the hose within the housing, and the second position corresponding to the hose partially outside the housing. The apparatus also includes a connector connected to the second end of the hose, the connector sized larger than an opening in the housing through which the hose is threaded. The holding component may be a wheel mounted on an arm, with the arm rotatably coupled to the housing through a pivot and a spring.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2005Publication date: August 18, 2005Inventors: Steven Small, Landen Higer, Charles Albritton
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Publication number: 20050061370Abstract: A method and apparatus for a vacuum packaging appliance spice rack accessory is illustrated and described. In one embodiment, the invention is an apparatus for use with a vacuum appliance. The apparatus includes a first module including a manifold and a drawer. The manifold has a cavity sized to receive the drawer, and a set of valves, each valve of the set of valves set into a wall of the manifold between an internal cavity of the manifold and an exterior surface of the manifold. The manifold has a drawer valve, the drawer valve set into a wall between the cavity to receive the drawer and the internal cavity. The manifold has a hose valve, the hose valve set into an exterior wall of the manifold between the internal cavity and a back end of the manifold. The drawer is sized to fit into the cavity to receive the drawer. The drawer has a valve positioned to mate with the drawer valve of the manifold. The drawer is sized to fill the cavity and to seal an opening of the cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2004Publication date: March 24, 2005Inventors: Landen Higer, Charles Albritton