Vacuum sealing system with a sealing element inside an evacuation chamber
A vacuum packaging appliance for sealing items in a plastic bag is disclosed. The appliance comprises a lid adapted to define a vacuum chamber when it is moved to a closed position relative to a trough in the base of the device. The trough in the lower portion of the device contains a heat-sealing element used to seal the contents of the bag once the vacuum packaging is complete. In another embodiment, the heat-sealing element is mounted on the lid of the device and comes into contact with the vacuum bag when the lid is in a closed position. The placement of the heat-sealing element minimizes wasted bag material as the heat seal is placed closer to the end of the bag itself
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/492,090 entitled VACUUM SEALING DEVICE WITH INTEGRATED SEALING ELEMENT(S) AND EVACUATION CHAMBER, by Landen Higer and Charles W. Albritton, and filed on Jul. 31, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
BACKGROUNDVacuum sealing systems are used to evacuate a container of air and fluid. Vacuum sealing has advantages such as compression of items for easier handling and storage or removal of contaminants such as oxygen or other gases, fluids, or air-borne or fluid-borne particles from the vicinity of items that can be adversely effected by the contaminants. A vacuum sealing apparatus is described in Applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 4,941,310 by inventor Hanns J. Kristen dated Jul. 17, 1990, which is incorporated herein by reference. The apparatus is for vacuum sealing bags of the type disclosed in Applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 4,756,422 (referred to hereinafter as the '422 patent) by inventor Hanns J. Kristen dated Jul. 12, 1988, which is incorporated herein by reference. Container material for making vacuum sealing bags may be in the form of a roll of continuously bonded plastic as described in the '422 patent. The apparatus includes a hood adapted to define a vacuum chamber when it is moved to a closed position on a support surface. A sealing element, outside the vacuum chamber, is adapted to seal the bag. An alternative sealing element is described in Applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 6,058,998 by inventor Hanns J. Kristen dated May 9, 2000, which is incorporated herein by reference.
It would be advantageous to provide an apparatus that can reduce the contaminants that are trapped near the seal zone of a vacuum sealing bag or to reduce the amount of wasted bag material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The descriptions below are provided for illustrative purposes only. Unless specifically stated, the following descriptions should not be limited to the specific structure or instances taught in the application. Moreover, the figures are for exemplary purposes only. The figures generally illustrate but one of many alternatives.
The following discussion, with reference to
The vacuum sealing device 30 includes an upper housing member 36, a lower housing member 38, an upper hermetic member 40, a lower hermetic member 42, and a sealing element 44. The upper hermetic member 40 is connected to the upper housing member 36 and the lower hermetic member 42 is connected to the lower housing member 38. When the upper housing member 36 abuts the lower housing member 38, the upper hermetic member 40 and lower hermetic member 42 form a barrier, which substantially prevents air from entering the vacuum chamber of the vacuum sealing device 30. Pressing the upper housing member 36 and lower housing member 38 together may help to form a better barrier. The inner surfaces of the housing, which includes the upper housing member 36 and the lower housing member 38, defines the vacuum chamber therein.
The sealing element 44, which may be a heat sealing element, is located within the vacuum chamber. The sealing element 44 is configured to secure a first part of the portion 34 of the vacuum sealable container to a second part of the vacuum sealable container when the portion 34 is proximate to the sealing element 44 at least during a time period in which the vacuum chamber is substantially evacuated during the evacuation procedure. Conceptually, the sealed parts of the vacuum sealable container are the sides of the container, which are stuck together to form a seal. The system may include a power conduit (not shown) that is configured to provide power from a power source (not shown) to drive the sealing element 44 at least during the time period in which the vacuum chamber is substantially evacuated. The sealing element 44 may complete the seal during that time period. The sealing element 44 may be energized in response to an evacuation detection mechanism determining that the vacuum chamber has been at least partially evacuated. Evacuation detection mechanisms are well-known in the art of vacuum packaging so a detailed description of such mechanisms is omitted herein.
The upper housing member 36 may serve as a lid for the vacuum sealing device 30. The upper housing member 36 may be detachable or affixed to the lower housing 34. If the upper housing member 36 is affixed to the lower housing 34, it may be affixed by a hinge. Assuming the upper housing member 36 can be opened, when the upper housing member 36 is open, the vacuum sealable container may be easier to place than when the upper housing member 36 is closed. When the upper housing member 36 is closed, the upper hermetic member 40 contacts the lower hermetic member 42, thereby forming a barrier to prevent air from entering the vacuum chamber via the hermetic inlet 46 through which the vacuum sealable container 32 extends.
As previously mentioned, the description with reference to
As depicted in
The upper housing 102 includes a first evacuation module member 106, a gasket 108, an evacuation port 110, a pressure profile 111, and two contact points 112. The lower housing 104 includes a second evacuation module member 114, a heating element 116, and a gasket 118. Prior to carrying out an evacuation procedure to evacuate contaminants, such as air, from a container (not shown) and then seal the container, an operator, such as a human being or robotic mechanism, closes the upper housing 102 onto the lower housing 104. When closed, the first evacuation module member 106 fits together with the second evacuation module member 114 such that a vacuum chamber is defined by the inner surfaces of the evacuation module members.
Since the first evacuation module member 106, in the example of
When the evacuation module members are fit together to form the vacuum chamber, the gasket 108 and the gasket 118 contact one another, forming a hermetic seal between the evacuation module members. In this way, the evacuation module members may not actually contact one another while fit together to form the vacuum chamber. The hermetic seal is a barrier that prevents gas or other contaminants from entering the vacuum chamber during an evacuation procedure. The gaskets may be formed of an elastomeric material. However, in an embodiment, the gaskets are formed of different materials and the contact surface of one or both gaskets may be rigid. For example, in an alternative, the gasket 108 is formed of an elastomeric material while the gasket 118 is formed of a rigid material. As depicted in
In the example of
In the example of
In the example of
The pressure profile 111 may be a longitudinally extending elongated elastomeric member. The pressure profile 111 serves to push a zone of the container into the heating element 116 to assist in forming a seal on the container substantially along the zone. The pressure profile 111 may ensure that adequate pressure is applied on the container over the heating element 116 so that a full seal is made via heat conduction through upper and lower panels of the container to seal heat sealable layers of the container together.
In operation, an operator, such as a human or robotic mechanism, places a container (not shown) over the heating element 116. The operator then closes the upper housing 102 onto the lower housing 104. This has the effect of fitting the first evacuation module member 106 to the second evacuation module member 114 to form the vacuum chamber. The container may extend between the gaskets 108 and 118 through what may be referred to as a hermetic ingress, which is represented in
As previously indicated, the power coupling engages the heating element 116 through the contacts 112 that contact the heating element 116. In an embodiment, the power coupling engages the heating element 116 for the entire period of time during which the vacuum chamber is defined by the inner surfaces of the first and second evacuation module members. However, in an alternative, the power coupling need not engage the heating element 116 for the entire period. For example, the power coupling could be set to engage the heating element 116 only when a switch is closed, when a button is pressed, or in response to some other stimulus.
As previously indicated, the evacuation channel 120 is coupled to the vacuum module 122. The vacuum module 122 evacuates the vacuum chamber of at least some contaminants through the evacuation channel 120 for at least a period of time during which the vacuum chamber is defined by the inner surfaces of the first and second evacuation module members. This evacuation procedure may begin in response to the first and second evacuation module members being fit together. Alternatively, the evacuation procedure may begin in response to pressure on the upper housing 102 that activates the vacuum module 122 or in response to some other stimulus, such as activating a button, switch, or knob that activates the vacuum module 122. The evacuation procedure may continue until a vacuum detector (not shown), such as a pressure sensor, determines that the vacuum chamber is sufficiently evacuated. Alternatively, the evacuation procedure may continue until some other stimulus, such as the end of a predetermined or determinable period of time, occurs.
When the vacuum chamber has been at least partially evacuated, the heating element 116 is energized by power received through the power coupling for at least a period of time during which the vacuum chamber is defined by the inner surfaces of the evacuation module members. The heating element 116 should be energized while the vacuum chamber is defined because if the vacuum chamber integrity is compromised, such as by unfitting the evacuation module members, the integrity of the evacuated container may be adversely effected. The heating element 116 may be energized for a predetermined period of time, such as five seconds, or for a period of time that is determined according to a plurality of factors, such as the initial temperature of the heating element 116 or the presence of liquid or other substance within the vacuum chamber. Moreover, the heating element 116 could be energized at any time by an operator, if desired. For example, an operator may wish to seal a container that has not been evacuated at all.
The techniques described with reference to
In operation, a container (not shown) is placed over the gasket 154 arid across the heat sealing element 156. When the container is evacuated in an evacuation procedure, liquid or particulate contaminants may be caught in the removable drip tray 159. The sealing element 156 then seals the container. The removable drip tray 159 may be conveniently removed for cleaning. It should be noted that the removable drip tray 159 is one way to implement the functionality of a removable trough. The removable drip tray implementation could cost less than a removable trough with integrated heating element. Alternatively, the removable drip tray could make providing power to the heating element easier, such as by providing a power coupling by wiring through the surface of the trough into the heating element.
An alternative technique for providing power to the sealing element is described with reference to
In operation, a portion of a heat sealable bag that is within the evacuatable chamber and proximate to the heating sealing element 176 is sealed by the heat sealing element 176. For example, the heat sealable bag could be positioned between the heat sealing element 176 and the pressure profile 182 when the heat sealing element 176 is energized, thereby forming a seal on the heat sealable bag.
When the lid 190 is engaged with the trough 192, the gasket 194 forms a hermetic seal with the gasket 196. In addition, the gasket 194 acts as a pressure profile, much like the pressure profile 182 (
Although it is presented here that the present invention is designed primarily for use in food preservation, it is contemplated that the improved vacuum sealing would allow for use in other types of preservation systems. For example, the use of toxic dessicants for the shipment of electronic components could be eliminated. The invention could be applied to medical as well as pharmaceutical use. The scope of the invention is not to be restricted by the above descriptions which are provided for illustrative and enablement purposes, but rather should be defined by the claims listed below.
Claims
1. A vacuum sealing system, comprising:
- a housing, including a hermetic inlet configured to receive at least a portion of a vacuum sealable container, wherein inner surfaces of said housing define a vacuum chamber therein;
- a vacuum source, in fluidic communication with said vacuum chamber, configured to substantially evacuate said vacuum chamber during an evacuation procedure; and
- a sealing element, located within the inner surfaces of said housing, configured to secure a first part of said portion of said vacuum sealable container to a second part of said portion of said vacuum sealable container when said portion of said vacuum sealable container is proximate to said sealing element at least during a time period in which said vacuum chamber is substantially evacuated during said evacuation procedure.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein said hermetic inlet is between an upper hermetic member and a lower hermetic member, wherein said housing further includes:
- an upper housing member, including an upper hermetic member, that is configured to be opened to facilitate placement of said vacuum sealable container; and
- a lower housing member, wherein during said evacuation procedure said upper housing member is closed such that said upper hermetic member contacts said lower hermetic member, thereby forming a barrier to substantially prevent air from entering said vacuum chamber via said hermetic inlet.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein said sealing element includes a heat sealing element.
4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a power conduit configured to provide power from a power source to drive said sealing element at least during said time period.
5. A system for vacuum sealing a container, comprising:
- an evacuation means for evacuating a vacuum chamber during an evacuation procedure;
- a hermetic inlet means for facilitating insertion of at least a portion of a vacuum sealable container into said vacuum chamber;
- a sealing means, located within said vacuum chamber, for securing a first part of said portion of said vacuum sealable container to a second part of said portion of said vacuum sealable container during said evacuation procedure;
6. The system of claim 5, wherein said sealing means includes a heat sealing means.
7. The system of claim 5, further comprising a power conduit means for providing power to drive said sealing element.
8. A method for vacuum sealing a container, including the acts of:
- placing a vacuum sealable container, that contains contaminants, in a position such that an open end of said vacuum sealable container is in fluidic communication with a vacuum chamber;
- evacuating said vacuum chamber such that at least some of said contaminants are evacuated out of said vacuum sealable container; and
- activating a sealing element located in said vacuum chamber, wherein the activated sealing element causes at least a portion of said vacuum sealable container to seal.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:
- applying pressure to an upper housing of said vacuum chamber to bring an upper and lower hermetic member firmly together, thereby ensuring said vacuum chamber is hermetically sealed prior to evacuating said vacuum chamber;
- releasing said pressure after the activated sealing element causes at least a portion of said vacuum sealable container to seal; and
- removing said vacuum sealable container from said vacuum chamber.
10. A vacuum sealing device, comprising:
- a housing, wherein inner surfaces of said housing define an evacuatable chamber therein when said housing is operationally configured;
- an evacuation detection mechanism for determining whether said evacuatable chamber is at least partially evacuated; and
- a sealing element, coupled to said housing, inside the evacuatable chamber, positioned such that said sealing element seals a container that is at least partially inserted into said evacuatable chamber when said vacuum detection mechanism determines that said evacuatable chamber is at least partially evacuated.
11. The device of claim 10, further comprising:
- a power conduit for providing power to said sealing element at least when said vacuum detection mechanism determines that said evacuatable chamber is at least partially evacuated.
12. A method for vacuum sealing a container, comprising:
- at least partially evacuating an evacuatable chamber;
- determining that the evacuatable chamber is at least partially evacuated; and
- sealing a portion of a container that extends into the evacuatable chamber.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:
- energizing the sealing element in response to determining that the evacuatable chamber is at least partially evacuated.
14. A vacuum sealing apparatus for sealing a container using a heating element located within a vacuum chamber, said vacuum sealing apparatus comprising:
- a first evacuation module member;
- a second evacuation module member, wherein said first evacuation module member and said second evacuation module member are configured to fit together such that a vacuum chamber is defined by inner surfaces of said first evacuation module member and said second evacuation module member;
- a heating element connected to at least one of said inner surfaces;
- a power coupling that engages said heating element for at least a first period of time during which said vacuum chamber is defined by said inner surfaces; and
- an evacuation channel that extends from said vacuum chamber when said vacuum chamber is defined by said inner surfaces;
- a vacuum module, coupled to said evacuation channel, that evacuates said vacuum chamber of at least some contaminants through said evacuation channel for at least a second period of time during which said vacuum chamber is defined by said inner surfaces,
- wherein said heating element is energized by power received through said power coupling for at least a third period of time during which said vacuum chamber is defined by said inner surfaces.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said first evacuation module member has an evacuation port formed therein, wherein said evacuation channel is connected to said first evacuation module member at said evacuation port, and wherein said contaminants are evacuated from said vacuum chamber through said evacuation port.
16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said second evacuation module member includes a trough.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said first evacuation module member is a lid that covers said trough while said inner surfaces define said vacuum chamber.
18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said power coupling includes two contact points connected to said first evacuation module member, and wherein said contact points contact said heating element when said first evacuation module member and said second evacuation module member fit together to define said vacuum chamber.
19. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising:
- a first gasket connected to said first evacuation module member;
- a second gasket connected to said second evacuation module member, wherein said first gasket and said second gasket are positioned between said first evacuation module member and said second evacuation module member when said first evacuation module member and said second evacuation module member fit together to define said vacuum chamber, wherein said first gasket and said second gasket together form a hermetic barrier into said vacuum chamber, and wherein a container is insertable between said first and second gasket without substantially degrading the hermetic barrier, such that said container extends at least partially into said vacuum chamber.
20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said first gasket includes a pressure profile to push a zone of said container into said heating element to assist in forming a seal on said container substantially along said zone when said container is at least partially inserted into said vacuum chamber.
21. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a pressure profile to push a zone of a container, that is at least partially inserted into said vacuum chamber, into said heating element to assist in forming a seal on said container substantially along said zone.
22. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a barrier wall configured to segregate said power conduit from said vacuum chamber.
23. A method for sealing a container using a heating element located within a vacuum chamber, said method comprising the acts of:
- defining a vacuum chamber by fitting together first and second evacuation module members;
- inserting a container at least partially into the vacuum chamber;
- evacuating the vacuum chamber of at least some contaminants;
- energizing a heating element located within the vacuum chamber; and
- sealing the container using heat from the heating element.
24. The method of claim 23, further comprising pushing a zone of the container onto the heating element, wherein the act of sealing the container includes sealing the container substantially along the zone.
25. A trough module for use with a vacuum packaging system, said trough module comprising:
- a trough that defines a volumetric depression that, when said trough is operationally configured for use in a vacuum packaging system, makes up part of an evacuation chamber; and
- a heat sealing element connected to said trough, said heat sealing element extending along at least a portion of said trough, wherein, when said trough is operationally configured for use in said vacuum packaging system, said heat sealing element is enclosed within said evacuation chamber.
26. The trough module of claim 25, further comprising a removable drip tray suspended within said trough, wherein, when said trough is operationally configured in a vacuum packaging system, said drip tray is positioned beneath at least a portion of a heat sealable bag that extends into said evacuation chamber.
27. The trough module of claim 25, further comprising a power conduit connecting a power source to said heat sealing element.
28. The trough module of claim 27, further comprising a barrier wall that makes up part of said evacuation chamber, wherein said barrier wall segregates said power conduit from said evacuation chamber.
29. The trough module of claim 25 further comprising baffolding to prevent liquid intake into said evacuation chamber from a heat sealable bag that extends into said evacuation chamber.
30. A vacuum chamber lid with integrated power coupling for use with a vacuum packaging system, comprising:
- a lid for covering a trough that defines a volumetric depression, wherein said trough includes an integrated sealing element, and wherein said lid and trough together define an evacuatable chamber that includes said volumetric depression; and
- a power coupling connected to said lid, wherein said power coupling contacts said integrated sealing element, thereby facilitating powering said integrated sealing element.
31. The vacuum chamber lid with integrated power coupling of claim 30, wherein said power coupling has a vampire wing configuration.
32. A vacuum chamber lid with integrated heat sealing element for use with a vacuum packaging system, said vacuum chamber lid comprising:
- a lid for covering a trough that defines a volumetric depression, wherein said lid and trough together define an evacuatable chamber that includes said volumetric depression when said lid and trough are operationally configured in a vacuum packaging system; and
- a heat sealing element connected to said lid; wherein, when said lid and trough are operationally configured in a vacuum packaging system, a portion of a heat sealable bag that is within said evacuatable chamber and proximate to said heating sealing element is sealed by said heat sealing element.
33. The vacuum chamber lid of claim 32 wherein said heat sealing element is configured to rest against a pressure profile connected to said trough.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 23, 2004
Publication Date: Feb 17, 2005
Inventors: Landen Higer (Alameda, CA), Charles Albritton (Hercules, CA)
Application Number: 10/897,570