FOOD CONTAINER PACKAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME

Abstract

A food container packaging apparatus includes: a base member having a positioning recess in which a food container is positioned at an upper portion thereof; a cover member that covers an upper portion of the base member; and a main heater mounted on a lower surface of the cover member to thermally fuse a sheet of packaging vinyl arranged on the food container to a peripheral portion of the food container, wherein the main heater has a band shape and is arranged along a circumference of the positioning recess when the cover member is lowered, and the main heater having a band shape makes contact with the packaging vinyl to thermally fuse the packaging vinyl to the peripheral portion of the food container.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a food container packaging apparatus and a method of using the same, and more particularly to a food container packaging apparatus that stacks a sheet of packaging vinyl on a food container and then thermally fuses the stacked packaging vinyl to safely preserve foods, and a method of using the same.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, when vegetables, fruits, and nuts classified as natural foods and foods in general restaurants are preserved, they are mainly contained in a food container and are sealed in a sealing packaging machine for packaging foods.

That is, foods are inserted into a food container and a sheet of packaging vinyl is arranged on the food container such that the packaging vinyl is thermally fused to a periphery of the food container to seal the food container.

Food container packaging apparatuses according to the related art include Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2010-0023492, Utility Model No. 20-0428397, and Utility Model No. 20-0323115.

However, in the food container packaging apparatuses according to the related art, because a main heater for thermally fusing a sheet of packaging vinyl has a flat plate shape, the entire flat plate should be heated, energy loss is unnecessarily high, and the plate cannot be promptly heated and cooled so that the promptness of the work is lowered. In addition, because a large flat plate is heated, the user may be easily exposed to a danger of a burn.

Furthermore, in the food container packaging apparatuses according to the related art, because an upper portion of the food container is thermally fused simply by the packaging vinyl, a large amount of air is present in the interior of the sealed food container so that there is a limit in preserving foods for a long time.

In addition, because not a food container but a vinyl envelope cannot be sealed, a separate apparatus should be provided to seal the vinyl envelope.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

The present invention has been made in an effort to solve the above-mentioned problems, and provides a food container packaging apparatus that forms a main heater for heating and fusing packaging vinyl not in a flat plate shape but in a band shape, reducing unnecessary energy loss, promptly heating and cooling the main heater to improve promptness of the work, and prevents the user from being exposed to a danger of a burn.

The present invention also provides a food container packaging apparatus that discharges air present in the interior of a food container to vacuum the food container and thermally fuses packaging vinyl at an upper portion of the food container to preserve foods contained in the food container for a long time, and seals not only the food container but also the vinyl envelope in a vacuum state.

The present invention also provides a food container packaging apparatus that, when hot foods are inserted into a food container, hot air is easily discharged to the outside so that the packaging vinyl cannot be damaged, and a method of using the same.

Technical Solution

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a food container packaging apparatus including: a base member having a positioning recess in which a food container is positioned at an upper portion thereof; a cover member that covers an upper portion of the base member; and a main heater mounted on a lower surface of the cover member to thermally fuse a sheet of packaging vinyl arranged on the food container to a peripheral portion of the food container, wherein the main heater has a band shape and is arranged along a circumference of the positioning recess when the cover member is lowered, and the main heater having a band shape makes contact with the packaging vinyl to thermally fuse the packaging vinyl to the peripheral portion of the food container.

The food container packaging apparatus further includes: an insulation member mounted on a lower surface of the cover member; and a power source for supplying an electric voltage to the main heater, and the main heater is mounted on a lower surface of the insulation member to thermally fuse the packaging vinyl arranged on the food container to the peripheral portion of the food container, and the main heater is formed of a wire and is bent along the insulation member to form a hollow shape corresponding to the peripheral portion of the food container.

A mounting recess into which the main heater is inserted to be arranged is formed in the insulation member, the main heater protrudes downwards further than the insulation member, and an insulation direction of the main heater formed of a wire is bent along the mounting recess.

The main heater has a hollow closed curve shape.

The main heater is divided into a first heating wire part and a second heating wire part, and one end of the first heating wire part and one end of the second heating wire part are arranged adjacent to each other and an opposite end of the second heating wire part and an opposite end of the second heating wire part are arranged adjacent to each other such that the packaging vinyl is thermally fused to the peripheral portion of the food container in a hollow closed curve shape by the main heater.

First connecting parts connected to the power source are formed at one end and an opposite end of the first heating wire part, respectively, second connecting parts connected to the power source are formed at one end and an opposite end of the second heating wire part, respectively, and an end of the first heating wire part and an end of the second heating wire part are spaced apart from each other.

The main heater is formed of one wire such that an end and an opposite end are arranged adjacent to each other after the main heater is bent.

A packing member is mounted at a circumference of the positioning recess or a circumference of the main heater in a hollow closed curve shape, and a suction hole connected to a vacuum pump is formed on an inside of the packing member.

The food container packaging apparatus further includes: a packaging member having a hollow closed curve shape and mounted on an upper surface of the base member or a lower surface of the cover member such that the positioning recess and the main heater are arranged inside the packing member; and a vacuum pump having a suction opening formed on an upper surface of the base member or a lower surface of the cover member, and the suction opening is arranged inside the packing member, the main heater has a hollow closed curve shape arranged along a circumference of the positioning recess when the cover member is lowered, and a front part of the main heater thermally fuses an opening of a vinyl envelope arranged across the packing member.

The main heater includes: a first heater arranged along a portion of a circumference of the positioning recess; and a second heater arranged along the remaining portions of the circumference of the positioning recess and mounted to a more front side of the cover member than the first heater to form a front part of the main heater, and the first heater and the second heater of the main heater defines a hollow closed curve shape, and electric voltages are independently applied to the first heater and the second heater.

The food container packaging apparatus further includes: a control unit for controlling an electric voltage applied to the main heater, and the control unit applies an electric voltage to the first heater and the second heater when the packaging vinyl is to be thermally fused to the peripheral portion of the food container positioned in the positioning recess, and an electric voltage is applied to the second heater when an opening of the vinyl envelope arranged across the packing member and the second heater is to be thermally fused.

The first heater has an inverse U shape, the second heater has a straight line shape and is arranged in front of the first heater, and a transverse length of the second heater is equal to or larger than a transverse width of the first heater.

A spaced part one or more portions of which are spaced apart from each other are formed in the main heater, one or more air passages that communicate an interior and an exterior of the food container when the packaging vinyl is thermally fused to the peripheral portion by the main heater are formed between the packaging vinyl and the peripheral portion.

The air passages are sized such that air is introduced and discharged through the air passages but liquid is not introduced and discharged through the air passages.

One main heater is provided such that an end and an opposite end thereof are spaced apart from each other to form the spaced part.

The main heater is divided into a plurality of main heater parts, and the plurality of main heater parts are spaced apart from each other to be adjacent to each other such that the spaced part is formed between the main heater parts.

A first inclined portion and a second inclined portion extend from an end and an opposite end of the main heater that are spaced apart from each other to form the spaced part, respectively, the first inclined portion and the second inclined portion are spaced apart from each other to form the spaced part, and the first inclined portion and the second inclined portion are arranged to be inclined from the center of the positioning recess.

A first inclined portion and a second inclined portion extend from an end and an opposite end of the main heater, which form the spaced part, and the first inclined portion and the second inclined portion are formed in a zigzag shape and are spaced apart from each other to form the spaced part.

The food container packaging apparatus further includes: a packing member having a hollow closed curve shape and mounted on an upper surface of the base member and a lower surface of the cover member such that the positioning recess and the main heater are arranged inside the packing member; and a vacuum pump having a suction opening on an upper surface of the base member or a lower surface of the cover member, and the suction opening is arranged on an inside of the packing member.

The food container packaging apparatus further includes: an auxiliary heater arranged between an outside of the main heater and an inside of the packing member, and the auxiliary heater thermally fuses an opening of the vinyl envelope arranged below the auxiliary heater.

The main heater includes: a first heater arranged along a portion of a circumference of the positioning recess; a second heater arranged along the remaining portions of the circumference of the positioning recess and mounted on a more front side of the cover member that the first heater, and the first heater and the second heater are spaced apart from each other to form the spaced part, the second heater thermally fuses the opening of the vinyl envelope arranged under the second heater, and electric voltages are independently applied to the first heater and the second heater.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of using a food container packaging apparatus including: a base member having a positioning recess in which a food container is positioned at an upper portion thereof; a cover member that covers an upper portion of the base member; a main heater mounted on a lower surface of the cover member to thermally fuse a sheet of packaging vinyl arranged on the food container to a peripheral portion of the food container; a packaging member having a hollow closed curve shape and mounted on an upper surface of the base member or a lower surface of the cover member such that the positioning recess and the main heater are arranged inside the packing member; and a vacuum pump having a suction opening formed on an upper surface of the base member or a lower surface of the cover member, wherein a vinyl envelope is inserted into the positioning recess, an opening of the vinyl envelope is arranged to cross the main heater from an inside of the packing member, and the cover member covers the main heater such that the main heater thermally seals the opening of the

Advantageous Effects

The food container packaging apparatus according to the present invention can have the following effects.

Because the main heater for heating and fusing packaging vinyl has a band shape instead of a flat plate shape, the main heater can be easily installed, unnecessary energy loss can be reduced, the main heater can be promptly heated and cooled such that the promptness of the work can be improved, and the user can be prevented from being exposed to a danger of a burn.

Furthermore, both the food container and a vinyl envelope can be vacuumed using one product.

That is, the food container packaging apparatus can discharge air present in the interior of a food container to vacuum the food container and thermally fuse packaging vinyl at an upper portion of the food container to preserve foods contained in the food container for a long time, and can seal not only the food container but also the vinyl envelope in a vacuum state.

Furthermore, because the heater is divided into a first heater and a second heater to independently apply electric voltages to the first heater and the second heater, wastes of materials of a heater component can be minimized and waste of unnecessary electric power can be prevented.

In addition, when hot foods are inserted into the food container to be packaged, hot air can be easily discharged to the outside through air passages formed by a spaced part of the main heater so that the packaging vinyl can be prevented from being damaged.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a food container packaging apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a configuration of the food container packaging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line A-A′ of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a cover member and a main heater according to a modified structure of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a food container according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the food container according to the first embodiment of the present invention is positioned on a packaging apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line B-B′ of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating a state in which a sheet of packaging vinyl is stacked on the food container in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view illustrating a state in which the vinyl is thermally fused to the food container by a main heater in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a food container packaging apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line C-C′ of FIG. 10.

FIGS. 12 to 14 are a sectional view illustrating a vacuum packaging process of the food container using the food container packaging apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a plan view schematically illustrating locations of a food container and a heater in the state of FIGS. 13 and 14.

FIGS. 16 to 18 are sectional views illustrating a vacuum packaging process of a vinyl envelope using the food container packaging apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a plan view schematically illustrating locations of the vinyl envelope and the heater in the state of FIGS. 17 and 18.

FIG. 20 is a plan view schematically illustrating a structure of a heater according to a modified example of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a food container packaging apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a sectional view taken along line D-D′ of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a plan view of a cover member in which a location of a heater according to the third embodiment of the present invention is schematically illustrated.

FIG. 24 is a structural sectional view illustrating a state in which a food container is positioned in a positioning recess of the food container packaging apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention and a sheet of packaging vinyl is stacked on the food container.

FIG. 25 is a structural sectional view illustrating a state in which the packaging vinyl is thermally fused to a peripheral portion of the food container in FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 is a plan view schematically illustrating locations of the food container and the heater in the state of FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the food container packaged by the food container packaging apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a structural sectional view illustrating a state in which an opening of the vinyl envelope is arranged in the food container packaging apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a structural sectional view illustrating a state in which an interior of the vinyl envelope is vacuumed after the cover member is closed in FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 is a structural sectional view illustrating a state in which the opening of the vinyl envelope of the completely vacuumed vinyl envelope is sealed in FIG. 29.

FIG. 31 is a plan view schematically illustrating locations of the vinyl envelope and the heater in the state of FIGS. 29 and 30.

FIG. 32 is a structural sectional view illustrating a state in which the vinyl envelope is inserted into a positioning recess of the food container packaging apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention and then is vacuum-packaged.

FIG. 33 is a plan view in which the heater of the food container packaging apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention is modified.

FIGS. 34 and 37 are plan views schematically illustrating a modified structure of the heater according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE

Mode for Invention

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a food container packaging apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a configuration of the food container packaging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line A-A′ of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a cover member and a main heater according to a modified structure of the first embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, the food container packaging apparatus of the present invention includes a base member 110, a cover member 120, an insulation member 130, a main heater 140, and a power source (not illustrated).

The base member 110 has a positioning recess 111 in which a food container 180 is positioned, at an upper portion thereof.

The food container 180 will be described in detail below.

The cover member 120 is arranged on the base member 110, and opens and closes an upper portion of the base member 110 through rotation or elevation thereof.

The insulation member 130 is mounted on a lower surface of the cover member 120, and functions to prevent heat of the main heater 140 from being transferred to the cover member 120.

The main heater 140 has a band shape, and is mounted on a lower surface of the insulation member 130 to thermally fuse the packaging vinyl 190 arranged on the food container 180 to a peripheral portion 183 of the food container 180.

The power source is mounted on the base member 110 or the cover member 120, and supplies an electric voltage to the main heater 140.

The main heater 140 has the form of a wire, and is bent along the insulation member 130 to form a hollow shape corresponding to the peripheral portion 183 of the food container 180.

Then, the main heater 140 may have a hollow open-loop or closed-loop shape.

To achieve this, the insulation member 130 has a mounting recess 131 into which the main heater 140 is inserted to be arranged therein.

The insulation member 130 is mounted on the cover member 120 at a location where the main heater 140 is bent, and the main heater 140 in the form of a wire is stopped by the insulation member 130 such that a direction of the main heater 140 is deflected.

The main heater 140 has a circular or tetragonal cross-section, and protrudes downwards further than the insulation member 130 while being inserted and arranged in the mounting recess 131.

The main heater 140 is bent along the mounting recess 131 to form a hollow shape.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the main heater 140 of the present invention is divided into a first heating wire part 141 and a second heating wire part 142.

One end of the first heating wire part 141 and one end of the second heating wire part 142 are arranged adjacent to each other, and an opposite end of the second heating wire part 142 and an opposite end of the second heating wire part 142 are arranged adjacent to each other such that the packaging vinyl 190 is thermally fused to the periphery 183 of the food container 180 in a hollow closed curve shape by the main heater 140.

Then, because the first heating wire part 141 and the second heating wire part 142 are minutely spaced apart from each other to prevent a short circuit, the packaging vinyl 190 is continuously thermally fused in a hollow closed shape by the heat generated by the first heating wire part 141 and the second heating wire part 142.

A first connecting part 143 connected to the power source is bent at one end and an opposite end of the first heating wire part 141, respectively and a second connecting part 144 connected to the power source is bent at one end and an opposite end of the second heating wire part 142.

An end of the first heating wire part 141 and an end of the second heating wire part 142 may be installed to make contact each other, but it is preferable that the end of the first heating wire part 141 and the end of the second heating wire part 142 be spaced apart from each other to prevent high heat from being generated at a contact portion.

The first connecting part 143 and the second connecting part 144 pass through the insulation member 130 and are connected to the power source.

Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the main heater 140 may be formed of one wire, and may be bent along the insulation member 130 and then be arranged such that one end and an opposite end thereof are adjacent to each other.

The structure of the main heater 140 can prevent a large area from being unnecessarily heated, can reduce energy loss, can prevent burns from being generated in the user by the main heater 140, and can improve promptness of work by promptly heating and cooling the main heater 140.

A hollow closed packing member 160 is mounted on the base member 110 and/or the cover member 120 along a circumference of the positioning recess 111 and/or a circumference of the main heater 140.

A pressing rubber member 113 is lengthily mounted on the base member 110 at an outer edge of the packing member 160, and an auxiliary heater 123 is mounted on the cover member 120 at a location corresponding to the pressing rubber member 113.

The auxiliary heater 123 and the pressing rubber member 113 function to thermally seal the vinyl envelope arranged therebetween.

A suction hole 112 is formed between the positioning recess 111 and the packing member 160, and the suction hole 112 is connected to a vacuum pump 170.

The suction hole 112 does good as long as it is arranged inside the packing member 160, and the suction hole 112 may be formed in the interior of the positioning recess 111 according to occasions.

Accordingly, air in the interior of the packing member 160 flows to the vacuum pump 170 through the suction hole 112 while the cover member 120 is closed, and then is discharged to the outside.

Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the food container 180 of the present invention includes a bottom surface 181, a side wall 182, and a peripheral portion 183.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the food container 180 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The side walls 182 are bent upwards from the bottom surface 181.

The peripheral portion 183 is bent outwards from the side wall 182, and the packaging vinyl 190 is thermally fused to an upper surface of the peripheral portion 183.

A plurality of embossed portions 184 are formed on the upper surface of the peripheral portion 183.

The embossed portions 184 are arranged in zigzags, and the inner side and the outer side of the peripheral portion 183 are communicated with each other through the spaces between the embossed portions 184.

Hereinafter, a method of positioning the food container 180 on the packaging apparatus and sealing the food container 140 by the main heater 140 will be described in detail.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the food container according to the first embodiment of the present invention is positioned on a packaging apparatus. FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line B-B′ of FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating a state in which a sheet of packaging vinyl is stacked on the food container in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a sectional view illustrating a state in which the vinyl is thermally fused to the food container by a main heater in FIG. 8.

First, while foods or the like are stored in the interior of the food container 180, the food container 180 is positioned in the positioning recess 111.

Then, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the peripheral portion 183 is exposed to an upper surface of the base member 110.

Thereafter, the packaging vinyl 190 is stacked on the food container 180 to cover the upper surface of the food container 180 such that the packaging vinyl 190 is arranged on the upper surface of the peripheral portion 183.

Then, the packing vinyl is a sheet of general flat vinyl having no embossed portion.

In this state, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the cover member 120 is rotated such that the cover member 120 covers an upper surface of the base member 110.

As the cover member 120 is rotated, the food container 180 arranged inside the packing member 160 by the packing member 160 is blocked from an outer side of the packing member 160 so that air can neither be introduced nor discharged.

Then, the main heater 140 is arranged above the peripheral portion 183 while the packaging vinyl 190 being interposed between the main heater 140 and the peripheral portion 183, and the cover member 120 presses the packaging vinyl 190 to the peripheral portion 183.

However, because the embossed portions 184 are formed on the upper surface of the peripheral portion 183, the interior and the exterior of the food container 180 are air-communicated with each other through the passages between the embossed portions 184.

In this state, the vacuum pump 170 is operated.

As the vacuum pump 170 is operated, the air in the interior of the food container 180 is discharged to the outside of the food container 180 through the passages between the embossed portions 184 arranged between the peripheral portion 183 and the packaging vinyl 190 as illustrated in FIG. 8, and then is discharged to the outside through the suction hole 112 and the vacuum pump 170 again.

If it is determined that the interior of the food container 180 is vacuumed by an operation of the vacuum pump 170, the main heater 140 is automatically or manually heated.

Then, because the main heater 140 is arranged above the peripheral portion 183 while the packaging vinyl 190 being interposed between the main heater 140 and the peripheral portion 183, the packaging vinyl 190 is heated and melt to be fused to the upper surface of the peripheral portion 183 and the embossed portions 184 as illustrated in FIG. 9 as the main heater 140 is heated, and accordingly, the interior and the exterior of the food container 180 are blocked from each other such that air cannot flow therebetween.

Accordingly, the food container 180 can preserve foods while the interior thereof is vacuumed.

Meanwhile, when the vinyl envelope (not illustrated) having the opening at one side thereof is to be vacuum-packaged, the opening of the vinyl envelope is arranged inside the packing member 160 and then the vacuum pump 170 is operated.

Then, because the embossed portions 184 are formed in the vinyl envelope, the air in the interior of the vinyl envelope may pass through the packaging member 160 and then be introduced through the suction hole 112.

As the vacuum pump 170 is operated, the air in the interior of the vinyl envelope is discharged to the outside via the suction hole 112 and the vacuum pump 170.

Thereafter, an electric voltage is applied to the auxiliary heater 123 to thermally seal and vacuum-package the opening of the vinyl envelope arranged under the auxiliary heater 123.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a food container packaging apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line C-C′ of FIG. 10. FIGS. 12 to 14 is a sectional view illustrating a vacuum packaging process of the food container using the food container packaging apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a plan view schematically illustrating locations of a food container and a heater in the state of FIGS. 13 and 14. FIGS. 16 and 18 are sectional views illustrating a vacuum packaging process of a vinyl envelope using the food container packaging apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 18, the food container packaging apparatus of the present invention includes a base member 210, a cover member 220, a main heater 230, a packing member 240, a vacuum pump 250, and a control unit (not illustrated).

The base member 210 has a positioning recess 215 in which a food container 261 is positioned at an upper portion thereof.

The cover member 220 covers the upper portion of the base member 210, and is mounted on the base member 210 in a structure in which it is rotatably hinge-coupled or elevated upwards and downwards.

The main heater 230 has a hollow closed curve shape and is mounted on a lower surface of the cover member 220, and is heated when an electric voltage is applied to the main heater 230.

The main heater 230 heats the packaging vinyl 262 disposed on the food container 261 to thermally fuse the peripheral portion of the food container 261, or thermally fuses the opening of the vinyl envelope 263 arranged across the packing member 240.

The main heater 230 has a hollow closed curve shape corresponding to the peripheral portion of the food container 261, and is arranged along a circumference of the positioning recess 215 when the cover member 220 is lowered.

The main heater 230 is divided into a first heater 231 and a second heater 232.

The first heater 231 is mounted on a lower surface of the cover member 220 to be arranged along a portion of the circumference of the positioning recess 215 when the cover member 220 is lowered.

In the second embodiment of the present invention, the positioning recess 215 has a tetragonal shape, and the first heater 231 has a substantially inverse U shape to be arranged on the rear side and the lateral side of the positioning recess 215.

The second heater 232 is mounted on a more front side of the cover member 220 than the first heater 231 to form a front part of the main heater 230.

The second heater is mounted to a lower surface of the cover member 220 to be arranged along the remaining portions of the circumference of the positioning recess 215 where the first heater 231 is not arranged when the cover member 220 is lowered.

In the second embodiment of the present invention, the second heater 232 has a substantially straight line shape, and is arranged on a front side of the positioning recess 215 on a front side of the first heater 231.

The main heater 230 forms a hollow closed curve shape due to the first heater 231 and the second heater 232.

Then, the hollow closed curve shape of the main heater 230 means that the main heater 230 not only forms an accurate closed curve but forms a substantially closed curve shape.

That is, the first heater 231 and the second heater 232 may be minutely spaced apart from each other.

An electric voltage may be dependently applied to the first heater 231 and the second heater 232 together, but it is preferable that electric voltages are independently applied thereto.

A transverse length of the second heater 232 is equal to or longer than a transverse width of the first heater 231.

As will be described below, the main heater 230 thermally fuses the packaging vinyl 262 stacked on the food container 261 through operations of the first heater 231 and the second heater 232 in a closed curve shape, and thermally fuses the opening of the vinyl envelope 263 arranged across the second heater 232 only with the second heater 232 without an operation of the first heater 231.

A pressing rubber member may be mounted on the base member 210 at a location corresponding to the first heater 231 and/or the second heater 232.

The main heater 230 may have a shape different from those of the first heater 231 and the second heater 232 illustrated in the second embodiment and the drawings.

The packing member 240 has a hollow closed curve shape, and is mounted to an upper surface of the base member 210 and/or a lower surface of the cover member 220 such that the positioning recess 215 and the main heater 230 is arranged inside the packing member 240.

In the second embodiment of the present invention, the packing member 240 is mounted on an upper surface of the base member 210 and a lower surface of the cover member 220, but may be mounted on any one thereof if necessary.

The packing member 240 functions to prevent flows of air between the inside and the outside of the packing member 240 when the cover member 220 is lowered and closed.

The vacuum pump 250 is mounted on the base member 210 or the cover member 220, and a suction opening 255 communicated with the vacuum pump 250 is formed on an upper surface of the base member 210 or a lower surface of the cover member 220.

When the cover member 220 covers an upper surface of the base member 210, the suction opening 255 is arranged inside the packing member 240.

The suction opening 255 may be formed in the positioning recess 215, or may be formed on an upper surface of the base member 210 from the inside of the packing member 240.

The vacuum pump 250 may be arranged outside the base member 210 or th cover member 220 according to occasions.

The control unit controls an electric voltage applied to the main heater 230.

When the packing vinyl 262 is to be thermally fused to the peripheral portion of the food container 261 positioned in the positioning recess 215, the control unit applies an electric voltage to the first heater 231 and the second heater 232 to thermally fuse the peripheral portion of the food container 261 in a closed curve shape.

When the opening of the vinyl envelope 263 arranged across the packing member 240 and the second heater 232, an electric voltage is applied only to the second heater 232 to thermally fuse the opening of the vinyl envelope 263 in a straight shape.

Hereinafter, an operation of the present invention will be described.

First, a process of vacuum-packing the food container 261 will be described.

FIG. 12 is a structural sectional view illustrating a state in which the food container 261 is positioned in the positioning recess 215 of the food container packaging apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention and the packaging vinyl 262 is stacked on the food container 261. FIG. 13 is a structural sectional view illustrating a state in which an upper portion of the base member 210 is covered by the cover member 220 and then the interior of the food container 261 is vacuumed in FIG. 12. FIG. 14 is a structural sectional view illustrating a state in which the packing vinyl 262 is thermally fused to the peripheral portion of the food container 261 after the vacuuming is completed in FIG. 13.

After foods are inserted into the food container 261, the food container 261 is positioned in the positioning recess 215 formed at an upper portion of the base member 210.

Thereafter, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the packaging vinyl 262 is stacked on the upper portion of the food container 261 to cover the upper portion of the food container 261.

In this state, the cover member 220 is rotated such that t cover member 220 covers an upper portion of the base member 210.

If the cover member 220 is covered, air flows between the inside and the outside of the packing member 240 are prevented by the packing member 240.

Then, as illustrated in FIG. 15, the first heater 231 and the second heater 232 are arranged at an upper portion of the peripheral portion of the food container 261 while the packaging vinyl 262 being interposed between the first heater 231 and the second heater 232 and the peripheral portion of the food container 261.

That is, the packaging vinyl 262 is pressed against the peripheral portion of the food container 261 by the first heater 231 and the second heater 232.

In this state, if the vacuum pump 250 is operated, the air in the interior of the food container 261 flows to the suction opening 255 through the spaces between the peripheral portion of the food container 261 and the packaging vinyl 262 as illustrated in FIG. 13 and is discharged to the outside via the vacuum pump 250 again.

Then, embossed portions are formed in the peripheral portion of the food container 261 or the packaging vinyl 262 such that the air in the interior of the food container 261 may easily flow to the outside.

If it is determined that the interior of the food container 261 is completely vacuumed, the control unit applies an electric voltage to the first heater 231 and the second heater 232, and accordingly, the first heater 231 and the second heater 232 thermally fuses the packaging vinyl 262 to the peripheral portion of the food container 261 as illustrated in FIG. 14.

Accordingly, the interior of the food container 261 is sealed while being vacuumed.

After the food container 261 is completely vacuum-packaged, the cover member 220 is opened and then the food container 261 is withdrawn from the positioning recess 215.

Meanwhile, when the vinyl envelope 263 having an opening at one side thereof is to be vacuum-packaged, only the second heater 232 is used without operating the first heater 231.

FIG. 16 is a structural sectional view illustrating a state in which the opening of the vinyl envelope 263 is arranged inside the packing member 240 in FIG. 15. FIG. 17 is a structural sectional view illustrating a state in which the cover member 220 is closed and then the interior of the vinyl envelope 263 is vacuumed in FIG. 16. FIG. 18 is a structural sectional view illustrating a state in which the opening of the completely vacuumed vinyl envelope 263 is sealed.

First, the cover member 220 is opened as illustrated in FIG. 15, and the opening of the vinyl envelope 263 is arranged inside the packing member 240.

Then, the opening of the vinyl envelope 263 is arranged to the positioning recess 215 as illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 19, and the opening of the vinyl envelope 263 is inserted into the positioning recess 215 if possible.

Because the second heater 232 is arranged on the front side of the positioning recess 215 when the cover member 220 is lowered, the opening of the vinyl envelope 263 should be arranged to the positioning recess 215 in order to arrange the second heater 232 on the vinyl envelope 263.

The width of the vinyl envelope 263 is made to be smaller than the transverse length of the first heater 231, and may be smaller or larger than the transverse width of the positioning recess 215.

Thereafter, as illustrated in FIG. 17, the cover member 220 is rotated to cover an upper portion of the base member 210.

Then, as illustrated in FIG. 19, the opening of the vinyl envelope 263 is arranged across the packing member 240 and the second heater 232.

As the cover member 220 is closed, flows of air between the inside and the outside of the packing member 240 are prevented by the packing member 240.

Then, embossed portions are formed in the vinyl envelope 263 or a nozzle having separate embossed portions is inserted into the vinyl envelope 263, so that the interior air of the vinyl envelope 263 may flow into the packing member 240.

Accordingly, as the vacuum pump 250 is operated, the air in the interior of the vinyl envelope 263 flows into the packing member 240 due to the embossed portions, and is suctioned into the vacuum pump 250 through the suction opening 255 again and then is discharged to the outside.

If it is determined that the interior of the vinyl envelope 263 is completely vacuumed through a pumping operation, the control unit applies an electric voltage only to the second heater 232 without operating the first heater 231.

As an electric voltage is applied to the second heater 232 to heat the second heater 232, the second heater 232 is heated, so that the opening of the vinyl envelope 263 is thermally sealed such that the interior of the vinyl envelope is thermally sealed while being vacuumed.

After the vinyl envelope 263 is completely thermally sealed, the cover member 220 is opened to withdraw the vinyl envelope 263.

According to the present invention, not only the food container 261 but also the vinyl envelope 263 may be vacuum-packaged by one product.

Although it has been described that the vinyl envelope 263 is arranged outside the packing member 240, the opening of the vinyl envelope 263 is arranged to protrude outwards across the second heater 232 and the packing member 240 when the vinyl envelope 263 is arranged in the positioning recess 215.

Meanwhile, FIG. 20 is a plan view schematically illustrating a structure of the main heater 230 according to a modified example of the second embodiment of the present invention.

As described above, the main heater 230 of the present invention may be configured such that the first heater 231 and the second heater 232 may be connected to each other to be heated at the same time, but may be heated separately.

The second heater 232 of the main heater 230 may have a U shape as illustrated in (a) of FIG. 20, and the first heater 231 and the second heater 232 may be integrally connected to each other such that positive and negative electric voltages are applied to opposite ends of the first heater 231 as illustrated in (b) of FIG. 20.

Then, the transverse width of the vinyl envelope 263 should be equal to or smaller than the length of the second heater 232 as described above.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a food container packaging apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 22 is a sectional view taken along line D-D′ of FIG. 21. FIG. 23 is a plan view of a cover member 320 in which a location of a heater according to the third embodiment of the present invention is schematically illustrated.

As illustrated in FIGS. 21 to 23, the food container packaging apparatus of the present invention includes a base member 310, a cover member 320, a heater, a packing member 350, and a vacuum pump 360.

The base member 310 has a positioning recess 315 in which the food container 371 is positioned is formed at an upper portion thereof.

The cover member 320 covers an upper portion of the base member 310, and is mounted on the base member 210 in a structure in which it is rotatably hinge-coupled or elevated upwards and downwards.

The heater includes a main heater 330 and an auxiliary heater 340.

The main heater 330 is mounted on a lower surface of the cover member 320 to be arranged along a circumference of the positioning recess 315 when the cover member 320 is lowered, and is heated when an electric voltage is applied.

The main heater 330 heats a sheet of packaging vinyl 372 arranged on a food container 371 to thermally fuse the packaging vinyl 372 to a peripheral portion of the food container 371.

As illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 23, the main heater 330 has a spaced part 333, at least one portion of which is spaced apart.

When the packaging vinyl 372 is thermally fused to the peripheral portion by the main heater 330 having the spaced part 333, one or more air passages 373 that communicate the interior and the exterior of the food container 371 I are formed between the packaging vinyl 372 and the peripheral portion by the spaced part 333 as illustrated in FIG. 27.

Because hot air in the interior of the food container 371 may be discharged to the outside by the air passages 373, the packaging vinyl 372 can be prevented from being swollen to be burst out or torn out.

Then, it is preferable that air may be communicated through the air passages but liquid cannot be communicated.

This may be done by precisely forming an interval when the spaced part 333 is manufactured.

The main heater 330 may have one part or may be a plurality of divided parts.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the main heater 330 is divided into a first heater 331 and a second heater 332 as illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 23, and the first heater 331 and the second heater 332 are arranged adjacent to each other such that the spaced part 33 is formed therebetween.

The first heater 331 and the second heater 332 are arranged in the cover member 320 in the leftward/rightward direction.

Although the first heater 331 and the second heater 332 may be simply spaced apart from each other to form the spaced part 333 therebetween, but it is preferable that a first inclined portion 334 and a second inclined portion 335 extend from the first heater 331 and the second heater 332 and the first inclined portion 334 and the second inclined portion 335 are spaced apart from each other to form the spaced part as in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 23.

Then, the first inclined portion 334 and the second inclined portion 335 are arranged to be inclined from the center of the positioning recess 315.

In this way, the air passages 373 are formed lengthily by the first inclined portion 334 and the second inclined portion 335, and accordingly, the liquid in the interior of the food container 371 is not easily withdrawn to the outside through the long air passages 373 and only the air may be discharged to the outside.

The first inclined portion 334 and the second inclined portion 335 are formed in a zigzag shape in which they correspond to each other as illustrated in FIG. 34 to form the spaced part 333 more lengthily, and accordingly, the air passages 373 through which the air is discharged to the outside but liquid is not discharged to the outside may be formed.

The auxiliary heater 340 is arranged between an outside of the main heater 330 and an inside of the packing member 350.

The auxiliary heater 340 may be arranged outside the packing member 350 according to occasions, and a pressing rubber member is mounted on the base member 310 at a location corresponding to the auxiliary heater 340.

The auxiliary heater 340 functions to thermally fuse the opening of the vinyl envelope 375 arranged under the auxiliary heater 340.

The cross-sections of the main heater 330 and the auxiliary heater 340 may have circular shapes or polygonal shapes.

The packing member 350 has a hollow closed curve shape, and is mounted on an upper surface of the base member 310 and/or a lower surface of the cover member 320 such that the positioning recess 315, the main heater 330, and the auxiliary heater 340 are arranged inside the packing member 350.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the packing member 350 is mounted to an upper surface of the base member 310 and a lower surface of the cover member 320, but may be mounted to any one thereof if necessary.

The packing member 350 functions to prevent air flows between an inside and an outside of the packing member 350 when the cover member 320 is lowered and closed.

The vacuum pump 360 is mounted on the base member 310 or the cover member 320, a suction opening 365 communicated with a vacuum pump 360 is formed on an upper surface of the base member 310 or a lower surface of the cover member 320.

When the cover member 320 covers an upper surface of the base member 310, the suction opening 365 is arranged inside the packing member 350.

The suction opening 365 may be formed in the positioning recess 315 and may be formed on an upper surface of the base member 310 inside the packing member 350.

The vacuum pump 360 may be arranged outside the base member 310 or the cover member 320 according to occasions.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the auxiliary heater 340 is employed to thermally seal the vinyl envelope 375, but only main heater 330 may be employed without using the auxiliary heater 340 when only the food container 371 is to be thermally sealed and then the packing member 350 and the vacuum pump 360 may not be employed.

Hereinafter, an operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 24 is a structural sectional view illustrating a state in which a food container 371 is positioned in a positioning recess 315 of the food container packaging apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention and a sheet of packaging vinyl 372 is stacked on the food container. FIG. 25 is a structural sectional view illustrating a state in which the packaging vinyl 372 is thermally fused to a peripheral portion of the food container 371 in FIG. 24. FIG. 26 is a plan view schematically illustrating locations of the food container 371 and the heater in the state of FIG. 25. FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the food container 371 packaged by the food container packaging apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

First, a process of vacuum-packaging the food container 371 will be described.

After foods are inserted into the food container 371, the food container 371 is positioned in the positioning recess 315 formed at an upper portion of the base member 310.

Thereafter, as illustrated in FIG. 24, the packaging vinyl 372 is stacked on the food container 371 to cover the food container 371.

In this state, the cover member 320 is rotated to cover an upper portion of the base member 310.

Then, as illustrated in FIG. 25, the main heater 330 is arranged at an upper portion of the peripheral portion of the food container 371 while the packaging vinyl 372 being interposed between the main heater 330 and the food container 371.

That is, the packaging vinyl 372 is pressed to the peripheral portion of the food container 371 by the main heater 330.

In this state, if an electric voltage is applied to the main heater 330, the main heater 330 thermally fuses the packaging vinyl 372 to the peripheral portion of the food container 371 as illustrated in FIG. 25.

Then, as illustrated in FIG. 26, the packaging vinyl 372 is not thermally fused to the peripheral portion of the food container 371 at a location where the spaced part 333 is formed.

Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 27, in the completely packaged food container 371, the packaging vinyl 372 is thermally fused to the peripheral portion of the food container 371 by the main heater 330, and the packaging vinyl 372 is thermally fused to the peripheral portion of the food container 371 at a location where the spaced part 333 is formed and thus the air passages 373 that communicates the interior and the exterior of the food container 371 are formed.

Accordingly, when hot foods are accommodated in the interior of the food container 371, hot air and heat may be easily discharged to the outside through the air passages 373.

A process of vacuum-packaging the vinyl envelope 375 using the food container packaging apparatus of the present invention is as illustrated in FIGS. 28 to 32.

FIG. 28 is a structural sectional view illustrating a state in which an opening of the vinyl envelope is arranged in the food container packaging apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 29 is a structural sectional view illustrating a state in which an interior of the vinyl envelope 375 is vacuumed after the cover member 320 is closed in FIG. 28. FIG. 30 is a structural sectional view illustrating a state in which the opening of the vinyl envelope of the completely vacuumed vinyl envelope 375 is sealed in FIG. 29. FIG. 31 is a plan view schematically illustrating locations of the vinyl envelope 375 and the heater in the state of FIGS. 29 and 30. FIG. 32 is a structural sectional view illustrating a state in which the vinyl envelope 375 is inserted into a positioning recess 315 of the food container packaging apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention and then is vacuum-packaged.

First, the cover member 320 is opened as illustrated in FIG. 22, and the opening of the vinyl envelope 375 is arranged inside the packing member 350.

Then, the opening of the vinyl envelope 375 is arranged to the positioning recess 315 as illustrated in FIGS. 28 and 31, and the opening of the vinyl envelope 375 is inserted into the positioning recess 315 if possible.

Because the auxiliary heater 340 is arranged in front of the positioning recess 315 when the cover member 320 is lowered, the opening of the vinyl envelope 375 should be arranged to the positioning recess 315 so that the auxiliary heater 340 is arranged above the vinyl envelope 375.

The width of the vinyl envelope 375 should be smaller than the transverse length of the auxiliary heater 340.

Thereafter, as illustrated in FIG. 29, the cover member 320 is rotated to cover an upper portion of the base member 310.

Then, as illustrated in FIG. 29, the opening of the vinyl envelope 375 is arranged in the positioning recess 315 across the packing member 350 and the auxiliary heater 340.

As the cover member 320 is closed, air flows between the inside and the outside of the packing member 350 are prevented by the packing member 350.

Then, the vinyl envelope 375 has embossed portions or a nozzle having separate embossed portions is inserted into the vinyl envelope 375, so that the interior air of the vinyl envelope 375 flows into the packing member 350.

Accordingly, as the vacuum pump 360 is operated, the air in the interior of the vinyl envelope 375 flows into the packing member 350 due to the embossed portions, and is suctioned into the vacuum pump 360 through the suction opening 365 again and then is discharged.

If it is determined that the interior of the vinyl envelope 375 is completely vacuumed through a pumping operation, an electric voltage is applied to the auxiliary heater 340.

As an electric voltage is applied to the auxiliary heater 340 to heat the auxiliary heater 340, the auxiliary heater 340 thermally seals the opening of the vinyl envelope 375 arranged under the auxiliary heater 340, and thus the interior of the vinyl envelope 375 is thermally sealed into a vacuum state.

After the vinyl envelope 375 is completely thermally sealed, the vinyl envelope 375 is withdrawn by opening the cover member 320.

It has been described that the vinyl envelope 375 is arranged outside the packing member 350, the vinyl envelope 375 may be arranged in the positioning recess 315 to be vacuum-packaged as illustrated in FIG. 32.

Then, the opening of the vinyl envelope 375 is arranged in the inside of the packing member 350 across portions of the main heater 330 having no spaced part 333 or the auxiliary heater 340.

Accordingly, as the vacuum pump 360 is operated, the air in the interior of the vinyl envelope 375 closed in the interior of the packing member 350 is discharged to the outside, and then the opening of the vinyl envelope 375 is thermally sealed by the main heater 330 or the auxiliary heater 340.

According to the present invention, not only the food container 371 but also the vinyl envelope 375 can be vacuum-packaged by one product.

FIG. 34 is a plan view schematically illustrating a first modified structure of the heater according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 34 illustrates (a) a location of the heater while the packaging vinyl 372 is covered by the food container 371, and (b) a state in which the vinyl envelope 375 is arranged to be vacuumed and thermally sealed.

The second embodiment illustrated in FIG. 34 differs from the third embodiment in the structure of the main heater 330.

That is, in the third embodiment, the main heater 330 includes a first heater 331 and a second heater 332 such that opposite ends thereof are spaced apart from each other to form two spaced parts 333, but in the second embodiment, one main heater 330 is provided such that one end an opposite end thereof are spaced apart from each other adjacently to each other to form the spaced part 333.

Accordingly, when the packaging vinyl 372 is to be thermally sealed on the food container 371, an electric voltage is applied to the main heater 330 such that the packaging vinyl 372 is thermally fused to an upper portion of the food container 371 in the state illustrated in (a) of FIG. 34, and when the vinyl envelope 375 is to be thermally sealed, an electric voltage is applied to the auxiliary heater 340 to thermally seal the opening of the vinyl envelope 375 in the state illustrated in (b) of FIG. 34.

The other items are the same as described in the third embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 35 is a plan view schematically illustrating a second modified structure of the heater according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 35 illustrates (a) a location of the heater while the packaging vinyl 372 covers the food container 371, and (b) a state in which the vinyl envelope 375 is arranged to be vacuumed and thermally sealed.

The third embodiment illustrated in FIG. 35 differs from the third embodiment in the structures of the main heater 330 and the auxiliary heater 340.

In the third embodiment, the main heater 330 includes a first heater 331 and a second heater 332.

The first heater 331 is mounted on a lower surface of the cover member 320 to be arranged along a portion of a circumference of the positioning recess 315 when the cover member 320 is lowered.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the positioning recess 315 has a tetragonal shape, and the first heater 331 has a substantially inverse U shape and is arranged on the rear side and lateral sides of the positioning recess 315.

The second heater 332 is a more front side of the cover member 320 that the first heater 331 and forms a front part of the heater.

The second heater 332 is mounted on a lower surface of the cover member 320 to be arranged along the remaining portions of the circumference of the positioning recess 315 where the first heater 331 is not arranged when the cover member 320 is lowered.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the second heater 332 has a substantially straight line shape, and is arranged in front of the positioning recess 315 in front of the first heater 331.

The first heater 331 and the second heater 332 are spaced apart from each other to form a spaced part 333.

That is, opposite ends of the first heater 331 do not make contact each other but are slightly spaced apart from each other to form the spaced part 333.

An electric voltage may be dependently applied to the first heater 331 and the second heater 332 together, but electric voltages are independently applied to the first heater 331 and the second heater 332.

The transverse length of the second heater 332 is equal to or larger than the transverse width of the first heater 331.

The main heater 330 is thermally fused to the packaging vinyl 372 stacked on the food container 371 by operations of the first heater 331 and the second heater 332, and the opening of the vinyl envelope 375 arranged across the second heater 332 is thermally fused only by the second heater 332 without operating the first heater 331.

The main heater 330 has a shape different from those of the first heater 331 and the second heater 332 illustrated in the embodiment and the drawings.

In detail, when the food container 371 is to be packaged as illustrated in (a) of FIG. 35, an electric voltage is applied to both the first heater 331 and the second heater 332 such that the packaging vinyl 372 is thermally fused to the peripheral portion of the food container 371 except for the air passages 373.

When the vinyl envelope 375 is to be vacuum-packaged as illustrated in (b) of FIG. 35, only the second heater 332 is operated to thermally seal the opening of the vinyl envelope 375 arranged across the second heater 332.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the second heater 332 of the main heater 330 also performs the role of the auxiliary heater 340 of the third embodiment of the present invention, the auxiliary heater 340 is unnecessary.

The other items are the same as those described in the third embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 36 is a plan view schematically illustrating a third modified structure of the heater according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 36 illustrates (a) a location of the heater while the food container 371 is covered by the packaging vinyl 372, and (b) a state in which the vinyl envelope 375 is vacuumed and thermally sealed.

The fourth embodiment illustrated in FIG. 36 differs from the third embodiment illustrated in FIG. 35 in the shapes of the first heater 331 and the second heater 332.

That is, in the fourth embodiment, a first inclined portion 334 and a second inclined portion 335 are formed in the first heater 331 and the second heater 332 forming the main heater 330, respectively, and the spaced part 333 is formed between the first inclined portion 334 and the second inclined portion 335.

The second heater 332 is arranged in front of the first heater 331, and the spaced part 333, and the spaced part 333 is formed not in the forward/rearward direction in which the vinyl envelope 375 is inserted and arranged but in the leftward/rightward direction.

Accordingly, when the packaging vinyl 372 is thermally sealed on the food container 371, an electric voltage is applied to both the first heater 331 and the second heater 332 to thermally fuse the packaging vinyl 372 on the food container 371 in the state illustrated in (a) of FIG. 36, and when the vinyl envelope 375 is to be thermally sealed, an electric voltage is applied only to the second heater 332 to thermally seal the opening of the vinyl envelope 375 in the state illustrated in (b) of FIG. 36.

The other items are the same as those illustrated in the third embodiment and the modified example, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 37 is a plan view schematically illustrating a fourth modified structure of the heater according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 37 illustrates (a) a location of the heater while the food container 371 is covered by the packaging vinyl 371, and (b) a state in which the vinyl envelope 375 is arranged to be vacuumed and thermally sealed.

The fifth embodiment illustrated in FIG. 37 is the same as the second embodiment illustrated in FIG. 34 except that there is not auxiliary heater 340.

That is, in the fifth embodiment, an auxiliary heater 340 is not present but the spaced part 333 is formed in the main heater 330.

Accordingly, when the packaging vinyl 372 is thermally sealed on the food container 371, an electric voltage is applied to the main heater 330 such that the packaging vinyl 372 is thermally fused on the food container 371 in the state illustrated in (a) of FIG. 37, and when the vinyl envelope 375 is to be thermally sealed, an electric voltage is applied to the main heater 330 to thermally seal the opening of the vinyl envelope 375 in the state illustrated in (b) of FIG. 37.

Then, the transverse width of the main heater 330 should be larger than the transverse width of the vinyl envelope 375.

The other items are the same as those described in the third embodiment and the modified example, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The food container packaging apparatus and a method of using the same according to the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, but may be variously modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention can be applied to a packaging apparatus that packages a food container.

Claims

1. A food container packaging apparatus comprising:

a base member having a positioning recess in which a food container is positioned at an upper portion thereof;

a cover member that covers an upper portion of the base member; and

a main heater mounted on a lower surface of the cover member to thermally fuse a sheet of packaging vinyl arranged on the food container to a peripheral portion of the food container,

wherein the main heater has a band shape and is arranged along a circumference of the positioning recess when the cover member is lowered, and the main heater having a band shape makes contact with the packaging vinyl to thermally fuse the packaging vinyl to the peripheral portion of the food container.

2. The food container packaging apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an insulation member mounted on a lower surface of the cover member; and

a power source for supplying an electric voltage to the main heater,

wherein the main heater is mounted on a lower surface of the insulation member to thermally fuse the packaging vinyl arranged on the food container to the peripheral portion of the food container, and the main heater is formed of a wire and is bent along the insulation member to form a hollow shape corresponding to the peripheral portion of the food container.

3. The food container packaging apparatus of claim 2, wherein a mounting recess into which the main heater is inserted to be arranged is formed in the insulation member, the main heater protrudes downwards further than the insulation member, and an insulation direction of the main heater formed of a wire is bent along the mounting recess.

4. The food container packaging apparatus of claim 2, wherein the main heater has a hollow closed curve shape.

5. The food container packaging apparatus of claim 2, wherein the main heater is divided into a first heating wire part and a second heating wire part, and one end of the first heating wire part and one end of the second heating wire part are arranged adjacent to each other and an opposite end of the second heating wire part and an opposite end of the second heating wire part are arranged adjacent to each other such that the packaging vinyl is thermally fused to the peripheral portion of the food container in a hollow closed curve shape by the main heater.

6. The food container packaging apparatus of claim 5, wherein first connecting parts connected to the power source are formed at one end and an opposite end of the first heating wire part, respectively, second connecting parts connected to the power source are formed at one end and an opposite end of the second heating wire part, respectively, and an end of the first heating wire part and an end of the second heating wire part are spaced apart from each other.

7. The food container packaging apparatus of claim 2, wherein the main heater is formed of one wire such that an end and an opposite end are arranged adjacent to each other after the main heater is bent.

8. The food container packaging apparatus of claim 2, wherein a packing member is mounted at a circumference of the positioning recess or a circumference of the main heater in a hollow closed curve shape, and a suction hole connected to a vacuum pump is formed on an inside of the packing member.

9. The food container packaging apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a packaging member having a hollow closed curve shape and mounted on an upper surface of the base member or a lower surface of the cover member such that the positioning recess and the main heater are arranged inside the packing member; and

a vacuum pump having a suction opening formed on an upper surface of the base member or a lower surface of the cover member,

wherein the suction opening is arranged inside the packing member, the main heater has a hollow closed curve shape arranged along a circumference of the positioning recess when the cover member is lowered, and a front part of the main heater thermally fuses an opening of a vinyl envelope arranged across the packing member.

10. The food container packaging apparatus of claim 9, wherein the main heater comprises:

a first heater arranged along a portion of a circumference of the positioning recess; and

a second heater arranged along the remaining portions of the circumference of the positioning recess and mounted to a more front side of the cover member than the first heater to form a front part of the main heater,

wherein the first heater and the second heater of the main heater defines a hollow closed curve shape, and electric voltages are independently applied to the first heater and the second heater.

11. The food container packaging apparatus of claim 10, further comprising:

a control unit for controlling an electric voltage applied to the main heater,

wherein the control unit applies an electric voltage to the first heater and the second heater when the packaging vinyl is to be thermally fused to the peripheral portion of the food container positioned in the positioning recess, and an electric voltage is applied to the second heater when an opening of the vinyl envelope arranged across the packing member and the second heater is to be thermally fused.

12. The food container packaging apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first heater has an inverse U shape, the second heater has a straight line shape and is arranged in front of the first heater, and a transverse length of the second heater is equal to or larger than a transverse width of the first heater.

13. The food container packaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein a spaced part one or more portions of which are spaced apart from each other are formed in the main heater, one or more air passages that communicate an interior and an exterior of the food container when the packaging vinyl is thermally fused to the peripheral portion by the main heater are formed between the packaging vinyl and the peripheral portion.

14. The food container packaging apparatus of claim 13, wherein the air passages are sized such that air is introduced and discharged through the air passages but liquid is not introduced and discharged through the air passages.

15. The food container packaging apparatus of claim 13, wherein one main heater is provided such that an end and an opposite end thereof are spaced apart from each other to form the spaced part.

16. The food container packaging apparatus of claim 13, wherein the main heater is divided into a plurality of main heater parts, and the plurality of main heater parts are spaced apart from each other to be adjacent to each other such that the spaced part is formed between the main heater parts.

17. The food container packaging apparatus of claim 13, wherein a first inclined portion and a second inclined portion extend from an end and an opposite end of the main heater that are spaced apart from each other to form the spaced part, respectively, the first inclined portion and the second inclined portion are spaced apart from each other to form the spaced part, and the first inclined portion and the second inclined portion are arranged to be inclined from the center of the positioning recess.

18. The food container packaging apparatus of claim 13, wherein a first inclined portion and a second inclined portion extend from an end and an opposite end of the main heater, which form the spaced part, and the first inclined portion and the second inclined portion are formed in a zigzag shape and are spaced apart from each other to form the spaced part.

19. The food container packaging apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:

a packing member having a hollow closed curve shape and mounted on an upper surface of the base member and a lower surface of the cover member such that the positioning recess and the main heater are arranged inside the packing member; and

a vacuum pump having a suction opening on an upper surface of the base member or a lower surface of the cover member,

wherein the suction opening is arranged on an inside of the packing member.

20. The food container packaging apparatus of claim 19, further comprising:

an auxiliary heater arranged between an outside of the main heater and an inside of the packing member,

wherein the auxiliary heater thermally fuses an opening of the vinyl envelope arranged below the auxiliary heater.

21. The food container packaging apparatus of claim 19, wherein the main heater comprises:

a first heater arranged along a portion of a circumference of the positioning recess; a second heater arranged along the remaining portions of the circumference of the positioning recess and mounted on a more front side of the cover member that the first heater,

wherein the first heater and the second heater are spaced apart from each other to form the spaced part, the second heater thermally fuses the opening of the vinyl envelope arranged under the second heater, and electric voltages are independently applied to the first heater and the second heater.

22. A method of using a food container packaging apparatus comprising: a base member having a positioning recess in which a food container is positioned at an upper portion thereof; a cover member that covers an upper portion of the base member; a main heater mounted on a lower surface of the cover member to thermally fuse a sheet of packaging vinyl arranged on the food container to a peripheral portion of the food container; a packaging member having a hollow closed curve shape and mounted on an upper surface of the base member or a lower surface of the cover member such that the positioning recess and the main heater are arranged inside the packing member; and a vacuum pump having a suction opening formed on an upper surface of the base member or a lower surface of the cover member,

wherein a vinyl envelope is inserted into the positioning recess, an opening of the vinyl envelope is arranged to cross the main heater from an inside of the packing member, and the cover member covers the main heater such that the main heater thermally seals the opening of the vinyl envelope.