U.S. patent application number 10/057693 was filed with the patent office on 2003-07-31 for vacuum sealing bag apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to HP INTELLECTUAL CORP.. Invention is credited to Krasenics, Victor A. JR., Ortins, Marc P..
Application Number | 20030140603 10/057693 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27609469 |
Filed Date | 2003-07-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030140603 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Krasenics, Victor A. JR. ;
et al. |
July 31, 2003 |
Vacuum sealing bag apparatus
Abstract
A bag sealing apparatus including a frame having a fixed bag
insertion slot into a vacuum chamber, a heat sealer connected to
the frame, and means forming a vacuum connected to the vacuum
chamber. The heat sealer is for sealing a bag located in the
slot.
Inventors: |
Krasenics, Victor A. JR.;
(Orange, CT) ; Ortins, Marc P.; (New Haven,
CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Applica Consumer Products Iinc
35 thorpe Ave
Suite 104
Wallingford
CT
06492
US
|
Assignee: |
HP INTELLECTUAL CORP.
2751 Centreville Rd.
Wilmington
DE
19803
|
Family ID: |
27609469 |
Appl. No.: |
10/057693 |
Filed: |
January 25, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/434 ;
53/375.6; 53/512 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 31/046
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
53/434 ; 53/512;
53/375.6 |
International
Class: |
B65B 031/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A bag sealing apparatus comprising: a frame having a fixed bag
insertion slot into a vacuum chamber; a heat sealer connected to
the frame for sealing a bag located in the slot; and means for
forming a vacuum within the vacuum chamber.
2. A bag sealing apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising a
cleanout chamber connected between the vacuum chamber and the
supply of vacuum.
3. A bag sealing apparatus as in claim 2 wherein the cleanout
chamber is removably connected to the frame.
4. A bag sealing apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising a
movable clamp connected to the frame at the slot.
5. A bag sealing apparatus as in claim 4 wherein the movable clamp
comprises two opposing clamp members extending along a width of the
slot.
6. A bag sealing apparatus as in claim 5 wherein the two opposing
clamp members each comprises a vacuum seal which contacts the
bag.
7. A bag sealing apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the apparatus
comprises at least one movable assembly connected to the frame at
the slot, the movable assembly comprising a clamp member forming a
vacuum seal for directly contacting the bag and a heater seal for
pressing the bag against a heater element of the heat sealer.
8. A bag sealing apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the heat sealer is
located in the vacuum chamber, and the apparatus further comprises
a sealing device located at the slot in front of the heat
sealer.
9. A bag sealing apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising an
actuator located in the vacuum chamber, the actuator being
connected to the supply of vacuum for activating the supply of
vacuum, wherein the actuator is adapted to be actuated by a leading
edge of the bag inserted into the vacuum chamber.
10. A bag sealing apparatus comprising: a frame having a bag
receiving area; a bag sealer connected to the frame; and a vacuum
system connected to the bag receiving area, wherein the vacuum
system comprises a cleanout chamber connected between the bag
receiving area and means forming the vacuum for collecting food or
liquid exiting an open end of a bag inserted into the bag receiving
area.
11. A bag sealing apparatus as in claim 10 wherein the cleanout
chamber is removably connected to the frame.
12. A bag sealing apparatus as in claim 10 wherein the bag
receiving area comprises a fixed bag insertion slot into the frame
and a vacuum chamber located at an end of the slot.
13. A bag sealing apparatus as in claim 12 wherein the vacuum
system comprises a conduit between the vacuum chamber and the
cleanout chamber, and wherein the conduit extends into the vacuum
chamber at a bottom side of the vacuum chamber.
14. A bag sealing apparatus as in claim 10 further comprising an
actuator located in the bag receiving area, the actuator being
connected to the means forming the vacuum for activating the supply
of vacuum, wherein the actuator is adapted to be actuated by a
leading edge of the bag inserted into the bag receiving area.
15. A bag sealing apparatus as in claim 10 wherein the bag sealer
comprises a temporary sealer having a movable clamp connected to
the frame at a fixed entrance into the bag receiving area.
16. A bag sealing apparatus as in claim 15 wherein the movable
clamp comprises two opposing clamp members extending along a width
of the bag receiving area.
17. A bag sealing apparatus as in claim 16 wherein the two opposing
clamp members each comprises a vacuum seal which contacts the
bag.
18. A bag sealing apparatus as in claim 10 wherein the bag sealer
comprises at least one movable assembly connected to the frame at a
vacuum chamber of the bag receiving area, the movable assembly
comprising a clamp member forming a vacuum seal for directly
contacting the bag and a heater seal for pressing the bag against a
heater element of the bag sealer.
19. A bag sealing apparatus as in claim 10 wherein the bag sealer
comprises a permanent sealer having a heater element located in a
vacuum chamber of the bag receiving area, and a temporary sealer
having a sealing device located at a slot entrance into the vacuum
chamber in front of the heater element.
20. A method for heat sealing an open end of a bag comprising steps
of: inserting the open end of the bag into a fixed slot in a frame
of a bag sealing apparatus; moving a clamp of the apparatus to
clamp onto the open end, wherein the clamp is located at the fixed
slot; applying a negative pressure to the open end of the bag; and
heat sealing the open end of the bag.
21. A method as in claim 20 further comprising actuating an
actuator by the bag as the bag is inserted into the frame.
22. A method as in claim 21 wherein, when the actuator is actuated
by insertion of the bag into the frame, the actuator causes the
clamp to move.
24. A method as in claim 21 wherein, when the actuator is actuated
by insertion of the bag into the frame, the actuator causes the
supply of vacuum to be activated.
25. A method as in claim 20 wherein the step of applying a negative
pressure to the open end of the bag comprises evacuating air and
liquid in a bag receiving area of the frame into a cleanout
chamber.
26. A method as in claim 22 wherein the step of heat sealing the
open end of the bag comprises heating the bag at a location between
the clamp and an open aperture into the bag.
27. A method for vacuum sealing an open end of a bag comprising
steps of: inserting the open end of the bag into a bag receiving
area of a bag sealing apparatus; applying a negative pressure to
the open end of the bag at the bag receiving area; and evacuating
liquid, pulled from the open end of the bag into the bag receiving
area, to a liquid holding chamber separate from the bag receiving
area.
28. A method as in claim 27 further comprising heat sealing the bag
in the bag receiving area.
29. A method as in claim 27 further comprising actuating an
actuator by the bag as the bag is inserted into the bag receiving
area.
30. A method as in claim 29 wherein, when the actuator is actuated
by insertion of the bag into the bag receiving area, the actuator
causes a clamp to move onto the bag.
31. A method as in claim 29 further comprising heat sealing the
open end of the bag by heating the bag at a location between the
clamp and an open aperture into the bag.
32. A method as in claim 31 wherein, when the actuator is actuated
by insertion of the bag into the frame, the actuator causes means
forming a vacuum to be activated, and wherein the means forming the
vacuum applies a negative pressure inside the bag before the clamp
closes the open aperture into the bag.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for
sealing of a bag.
[0003] 2. Brief Description of Prior Developments
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 4,941,310 discloses an apparatus for vacuum
sealing plastic bags. The apparatus has a hood pivotably mounted on
a base. The apparatus has a vacuum chamber and a heat sealing
means. A problem with this type of pivoting hood apparatus is that
the heat sealing means could be contacted by a user when hot;
thereby posing a risk of injury to the user. Another problem with
this type of apparatus is that it could be difficult to clean out
the vacuum chamber if foodstuff or liquid exit from the bag.
Another problem with this type of apparatus is that foodstuff or
liquid could be pulled into the vacuum pump which would be very
difficult to clean. There is a desire to provide a bag sealing
apparatus that is easier to clean and has less risk of the user
contacting an exposed heating element.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a
bag sealing apparatus is provided including a frame having a fixed
bag insertion slot into a vacuum chamber, a heat sealer connected
to the frame, and a supply of vacuum connected to the vacuum
chamber. The heat sealer is for sealing a bag located in the
slot.
[0006] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
a bag sealing apparatus is provided including a frame having a bag
receiving area; a bag sealer connected to the frame; and a vacuum
system connected to the bag receiving area. The vacuum system
comprises a cleanout chamber connected between the bag receiving
area and the supply of vacuum for collecting food or liquid exiting
an open end of a bag inserted into the bag receiving area.
[0007] In accordance with one method of the present invention, a
method for heat sealing an open end of a bag is provided comprising
steps of inserting the open end of the bag into a fixed slot in a
frame of a bag sealing apparatus; moving a clamp of the apparatus
to clamp onto the open end, wherein the clamp is located at the
fixed slot; applying a vacuum force to the open end of the bag; and
heat sealing the open end of the bag.
[0008] In accordance with another method of the present invention,
a method for vacuum sealing an open end of a bag is provided
comprising steps of inserting the open end of the bag into a bag
receiving area of a bag sealing apparatus; applying a vacuum force
to the open end of the bag at the bag receiving area; and
evacuating liquid, pulled from the open end of the bag into the bag
receiving area, to a liquid holding chamber separate from the bag
receiving area.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The foregoing aspects and other features of the present
invention are explained in the following description, taken in
connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bag sealing apparatus
incorporating features of the present invention; and
[0011] FIG. 2 is schematic cross sectional view of a portion of the
bag sealing apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0012] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of a
bag sealing apparatus 10 incorporating features of the present
invention. Although the present invention will be described with
reference to the single embodiment shown in the drawings, it should
be understood that the present invention can be embodied in many
alternate forms of embodiments. In addition, any suitable size,
shape or type of elements or materials could be used.
[0013] The apparatus 10 is generally adapted to vacuum seal a
plastic bag 42 (see FIG. 2). In a preferred embodiment, the bag is
constructed with three separate plies. One of the three plies is
sandwiched between the other two plies and this one ply may be
patterned. However, in alternate embodiments, any suitable type of
plastic or polymer bag could be used with the present
invention.
[0014] The apparatus 10 generally comprises a frame 12, a control
system 13, a vacuum system 14, and a bag sealer system 16. The
frame 12 is preferably suitably sized and shaped to be located on a
kitchen counter top surface. However, in alternate embodiments, the
frame 12 could be suitably sized and shaped to be located in any
suitable type of location, such as mounted to the bottom surface of
a kitchen cabinet. The frame 12 comprises a front face 18 which
includes a slot or aperture 20. The slot 20, in the embodiment
shown, has a fixed shape. However, in an alternate embodiment, the
shape of the slot 20 might be variable. For example, in one type of
alternate embodiment the top of the frame 12 at the slot 20 might
comprise a movable flap similar to that shown in U.S. Pat. No.
4,941,310. In the embodiment shown, the frame 12 also comprises a
movable access door 22. The door 22 is movably attached to the rest
of the frame 12 by hinges 24. However, in alternate embodiments,
the movable access door 22 could be mounted to the rest of the
frame 12 by any suitable type of movable connection. In another
type of alternate embodiment, the door 22 might not be provided.
For example, the top of the cleanout chamber (described below)
might be formed flush with the rest of the frame 12, or the
cleanout chamber might not be provided (thus, there would be no
need for a movable access door).
[0015] Referring also to FIG. 2, the control system 13, in the
embodiment shown, generally comprises a controller 26, two user
actuated switches or selectors 28, 30, and a sensor 32. However, in
alternate embodiments, the control system could comprise additional
or alternative components. The controller 26 is preferably a
printed circuit board with a microprocessor. However, an alternate
embodiments, any suitable type of controller could be used.
[0016] The two user actuated switches 28, 30 are fixedly attached
to the frame 12 and are accessible to a user at the top side of the
frame. However, in alternate embodiments, the user actuated
switches 28, 30 could be located at any suitable position on the
frame, such as the front face 18. In the embodiment shown, the user
actuated switches 28, 30 comprise rocker switches. However, in
alternate embodiments, any suitable type of user actuated selectors
could be provided, such as a push button switch, or a rotatable
selector knob, or an electronic touch control pad. The two user
actuated switches 28, 30 are operably connected to the controller
26. The first user actuated switch 28 is a power ON/OFF switch. The
second user actuated switch 30 is a vacuum ON/OFF switch. However,
in an alternate embodiment, the second user actuated switch 30
might not be provided.
[0017] The sensor 32 comprises a microswitch. However, in alternate
embodiments, any suitable type of sensor could be provided, such as
an optical sensor. The sensor 32 is operably connected to the
controller 26. The sensor 32 is fixedly attached to the frame 12
inside a vacuum chamber 34 of the frame. The vacuum chamber 34 is
located at a rear end of the slot 20. The sensor 32 comprises a
movable contact arm 36. The movable contact arms 36 is located at
the end of a bag insertion path through the slot 20. The movable
contact arm 36 is adapted to be moved rearward against a contact 38
of the sensor 32 by a leading edge 40 of an inserted bag 42. The
sensor 32 is generally provided to function as a sensor to
determine when an end 41 of the bag 42 has been inserted through
the slot 20 and into the vacuum chamber 34. In an alternate
embodiment, the sensor 32 might not be provided, such as when a
user actuated switch is provided to initiate vacuum sealing a
bag.
[0018] The vacuum system 14 generally comprises a vacuum pump 44
(see FIG. 1) and a vacuum conduit system 46. The vacuum pump 44 is
operably connected to the controller 26 by a line 60. The
controller 26 is adapted to control the operation of the vacuum
pump 44. The vacuum conduit system 46 generally comprises a
cleanout chamber 48 and two vacuum conduits 50, 52. However, in
alternate embodiments, the vacuum conduit system 46 could comprise
additional or alternative components. The first vacuum conduit 50
extends from the vacuum chamber 34 to the cleanout chamber 48. In
the embodiment shown, the first vacuum conduit 50 has a first end
which is connected to a bottom side 54 of the vacuum chamber 34.
The opposite end of the first vacuum conduit 50 is attached to the
cleanout chamber 48 proximate a bottom end 56 of the cleanout
chamber. The second vacuum conduit 52 has a first end 58 which is
attached to the cleanout chamber 48 at a top end of the cleanout
chamber. An opposite end of the second vacuum conduit 52 is
connected to the vacuum pump 40.
[0019] In an alternate embodiment, the two vacuum conduits 50, 52
could both be attached to the top end of the cleanout chamber 48,
such as when the cleanout chamber 48 comprises a baffle extending
downward from its top side between the two vacuum conduits 50, 52.
However, the first end of the first vacuum conduit 50 is preferably
located at the bottom of the vacuum chamber 34 such that the vacuum
system can evacuate material, such as foodstuffs or liquid, which
enter the vacuum chamber 34 from an open end of an inserted bag. In
one type of embodiment, the cleanout chamber 48 could be removably
connected to the frame 12. However, in an alternate embodiment, the
cleanout chamber 48 might be formed as part of the frame 12, or
could be fixedly connected to the frame and not intended to be
removed. In another type of alternate embodiment, the cleanout
chamber 48 might not be provided. In such an alternate embodiment,
the first end of the vacuum conduit 50 might be located at the top
side of the vacuum chamber 34.
[0020] The bag sealer system 16 generally comprises a temporary
clamping system 62 and a permanent sealing system 64. The clamping
system 62 generally comprises a first clamp section 66, a second
clamp section 68, and a motor 70. The first clamp section 66 forms
a fixed, stationary clamping member. However, in alternate
embodiments, the first clamp section 66 could be movable. The first
clamp section 66 comprises a first resilient vacuum seal member 72.
The second clamp section 68 forms a movable clamping member.
However, in an alternate embodiment, the second clamp section could
be stationary. The second clamp section 68 generally comprises a
second resilient vacuum seal member 74 and a drive member 76. The
drive member 76 is connected to the motor 70. The motor 70 is
operably connected to the controller 26. When the motor 70 is
activated by the controller 26, the motor 70 is adapted to move the
drive member 76 vertically up and down. When the motor 70 moves the
drive member 76 in a downward direction, the second seal member 74
is moved towards the first seal member 72. This allows the two seal
members 72, 74 to clamp the end 40, 41 of the bag 42
therebetween.
[0021] The two seal members 72, 74 extend along the entire length
of the slot 20. The two clamp sections 66, 68 form a door to the
vacuum chamber 34. When the two clamp sections 66, 68 clamp the bag
42 therebetween, they close the entrance aperture into the vacuum
chamber through the slot 20. The two clamp sections 66, 68 and the
bag 42 thereby seal the entrance into the vacuum chamber 34. With
the door to the front entrance of the vacuum chamber closed by the
two clamp sections, a stronger vacuum is formed inside the vacuum
chamber 34. The two seal members 72, 74 are preferably sized and
shaped, and their movement towards each other is such, to allow the
negative pressure inside the vacuum chamber 34 to evacuate air from
inside the bag 42 through the open end 41 at the leading edge 40.
In other words, in a preferred embodiment, the clamping action
provided by the two clamp sections 66, 68 does not prevent air from
being evacuated from the bag 42 through the open end of the bag at
the leading edge 40. In alternate embodiments, any suitable type of
bag clamping system could be provided. In addition, any suitable
type of system for closing the entrance into the vacuum chamber
could be provided.
[0022] In one type of embodiment, a vacuum force is created in the
vacuum chamber 34 while the second clamp section 68 is still moving
towards its final clamping position, but before the bag 42 is
completely clamped between the two seal members 72, 74. In this
type of embodiment, the motor 70 could be adapted to move the
second clamp section 68 in a stepped progression of movement, or
the movement of the second clamp section 68 might slow down as it
approaches the first clamp section 66. This would allow the vacuum
force created in the vacuum chamber 34 to evacuate air from inside
the bag 42 before the two clamps sections 66, 68 might completely
clamp the bag 42 therebetween.
[0023] The bag sealer system 16, in the embodiment shown, is a heat
sealing system. However, in alternate embodiments, any suitable
type of sealing system could be provided, such as an ultrasonic
welding system for example. The bag sealer system 16 generally
comprises a heater 78 and a heater seal 80. The heater 78, in the
embodiment shown, comprises a heater wire attached to a support
platform 82. The support platform 82 is connected to the first
clamp section 66 to form a bottom half of the door to the vacuum
chamber 34. The heater 78 is located at about a same height or just
slightly below the top of the first seal member 72. The bottom end
of the heat seal 80 is located opposite the heater 78. The heat
seal 80 is connected to the second clamp section 68 to form a top
half of the door to the vacuum chamber 34. When the second clamp
section 68 is moved by the motor 70 towards the first clamp section
66, the heater seal 80 is also moved downward. When the heater seal
80 is moved downward it presses the end 41 of the bag 42 against
the heater 78. The heater 78 is operably connected to the
controller 26.
[0024] The controller 26 is adapted to activate the heater 78. When
the bag 42 is clamped between the heater 78 and the heater seal 80,
and the controller 26 activates the heater 78, the heater 78 causes
the plastic of the bag 42 to melt. When the melted plastic cools
the opposite sides of the bag become fixedly attached to each other
forming a seal therebetween. Thus, this forms a seal of the opening
through the end 41 into the bag.
[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the controller 26 activates the
heater 78 when vacuum force in the vacuum chamber 34 reaches a
predetermined pressure. In an alternate embodiment, the controller
26 could be adapted to activate the heater 78 based upon any
suitable type of predetermined conditions or events, such as the
passage of time when the motor 70 starts to move the second clamp
section 68. In an alternate embodiment, the motor 70 or another
motor or transmission (not shown) could be adapted to move the
heater seal 80 separately from the second clamp section 68. Thus,
in this alternate embodiment, the two clamps sections 66, 68 could
clamp onto the end 41 of the bag 42, the bag 42 could then be
evacuated, and the heater seal 80 could then be moved to press the
bag 42 against the heater 78 to thereby seal the bag.
[0026] With the present invention, when the user inserts the end 41
of the bag 42 into the slot 20, the leading edge 40 contacts and
moves the movable contact arm 36 to actuate the sensor 32. This
sends a signal to the controller 26. The controller 26 then
activates the motor 70 to move the second clamp section 68. The
controller 26 activates the vacuum pump 44. When a predetermined
vacuum is created in the vacuum chamber 34, the controller 26
activates the heater 78. After a predetermined amount of time, the
controller 26 deactivates the heater 78, has the motor 70 move the
second clamp section 68 back to its up position, and turns OFF the
vacuum pump 44.
[0027] As noted above, the control system 13 comprises a second
user actuated switch 30. The second user actuated switch 30 is
operably connected to the controller 26. The second user actuated
switch 30 is provided to allow a user to control whether or not the
controller 26 activates the vacuum pump 44 during the bag sealing
process. Thus, the present invention can be used to both vacuum
seal a bag or, alternatively, seal a bag without a vacuum process.
In an alternate embodiment, the second user actuated switch 30
might not be provided.
[0028] As seen in FIG. 1, the apparatus 10 preferably comprises an
electrical cord and plug assembly 84. The plug of the assembly 84
is adapted to be connected to an electrical outlet to power the
controller 26, vacuum pump 44, motor 70, and heater 78. However, in
an alternate embodiment, apparatus 10 could be adapted to be
powered by a battery power source or any other suitable type of
electrical power source.
[0029] The present invention can provide an apparatus which is
adapted to evacuate a plastic storage bag and heat seal the end of
the bag to protect perishables, such as foodstuffs or other
products, from oxidation. The present invention is easier for a
user to use and clean than prior bag sealing apparatus. With the
embodiment described above, a user could insert the end of the
plastic bag into a slot until the bag actuates a microswitch or
other sensor. A clamping seal could then automatically close on the
bag end. The vacuum process could then be automatically started.
When a desired vacuum is reached, a heater wire inside the clamp
could seal the bag. Upon completion of the sealing process, the
clamping seal could then release. A bypass switch could be provided
to allow seal only of the bags without a vacuum force being
provided.
[0030] By using the above described invention, an apparatus can be
provided in which there is no pivot in a movable hood to open and
close. The static sealing means is not exterior to the vacuum
chamber, but contained within a door that clamps and seals the
vacuum area. There is no continuous elastomeric seal. The vacuum
area would not collect liquids that spill into it. Spills would be
drawn through the vacuum tube into a separate holding chamber that
can be easily cleaned. The heat sealing means could be contained
within the vacuum area; not exterior to it.
[0031] It should be understood that the foregoing description is
only illustrative of the invention. Various alternatives and
modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without
departing from the invention. Accordingly, the present invention is
intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and
variances which fall within the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *