U.S. patent application number 10/888529 was filed with the patent office on 2005-02-03 for removable drip trays and bag clamps for vacuum packaging appliances.
Invention is credited to Higer, Landen, Small, Steven D..
Application Number | 20050022473 10/888529 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34108869 |
Filed Date | 2005-02-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050022473 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Small, Steven D. ; et
al. |
February 3, 2005 |
Removable drip trays and bag clamps for vacuum packaging
appliances
Abstract
The present invention teaches a bag clamp for use with a vacuum
packaging appliance. The bag clamp has an open and a closed
position. The open position is suitable for receiving an open end
of a vacuum bag. The closed position is suitable for capturing and
holding the open end of the vacuum bag during operation of the
vacuum packaging appliance. A vacuum packaging appliance according
to the present invention has at least one bag clamp, typically
disposed within and fixedly attached to a drip tray. The present
invention further teaches removable drip trays and vacuum packaging
appliances with removable drip trays holding one or more bag
clamps.
Inventors: |
Small, Steven D.; (Novato,
CA) ; Higer, Landen; (Alameda, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PERKINS COIE LLP
P.O. BOX 2168
MENLO PARK
CA
94026
US
|
Family ID: |
34108869 |
Appl. No.: |
10/888529 |
Filed: |
July 8, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60492048 |
Jul 31, 2003 |
|
|
|
60556196 |
Mar 24, 2004 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
53/434 ;
53/512 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 51/148 20130101;
B65B 31/046 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
053/434 ;
053/512 |
International
Class: |
B65B 031/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A removable drip tray arrangement for a vacuum packaging
appliance, said removable drip tray arrangement comprising: a
removable tray for inserting into a vacuum channel of said vacuum
packaging appliance; and a first gasket mounted on a perimeter of
said vacuum channel for creating a static seal of said vacuum
channel when a lid of said vacuum packaging appliance is in a
closed position.
2. The removable drip tray arrangement of claim 1, wherein said
removable tray runs along a length of said vacuum channel.
3. The removable drip tray arrangement of claim 1, wherein said
removable tray is made of a material that is dishwasher-safe.
4. The removable drip tray arrangement of claim 1, wherein said
removable tray collects over-spills from a storage bag that is
being sealed using said vacuum packaging appliance.
5. The removable drip tray arrangement of claim 1, further
comprising a second gasket on said lid of said vacuum packaging
appliance, wherein said second gasket contacts said first gasket
mounted on said perimeter of said vacuum channel when said lid is
in said closed position.
6. The removable drip tray arrangement of claim 1, wherein said
first gasket mounted on said perimeter of said vacuum channel is
made of an elastomeric material.
7. The removable drip tray arrangement of claim 5, wherein said
second gasket on said lid is made of an elastomeric material.
8. The removable drip tray arrangement of claim 1, further includes
a sensing mechanism that is adapted for sensing the presence of
said removable tray in said vacuum packaging appliance.
9. The removable drip tray arrangement of claim 8, wherein said
sensing mechanism is adapted to temporarily disable said vacuum
packaging appliance when said sensing mechanism does not sense the
presence of said removable tray.
10. A removable drip tray arrangement for a vacuum packaging
appliance, said removable drip tray arrangement comprising: a
removable tray for inserting into a vacuum channel of said vacuum
packaging appliance; and a first gasket on a top perimeter of said
removable tray for creating a static seal of said vacuum channel
when a lid of said vacuum packaging appliance is in a closed
position.
11. The removable drip tray arrangement of claim 10, wherein said
first gasket is molded into said top perimeter of said removable
tray.
12. The removable drip tray arrangement of claim 10, wherein said
first gasket is mounted onto said top perimeter of said removable
tray.
13. The removable drip tray arrangement of claim 10, wherein said
removable tray runs along a length of said vacuum channel.
14. The removable drip tray arrangement of claim 10, wherein said
removable tray is made of a material that is dishwasher-safe.
15. The removable drip tray arrangement of claim 10, wherein said
removable tray collects over-spills from a storage bag that is
being sealed using said vacuum packaging appliance.
16. The removable drip tray arrangement of claim 10, further
comprising a second gasket on said lid of said vacuum packaging
appliance, wherein said second gasket contacts said first gasket on
said top perimeter of said removable tray when said lid is in said
closed position.
17. The removable drip tray arrangement of claim 10, wherein said
first gasket is made of an elastomeric material.
18. The removable drip tray arrangement of claim 16, wherein said
second gasket on said lid is made of an elastomeric material.
19. The removable drip tray arrangement of claim 10, wherein said
first gasket includes a lip that contacts a top surface of a base
of said vacuum packaging appliance, wherein said base contains said
vacuum channel.
20. The removable drip tray arrangement of claim 10, further
includes a sensing mechanism that is adapted for sensing the
presence of said removable tray in said vacuum packaging
appliance.
21. The removable drip tray arrangement of claim 20, wherein said
sensing mechanism is adapted to temporarily disable said vacuum
packaging appliance when said sensing mechanism does not sense the
presence of said removable tray.
22. A removable drip tray arrangement for a vacuum packaging
appliance, said removable drip tray arrangement comprising: a
removable tray; and a first gasket on a top perimeter of said
removable tray for creating a static seal when a lid of said vacuum
packaging appliance is in a closed position.
23. The removable drip tray arrangement of claim 22, wherein said
first gasket is molded into said top perimeter of said removable
tray.
24. The removable drip tray arrangement of claim 22, wherein said
first gasket is mounted onto said top perimeter of said removable
tray.
25. The removable drip tray arrangement of claim 22, wherein said
removable tray is made of a material that is dishwasher-safe.
26. The removable drip tray arrangement of claim 22, wherein said
removable tray collects over-spills from a storage bag that is
being sealed using said vacuum packaging appliance.
27. The removable drip tray arrangement of claim 22, further
comprising a second gasket on said lid of said vacuum packaging
appliance, wherein said second gasket contacts said first gasket on
said top perimeter of said removable tray when said lid is in said
closed position.
28. The removable drip tray arrangement of claim 22, wherein said
first gasket is made of an elastomeric material.
29. The removable drip tray arrangement of claim 27, wherein said
second gasket on said lid is made of an elastomeric material.
30. The removable drip tray arrangement of claim 22, wherein said
first gasket includes a lip that contacts a top surface of a base
of said vacuum packaging appliance.
31. The removable drip tray arrangement of claim 22, further
includes a sensing mechanism that is adapted for sensing the
presence of said removable tray in said vacuum packaging
appliance.
32. The removable drip tray arrangement of claim 31, wherein said
sensing mechanism is adapted to temporarily disable said vacuum
packaging appliance when said sensing mechanism does not sense the
presence of said removable tray.
33. A method for managing over-spills in a vacuum packaging
appliance, the method comprising: using a removable tray for
catching said over-spills; and using a first gasket around a top
perimeter of said removable tray for creating a static seal when
said vacuum packaging appliance is in a closed position.
34. The method of claim 33, further comprising molding said first
gasket into said top perimeter of said removable tray.
35. The method of claim 33, further comprising mounting said first
gasket onto said top perimeter of said removable tray.
36. The method of claim 33, wherein said removable tray is made of
a material that is dishwasher-safe.
37. The method of claim 33, wherein said removable tray collects
said over-spills from a storage bag that is being sealed using said
vacuum packaging appliance.
38. The method of claim 33, further comprising using a second
gasket on a lid of said vacuum packaging appliance, wherein said
second gasket contacts said first gasket on said top perimeter of
said removable tray when said lid is in said closed position.
39. The method of claim 33, wherein said first gasket is made of an
elastomeric material.
40. The method of claim 38, wherein said second gasket on said lid
is made of an elastomeric material.
41. The method of claim 33, wherein said first gasket includes a
lip that contacts a top surface of a base of said vacuum packaging
appliance.
42. The method of claim 33, further comprising using a sensing
mechanism that is adapted for sensing a presence of said removable
tray in said vacuum packaging appliance.
43. The method claim 42, wherein said sensing mechanism is adapted
to temporarily disable said vacuum packaging appliance when said
sensing mechanism does not sense said presence of said removable
tray.
44. A bag clamp for use with a vacuum packaging appliance, said bag
clamp having an open position and a closed position, wherein said
open position is suitable for insertion of an open end of a vacuum
bag, and said closed position is suitable for capturing and holding
said open end of said vacuum bag during operation of said vacuum
packaging appliance.
45. A vacuum packaging appliance for vacuum packaging a bag
comprising: a base having a drip tray; a lid coupled to the base
and moveable between an open position and a closed position; an
evacuation chamber positioned in the lid and configured to form a
vacuum chamber with said drip tray in said closed position, wherein
said vacuum chamber is adapted to receive an open end of said bag
therein; a vacuum source coupled to said evacuation chamber and
configured to remove air from said bag; and a bag clamp arranged to
clamp said open end of said bag and hold said bag in place during
operation of said vacuum packaging appliance.
46. A vacuum packaging appliance as recited in claim 45, wherein
said bag clamp is disposed within said drip tray.
47. A vacuum packaging appliance as recited in claim 46, wherein
said bag clamp is glued to said drip tray.
48. A vacuum packaging appliance as recited in claim 46, wherein
said bag clamp is spot-welded to said drip tray.
49. A vacuum packaging appliance as recited in claim 46, wherein
said bag clamp is riveted to said drip tray.
50. A vacuum packaging appliance as recited in claim 46, wherein
said bag clamp is detachably coupled to said drip tray.
51. A vacuum packaging appliance as recited in claim 44, wherein
said bag clamp is made of washable material.
52. A vacuum packaging appliance as recited in claim 44, wherein
said bag clamp is one of a plurality of bag clamps.
53. A vacuum packaging appliance for vacuum packaging a bag
comprising: a base having a removable drip tray; a lid coupled to
the base and moveable between an open position and a closed
position; an evacuation chamber positioned in said lid and
configured to form a vacuum chamber with said drip tray in said
closed position, wherein said vacuum chamber is adapted to receive
an open end of said bag therein; a vacuum source coupled to said
evacuation chamber and configured to remove air from said bag; two
bag clamps fixedly attached within said drip tray, each bag clamp
having a spring-loaded biasing mechanism having a normally closed
position arranged to clamp said open end of said bag and hold said
bag in place during operation of said vacuum packaging appliance,
said spring-loaded biasing mechanism being operable by a user to
move to an open position for receiving said open end of said bag;
and a heat sealing mechanism suitable for sealing said open end of
said bag.
Description
[0001] This application claims benefit of Higer's provisional
application No. 60/492,048, filed Jul. 31, 2003, and Small's
provisional application No. 60/556,196, filed Mar. 24, 2004, the
entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The invention relates to vacuum packaging appliances. In
particular, the present invention teaches a bag clamp suitable for
clamping an open end of a vacuum packaging bag and holding the bag
in place within a vacuum chamber, as well as a removable drip tray
for a vacuum packaging appliance.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Vacuum packaging appliances, vacuum packaging bags, and
methods for vacuum packaging product are well known in the art.
Prior Art FIGS. 1-7 will be used to describe the vacuum packaging
operation in general, with an emphasis setting the stage for the
teaching of the present invention.
[0004] Prior Art FIG. 1 illustrates a multi-layer film 10 that is
one common structural configuration for prior art vacuum packaging
bag material. The film 10 includes a permanent sealing resin layer
12, a bond layer 14, a gas impermeable layer 16, a bond layer 18,
and a structural layer 20. Bond layers 14 and 18 act to laminate
opposing layers. The structural layer 20 provides strength so that
the film 10 is useful as a vacuum packaging bag material. The gas
impermeable layer 16 tends to inhibit gas flow across the film 10.
The permanent sealing resin layer 12 is used to form permanent
seals between two sheets of the film 10 as formed in a bag, pouch
or storage receptacle. As will be appreciated, preformed vacuum
packaging bags and bag roll material are the common commercial end
products made from vacuum packaging films such as film 10.
[0005] Prior Art FIG. 2 illustrates a vacuum packaging bag 20 ready
for use by a consumer. The vacuum packaging bag 20 is made of two
sheets 22 and 24 made of vacuum packaging film such as film 10 of
FIG. 1. The bag 20 has been heat-sealed on three sides forming
permanent seals 26, 28 and 30. The bag 20 is formed with an opening
32 wherein the user can insert product. The opening 32 is later
used to evacuate the bag 20.
[0006] Prior Art FIG. 3 illustrates the vacuum packaging bag 20
after a consumer has inserted a product 40 within the bag 20. As
will be appreciated, bags such as bag 20 can be purchased by the
consumer in preformed manufacture, or may be formed to a desired
size by the consumer using the vacuum packaging appliance and a
roll of bag material.
[0007] A prior art vacuum packaging appliance 100 is described now
with reference to FIGS. 4-5. The vacuum packaging appliance 100
includes a heat seal mechanism 102, a drip tray 104 which is part
of a vacuum circuit, a roll 108 of bag material, a control panel
110, and a cutting tool 112. The heat seal mechanism 102 is
operable to heat-seal the bag 20.
[0008] With further reference to FIG. 4, the drip tray 104 serves
to capture contaminants during evacuation of the bag 20. When the
open end 32 of the bag 20 is coupled to the vacuum circuit and the
lid of the appliance 100 closed as shown in FIG. 5, the vacuum
circuit is closed and the bag 20 may be evacuated. Note that during
operation the user must steady the bag 20 within the drip tray 104,
being especially careful to ensure the open end 32 maintains
coupling with the vacuum circuit as the lid is closed. Once, but
not until, the lid is closed, the bag 20 is held in place. As will
be appreciated, over multiple cycles of use or in packaging
products with substantial liquids and/or contaminants, the drip
tray 104 can become unhygienically dirty, and the tray 104 itself
may become full preventing effective evacuation and possibly
damaging the vacuum system of the appliance 100.
[0009] The roll 108 has preformed heat seals 26 and 30 on opposing
sides. The roll 108 may be unfurled by the consumer to form a bag
of any desired size. The cutting tool 112 is operable to cut the
unfurled bag material. When creating bags of desired size, the
consumer typically adds a third seal before placing the product 40
in the bag 20.
[0010] Prior Art FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method 50
for vacuum sealing, storing and then accessing a product in a
vacuum packaging bag. In an initial step 52, the consumer prepares
a vacuum packaging bag 20 for use. This may involve the consumer
using an appliance to form the bag 20 from bag roll material, i.e.,
cutting the desired amount of bag material and forming the third
seal and leaving an open end. Alternatively, the consumer may
utilize a preformed bag 20.
[0011] In a next step 54, a product 40 is placed within the bag 20;
as illustrated in FIG. 4. The product 40 may be food, collectible
items, or anything the consumer desires to store in an evacuated
bag. In a step 56, the consumer couples the bag 20 holding product
40 to the vacuum circuit of the appliance 100. This is illustrated
in FIGS. 4-5. In coupling the bag 20 to the vacuum circuit, the
consumer must be careful so that no product spills or gets in the
way of the coupling, while making sure the bag 20 stays in it
proper place. In a step 58, the consumer shuts the lid so that the
drip tray 104 captures the bag, and then activates the appliance
100 to evacuate the bag 20. The vacuum level may be predefined and
reached automatically, or may be controlled by the consumer. In any
event, once the desired vacuum level is reached in the bag 20, the
consumer activates the heat sealing mechanism 102 that then seals
the bag 20. As shown in FIG. 7, the bag 20 now has a fourth seal
34.
[0012] In a step 62, the consumer stores the product 40 in the
vacuum-sealed bag 20. For example, when the product is food, the
consumer may store the bag 20 in a fridge or freezer. The user
accesses product in the bag 20 by using a tool such as a scissors
to cut through the bag 20. Accordingly, in a step 64, the consumer
uses a scissors or other tool to open the bag to access the product
40. Then in a step 66, the consumer may reuse any remaining portion
of the bag.
[0013] What is needed is a mechanism to assist the user in holding
the bag in place during operation of the vacuum packaging
appliance, particularly during the operation of inserting the bag
and later closing the lid. This mechanism should be particularly
suited for use in the evacuation process, but may also be helpful
in forming seals on bag roll material when preparing bags for use.
Further, a mechanism is needed to overcome problems arising when
the drip tray becomes filled with contaminants.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The present invention teaches a variety of bag clamps,
mechanisms and techniques for securing a bag within a vacuum
packaging appliance during operation of the vacuum packaging
appliance. The bag clamp has an open position and a closed
position. The open position is suitable for receiving an open end
of the vacuum bag. The closed position is suitable for capturing
and holding the open end of the vacuum bag during operation of the
vacuum packaging appliance. A vacuum packaging appliance according
to the present invention has at least one bag clamp, typically
disposed within and fixedly attached to a drip tray. The present
invention further teaches a removable drip tray enabling a user to
empty and clean the drip tray as desired.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] Prior Art FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a plastic film
used for forming vacuum packaging bags according to the prior
art.
[0016] Prior Art FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a vacuum packaging
bag of the prior art as ready for use.
[0017] Prior Art FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a vacuum packaging
bag holding a product prior to evacuation and sealing according to
the prior art.
[0018] Prior Art FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a vacuum packaging
bag holding a product, the bag inserted into a vacuum packaging
appliance and held in place by the user according to the prior
art.
[0019] Prior Art FIG. 5 is an isometric view of vacuum packaging
appliance evacuating and sealing a vacuum packaging bag according
to the prior art.
[0020] Prior Art FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a method of vacuum
packaging a product in a permanently sealed bag and then opening
the permanently sealed bag with a tool, as required by the prior
art.
[0021] Prior Art FIG. 7 is a top view of a permanently sealed
vacuum packaging bag according to the prior art.
[0022] FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a vacuum packaging appliance
in an open position in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0023] FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the vacuum packaging
appliance of FIG. 8 in a closed position.
[0024] FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a portion of the vacuum
packaging appliance of FIGS. 8-9, the view of FIG. 10 illustrating
two clamps of the present invention in open positions arranged to
receive an open end of a bag.
[0025] FIG. 11 is an exploded view of a portion of the vacuum
packaging appliance of FIGS. 8-9, the view of FIG. 11 illustrating
two clamps of the present invention in closed positions arranged to
hold the bag in place within a drip tray.
[0026] FIG. 12 is an isometric view of a disassembled drip tray
assembly according to another aspect of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 13 is an isometric view of a clamp with a spring-loaded
biasing mechanism in a closed position in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 14 is an isometric view of the clamp of FIG. 13 in an
open position in accordance with yet another embodiment of the
present invention.
[0029] FIG. 15 is an isometric view of the clamp of FIGS. 13-14 in
a disassembled state.
[0030] FIG. 16A is an isometric view that illustrates a vacuum
packaging appliance having a removable drip tray.
[0031] FIG. 16B is an isometric view of the base of the vacuum
packaging appliance of FIG. 16A illustrating arrows A-A associated
with a transverse cross-sectional view referenced in FIGS.
17-18.
[0032] FIG. 17 illustrates a removable drip tray arrangement
according to certain embodiments and is a transverse
cross-sectional view through the base of the vacuum packaging
appliance taken in the direction of arrows A-A shown in FIG.
16B.
[0033] FIG. 18 illustrates a transverse cross-sectional view of
another embodiment of a removable drip tray arrangement.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] FIGS. 1-7 show prior art. FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a vacuum
packaging appliance 200 in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention. FIGS. 8 and 9 represent fully closed and fully
opened positions, respectively, of the vacuum packaging appliance
200. The vacuum packaging appliance 200 includes a lid 202
pivotally mounted to a base 204, a control panel 206, a
heat-sealing mechanism 208, a vacuum chamber 210 coupled to a
vacuum circuit, a gasket 212 for sealing the vacuum chamber 210, a
drip tray 214 being a removable component of the vacuum chamber
210, and two bag clamps 216. A bag roll 218 of vacuum packaging bag
material is stored in the vacuum packaging appliance as shown.
[0035] The bag clamps 216 serve to clamp an open end 232 of a bag
230. The bag clamps 216 may grab one or two sheets of the bag 230.
Once the bag clamps 216 are closed onto the bag 230, the user need
not maintain the position of the bag for closure and evacuation.
The open end 232 is held in place within the drip tray 214 such
that when the lid 202 closes, the bag 230 is coupled to the vacuum
circuit and held in place by the bag clamps 216. Thus the bag
clamps 216 assist the user in coupling the bag 230 with the vacuum
circuit of the appliance 200. While the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9
includes two bag clamps 216, the present invention contemplates any
number (one, two or more) bag clamps for assisting the user.
[0036] The bag clamps 216 may freely rest in the drip tray 214,
perhaps held in place by their mass, or may be attached to the drip
tray or some other portion of the vacuum appliance 200. For
example, the bag clamps 216 may be glued, spot welded, or riveted
to the drip tray 214.
[0037] Alternatively, the bag clamps 216 may be detachably mounted
internal to the drip tray 214, via a mechanical or vacuum latching
mechanism. The present invention also contemplates manufacturing
the bag clamps 216 out of material suitable for washing, either by
hand or within a typical dishwashing machine.
[0038] FIGS. 10-11 illustrate a blowup portion 250 of the vacuum
packaging appliance 200 of FIGS. 8-9. There a bag clamp 216
includes a clamping mechanism 252 and a spring-loaded biasing
mechanism 254.
[0039] The clamping mechanism 252 of FIG. 10 is manually pushed to
an open position, which open position must maintained by the user
activating the spring-loaded biasing mechanism 254. In the open
position, the clamping mechanism 252 is operable to receive at
least one sheet of the open end 232 of the bag 230. When the user
releases, the clamping mechanism 252 of FIG. 11 is pulled into a
closed position by the spring-loaded biasing mechanism 254. In the
closed position, the clamping mechanism 252 is clamps onto the open
end 232 and holds the bag 230 in place within the drip tray
214.
[0040] The embodiment of FIGS. 10-11 is a clamping mechanism having
a normally closed state due to the spring-loaded biasing mechanism
254. However, the present invention contemplates a variety of
clamping mechanisms such as toggle mechanisms which lock into
either of the open and closed states based upon user operation.
Additionally, the clamp need not be spring controlled, but could
have another clamping or biasing mechanism such as a kinematic or
vacuum latching system.
[0041] FIG. 12 illustrates a disassembled drip tray assembly 260 in
accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.
The drip tray assembly 260 includes a sealing gasket 212, a drip
tray 214, and two bag clamps 216. In the embodiment of FIG. 12, the
bag clamps 216 can be fixedly or detachably mounted within the drip
tray 214. However, the bag clamps 216 may simply slide into the
drip tray 214 and be held in place via the closing mechanics of the
lid 202 and the base 204, or perhaps through a vacuum latching
device. The drip tray assembly 260 may be removable from the vacuum
packaging appliance 200 for ease of emptying and/or cleaning.
[0042] FIGS. 13 and FIGS. 14 illustrate exploded versions of the
clamp 252 in closed and open positions, respectively. FIG. 15
illustrates an exploded view of a disassembled clamp 216 in
accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.
The clamp 216 is seen to have an outer mechanism 300, an inner
mechanism 302, and a spring 304.
[0043] The spring 304 fits into a divot 306 located on a base 308
of the outer mechanism 300. The inner mechanism 302 has pins 310
that mate into cavities 312 formed into the outer mechanism. The
action of the spring 304 then forces the inner mechanism 302 into
the closed position in a manner that enables a user to push the
clamp into an open position. In the closed position, a lower lip
314 is in spring pressured contact with an upper lip 316, thereby
holding in place the bag.
[0044] FIG. 16A is an isometric view that illustrates a vacuum
packaging appliance having a removable drip tray. In FIG. 16A, a
vacuum packaging appliance 400 includes a base 402 and a lid 450.
Base 402 includes a vacuum channel 404 in which a removable drip
tray may be inserted. The removable drip tray catches over-spills
from storage bags that are being sealed using vacuum packaging
appliance 400. The removable drip tray may be conveniently removed
from the vacuum packaging appliance for cleaning or for
sterilization. It is to be noted that the storage bags are suitable
for storing items other than food.
[0045] According to certain embodiments, a base 402 houses a vacuum
pump (not shown), and includes a control panel (not shown) at the
top frontal portion of the base. The control panel includes an
accessory port for use in removing gases from storage canisters, an
instant seal button to manually start sealing a storage bag, and a
vacuum button to start removing gases from storage bags or
canisters.
[0046] In addition, the control panel may include indicator lights
to signal the start or completion of various processes such as the
sealing process, vacuum process and/or machine re-programming when
transitioning from one process to the next.
[0047] In certain embodiments, the vacuum packaging appliance
includes a sensing mechanism for sensing the presence or absence of
a drip tray. The sensing mechanism may be such that the vacuum
appliance is temporarily disabled if the sensing mechanism senses
the absence of the drip tray. The sensing mechanism may be any
suitable electrical or electro-mechanical mechanism. For example,
the sensing mechanism may be a switch that disables the vacuum
appliance as long as the switch remains open. The switch closes
only when the drip tray is present.
[0048] Some examples of vacuum packaging appliances are the
Tilia.RTM. FoodSaver.RTM. vacuum packaging system series. Some
examples of storage bags and storage canisters used in conjunction
with vacuum packaging appliances are the Tilia.RTM. FoodSaver.RTM.
bags and FoodSaver.RTM. canisters. The Tilia.RTM. FoodSaver.RTM.
bags and FoodSaver.RTM. canisters are suitable for storing items
other than food.
[0049] In certain embodiments, the vacuum packaging appliance
includes a sensing mechanism for sensing the presence of a drip
tray. The presence of the drip tray may be a prerequisite to
operation of the vacuum packaging appliance 400.
[0050] FIG. 16B is an isometric view of the base of the vacuum
packaging appliance 400 illustrating arrows A-A associated with a
transverse cross-sectional view referenced in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18.
FIG. 17 illustrates a drip tray arrangement 500 according to
certain embodiments and is a transverse cross-sectional view
through the base of the vacuum packaging appliance 400 taken in the
direction of arrows A-A shown in FIG. 16B.
[0051] In the removable drip tray arrangement 500 in FIG. 17, a
removable drip tray 506 can be inserted in vacuum channel 504.
Gasket 512 is mounted on the top frontal surface 520 of base 502 of
the vacuum packaging appliance. A storage bag 510 has its open end
510a within the channel of removable drip tray 506.
[0052] Removable drip tray 506 catches the over-flowing liquids
and/or particulate 508 during the vacuum packaging process.
Removable drip tray 506 may be lifted out of vacuum channel 504 for
purposes of cleaning or to discard the liquids and/or particulate
508. Removable drip tray 506 may be made of a durable
dishwasher-safe material. Gasket 512 is operably mounted on the top
frontal surface 520 in a manner for effectively creating a static
seal around the vacuum channel when the lid of the vacuum packaging
appliance is in the closed position. Gasket 512 is a continuous
gasket that extends around the perimeter of vacuum channel 504. The
lid (not shown in FIG. 17) of the vacuum packaging appliance is
said to be in the closed position when the lid of the vacuum
packaging appliance overlies and is pressed against top frontal
surface 520. As an option, the inner surface of the lid may include
a gasket that corresponds to the gasket on top frontal surface 520.
In such a case, when the lid is in the closed position, the gasket
on the inner surface of the lid makes contact with the gasket 512
to form a static seal around the vacuum channel. The gaskets may be
made of an elastomeric or other suitable material for creating a
static seal when the lid of the vacuum packaging appliance is in
the closed position.
[0053] FIG. 18 illustrates a removable drip tray arrangement 600
according to another embodiment and is a transverse cross-sectional
view through the base of the vacuum packaging appliance 400 taken
in the direction of arrows A-A shown in FIG. 16B. In FIG. 18, a
removable drip tray 606 can be inserted in vacuum channel 604.
Gasket 612 is affixed to the top perimeter of removable drip tray
606. A storage bag 610 has its open end 610a within the channel of
removable drip tray 606.
[0054] Removable drip tray 606 catches the over-flowing liquids
and/or particulate 608 during the vacuum packaging process.
Removable drip tray 606 may be lifted out of vacuum channel 604 for
purposes of cleaning or to discard the liquids and/or particulate
608. Removable drip tray 606 may be made of a durable
dishwasher-safe material. According to certain embodiments, gasket
612 is molded onto the top perimeter of removable drip tray 606 in
a manner for effectively creating a static seal around the vacuum
channel when the lid of the vacuum packaging appliance is in the
closed position. In certain other embodiments, gasket 612 is
affixed or mounted to the top perimeter of removable drip tray 606
in a manner for effectively creating a static seal around the
vacuum channel when the lid of the vacuum packaging appliance is in
the closed position. Gasket 612 is a continuous gasket. Further,
gasket 612 includes lip 613 that contacts top frontal surface 620.
Alternatively, gasket 612 is sized to be flush against the inner
walls of vacuum channel 604 such that a static seal is created when
the lid of the vacuum packaging appliance is in the closed
position.
[0055] The lid (not shown in FIG. 18) of the vacuum packaging
appliance is said to be in the closed position when the lid of the
vacuum packaging appliance overlies and is pressed against top
frontal surface 620. As an option, the inner surface of the lid may
include a gasket that corresponds to the gasket that is affixed to
the top perimeter of removable drip tray 606. In such a case, when
the lid is in the closed position, the gasket on the inner surface
of the lid makes contact with the gasket 612 to form a static seal
of the vacuum channel. The gaskets may be made of an elastomeric or
other suitable material for creating a static seal when the lid of
the vacuum packaging appliance is in the closed position.
[0056] In the foregoing specification, embodiments of the invention
have been described with reference to numerous specific details
that may vary from implementation to implementation. The
specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an
illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
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