U.S. patent application number 10/943911 was filed with the patent office on 2005-04-07 for device for generating at least partial vacuum in bags for packaging clothes.
Invention is credited to Salvaro, Marziano.
Application Number | 20050072125 10/943911 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34308176 |
Filed Date | 2005-04-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050072125 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Salvaro, Marziano |
April 7, 2005 |
Device for generating at least partial vacuum in bags for packaging
clothes
Abstract
A device for generating at least partial vacuum in bags for
packaging clothes comprising a box body that forms a suction
chamber designed to accommodate at least one portion of a mouth of
a bag for packaging clothes; elements for providing at least
partial airtightness act between the bag and the box body; the
suction chamber being provided with an air suction intake that can
be connected to air suction elements; and heat-sealing elements
that act on a region of the bag that is interposed between the
mouth portion and the clothes contained within the bag.
Inventors: |
Salvaro, Marziano; (Negrar,
IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MODIANO & ASSOCIATI
Via Meravigli, 16
Milano
20123
IT
|
Family ID: |
34308176 |
Appl. No.: |
10/943911 |
Filed: |
September 20, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/512 ;
53/374.9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 31/046
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
053/512 ;
053/374.9 |
International
Class: |
B65B 031/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 1, 2003 |
IT |
VR2003A000115 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A device for generating at least partial vacuum in bags for
packaging clothes, comprising a box body that forms a suction
chamber designed to accommodate at least one portion of a mouth of
a bag for packaging clothes, means for providing at least partial
airtightness acting between said bag and said box-like body, said
suction chamber having an air suction intake that can be connected
to air suction means, said device comprising heat-sealing means
that act on a region of said bag that is interposed between said at
least one portion of said mouth and the clothes contained within
said bag.
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said suction intake can
be connected to a connector of a vacuum cleaner.
3. The device according to claim 1, wherein said box body is formed
in two parts that are associated to each other and can move with
respect to each other in order to pass from an open condition, in
which said at least one portion of said mouth can be arranged
within said suction chamber, to a closed active condition, in which
said sealing means form an at least partial seal between an outer
surface of said bag and said two parts, in order to isolate said
suction chamber from the outside.
4. The device according to claim 3, wherein said heat-sealing means
comprise heating means that are supported by at least one of said
two parts.
5. The device according to claim 4, wherein said heat-sealing means
comprise said heating means on one of said two parts and an
insulating element on the other one of said two parts, said
insulating element facing said heating means when said two parts
are in the active closed condition.
6. The device according to claim 5, wherein said heating means
comprise an electric resistor that is controlled by a control
circuit and a protective element for said resistor that is designed
to face said insulating element when said two parts are in the
closed active condition.
7. The device according to claim 6, wherein said protective element
comprises a plate-like Teflon element.
8. The device according to claim 5, wherein said insulating element
comprises a plate element made of silicone material.
9. The device according to claim 3, wherein at least one of said
two parts comprises a recess that forms said suction chamber in
cooperation with a portion of the other part that faces it in said
closed active condition, said sealing means comprising at least one
gasket that is designed to act between a perimetric region of said
recess and the other part.
10. The device according to claim 3, wherein said two parts are
pivoted to each other about a rotation axis, in order to pass from
said open condition to said closed active condition, and vice
versa, means for retaining said two parts in said closed active
condition being provided.
11. The device according to claim 3, wherein said two parts
comprise two elongated elements, which are pivoted to each other
substantially at one of their longitudinal ends and form respective
longitudinal recesses that are surrounded perimetrically by a
sealing gasket, said elongated elements comprising, adjacent to
said recesses, respectively said heating elements and said
insulating elements, said elongated elements comprising said
retention means at the other longitudinal end.
12. The device according to claim 1, wherein said bag comprises, at
least at a region that is proximate to said mouth, means for
spacing internal surfaces thereof that form a plurality of air
suction chambers.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a device for generating at
least partial vacuum in bags for packaging clothes or the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Bags are commercially available which are constituted by two
walls made of heat-sealing synthetic material, which are mutually
connected so as to form a receptacle that can be accessed from a
mouth of the bag and is designed to contain, for example, clothes,
blankets, duvets and the like.
[0003] In particular, closure of the inlet is ensured by means of
various kinds of device.
[0004] One of these devices consists of a cylindrical element,
around which the rim of the mouth of the bag is wrapped, and of a
closure element, which has a surface that is complementary to the
lateral surface of the cylindrical element and is designed to be
coupled to the cylindrical element in order to keep the rim of the
mouth locked between the two complementary surfaces so as to close
it.
[0005] Bags are known which have, at one of the two walls, a valve
for aspirating the air contained therein, in order to reduce the
volume of the items of clothing contained in the bag.
[0006] The valve is suitable to be connected to the suction
connector of a conventional vacuum cleaner.
[0007] It is evident that such bags allow not only to reduce the
bulk of the clothes or blankets to be stored for example in
wardrobes, but also allow to avoid contact thereof with dust, moths
and humidity.
[0008] However, the practical application of currently commercially
available bags of the type described above suffers drawbacks.
[0009] First of all, the presence of the valve on the bag
constitutes a very awkward bulk, especially in the very frequent
case in which a plurality of bags are to be stacked one on top of
the other.
[0010] Moreover, the valve is a critical point for maintaining
vacuum over time.
[0011] Another drawback is the complexity of the operations for
closing the mouth of the bag by way of the closure devices
currently in use.
[0012] Moreover, if this operation is not performed precisely,
creases can form on the mouth of the bag, degrading the hermetic
sealing capacity of the closure devices, which are already
inherently unreliable from this standpoint.
[0013] Obviously, the presence of a valve that has to be welded to
the bag, and the fact of having to resort to the use of closure
devices, entails a considerable cost increase.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The aim of the present invention is to eliminate the
drawbacks noted above by providing a device for generating at least
partial vacuum in bags for packaging clothes or the like, which
allows to extract air from the bags in a practical manner.
[0015] Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to
provide a device for generating at least partial vacuum in bags for
packaging clothes or the like that allows to close the bags
hermetically.
[0016] Another object of the invention is to provide a device for
generating at least partial vacuum in bags for packaging clothes or
the like that allows to use bags that do not have a suction
valve.
[0017] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
device for generating at least partial vacuum in bags for packaging
clothes or the like that thanks to its particular constructive
characteristics is capable of giving the greatest assurances of
reliability and safety in use.
[0018] A still further object of the present invention is to
provide a device for generating at least partial vacuum in bags for
packaging clothes or the like that has a very simple structure, is
easy to use, and has a competitive production cost.
[0019] This aim and these and other objects that will become better
apparent hereinafter are achieved by a device for generating at
least partial vacuum in bags for packaging clothes or the like,
according to the invention, characterized in that it comprises a
box-like body that forms a suction chamber designed to accommodate
at least one portion of a mouth of a bag for packaging clothes or
the like, means for providing at least partial airtightness acting
between said bag and said box-like body, said suction chamber
having an air suction intake that can be connected to air suction
means, said device comprising heat-sealing means that act on a
region of said bag that is interposed between said at least one
portion of said mouth and the clothes or the like contained within
said bag.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will
become better apparent from the description of a preferred but not
exclusive embodiment of the device according to the invention,
illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device according to the
invention, in an open condition;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device according to the
invention, in a closed condition;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a view, similar to FIG. 2, of the device according
to the invention, illustrating a bag engaged with the device
according to the invention;
[0024] FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are sequential views of the use of the
device according to the invention;
[0025] FIGS. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 are sequential views of the use
of the device according to the invention with a bag in which the
side provided with the mouth is larger than the longitudinal
dimensions of the device according to the invention.
[0026] In the examples of embodiments that follow, individual
characteristics, given in relation to specific examples, may
actually be interchanged with other different characteristics that
exist in other examples of embodiments.
[0027] Moreover, it is noted that anything found to be already
known during the patenting process is understood not to be claimed
and to be the subject of a disclaimer.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0028] With reference to the figures, the device for generating at
least partial vacuum in bags for packaging clothes or the like,
according to the invention, generally designated by the reference
numeral 1, comprises a box-like body 2, which forms internally a
suction chamber that is designed to accommodate at least one
portion of an inlet or mouth of a bag 3 adapted to package clothes
4 or the like.
[0029] Also according to the invention, means for providing at
least partial airtightness are provided and act between the bag 3
and the box-like body 2.
[0030] In detail, the suction chamber has an air suction intake 18,
which is conveniently surrounded by a sealing element 18a and can
be connected to air suction means 5.
[0031] According to an important aspect of the invention, the air
suction means 5 are constituted by a vacuum cleaner provided with a
suction hose 6 that ends with a connector 7 that can be connected
to the suction intake 18 of the suction chamber and can engage
hermetically the sealing element 18a, which is advantageously
capable of adapting to the various diameters that the connector 7
can have.
[0032] The device according to the invention further comprises
heat-sealing means 8, which are adapted to act on a region 9 of the
bag 3 that is interposed between the portion of the mouth of the
bag 3 that engages the suction chamber and the clothes 4 contained
in said bag 3.
[0033] With reference to the embodiment shown in the figures, the
box-like body 2 is formed by two parts 2a and 2b, which are
associated to each other and can move with respect to each other to
pass from an open condition, in which they allow to arrange at
least one portion of the mouth of the bag 3 in the suction chamber,
to a closed active condition, in which the sealing means form an at
least partial seal between the outer surface of the bag 3 and the
two parts 2a and 2b, so as to isolate the suction chamber from the
outside.
[0034] Going into the details of the heat-sealing means 8, such
means comprise, at one of the two parts 2a and 2b, for example at
the part 2a, heating means which, according to an example of
embodiment, are constituted by an electric resistor that is
controlled by a control circuit provided with an activation button
10.
[0035] Advantageously, the heating means are also provided with a
protective element 11 that covers the electric resistor.
[0036] Conveniently, the heat-sealing means 8 are completed by an
insulating element 12, which is supported by the part 2b and is
designed to face the protective element 11 when the two parts 2a
and 2b are placed in their closed active condition.
[0037] By way of example, the protective element 11 is constituted
by a plate-like element made of Teflon, while the insulating
element 12 can be formed advantageously by a plate-like element
made of silicone material.
[0038] With reference in particular to FIG. 1, at least one of the
two parts 2a and 2b has a recess 13, which forms the suction
chamber in cooperation with a portion of the other part that faces
it in the closed active condition.
[0039] Conveniently, both parts 2a and 2b are provided, in matching
positions, with a respective recess 13, which, when the two parts
2a and 2b are in the closed active position, forms a corresponding
portion of the suction chamber.
[0040] Advantageously, at the perimetric region of the recesses 13
there is a sealing gasket 14, which constitutes such sealing
means.
[0041] Conveniently, the two parts 2a and 2b are constituted by two
elongated elements, which are pivoted to each other, for example at
one of their ends, about a rotation axis that is formed by a pivot
100 that is substantially perpendicular to their longitudinal
extension.
[0042] Advantageously, the parts 2a and 2b have, at their end that
lies opposite the pivoting end, retention means 15, which are
designed to keep the two parts 2a and 2b arranged so that they face
each other when they are in the closed active condition and are
constituted by a tooth 16 that is supported for example by the part
2b and can engage detachably an abutment profile formed on the part
2a.
[0043] Use of the device according to the invention is as
follows.
[0044] After inserting clothes 4 or the like in the bag 3, with the
two parts 2a and 2b in the open condition, the mouth of the bag 3
is arranged within one of the recesses 13, so that the clothes 4
are arranged on the opposite side of the mouth with respect to the
heat-sealing means 8 (as shown in FIG. 3).
[0045] At this point, the parts 2a and 2b are placed in the closed
active condition, and as shown in FIG. 4 the intake 7 of the vacuum
cleaner is connected to the suction intake 18 of the suction
chamber and engaged, on its outer lateral surface, with the sealing
element 18a in order to extract the air from the suction chamber
and accordingly from the inside of the bag 3.
[0046] Once the intended degree of vacuum has been reached inside
the bag 3, the heat-sealing means 8 are activated by way of the
activation button 10 and seal the region 9 of the bag 3 that is
interposed between the insulating element 12 and the protective
element 11.
[0047] It should be noted that in order to ensure correct operation
of the device during suction, it is important to ensure that air
passages, connecting at least the internal part of the bag 3
interposed between the region 9 and the clothes 4 to the suction
chamber, can form inside said bag.
[0048] In this regard, it is advantageous to provide the bag 3, at
least proximate to its mouth and at least up to the region 9, with
means for spacing its internal surfaces that are suitable to form a
plurality of air suction channels. Such per se known spacer means
can be constituted by an embossed internal surface of the bag 3 or
by a plate-like element that is interposed between the internal
surfaces of the walls of the bag 3 and has a substantially
undulated configuration.
[0049] As an alternative, it is possible to use a bag 3 of the
concertina type, or the user can directly form the creases in the
region that is engaged by the device according to the invention, so
as to form channels through which the air to be aspirated can
flow.
[0050] Another possible solution is to insert, through the mouth of
the bag 3, at least one tubular element, which can be arranged so
that one end is connected to a suction chamber and the other end
lies within the internal portion of the bag 3 arranged between the
region 9 and the clothes 4.
[0051] It should also be noted that the bag must be made, at least
at its internal surfaces, of a heat-sealing material, such as for
example polypropylene or polyethylene.
[0052] If the dimensions of the mouth of the bag 3 are larger than
the longitudinal extension of the two parts 2a and 2b, it is
possible to proceed, as also clearly shown in FIGS. 5 to 12, by
first providing a heat-seal at a corner region of the bag 3 towards
the mouth, so as to reduce the extent of the mouth to be engaged
within the suction chamber.
[0053] All the characteristics of the invention described above as
advantageous, convenient or the like may also be omitted or be
replaced with equivalents.
[0054] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous
modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of
the appended claims.
[0055] Thus, for example, the two parts 2a and 2b can be
constituted by two elongated elements that are associated to each
other on a long side and so that they can rotate about a rotation
axis that is substantially parallel to their longitudinal
extension.
[0056] In practice it has been found that the invention has
achieved the intended aim and objects in all of the
embodiments.
[0057] In practice, the materials used, so long as they are
compatible with the contingent use, as well as the shapes and
dimensions, may be any according to requirements.
[0058] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No.
VR2003A000115 from which this application claims priority are
incorporated herein by reference.
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