U.S. patent application number 14/119484 was filed with the patent office on 2014-04-03 for apparatus for vacuum packing.
The applicant listed for this patent is INTROPACK, CO., LTD., Kyul-Joo LEE, ROLLPACK CO., LTD. Invention is credited to Kyul-Joo Lee.
Application Number | 20140090336 14/119484 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47217867 |
Filed Date | 2014-04-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140090336 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee; Kyul-Joo |
April 3, 2014 |
APPARATUS FOR VACUUM PACKING
Abstract
There is provided a vacuum packaging apparatus in which a cover
is operated to hermetically seal a vacuum chamber to provide an
evacuated environment by allowing the vacuum chamber to be in a
more complete vacuum state. The vacuum packaging apparatus includes
a lower body having a vacuum chamber connected to a vacuum
generating device; a cover connected to the lower body to cover the
vacuum chamber; and a vertical moving unit connected between the
cover and the lower body to allow the cover to move upwardly and
downwardly with respect to the lower body and closely contact the
lower body such that the vacuum chamber is hermetically sealed when
the vacuum generating device starts a vacuum creating
operation.
Inventors: |
Lee; Kyul-Joo;
(Chungcheongnam-do, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LEE; Kyul-Joo
ROLLPACK CO., LTD
INTROPACK, CO., LTD. |
Chungcheongnam-do
Gyeonggi-do
Gyeonggi-do |
|
KR
KR
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
47217867 |
Appl. No.: |
14/119484 |
Filed: |
May 17, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
May 17, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR2012/003901 |
371 Date: |
November 22, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/79 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 31/048 20130101;
B65B 31/02 20130101; B65B 51/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
53/79 |
International
Class: |
B65B 31/04 20060101
B65B031/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 25, 2011 |
KR |
10-2011-0049598 |
May 12, 2012 |
KR |
10-2012-00517683 |
Claims
1. A vacuum packaging apparatus comprising: a lower body having a
vacuum chamber connected to a vacuum generating device; a cover
connected to the lower body to cover the vacuum chamber; and a
vertical moving unit connected between the cover and the lower body
to allow the cover to move upwardly and downwardly with respect to
the lower body and closely contact the lower body such that the
vacuum chamber is hermetically sealed when the vacuum generating
device starts a vacuum creating operation.
2. The vacuum packaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vertical
moving unit includes: a cylinder body disposed in the lower body
and having an air intake port connected to the vacuum generating
device and a hollow space connected to the air intake port; a
piston having one end fixed to the cover and the other end inserted
into the hollow space of the cylinder body and moving downwardly in
a length direction of the cylinder body due to restoring force when
the vacuum generating device starts the vacuum creating operation;
and an elastic member having one end fixed to the cylinder body,
provided to surround the piston and moving upwardly in the length
direction of the cylinder body when the vacuum generating device
stops the vacuum creating operation.
3. The vacuum packaging apparatus of claim 2, wherein the vertical
moving unit further includes a guide member disposed to be adjacent
to the piston, fixed to the cover, and guiding movement of the
piston when the piston is operated.
4. The vacuum packaging apparatus of claim 2, wherein the air
intake port includes an air intake hole having a smaller inner
diameter than that of an end of the air intake port.
5. The vacuum packaging apparatus of claim 2, wherein the vacuum
generating device includes: a vacuum generating unit provided to
withdraw air from within the vacuum chamber and the hollow space of
the cylinder body such that the vacuum chamber and the hollow space
are vacuumized; a first vacuum hose connecting the vacuum
generating unit to the air intake port of the cylinder body; a
second vacuum hose connecting the vacuum generating unit to the
vacuum chamber; and a controlling unit connected to the vacuum
generating unit and controlling the vacuum generating unit to
withdraw the air through at least one of the first vacuum hose and
the second vacuum hose when the vacuum creating operation is
started.
6. The vacuum packaging apparatus of claim 5, wherein the
controlling unit performs a first vacuum creating operation by
allowing the air within the hollow space of the cylinder body to be
withdrawn into the vacuum generating unit through the first vacuum
hose such that the piston moves downwardly in the length direction
of the cylinder body to allow the cover and the lower body to
contact one another, and performs a second vacuum creating
operation by allowing the air within the vacuum chamber to be
withdrawn into the vacuum generating unit through the second vacuum
hose, and the second vacuum creating operation is performed
independently of and subsequent to the first vacuum creating
operation or is performed simultaneously with the first vacuum
creating operation.
7. A vacuum packaging apparatus comprising: a lower body having a
vacuum chamber connected to a vacuum generating device; a cover
hinge-coupled to the lower body to cover the vacuum chamber and
including a cover protrusion disposed on a lower end portion
thereof and inserted into a protrusion through hole provided in the
lower body; and a locking unit fixing the cover to the lower body
by allowing the cover protrusion to be fixedly inserted into the
protrusion through hole when the cover is positioned to cover the
vacuum chamber and the vacuum generating device starts a vacuum
creating operation.
8. The vacuum packaging apparatus of claim 7, wherein the locking
unit includes: a hook caught by a hook receiving hole formed in the
cover protrusion to fix the cover protrusion; a cylinder member
having one end fixed to the hook and the other end connected to the
vacuum generating device and performing a reciprocating piston
operation when the vacuum generating device starts the vacuum
creating operation such that the hook is caught by the hook
receiving hole; and an elastic member connected to the hook and
allowing the hook to be separated from the hook receiving hole due
to restoring force when the vacuum generating device stops a vacuum
creating operation.
9. The vacuum packaging apparatus of claim 8, wherein the hook has
an upper end thereof bent and caught by the hook receiving hole,
and a lower end of the hook is hinge-coupled to a hinge member
fixed to the lower body such that the hook pulls the cover
protrusion downwardly while rotating at a predetermined angle using
the hinge member as an axis of rotation when the cylinder member
moves.
10. The vacuum packaging apparatus of claim 8, wherein the cylinder
member includes: a cylinder body having a hollow space therein and
installed in the lower body while being connected to the vacuum
generating device; and a piston having one end fixed to the hook
and the other end inserted into the hollow space of the cylinder
body and moving in a length direction of the cylinder body when the
vacuum generating device starts the vacuum creating operation.
11. The vacuum packaging apparatus of claim 10, wherein the vacuum
generating device includes: a vacuum generating unit provided to
withdraw air from within the vacuum chamber and the hollow space of
the cylinder body such that the vacuum chamber and the hollow space
are vacuumized; a first vacuum hose connecting the vacuum
generating unit to the cylinder body; a second vacuum hose
connecting the vacuum generating unit to the vacuum chamber; and a
controlling unit connected to the vacuum generating unit and
controlling the vacuum generating unit to withdraw the air through
at least one of the first vacuum hose and the second vacuum hose
when the vacuum creating operation is started.
12. The vacuum packaging apparatus of claim 11, wherein the
controlling unit performs a first vacuum creating operation by
allowing the air within the hollow space of the cylinder body to be
withdrawn into the vacuum generating unit through the first vacuum
hose such that the piston is operated to allow the hook to be
caught by the hook receiving hole, and performs a second vacuum
creating operation by allowing the air within the vacuum chamber to
be withdrawn into the vacuum generating unit through the second
vacuum hose, and the second vacuum creating operation is performed
simultaneously with the first vacuum creating operation.
13. The vacuum packaging apparatus of claim 2, wherein the cylinder
body is integrated with the lower body.
14. The vacuum packaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vacuum
chamber includes a first sealing pad disposed on a circumference of
an upper surface thereof, and the cover includes a second sealing
pad disposed to be in contact with the first sealing pad in order
to create a vacuum in the vacuum chamber, and further includes an
elastic pressure member elastically pressing at least one of the
first sealing pad and the second sealing pad such that the first
sealing pad and the second sealing pad closely contact one
another.
15. The vacuum packaging apparatus of claim 14, wherein the cover
further includes: a fixed lower plate forming a bottom surface of
the cover and fixedly installed; and a pressure plate spaced apart
from the fixed lower plate, having the second sealing pad bonded to
a lower surface thereof, and movably installed, and the elastic
pressure member is disposed between the fixed lower plate and the
pressure plate and elastically presses the second sealing pad in a
direction toward the first sealing pad.
16. The vacuum packaging apparatus of claim 14, wherein the elastic
pressure member is provided to elastically press the second sealing
pad in a direction toward the first sealing pad, and the cover
further includes a receiving groove having the elastic pressure
member disposed therein and having the second sealing pad movably
received therein.
17. The vacuum packaging apparatus of claim 16, wherein the elastic
pressure member comprises a plurality of elastic pressure members
spaced apart from one another in a length direction of the second
sealing pad.
18. The vacuum packaging apparatus of claim 16, wherein the cover
further includes a connection member connecting the second sealing
pad to the receiving groove and elastically extended or contracted
to allow the second sealing pad to move by the elastic pressure
member.
19. The vacuum packaging apparatus of claim 10, wherein the
cylinder body is integrated with the lower body.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a vacuum packaging
apparatus, and more particularly, to a vacuum packaging apparatus
in which a cover is operated to hermetically seal a vacuum chamber
to provide an evacuated environment by allowing the vacuum chamber
to be in a more complete vacuum state.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In general, a vacuum packaging apparatus is configured by
hinge coupling of an upper case and a lower case, and is operated
to perform vacuum packaging by closing the case after a vacuum
wrapper is positioned between the upper case and the lower
case.
[0003] A chamber-type vacuum packaging apparatus according to the
related art creates a vacuum within a wrapper by positioning an
opening portion of the wrapper in a vacuum chamber and withdrawing
air from within the vacuum chamber using a vacuum pump or the like.
After the vacuum is created using the vacuum pump or the like, the
opening portion of the wrapper is sealed by thermal fusion through
a heating wire disposed at the front portion of the upper and lower
cases to thereby complete vacuum packaging. This configuration is
disclosed in detail in Korean Utility Model No. 20-0319700.
[0004] However, the related art vacuum packaging apparatus may
start the creation of the vacuum in a state in which a user presses
the upper case to hermetically seal the vacuum chamber, causing
inconvenience in the use thereof.
[0005] Furthermore, since the user may find it difficult to press
down on the upper case with steady pressure, a possibility of
failure to hermetically seal the vacuum chamber may exist, whereby
the vacuum efficiency of the vacuum packaging apparatus may not be
uniform.
[0006] In addition, sealing members may be provided on a lower
surface of the upper case and a lower surface of the lower case to
be brought into contact with one another so as to form the vacuum
within the vacuum chamber, and the sealing members may be rubber
packing members or the like. As the user continuously presses the
upper case, the rubber packing members may be deformed and the
upper and lower sealing members may fail to closely contact one
another, whereby the creation of the vacuum within the vacuum
chamber may not be facilitated.
DISCLOSURE
Technical Problem
[0007] An aspect of the present invention provides a vacuum
packaging apparatus in which a cover is operated to completely seal
a vacuum chamber when a vacuum creating operation is initiated,
thereby providing an evacuated environment by allowing the vacuum
chamber to be in a more complete vacuum state.
[0008] An aspect of the present invention also provides a vacuum
packaging apparatus able to allow a vacuum chamber to be
hermetically sealed even in the case that first and second sealing
pads are deformed by repetitive pressing, whereby vacuum efficiency
can be further improved.
Technical Solution
[0009] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a vacuum packaging apparatus including: a lower body
having a vacuum chamber connected to a vacuum generating device; a
cover connected to the lower body to cover the vacuum chamber; and
a vertical moving unit connected between the cover and the lower
body to allow the cover to move upwardly and downwardly with
respect to the lower body and closely contact the lower body such
that the vacuum chamber is hermetically sealed when the vacuum
generating device starts a vacuum creating operation.
[0010] The vertical moving unit may include a cylinder body
disposed in the lower body and having an air intake port connected
to the vacuum generating device and a hollow space connected to the
air intake port; a piston having one end fixed to the cover and the
other end inserted into the hollow space of the cylinder body and
moving downwardly in a length direction of the cylinder body due to
restoring force when the vacuum generating device starts the vacuum
creating operation; and an elastic member having one end fixed to
the cylinder body, provided to surround the piston and moving
upwardly in the length direction of the cylinder body when the
vacuum generating device stops the vacuum creating operation.
[0011] The vertical moving unit may further include a guide member
disposed to be adjacent to the piston, fixed to the cover, and
guiding movement of the piston when the piston is operated.
[0012] The air intake port may include an air intake hole having a
smaller inner diameter than that of an end of the air intake
port.
[0013] The vacuum generating device may include a vacuum generating
unit provided to withdraw air from within the vacuum chamber and
the hollow space of the cylinder body such that the vacuum chamber
and the hollow space may be vacuumized; a first vacuum hose
connecting the vacuum generating unit to the air intake port of the
cylinder body; a second vacuum hose connecting the vacuum
generating unit to the vacuum chamber; and a controlling unit
connected to the vacuum generating unit and controlling the vacuum
generating unit to withdraw the air through at least one of the
first vacuum hose and the second vacuum hose when the vacuum
creating operation is started.
[0014] The controlling unit may perform a first vacuum creating
operation by allowing the air within the hollow space of the
cylinder body to be withdrawn into the vacuum generating unit
through the first vacuum hose such that the piston may move
downwardly in the length direction of the cylinder body to allow
the cover and the lower body to contact one another, and may
perform a second vacuum creating operation by allowing the air
within the vacuum chamber to be withdrawn into the vacuum
generating unit through the second vacuum hose. The second vacuum
creating operation may be performed independently of and subsequent
to the first vacuum creating operation or may be performed
simultaneously with the first vacuum creating operation.
[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a vacuum packaging apparatus including a lower body
having a vacuum chamber connected to a vacuum generating device; a
cover hinge-coupled to the lower body to cover the vacuum chamber
and including a cover protrusion disposed on a lower end portion
thereof and inserted into a protrusion through hole provided in the
lower body; and a locking unit fixing the cover to the lower body
by allowing the cover protrusion to be fixedly inserted into the
protrusion through hole when the cover is positioned to cover the
vacuum chamber and the vacuum generating device starts a vacuum
creating operation.
[0016] The locking unit may include a hook caught by a hook
receiving hole formed in the cover protrusion to fix the cover
protrusion; a cylinder member having one end fixed to the hook and
the other end connected to the vacuum generating device and
performing a reciprocating piston operation when the vacuum
generating device starts the vacuum creating operation such that
the hook may be caught by the hook receiving hole; and an elastic
member connected to the hook and allowing the hook to be separated
from the hook receiving hole due to restoring force when the vacuum
generating device stops a vacuum creating operation.
[0017] The hook may have an upper end thereof bent and caught by
the hook receiving hole, and a lower end of the hook may be
hinge-coupled to a hinge member fixed to the lower body such that
the hook may pull the cover protrusion downwardly while rotating at
a predetermined angle using the hinge member as an axis of rotation
when the cylinder member moves.
[0018] The cylinder member may include a cylinder body having a
hollow space therein and installed in the lower body while being
connected to the vacuum generating device; and a piston having one
end fixed to the hook and the other end inserted into the hollow
space of the cylinder body and moving in a length direction of the
cylinder body when the vacuum generating device starts the vacuum
creating operation.
[0019] The vacuum generating device may include a vacuum generating
unit provided to withdraw air from within the vacuum chamber and
the hollow space of the cylinder body such that the vacuum chamber
and the hollow space may be vacuumized; a first vacuum hose
connecting the vacuum generating unit to the cylinder body; a
second vacuum hose connecting the vacuum generating unit to the
vacuum chamber; and a controlling unit connected to the vacuum
generating unit and controlling the vacuum generating unit to
withdraw the air through at least one of the first vacuum hose and
the second vacuum hose when the vacuum creating operation is
started.
[0020] The controlling unit may perform a first vacuum creating
operation by allowing the air within the hollow space of the
cylinder body to be withdrawn into the vacuum generating unit
through the first vacuum hose such that the piston may be operated
to allow the hook to be caught by the hook receiving hole, and may
perform a second vacuum creating operation by allowing the air
within the vacuum chamber to be withdrawn into the vacuum
generating unit through the second vacuum hose. The second vacuum
creating operation may be performed simultaneously with the first
vacuum creating operation.
[0021] The cylinder body may be integrated with the lower body.
[0022] The vacuum chamber may include a first sealing pad disposed
on a circumference of an upper surface thereof, and the cover may
include a second sealing pad disposed to be in contact with the
first sealing pad in order to create a vacuum in the vacuum
chamber, and may further include an elastic pressure member
elastically pressing at least one of the first sealing pad and the
second sealing pad such that the first sealing pad and the second
sealing pad may closely contact one another.
[0023] The cover further may include a fixed lower plate forming a
bottom surface of the cover and fixedly installed; and a pressure
plate spaced apart from the fixed lower plate, having the second
sealing pad bonded to a lower surface thereof, and movably
installed, and the elastic pressure member may be disposed between
the fixed lower plate and the pressure plate and elastically press
the second sealing pad in a direction toward the first sealing
pad.
[0024] The elastic pressure member may be provided to elastically
press the second sealing pad in a direction toward the first
sealing pad, and the cover may further include a receiving groove
having the elastic pressure member disposed therein and having the
second sealing pad movably received therein.
[0025] The elastic pressure member may include a plurality of
elastic pressure members spaced apart from one another in a length
direction of the second sealing pad.
[0026] The cover may further include a connection member connecting
the second sealing pad to the receiving groove and elastically
extended or contracted to allow the second sealing pad to move by
the elastic pressure member.
Advantageous Effects
[0027] Through the foregoing configurations of a vacuum packaging
apparatus according to embodiments of the invention, when a vacuum
creating operation is started, a cover closely contacts a lower
body to completely seal a vacuum chamber, thereby creating an
evacuated environment in which the vacuum chamber is able to
achieve a more complete vacuum state, and improving the vacuum
efficiency of a wrapper.
[0028] According to the embodiments of the invention, since an
elastic pressure member elastically presses first and second
sealing pads, the vacuum chamber can be hermetically sealed even in
the case that first and second sealing pads are deformed by
repetitive pressing, whereby the vacuum efficiency of the wrapper
can be further improved.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0029] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the configuration of a
vacuum packaging apparatus according to a first embodiment of the
invention;
[0030] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the vacuum
packaging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the
invention;
[0031] FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded view of the vacuum packaging
apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention;
[0032] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of
FIG. 2;
[0033] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of
FIG. 2;
[0034] FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a vacuum packaging
apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention;
[0035] FIG. 7 schematically illustrates connections of elements of
a locking unit according to the second embodiment of the
invention;
[0036] FIGS. 8 through 10 schematically illustrate operating states
of the locking unit according to the second embodiment of the
invention;
[0037] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a vacuum packaging
apparatus according to a third embodiment of the invention;
[0038] FIGS. 12 and 13 schematically illustrate operating states of
an elastic pressure member according to the third embodiment of the
invention;
[0039] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a vacuum packaging
apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;
[0040] FIGS. 15 and 16 schematically illustrate operating states of
an elastic pressure member according to the fourth embodiment of
the invention;
[0041] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the position
of the elastic pressure member according to the fourth embodiment
of the invention; and
[0042] FIGS. 18A and 18B are cross-sectional views illustrating
modified examples of the fourth embodiment of the invention.
BEST MODE
[0043] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention
will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0044] The exemplary embodiments are suitable to improve the
understanding of technical features of a vacuum packaging apparatus
according to the present inventive concept. The inventive concept
may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be
construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.
Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will
be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the
invention to those skilled in the art.
First Embodiment
[0045] A vacuum packaging apparatus according to an embodiment of
the invention is an apparatus for creating a vacuum within a
wrapper by withdrawing air from within the wrapper. As illustrated
in FIG. 1, the vacuum packaging apparatus according to the present
embodiment may be disposed in one side of a housing 10 and may be
connected to a vacuum generating device 20 and be controlled
thereby.
[0046] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a vacuum packaging
apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment may include a
lower body 110 including a vacuum chamber 121 connected to the
vacuum generating device 20, a cover 130 connected to the lower
body 110 to cover the vacuum chamber 121, and a vertical moving
unit 150 connected between the cover 130 and the lower body 110
while allowing the cover 130 to move upwardly and downwardly with
respect to the lower body 110.
[0047] In the present embodiment, the vacuum generating device 20
connected to the vacuum packaging apparatus 100 may include a
vacuum generating unit connected to a cylinder body 151 of the
vertical moving unit 150 via a first vacuum hose 22 and connected
to the vacuum chamber 121 via a second vacuum hose 23, and a
controlling unit 27 connected between a button unit 137 of the
cover 130 and the vacuum generating unit and controlling the
operations of the vacuum generating unit. Here, the vacuum
generating unit may include a vacuum pump 21 and a vacuum motor 25
driving the vacuum pump 21.
[0048] Meanwhile, according to the present embodiment, a vacuum
chamber plate 120 may be installed on the lower body 110, the
vacuum chamber plate 120 having the vacuum chamber 121 formed
therein. Here, the vacuum chamber plate 120 may be integrated with
the lower body 110 or may be separable from the lower body 110.
[0049] The cover 130 may be positioned above the lower body 110 to
cover the vacuum chamber 121. Here, the lower body 110 and the
cover 130 may be connected to one another by the vertical moving
unit 150.
[0050] In the present embodiment, the vacuum chamber plate 120 may
be connected to an upper portion of the lower body 110. As
illustrated in FIG. 2, the vacuum chamber plate 120 may include a
heating wire 122 provided on an upper edge portion thereof and the
vacuum chamber 121 spaced apart from the heating wire 122 by a
predetermined interval and forming a space therein.
[0051] In the present embodiment, the vacuum chamber 121 may
include a chamber air suction port 121a connected to the second
vacuum hose 23. The chamber air suction port 121a may protrude to
have a predetermined height from a bottom surface of the vacuum
chamber 121 in order for moisture within the vacuum chamber 121 to
be kept from entering the second vacuum hose 23.
[0052] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the vacuum chamber plate 120 may
include piston through holes 133 respectively formed in both end
portions thereof and receiving the vertical moving unit 150
inserted thereinto, and a pair of guide holes 124 and 125 disposed
at both sides of each piston through hole 133 and serving to guide
guide members to be described below.
[0053] In the embodiment of the invention, in order to avoid
redundant explanations, the piston through hole 133 and the pair of
guide holes 124 and 125 formed in any one end portion of the vacuum
chamber plate 120 will be described. For the convenience of
explanation, the pair of guide holes are indicated as a first guide
hole 124 and a second guide hole 125.
[0054] Meanwhile, according to the present embodiment, the cover
130 may be coupled to the lower body 110 to cover the vacuum
chamber plate 120. Here, the cover 130 may be movably installed
with respect to the lower body 110 such that a height thereof may
be varied by the vertical moving unit 150.
[0055] The button unit 137 may be provided on an upper portion of
the cover 130 to be connected to the controlling unit 27 of the
vacuum generating device 20. In the interior of the cover 130, a
second sealing pad 131 having a shape corresponding to a first
sealing pad (not shown) disposed on an upper surface of the vacuum
chamber 121 may be provided to seal the vacuum chamber 121, and a
contact bar 132 may be brought into contact with the heating wire
122 provided on the vacuum chamber plate 120 to thereby seal a
wrapper (not shown). Pistons 154 and guide members 153 and 159 of
the vertical moving unit 150 are fixed to both end portions of the
cover 130. Here, the first sealing pad and the second sealing pad
131 may be formed of a sponge or the like able to implement elastic
compression.
[0056] Here, according to the embodiment of the invention, the
vertical moving unit 150 may be installed at each of end portions
of the vacuum packaging apparatus 100 to adjust a height of the
cover 130. In order to avoid redundant explanations, the vertical
moving unit 150 installed at any one end portion of the vacuum
packaging apparatus 100 will be described.
[0057] The vertical moving unit 150 in the embodiment of the
invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 through 5, may include the
cylinder body 151 provided in the lower body 110, the piston 154
fixed to the cover 130, an elastic member 156 and the guide members
158 and 159, such that the vertical moving unit 150 may adjust the
height of the cover 130 to allow the cover 130 to be brought into
contact with the lower body 110 or to allow the cover 130 to be
spaced apart from the lower body 110.
[0058] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the cylinder body 151 may
protrude from a bottom surface of the lower body 110. Here, the
cylinder body 151 may have a hollow cylindrical shape, a top of
which is open and a bottom of which is closed.
[0059] The cylinder body 151 may have an air intake port 152
connected to the first vacuum hose 22 of the vacuum generating
device 20. Here, one end of the first vacuum hose 22 may be
connected to the air intake port 152 and the other end thereof may
be connected to the vacuum pump 21 of the vacuum generating device
20.
[0060] According to the embodiment of the invention, the air intake
port 152 may include an air intake hole 153 having a smaller inner
diameter than that of an end of the air intake port 152. In the
case in which the air intake hole 153 is provided in the air intake
port 152, the air intake hole 153 may be integrated with the air
intake port 152 in order to prevent the air intake hole 153 from
being separated from the air intake port 152.
[0061] The air intake hole 153 may be provided to adjust intensity
of closing the lower body 110 by the cover 130 when air is
withdrawn within from a hollow space 151a of the cylinder body 151.
For example, when the vacuum generating device 20 initiates the
creation of the vacuum by allowing the vacuum pump 21 to withdraw
air from the hollow space 151a within the cylinder body 151, the
velocity of air withdrawn by the vacuum pump 21 is decreased in a
case in which a sectional area of the air intake port 152 is
relatively small as compared to a case in which the sectional area
of the air intake port 152 is large. This allows the cover 130 to
slowly contact the lower body 110, whereby damage to the cover 130
and the lower body 110 at a contact portion therebetween may be
prevented.
[0062] Meanwhile, according to the embodiment of the invention, one
end of the piston 154 may be fitted into a piston receiving recess
formed in an internal surface of the cover 130. A sealing ring 155
fixed to the other end of the piston 154 may be inserted into the
hollow space 151a of the cylinder body 151. Here, the other end of
the piston 154 may be inserted into the cylinder body 151 by
passing through the piston through hole 133 formed in the vacuum
chamber plate 120.
[0063] In addition, a piston washer 154a may be disposed between
one end of the piston 154 and the other end thereof to fix the
elastic member 156. Here, the piston washer 154a may protrude from
an external peripheral surface of the piston 154 outwardly.
[0064] Meanwhile, according to the embodiment of the invention, the
elastic member 156 may be disposed to surround the piston 154 in a
space between the cylinder body 151 and the vacuum chamber plate
120. Here, one end of the elastic member 156 may be fixed to the
cylinder body 151 and the other end thereof may be fixed to the
piston washer 154a. The elastic member 156 may be a spring.
[0065] According to the embodiment of the invention, the elastic
member 156 may allow the piston 154 to return back to the original
position by elastic restoring force when the vacuum generating
device 20 stops the vacuum creating operation, that is, the suction
force exerted on the piston 154 by the vacuum pump 21 is removed
and the compressed state is released.
[0066] Meanwhile, the vacuum packaging apparatus 100 according to
the embodiment of the invention may include a pair of guide members
disposed adjacently to the side of the piston 154 so as to guide
the movement of the piston 154. For the convenience of explanation,
the pair of guide members are indicated as a first guide member 158
and a second guide member 159.
[0067] The first and second guide members 158 and 159 may be spaced
apart from the piston 154 by a predetermined interval and be fixed
to the internal surface of the cover 130. As illustrated in FIGS. 3
through 5, the first guide member 158 may be disposed within the
lower body 110 by penetrating through the first guide hole 124 of
the vacuum chamber plate 120, and the second guide member 159 may
be disposed within the lower body 110 by penetrating through the
second guide hole 125 of the vacuum chamber plate 120.
[0068] According to the embodiment of the invention, when the
piston 154 moves upwardly or downwardly, the first guide member 158
may move along the first guide hole 124 in the same direction as
the movement of the piston 154 and the second guide member 159 may
move along the second guide hole 125 in the same direction as the
movement of the piston 154 to thereby guide the upward and downward
movements of the piston 154.
[0069] Hereinafter, an operating method of the vacuum packaging
apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the invention will be
described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0070] When a start button 138 of the button unit 137 on the cover
130 is selected or a user pushes the cover 130 to allow a vacuum
initiation signal to be input, the vacuum creating operation of the
vacuum generating unit is initiated by the controlling unit 27
connected to the button unit 137. When the creation of the vacuum
is initiated, the vacuum pump 21 is operated to withdraw air from
the hollow space 151a within the cylinder body 151 through the
first vacuum hose 22.
[0071] According to the embodiment of the invention, when the start
button 138 is selected or the cover 130 is pushed to allow the
vacuum initiation signal to be input, the controlling unit 27 may
perform a first vacuum creating operation by allowing the air
within the hollow space 151a of the cylinder body 151 to pass
through the first vacuum hose 22 and to be withdrawn by the vacuum
pump 21.
[0072] During the first vacuum creating operation of the
controlling unit 27, the vacuum pump 21 may withdraw the air from
within the hollow space 151a of the cylinder body 151 through the
first vacuum hose 22. When the air within the hollow space 151a of
the cylinder body 151 starts to be withdrawn by the vacuum pump 21,
the piston 154 positioned within the hollow space 151a of the
cylinder body 151 may move down toward a bottom surface of the
cylinder body 151 due to the suction force of the vacuum pump
21.
[0073] As the piston 154 moves downwardly, the cover 130 connected
to one end of the piston 154 also moves downwardly together with
the piston 154 due to the suction force of the vacuum pump 21, such
that the cover 130 may be brought into contact with the vacuum
chamber plate 120 connected to the upper portion of the lower body
110.
[0074] At this time, the cover 130 may be coupled to the lower body
110 while closely contacting the vacuum chamber plate 120 by the
vertical moving unit 150, thereby preventing the vacuum chamber 121
from communicating with the outside. Accordingly, the vacuum
packaging apparatus 100 may be operated to create a more complete
vacuum state in the vacuum chamber 121 when the wrapper is
vacuum-packed.
[0075] Meanwhile, when the vacuum chamber 121 is hermetically
sealed by the cover 130 by which the cover 130 closely contacts the
vacuum chamber plate 120 through the above-described process, the
controlling unit 27 performs a second vacuum creating operation.
Here, the second vacuum creating operation may be performed
independently of and subsequent to the first vacuum creating
operation, or may be performed simultaneously with the first vacuum
creating operation.
[0076] During the second vacuum creating operation of the
controlling unit 27, the vacuum pump 21 may withdraw the air from
the wrapper (not shown, disposed in the vacuum chamber 121 through
the second vacuum hose 23. When pressure within the vacuum chamber
121 reaches a predetermined level of pressure to thereby completely
create the vacuum in the wrapper, the wrapper may be sealed by
thermal fusion using the heating wire 122 in contact with the
contact bar 132.
[0077] Meanwhile, when the wrapper is vacuum-packed by completing
the sealing thereof using the heating wire 122 or a stop button 139
is selected, the operation of the vacuum motor 25 is stopped by the
controlling unit 27 and the operation of the vacuum pump 21 is
stopped accordingly. When the operation of the vacuum pump 21 is
stopped, pulling force of the vertical moving unit 150 with respect
to the piston 154 may be removed.
[0078] When the force applied to the piston 154 is removed, the
compressed elastic member 156 may allow the piston 154 to return
back to the original position by the restoring force. At this time,
as the elastic member 156 moves upwardly to the original position,
the cover 130 fixed to one end of the piston 154 also moves
upwardly, such that the cover 130 may be separated from the vacuum
chamber plate 120.
[0079] In the above embodiment, the vacuum packaging apparatus
moving upwardly and downwardly has been described. Hereinafter, a
vacuum packaging apparatus according to a second embodiment of the
invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 through
10.
Second Embodiment
[0080] Now, a vacuum packaging apparatus according to a second
embodiment of the invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a
schematic perspective view of the vacuum packaging apparatus
according to the second embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 7
schematically illustrates connections of elements of a locking unit
according to the second embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 8
through 10 schematically illustrate operating states of the locking
unit according to the second embodiment of the invention.
[0081] A vacuum packaging apparatus 200 according to the second
embodiment of the invention may include a lower body 210, a cover
230 and a locking unit 250 as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. Details
and illustrations of the vacuum generating device 20, that is, the
vacuum pump 21, the first vacuum hose 22, the second vacuum hose
23, the vacuum motor 25 and the controlling unit 27, having the
same structures and the same functions as those described in the
first embodiment, and the structure and shape of a vacuum chamber
211 will be omitted, and the cover 230 and the locking unit 250
having different features from the above-described first embodiment
will be described in detail.
[0082] In the present embodiment, the vacuum chamber 211 may be
disposed on an upper portion of the lower body 210 and the cover
230 may be hinge-coupled thereto to cover the vacuum chamber 211. A
sensor 215 for operating the vacuum generating device may be
provided on an upper surface of the lower body 210, such that it
may be operated by contacting a contact protrusion 237 provided on
a lower surface of the cover 230 when the cover 230 is positioned
to cover the vacuum chamber 211.
[0083] In the interior of the cover 230, a second sealing pad 231
having the same shape as that of a first sealing pad 213 provided
on an upper surface of the vacuum chamber 211 may be provided to
seal the vacuum chamber 211 with the first sealing pad 213, and a
contact bar 231 may be brought into contact with a heating wire 212
to thereby seal a wrapper. Here, the first sealing pad 213 and the
second sealing pad 231 may be formed of a sponge or the like able
to implement elastic compression.
[0084] Meanwhile, according to the present embodiment, a protrusion
through hole 214 may be formed in the upper surface of the lower
body 210 such that a cover protrusion 235 may be inserted into an
internal space of the lower body 21.0. Here, the protrusion through
hole 214 may have a size sufficient for the cover protrusion 235 to
be easily inserted into the lower body 210.
[0085] Meanwhile, the locking unit 250 may be installed in the
lower body 210 below the protrusion through hole 214. Here, when
the cover protrusion 235 passes through the protrusion through hole
214 and is inserted into the internal space of the lower body 210
and the contact protrusion 237 of the cover 230 contacts the sensor
215 for operating the vacuum generating device to thereby start the
operation of the vacuum generating device 20, the locking unit 250
may be caught by a hook receiving hole 236 of the cover protrusion
235, thereby fixing the cover 230 to the lower body 210.
[0086] In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the
locking unit 250 may include a hook 251 caught by the hook
receiving hole 236 formed in the cover protrusion 235, a cylinder
member 253 connected to the hook 251, and an elastic member
257.
[0087] In the present embodiment, a lower end of the hook 251 may
be hinge-coupled to a hinge member 259 fixed to the lower body 210.
Here, an upper end of the hook 251 may be bent to be caught by the
hook receiving hole 236. A surface of a bent portion 251a of the
hook in contact with the hook receiving hole 236 may be rounded to
be easily inserted into the hook receiving hole 236 while rotating
at a predetermined angle using the hinge member 259 as the axis of
rotation when the cylinder member 253 moves.
[0088] Meanwhile, one surface of a portion of the hook 251 between
the upper and lower ends of the hook 251 may be connected to the
cylinder member 253 and the other surface thereof may be connected
to the elastic member 257. Here, one end of the elastic member 257
may be connected to the hook 251 and the other end thereof may be
fixed to the lower body 210.
[0089] According to the embodiment of the invention, one end of the
cylinder member 253 may be connected to the hook 251 and the other
end thereof may be connected to the vacuum generating device 20.
Here, the cylinder member 253 may include a cylinder body 255
having a hollow space therein, integrated with the lower body 210
and connected to the vacuum generating device 20, and a piston 254
inserted into the cylinder body 255 and performing a reciprocating
piston operation.
[0090] In the embodiment of the invention, the cylinder body 255
and the piston 254 have the same structure, shape and operating
method as those of the cylinder body 151 and the piston 154
according to the first embodiment of the invention, and thus,
details of the structure and shape of the cylinder body 255 and the
piston 254 according to the present embodiment will be omitted in
order to avoid redundant explanations.
[0091] However, unlike the piston of the first embodiment, the
piston 254 may be installed in the lower body 210 to move laterally
with respect to the cylinder body 255. In the present embodiment,
in a state in which a portion of the piston 254 is inserted into
the cylinder body 255, an end of the piston 254 may be connected to
the hook 251.
[0092] Meanwhile, in the embodiment of the invention, one end of
the elastic member 257 may be fixed to the hook 251 and the other
end thereof may be fixed to the lower body 210. When the vacuum
generating device 20 starts to create the vacuum and the piston 254
pulls the hook 251, the elastic member 257 may move in the same
direction as the movement of the hook 251 to be extended
thereby.
[0093] In a case in which the pulling force of the piston 254 with
respect to the hook 251 is greater than the restoring force of the
hook 251, the hook 251 may move in the direction in which the
piston 254 moves, and thus, the hook 251 may be caught by the hook
receiving hole 236 formed in the cover protrusion 235. On the other
hand, when the force applied to the piston 254 is removed, the
elastic member 257 may return back to the original position by the
restoring force.
[0094] Hereinafter, an operating method of the vacuum packaging
apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment will be described
with reference to FIGS. 8 through 10.
[0095] When the cover 230 is positioned to cover the vacuum chamber
211, the cover protrusion 235 may penetrate through the protrusion
through hole 214 to be inserted into the lower body 210 as
illustrated in FIG. 8.
[0096] When the vacuum generating device 20 (see FIG. 1) starts to
operate by which the contact protrusion 237 of the cover 230
contacts the sensor 215 for operating the vacuum generating device,
the cylinder member 253 may move in a direction of an arrow as
illustrated in FIG. 9 and pull the hook 251.
[0097] That is, when the creation of the vacuum is initiated, the
controlling unit 27 may perform a first vacuum creating operation
by allowing the air within the hollow space of the cylinder body
255 to be withdrawn to the vacuum generating unit through the first
vacuum hose 22 and operating the piston 254 to allow the hook 251
to be caught by the hook receiving hole 236.
[0098] When the cylinder member 253 pulls the hook 251 in the
direction of the arrow as illustrated in FIG. 9, the hook 251 may
be caught by the hook receiving hole 236 while rotating at a
predetermined angle using the hinge member 259 as the axis of
rotation as illustrated in FIG. 10. Here, the hook 251 may pull the
cover protrusion 235 downwardly while rotating at a predetermined
angle in a state in which the bent portion 251a of the hook is
caught by the hook receiving hole 236.
[0099] Therefore, the cover 230 may be connected to the lower body
210 while closely contacting the upper surface of the lower body
210 by the locking unit 250. The vacuum packaging apparatus 200
according to the embodiment of the invention may allow the cover
230 to closely contact the lower body 210 and prevent the vacuum
chamber 211 from communicating with the outside, thereby creating
an evacuated environment to allow the vacuum chamber 211 to be in a
more complete vacuum state and improving the vacuum efficiency of
the wrapper.
[0100] Thereafter, the controlling unit 27 may perform a second
vacuum creating operation by allowing the air within the vacuum
chamber 211 to be withdrawn to the vacuum generating unit through
the second vacuum hose 23. Here, the second vacuum creating
operation may be performed simultaneously with the first vacuum
creating operation.
[0101] When the wrapper is vacuum-packed by the above-described
process, the operation of the vacuum motor 25 is stopped by the
controlling unit 27 and the operation of the vacuum pump 21 is
stopped accordingly. When the operation of the vacuum pump 21 is
stopped, the pulling force of the locking unit 250 with respect to
the piston 254 may be removed.
[0102] When the force applied to the piston 254 is removed, the
extended elastic member 257 may allow the hook 251 to return back
to the original position by the restoring force. At this time, as
the elastic member 257 moves back to the original position due to
the restoring force, the hook 251 is separated from the hook
receiving hole 236, such that the cover 230 and the lower body 210
may be unlocked.
Third Embodiment
[0103] Hereinafter, a vacuum packaging apparatus according to a
third embodiment of the invention will be described. FIG. 11 is a
cross-sectional view of the vacuum packaging apparatus according to
the third embodiment of the invention, and FIGS. 12 and 13
schematically illustrate operating states of an elastic pressure
member according to the third embodiment of the invention.
[0104] A vacuum packaging apparatus 300 according to the present
embodiment may include a first sealing pad 313, a second sealing
pad 331, and an elastic pressure member 350 as illustrated in FIGS.
11 through 13. Here, details and illustrations of the vacuum
generating device 20, that is, the vacuum pump 21, the first vacuum
hose 22, the second vacuum hose 23, the vacuum motor 25 and the
controlling unit 27, having the same structures and the same
functions as those described in the first embodiment, and the
structure and shape of a vacuum chamber 321 will be omitted, and a
cover 330 and the elastic pressure member 350 having different
features from the above-described first embodiment will be
described in detail.
[0105] According to the embodiment of the invention, a vacuum
chamber plate 320 may be installed on the lower body 310, the
vacuum chamber plate 320 having the vacuum chamber 321 formed
therein. Here, the vacuum chamber plate 320 may be integrated with
the lower body 310 or may be separable from the lower body 310. In
the present embodiment, the vacuum chamber 321 may be formed in the
vacuum chamber plate 320 disposed between the cover 330 and the
lower body 310, and alternatively, the vacuum chamber 321 may be
integrated with the lower body 310.
[0106] The cover 330 may be positioned above the lower body 310 to
cover the vacuum chamber 321. Here, the cover 330 and the lower
body 310 may be connected to one another by the vertical moving
unit 150 (see the first embodiment), or the cover 330 may be
hinge-coupled to the lower body 310 (see the second embodiment). In
the present embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 14 through 17, the
cover 330 moves upwardly and downwardly by the vertical moving
unit, by way of example.
[0107] In addition, a heating wire 322 may be provided on an upper
edge portion of the vacuum chamber plate 320 connected to the upper
portion of the lower body 310 while being spaced apart from the
vacuum chamber 321. Furthermore, a contact bar 332 may be disposed
in the interior of the cover 330 to be brought into contact with
the heating wire 322 to thereby seal a wrapper (not shown).
[0108] Meanwhile, in the vacuum packaging apparatus 300 according
to the embodiment of the invention, the vacuum chamber 321 may
include the first sealing pad 313 disposed on the circumference of
an upper surface of the vacuum chamber 321, and the cover 330 may
include the second sealing pad 331 disposed to be in contact with
the first sealing pad 313 to create a vacuum in the vacuum chamber
321 and may further include the elastic pressure member 350
elastically pressing at least one of the first and second sealing
pads 313 and 331 to allow the first and second sealing pads 313 and
331 to closely contact one another.
[0109] The first sealing pad 313 may be disposed on the upper
surface of the vacuum chamber 321 and may correspond to the shape
of the vacuum chamber 321. The second sealing pad 331 may have the
same shape as that of the first sealing pad 313, such that it may
closely contact the first sealing pad 313 when the cover 330 is
closed, thereby hermetically sealing the vacuum chamber 321.
Accordingly, the vacuum state may be created in the vacuum chamber
321. Here, as described above, the first sealing pad 313 and the
second sealing pad 331 may be formed of a sponge, a rubber packing
member, or the like, which is able to implement elastic
compression.
[0110] The shape and material of the first sealing pad 313 and the
second sealing pad 331 are not limited thereto, and various
modified examples thereof may be implemented so long as the first
sealing pad 313 and the second sealing pad 331 can closely contact
one another to hermetically seal the vacuum chamber 321.
[0111] Meanwhile, according to the embodiment of the invention, the
elastic pressure member 350 may be included to elastically press at
least one of the first sealing pad 313 and the second sealing pad
331, such that the first sealing pad 313 and the second sealing pad
331 may closely contact one another.
[0112] That is, with reference to FIG. 14, since the first sealing
pad 313 and the second sealing pad 331 are formed of a rubber
packing member, a sponge, or the like, which is able to implement
elastic compression, they may be deformed by compressions as they
are repeatedly pressed by closing the cover 330. For example, as
illustrated in FIG. 14, in a case in which the first sealing pad
313 is compressed to have a deformed portion S, a height thereof is
lowered as much as the deformed portion, and thus, even when the
cover 330 is closed, the first sealing pad 313 may not closely
contact the second sealing pad 331.
[0113] Therefore, according to the embodiment of the invention,
there is provided the elastic pressure member 350 pressing the
first sealing pad 313 and the second sealing pad 331 to closely
contact one another. Even in the case that the first sealing pad
313 and the second sealing pad 331 are worn out and deformed, the
elastic pressure member 350 may serve to press the first sealing
pad 313 and the second sealing pad 331 in a direction in which they
contact one another, thereby allowing them to closely contact one
another.
[0114] Here, the elastic pressure member 350 may be provided to be
initially in a compressed state when the cover 330 is closed. When
the first sealing pad 313 or the second sealing pad 331 is
deformed, the elastic pressure member 350 may be extended due to
restoring force, thereby pressing at least one of the first sealing
pad 313 and the second sealing pad 331 to be closely in contact
with one another.
[0115] Here, the elastic pressure member 350 may be an elastic
spring as illustrated. The elastic pressure member 350 is not
limited to the elastic spring, but various modified examples
thereof may be used so long as they can press at least one of the
first sealing pad 313 and the second sealing pad 331 to be closely
in contact with one another.
[0116] Meanwhile, in the present embodiment, the cover 330 may
include a fixed lower plate 333 forming a bottom surface of the
cover 330 and a pressure plate 335 spaced apart from the fixed
lower plate 333, having the second sealing pad 331 bonded to a
lower surface thereof, and movably installed.
[0117] The elastic pressure member 350 may be disposed between the
fixed lower plate 333 and the pressure plate 335 and elastically
press the second sealing pad 331 in a direction toward the first
sealing pad 313.
[0118] That is, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the fixed lower plate
333 may be integrated with the cover body to thereby form the
bottom surface of the cover body. The pressure plate 335 may have a
shape corresponding to that of the fixed lower plate 333 and may be
movably installed below the fixed lower plate 333. Here, the cover
330 may include a catch portion 337 (see FIG. 11) protruding below
the pressure plate 335 and preventing the pressure plate 335 from
being separated from the cover 330.
[0119] In addition, the second sealing pad 331 may be bonded to the
lower surface of the pressure plate 335. Since the shape of the
second sealing pad 331 corresponds to that of the first sealing pad
331, when a user closes the cover 330, the second sealing pad 331
contacts the first sealing pad 313 to thereby hermetically seal the
vacuum chamber 321.
[0120] The elastic pressure member 350 may be disposed between the
fixed lower place 333 and the pressure plate 335 and elastically
pressing the movably installed pressure plate 335 in the direction
toward the first sealing pad 313. Here, the elastic pressure member
350 may be provided in plural, the plurality of elastic pressure
members 350 being spaced apart from one another in a length
direction of the second sealing pad 331.
[0121] The operations of the elastic pressure member 350 may be
described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13.
[0122] With reference to FIG. 12, in an initial operation of the
vacuum packaging apparatus 300 according to the embodiment of the
invention, in a state in which the first sealing pad 313 and the
second sealing pad 331 are not deformed, when the cover 330 is
closed, the elastic pressure member 350 is compressed. That is, the
elastic pressure member 350 may be disposed between the pressure
plate 335 and the fixed lower plate 333 in a state of being
initially compressed.
[0123] Thereafter, as repetitive pressing is applied thereto, when
the first sealing pad 313 or the second sealing pad 331 is deformed
and contracted as illustrated in FIG. 13, in a state in which the
cover 330 is closed, the elastic pressure member 350 may be
extended due to the restoring force to thereby press the second
sealing pad 331 in the direction toward the first sealing pad
313.
[0124] Accordingly, even in the case in which the first sealing pad
313 or the second sealing pad 331 is deformed and contracted by the
repetitive pressing, the elastic pressure member 350 may press the
second sealing pad 331 such that the first sealing pad 313 and the
second sealing pad 331 may closely contact one another. Therefore,
the vacuum chamber 321 may be hermetically sealed, whereby the
vacuum efficiency of the wrapper (not shown) may be continuously
maintained at a level the same as that of the initial state.
Fourth Embodiment
[0125] Hereinafter, a vacuum packaging apparatus according to a
fourth embodiment of the invention will be described. FIG. 14 is a
cross-sectional view of the vacuum packaging apparatus according to
the third embodiment of the invention, and FIGS. 15 and 16
schematically illustrate operating states of an elastic pressure
member according to the third embodiment of the invention. FIG. 17
is a cross-sectional view illustrating the position of the elastic
pressure member according to the third embodiment of the invention,
and FIGS. 18A and 18B are cross-sectional views illustrating
modified examples of the third embodiment of the invention.
[0126] A vacuum packaging apparatus 400 according to the embodiment
of the invention may include a first sealing pad 413, a second
sealing pad 431 and an elastic pressure member 450 as illustrated
in FIGS. 14 through 18. As in the third embodiment, the elastic
pressure member 450 elastically pressing the first sealing pad or
the second sealing pad may be included in the present embodiment,
but is different in terms of installation method and structure.
Therefore, details and illustrations of the same elements as those
described in the first and third embodiments will be omitted, and
the installation and operation of the elastic pressure member 450
distinguishable from those of the third embodiment will be
described below.
[0127] Meanwhile, the elastic pressure member 450 may be disposed
to elastically press the second sealing pad 431 in a direction
toward the first sealing pad 413. A cover 430 may include a
receiving groove 433 having the elastic pressure member 450
disposed therein and having the second sealing pad 430 movably
received therein.
[0128] Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIG. 17, the elastic pressure
member 450 may be provided in plural, the plurality of elastic
pressure members 450 being spaced apart from one another in a
length direction of the second sealing pad 431.
[0129] The receiving groove 433 may have the same shape as that of
the second sealing pad 431, and the second sealing pad 431 may be
inserted into the receiving groove 433 while forming a closed
section. The plurality of elastic pressure members 450 may be
spaced apart from one another between an internal surface of the
receiving groove 433 and the second sealing pad 431.
[0130] Here, the receiving groove 433 may be formed as a single
groove as illustrated in FIG. 17. Although not shown, the receiving
groove 433 may be formed as a plurality of grooves receiving the
plurality of elastic pressure members 450, respectively.
[0131] In addition, with reference to FIGS. 14 through 16, a guide
groove 433a may be formed in the receiving groove 433 and a
protrusion 431a may be formed on the second sealing pad 431. The
protrusion 431a may be installed to move along the guide groove
433a and the second sealing pad 431 may move according to the
compression or extension of the elastic pressure member 450. As the
protrusion 431a is caught by the guide groove 433a, the second
sealing pad 431 may be prevented from being separated from the
receiving groove 433.
[0132] Here, a pressure plate 437 may be bonded to an upper surface
of the second sealing pad 431. The pressure plate 437 may be formed
of a material having greater intensity than the second sealing pad
431. For example, the pressure plate 437 may be formed of plastic
or metal. Accordingly, the pressure plate 437 may prevent the upper
surface of the second sealing pad 431 from being deformed when the
elastic pressure member 450 presses the second sealing pad 431.
[0133] Meanwhile, the operation of the elastic pressure member 450
will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16. With reference
to FIG. 15, in an initial operation of the vacuum packaging
apparatus 400 according to the embodiment of the invention, in a
state in which the first sealing pad 413 and the second sealing pad
431 are not deformed, when the cover 430 is closed, the elastic
pressure member 450 may be compressed. That is, the elastic
pressure member 450 may be disposed between the receiving groove
433 and the second sealing pad 431 in a state of being initially
compressed.
[0134] Thereafter, as repetitive pressing is applied thereto, when
the first sealing pad 413 or the second sealing pad 431 is deformed
and contracted as illustrated in FIG. 16, in a state in which the
cover 430 is closed, the elastic pressure member 450 may be
extended due to restoring force to thereby press the second sealing
pad 431 in the direction toward the first sealing pad 413.
[0135] Accordingly, even in the case in which the first sealing pad
413 or the second sealing pad 431 is deformed and contracted by the
repetitive pressing, the elastic pressure member 450 may press the
second sealing pad 431 such that the first sealing pad 413 and the
second sealing pad 431 may closely contact one another. Therefore,
a vacuum chamber 421 may be hermetically sealed, whereby vacuum
efficiency of a wrapper (not shown) may be continuously maintained
at a level the same as that of the initial state.
[0136] Meanwhile, a modification of the fourth embodiment will be
described with reference to FIG. 18.
[0137] The vacuum packaging apparatus 400 according to the
embodiment of the invention may further include a connection member
435 connecting the second sealing pad 431 to the receiving groove
433 and being elastically extended or contracted to allow the
second sealing pad 431 to move by the elastic pressure member
450.
[0138] That is, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 14 through
16, the guide groove 433a and the protrusion 431a may guide the
movement of the second sealing pad 431 to thereby prevent the
second sealing pad 431 from being separated from the receiving
groove 433; however, in the present embodiment, the connection
member 435 may perform such a function.
[0139] Specifically, in the present embodiment, the cover 430 may
further include the connection member 435 connecting the second
sealing pad 431 to the receiving groove 433 and being elastically
extended or contracted to allow the second sealing pad 431 to move
by the elastic pressure member 450.
[0140] That is, one end of the connection member 435 may be bonded
to the receiving groove 433, and the other end thereof may be
bonded to the second sealing pad 431 such that the connection
member 435 may connect the second sealing pad 431 to the receiving
groove 433. Here, the connection member 435 may be thinner than the
second sealing pad 431 and may be formed of a ductile material.
[0141] Accordingly, the connection member 435 may prevent the
second sealing pad 431 from being separated from the receiving
groove 431. In addition, the connection member 435 may be
elastically contracted or extended according to the compression or
extension of the elastic pressure member 450 to thereby allow the
second sealing pad 431 to be installed movably.
[0142] FIG. 18A illustrates that the elastic pressure member 450 is
compressed and the connection member 435 is contracted, and FIG.
18B illustrates that the elastic pressure member 450 is extended to
press the second sealing pad 431 and the connection member 435 is
extended accordingly.
[0143] As described in the first and second embodiments, when the
vacuum creating operation is initiated using the vacuum pump
allowing the vacuum chamber to be vacuumized, the vacuum packaging
apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention may
automatically allow the cover and the lower body to closely contact
one another and prevent the vacuum chamber from communicating with
the outside, thereby creating an evacuated environment, in which
the vacuum chamber achieves a more complete vacuum state, and
improving the vacuum efficiency of the wrapper.
[0144] In the third embodiment, since the elastic pressure member
elastically presses the first sealing pad and the second sealing
pad, the vacuum chamber may be hermetically sealed even in the case
in which the first and second sealing pads are deformed or the like
due to repetitive pressing, whereby the vacuum efficiency of the
wrapper may be further improved.
[0145] While the present invention has been shown and described in
connection with the exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent to
those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be
made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention
as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *