U.S. patent application number 14/284235 was filed with the patent office on 2014-11-27 for dual heat strip and removable tray for a vacuum sealing machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to CTI INDUSTRIES CORP.. The applicant listed for this patent is CTI INDUSTRIES CORP.. Invention is credited to Jose Diaz, Scott Koszalinski, Miguel Martinez.
Application Number | 20140345236 14/284235 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50972803 |
Filed Date | 2014-11-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140345236 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Diaz; Jose ; et al. |
November 27, 2014 |
Dual Heat Strip And Removable Tray For A Vacuum Sealing Machine
Abstract
A vacuum sealing machine includes a base assembly having an
upper base portion removably secured to a lower base portion and
displacing relative to the lower base portion from a closed
position to an open position. Two or more heating strips are
disposed on the lower base portion, and each of the heating strips
is adapted to seal a portion of an open end of a sealable bag
disposed between the lower and upper base portions. At least one
securement feature is disposed on the upper base portion and is
adapted to apply pressure to a portion of the open end of the
inserted sealable bag when the sealable bag is sealed by at least
one of the heating strips. In addition, A control unit including at
least one microprocessor and a memory unit is in communication with
each of the two or more heating strips.
Inventors: |
Diaz; Jose; (Weston, FL)
; Martinez; Miguel; (Parkland, FL) ; Koszalinski;
Scott; (Boynton Beach, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CTI INDUSTRIES CORP. |
Barrington |
IL |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
CTI INDUSTRIES CORP.
Barrington
IL
|
Family ID: |
50972803 |
Appl. No.: |
14/284235 |
Filed: |
May 21, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61868945 |
Aug 22, 2013 |
|
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|
61826002 |
May 21, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
53/479 ; 493/194;
493/25; 53/75; 53/79 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 31/046 20130101;
B65B 43/04 20130101; B65B 59/003 20190501; B65B 31/024 20130101;
B65B 59/04 20130101; B65B 57/00 20130101; B65B 2051/105 20130101;
B65B 51/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
53/479 ; 53/79;
53/75; 493/25; 493/194 |
International
Class: |
B65B 51/10 20060101
B65B051/10; B65B 43/04 20060101 B65B043/04; B65B 31/02 20060101
B65B031/02; B65B 59/00 20060101 B65B059/00 |
Claims
1. A vacuum sealing machine comprising: a base assembly comprising:
a lower base portion having a lower vacuum gasket; and an upper
base portion removably secured to the lower base portion, the upper
base portion having an upper vacuum gasket, wherein the upper base
portion displaces relative to the lower base portion from a first
closed position to a second open position, and wherein the lower
vacuum gasket and the upper vacuum gasket cooperate to at least
partially define a vacuum chamber in the first closed position; two
or more heating strips disposed on a first one of the lower base
portion or the upper base portion of the base assembly, wherein
each of the two or more heating strips is adapted to seal a portion
of an open end of a sealable bag disposed between the lower base
portion and the upper base portion; at least one securement feature
disposed on a second one of the lower base portion or the upper
base portion of the base assembly, the at least one securement
feature adapted to apply pressure to a portion of the open end of
the inserted sealable bag when the sealable bag is sealed by at
least one of the heating strips; and a control unit including at
least one microprocessor and a memory unit, the control unit in
communication with each of the two or more heating strips.
2. The vacuum sealing machine of claim 1, wherein the lower base
portion includes two heating strips.
3. The vacuum sealing machine of claim 2, wherein the lower base
portion includes two heating strips that are elongated and extend
along a longitudinal axis.
4. The vacuum sealing machine of claim 3, wherein each of the two
heating strips extends from a first end to a
longitudinally-opposite second end, the first end being disposed at
or adjacent to a first lateral edge portion of the lower base
portion and the second end being disposed at or adjacent to a
second lateral edge portion of the lower base portion.
5. The vacuum sealing machine of claim 1, wherein the upper base
portion is releasably coupled with the lower base portion.
6. The vacuum sealing machine of claim 1, wherein the upper base
portion pivots relative to the lower base portion from the first
closed position to the second open position.
7. The vacuum sealing machine of claim 4, wherein the upper base
portion includes two elongated gaskets having a bottom portion that
overlaps or contacts a corresponding portion of a corresponding one
of the heating strips when the upper and lower base portions are in
the first closed position.
8. The vacuum sealing machine of claim 1, wherein the lower base
portion includes one or more lower mating features and the upper
base portion includes one or more upper mating features that
cooperate with the lower mating features to removably and rotatably
couple the lower base portion to the upper base portion.
9. The vacuum sealing machine of claim 1, wherein the lower base
portion and the upper base portion are adapted to be received into
a portion of a housing assembly.
10. The vacuum sealing machine of claim 9, wherein at least one of
the lower base portion or the upper base portion includes at least
one of vacuum connections or electrical connections that
automatically engage corresponding vacuum connections and/or
electrical connections formed on the housing assembly.
11. The vacuum sealing machine of claim 1, further comprising a
first sensor in communication with a first of the two or more
heating strips and a second sensor in communication with a first of
the two or more heating strips, wherein both the first sensor and
second sensor are in communication with the control unit.
12. The vacuum sealing machine of claim 10, wherein information
from one of the first sensor or the second sensor is communicated
to the control unit, and wherein the control unit determines which
of the first heating strip and second heating strip to energeize
based on the information from the one of the first sensor or the
second sensor.
13. The vacuum sealing machine of claim 11, wherein the information
is a temperature of the first heating strip or a temperature of the
second heating strip.
14. A method of controlling a vacuum sealing machine having a lower
base portion and an upper base portion that displaces relative to
the lower base portion from a first closed position to a second
open position, the method comprising: issuing a first command by a
control unit of the vacuum sealing machine to energize a first
heating strip disposed on one of the lower base portion or the
upper base portion to heat a portion of an open end of a first
sealable bag disposed between the lower base portion and the upper
base portion in the first closed position; and issuing a second
command by the control unit of the vacuum sealing machine to
energize a second heating strip disposed adjacent to the first
heating strip disposed on one of the lower base portion or the
upper base portion to heat a portion of an open end of a second
sealable bag disposed between the lower base portion and the upper
base portion in the first closed position.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the first command is issued by
the control unit in response to information received by the control
unit from a first sensor in communication with the first heating
strip and the control unit.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the second command is issued by
the control unit in response to information received by the control
unit from a second sensor in communication with the second heating
strip and the control unit.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein at least one of the first
command or the second command is issued automatically by the
control unit.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein the first command is issued by
the control unit in response to a reaching a temperature limit and
wherein the second command is issued by the control unit in
response to a reaching a temperature limit.
19. A method of creating a custom-sized bag having a single
unsealed edge for use with a vacuum sealing machine, the method
comprising: determining by a control unit a width of a roll of bag
material used to make the custom-sized bag; determining by the
control unit a desired bag volume of the custom-sized bag; command
a feeding mechanism to advance the roll of bag material a
predetermined amount based on the desired bag volume, wherein the
command to the feeding mechanism is issued by the control unit;
command at least one seal bar to energize to form a transverse seal
across the roll of bag material when the roll of bag material
advanced the predetermined amount, wherein the command to energize
the at least one seal bar is issued by the control unit; and
command a cutting mechanism to activate to cut the roll of bag
material adjacent to the transverse seal to create a sealable bag
having a single open end and the desired bag volume, wherein the
command to activate the cutting mechanism is issued by the control
unit.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein determining the width of the
roll of bag material is automatically determined by a sensor or
determined by a user input.
21. The method of claim 19, wherein determining desired bag volume
of the custom-sized bag is determined by a user input.
22. The method of claim 19, further comprising: command the feeding
mechanism to advance the sealable bag having the single open end to
an output location.
Description
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] This disclosure relates generally to machines that preserve
food, and, more particularly, to vacuum sealing machines.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Vacuum sealing machines are typically used by consumers to
package a desired portion of perishable items (e.g., food, such as
meat) in a manner that preserves the food during long term-storage,
such as storage in a freezer. To use the vacuum sealing machine,
the desired portion of food is placed in an open end of an
appropriately-sized plastic sealable bag. The open end of the bag
is then inserted into a receiving portion, such as a slot, of the
vacuum sealing machine, and a vacuum process is initiated by the
user to evacuate air from the interior of the bag. When the air
evacuation process is complete, a heat sealer creates a transverse
seal across the open end of the bag to create a completely sealed
package enclosing the portion of food.
[0003] Typically, a large quantity of food is vacuum sealed at the
same time. In such instances, frequent use causes the temperature
of the heat sealer to rise and remain at unacceptable levels. When
at such levels, placing the open end of the bag in contact with the
heat sealer, which occurs during the air evacuation process,
results in unwanted sealing of the bag before air is fully
evacuated. To avoid such unwanted premature sealing, the heat
sealer must be allowed to cool between uses to a temperature in
which no premature sealing of the bag occurs. However, it is
difficult for the user to determine when the temperature falls to
an acceptable level, and the user wastes a significant amount of
time waiting for the temperature to fall.
[0004] In addition, food particles and liquid can spill out of the
open end of the bag and into a vacuum chamber formed in an interior
portion of the vacuum sealing machine during the air evacuation
process. Such a vacuum chamber is typically difficult to access
when it is desired to clean the vacuum chamber after use. Further,
a user typically uses a single-sized open-ended plastic sealable
bag regardless of the size of the portion to be preserved. Thus,
bag space is wasted or multiple bags are used when a single, larger
bag is desired.
[0005] Accordingly, there is a need for a vacuum sealing machine
that does not prematurely seal an open end of a sealable bag and
does not require significant downtime to wait for the heat sealer
to cool. There is also a need for a more accessible vacuum chamber
to make cleaning more convenient. Moreover, there is a need for a
custom bag creator that easily allows for the creation of a desired
bag size.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0006] A vacuum sealing machine includes a base assembly having a
lower base portion having a lower vacuum gasket and an upper base
portion removably secured to the lower base portion, the upper base
portion having an upper vacuum gasket. The upper base portion
displaces relative to the lower base portion from a first closed
position to a second open position, and the lower vacuum gasket and
the upper vacuum gasket cooperate to at least partially define a
vacuum chamber in the first closed position. The vacuum sealing
machine also includes two or more heating strips disposed on a
first one of the lower base portion or the upper base portion of
the base assembly, and each of the two or more heating strips is
adapted to seal a portion of an open end of a sealable bag disposed
between the lower base portion and the upper base portion. The
vacuum sealing machine further includes at least one securement
feature disposed on a second one of the lower base portion or the
upper base portion of the base assembly, and the at least one
securement feature is adapted to apply pressure to a portion of the
open end of the inserted sealable bag when the sealable bag is
sealed by at least one of the heating strips. In addition, the
vacuum sealing machine includes a control unit including at least
one microprocessor and a memory unit, and the control unit is in
communication with each of the two or more heating strips.
[0007] A method of controlling a vacuum sealing machine having a
lower base portion and an upper base portion that displaces
relative to the lower base portion from a first closed position to
a second open position includes issuing a first command by a
control unit of the vacuum sealing machine to energize a first
heating strip disposed on one of the lower base portion or the
upper base portion to heat a portion of an open end of a first
sealable bag disposed between the lower base portion and the upper
base portion in the first closed position. The method also includes
issuing a second command by the control unit of the vacuum sealing
machine to energize a second heating strip disposed adjacent to the
first heating strip disposed on one of the lower base portion or
the upper base portion to heat a portion of an open end of a second
sealable bag disposed between the lower base portion and the upper
base portion in the first closed position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of an embodiment of a
lower base portion of a vacuum sealing machine;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the embodiment of the
lower base portion of FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a third perspective view of the embodiment of the
lower base portion of FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the embodiment of the lower base
portion of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a front view of the embodiment of the lower base
portion of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a first side view of the embodiment of the lower
base portion of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a second side view of the embodiment of the lower
base portion of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an upper
base portion of a vacuum sealing machine;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a side view of an embodiment of a vacuum sealing
machine in a closed position;
[0017] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a vacuum
sealing machine in an open position;
[0018] FIG. 11 is a first side view of an embodiment of a vacuum
sealing machine in an open position;
[0019] FIG. 12 is a second side view of an embodiment of a vacuum
sealing machine in an open position;
[0020] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an first upper hinge member
or second upper hinge member;
[0021] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a vacuum
sealing machine in an open position;
[0022] FIG. 15 is diagram of an embodiment of a control function of
an embodiment of a custom bag assembly;
[0023] FIG. 16 is diagram of an embodiment of a control function of
an embodiment of a custom bag assembly;
[0024] FIG. 17 is diagram of an embodiment of a control function of
an embodiment of a custom bag assembly;
[0025] FIG. 18 is diagram of an embodiment of a control function of
an embodiment of a custom bag assembly;
[0026] FIG. 19 is diagram of an embodiment of a control function of
an embodiment of a custom bag assembly;
[0027] FIG. 20 is diagram of an embodiment of a control function of
an embodiment of a custom bag assembly;
[0028] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a housing
including a vacuum sealing machine and a custom-sized bag creator
assembly;
[0029] FIGS. 22A to 22C are various views of an embodiment of a
housing including a vacuum sealing machine and a custom-sized bag
creator assembly;
[0030] FIGS. 23 to 26 are various perspective views of various
embodiments of a housing including a vacuum sealing machine and a
custom-sized bag creator assembly;
[0031] FIGS. 27A to 34 are various front views of various
embodiments of a housing including a vacuum sealing machine and a
custom-sized bag creator assembly;
[0032] FIG. 35A is a front view of an embodiments of a housing
including a vacuum sealing machine and a custom-sized bag creator
assembly; and
[0033] FIG. 35B is a sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG.
35A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 14, a base assembly 10 of a
vacuum sealing machine may include a lower base portion 12 and an
upper base portion 14 that cooperate to (1) form a vacuum chamber
to evacuate fluid, such as air, from an open end of an inserted
sealable bag and (2) seal (e.g., heat seal) the open end of the
inserted sealable bag, such as a plastic bag. Either (or both) of
the lower base portion 12 and the upper base portion 14 may include
a plurality of heating areas, such as heating strips 16, and either
or both of the lower base portion 12 and the upper base portion 14
may include a securement feature (such as an elongated gasket) that
applies pressure to a portion of the open end of the inserted
sealable bag when the sealable bag is sealed by one or more of the
plurality of heating areas.
[0035] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7, the lower
base portion 12 may include two heating strips 16a, 16b, and each
heating strip 16a, 16b may be elongated and may extend along a
longitudinal axis 18a, 18b that may each be parallel to the Y-axis
of the reference coordinate system provided in FIG. 1. Each of the
two heating strips 16a, 16b may extend from a first end to a
longitudinally-opposite second end. The first end may be disposed
at or adjacent to a first lateral edge portion of the lower base
portion 12 and the second end may be disposed at or adjacent to a
second lateral edge portion of the lower base portion 12. Instead
of a single heat strip extending from the first end to the second
end, each strip may be an assembly of segments that cooperate to
form the heating strip, and the segments may cooperate to extend
from the first end to the second end. Each of the two heating
strips 16a, 16b may be identical, and each of the two heating
strips 16a, 16b may be disposed parallel to a longitudinal axis 20a
of an elongated vacuum gasket 22a that at least partially defines a
vacuum chamber 24 (e.g., see FIG. 9). While two heating strips 16a,
16b are illustrated, any number of heating strips in any
configuration is contemplated. Each heating strip 16a, 16b may
provide heat in any suitable manner, such as by electrical
resistance. Accordingly, each heating strip 16a, 16b may be
connected to a source of electricity. Each heating strip 16a, 16b
may be in communication with a control unit that may include at
least one microprocessor and a memory unit.
[0036] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, the upper base
portion 14 may be adapted to releasably engage or couple with the
lower base portion 12 in a closed position (illustrated in
cross-section in FIG. 9). The upper base portion 14 may releasably
engage the lower base portion 12 manually or automatically. For
example, the user may pivot the upper base portion 14 towards the
lower base portion 12. In the closed position, a vacuum gasket 22b
of the upper base portion 14 may be aligned or substantially
aligned with the vacuum gasket 22a of the lower base portion 12,
and the vacuum gasket 22b of the upper base portion 14 and the
vacuum gasket 22a of the lower base portion 12 may cooperate to
define the vacuum chamber 24. The upper base portion 14 may include
a plurality of securement features 26. Each securement feature 26
may be an elongated gasket 27a, 27b having a planar or slightly
curved bottom portion that overlaps or contacts a corresponding
portion of a corresponding one of the heating strips 16a, 16b when
the upper and lower base portions 12, 14 are in the closed position
(and when a bag or other item to be sealed is not disposed over the
heating strip 16a, 16b). In the closed position with a sealable bag
inserted, the securement features 26 provide pressure to the
portion or portions of the sealable bag that engage (i.e., are
heated by) the heating strips 16a, 16b to form an airtight seal
across the open end of the sealable bag.
[0037] While the Figures illustrate that the two heating strips
16a, 16b are arranged on the lower base portion 12 and the
elongated gaskets 27a, 27b are disposed on the upper base portion
14, the two heating strips 16a, 16b may be arranged on the upper
base portion 14 and the elongated gaskets 27a, 27b may be disposed
on the lower base portion 12.
[0038] Each of the plurality of securement features 26 may
correspond in length, orientation, and general size to a
corresponding heating strip 16a, 16b. For example, the upper base
portion 14 may include two gaskets 27a, 27b that each extend along
a longitudinal axis 28a, 28b that may each be parallel to the
Y-axis of the reference coordinate system provided in FIG. 1. Each
of the two gaskets 27a, 27b may extend from a first end to a
longitudinally-opposite second end. The first end may be disposed
at or adjacent to a first lateral edge portion of the upper base
portion 14 and the second end may be disposed at or adjacent to a
second lateral edge portion of the upper base portion 14. Instead
of each gasket being a single gasket 27a, 27b extending from the
first end to the second end, each gasket 27a, 27b may be an
assembly of segments that cooperate to form the gaskets 27a, 27b,
and the segments may cooperate to extend from the first end to the
second end. Each of the two gaskets 27a, 27b may be identical, and
each of the two gaskets 27a, 27b may be disposed parallel to the
longitudinal axis 20b of the elongated vacuum gasket 22b. While two
gaskets 27a, 27b are illustrated, any number of gaskets 27a, 27b in
any suitable configuration may be used.
[0039] As illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 14, the lower base portion 12
may include one or more lower mating features 30 and the upper base
portion 14 may include one or more upper mating features 32 that
cooperate with the lower mating features 30 to couple the lower
base portion 12 to the upper base portion 14. In the embodiment
illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 12, the one or more upper mating
features 32 may cooperate with the lower mating features 30 to
removably and rotatably couple the lower base portion 12 to the
upper base portion 14. However, the one or more upper mating
features 32 may cooperate with the lower mating features 30 to
couple the lower base portion 12 to the upper base portion 14 in a
non-removable manner such that the one or more upper mating
features 32 may cooperate with the lower mating features 30 to form
a permanent hinge.
[0040] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the one or more lower
mating features 30 may include a first lower hinge member 34a and a
second lower hinge member 34b disposed on the lower base portion
12. The first lower hinge member 34a may be disposed along or
adjacent to a lateral edge 36 of the lower base portion 12 that is
parallel to (or substantially parallel to) the Y-axis of the
reference coordinate system of FIGS. 1 and 10, and the vacuum
gasket 22a may be disposed between the two heating strips 16a, 16b
and the lateral edge 36. The first lower hinge member 34a may also
be disposed along or adjacent to a first transverse edge 38 of the
lower base portion 12 that is parallel to (or substantially
parallel to) the X-axis of the reference coordinate system of FIGS.
1 and 10. The second lower hinge member 34b may be disposed along
or adjacent to the lateral edge 36 of the lower base portion 12
that is parallel to (or substantially parallel to) the Y-axis of
the reference coordinate system of FIG. 10. The second lower hinge
member 34b may also be disposed along or adjacent to a second
transverse edge 40 of the lower base portion 12 that is parallel to
(or substantially parallel to) the first transverse edge 38.
[0041] As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 10, and 12, the first lower hinge
member 34a may include a support portion 42a, and a receiving
portion 44a that may be defined in a surface of the support portion
42a. The receiving portion 44a may be an aperture formed through
the surface of the support portion 42a or may be a cavity formed by
a portion of a cylindrical wall that extends inward (i.e., along or
parallel to the Y-axis of the reference coordinate system of FIG.
10) from the surface of the support portion 42a. The aperture or
cavity may have a circular cross-sectional shape or any suitable
cross-sectional shape. The aperture or cavity may extend along a
longitudinal axis that extends along or parallel to the Y-axis of
the reference coordinate system of FIG. 10.
[0042] As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 10, and 11, the second lower
hinge member 34b may include a support portion 42b, and a receiving
portion 44b may be defined in a surface of the support portion 42b.
The second lower hinge member 34b may be identical to, but a minor
image of, the first lower hinge member 34a. Specifically, the
receiving portion 44b may be a aperture formed through the surface
of the support portion 42b or may be a cavity formed by a portion
of a cylindrical wall that extends inward (i.e., along or parallel
to the Y-axis of the reference coordinate system of FIG. 10 and
towards the first transverse edge 38) from the surface of the
support portion 42b. The aperture or cavity may extend along a
longitudinal axis that extends along or parallel to the Y-axis of
the reference coordinate system of FIG. 10.
[0043] As illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 12, the upper base portion 14
may include one or more upper mating features 32, and the one or
more upper mating features 32 may include a first upper hinge
member 46a and a second upper hinge member 46b. The first upper
hinge member 46a may be adapted to releasably engage the first
lower hinge member 34a, and the second upper hinge member 46b may
be adapted to releasably engage the second lower hinge member
34b.
[0044] Still referring to FIGS. 10 to 12, the first upper hinge
member 46a may include a cantilevered tab portion 48a that extends
generally along the Z-axis of the reference coordinate system of
FIG. 10 when the upper base portion 14 is in the closed position.
The tab portion 48a may be disposed along or adjacent to a lateral
edge 50 of the upper base portion 14 that is parallel to (or
substantially parallel to) the Y-axis of the reference coordinate
system of FIG. 10. The tab portion 48a may also be disposed along
or adjacent to a first transverse edge 52 (see FIG. 10) of the
upper base portion 14 that is parallel to (or substantially
parallel to) the X-axis of the reference coordinate system of FIG.
10.
[0045] As illustrated in FIG. 13, a projection 54a may be disposed
on or extend from a surface of the tab portion 48a that faces the
surface of the support portion 42a of the first lower hinge member
34a that includes the receiving portion 44a when the lower base
portion 12 is coupled to the upper base portion 14. The projection
54a may have a front face 56a and a side wall 58a, and the side
wall 58a may have a cylindrical shape having a longitudinal axis
that extends along or parallel to the Y-axis of the reference
coordinate system of FIG. 10. The longitudinal axis of the side
wall 58a of the projection 54a may coaxially align with the
longitudinal axis of the aperture or cavity of the receiving
portion 44a of the first lower hinge member 34a, and all or a
portion of the projection 54a (such as all or part of the side wall
58a of the projection 54a) may be received into the aperture or
cavity of the receiving portion 44a such that the projection 54a
may rotate within the aperture or cavity of the receiving portion
44a. The projection 54a may be dimensioned such that the diameter
may be slightly less than (e.g., 5% to 15% less that) the diameter
of the aperture or cavity of the receiving portion 44a. The front
face 58a may be planar or partially planar, and may extend along
the X-Z plane of the reference coordinate system of FIG. 10.
Alternatively, the front face 56a may be angled to facilitate the
insertion of the projection 54 within the receiving portion 44a. In
other contemplated embodiments, the front face 56a may be or
include a contoured surface, such as a spherical surface, and the
side wall 58a and the front face 56a may cooperate to form a
rounded nub or spherical nub. The tab portion 48a may be
cantilevered from a bottom portion of the upper base portion 14
such that the tab portion 48a may flex in the direction of the
Y-axis of the reference coordinate system of FIG. 10 to allow the
projection 54a to be inserted into (and removed from) the receiving
portion 44a.
[0046] As illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 12, the one or more upper
mating features 32 of the upper base portion 14 may include the
second upper hinge member 46b. The second upper hinge member 46b
may be adapted to releasably engage the second lower hinge member
34b, and the second upper hinge member 46b may be identical to, but
a minor image of, the first upper hinge member 46a. Specifically,
the second upper hinge member 46b may include a cantilevered tab
portion 48b that extends generally along the Z-axis of the
reference coordinate system of FIG. 10 when the upper base portion
14 is in the closed position. The tab portion 48b may be disposed
along or adjacent to the lateral edge 52 of the upper base portion
14 that is parallel to (or substantially parallel to) the Y-axis of
the reference coordinate system of FIG. 10. The tab portion 48b may
also be disposed along or adjacent to a second transverse edge 60
(see FIG. 11) that is parallel to and offset from the first
transverse edge 52 of the upper base portion 14.
[0047] As illustrated in FIG. 13, a projection 54b may be disposed
on or extend from a surface of the tab portion 48a that faces the
surface of the support portion 42b of the second lower hinge member
34b that includes the receiving portion 44b when the lower base
portion 12 is coupled to the upper base portion 14. The projection
54b may have a front face 56b and a side wall 58b, and the side
wall 58b may have a cylindrical shape having a longitudinal axis
that extends along or parallel to the Y-axis of the reference
coordinate system of FIG. 10. The longitudinal axis of the side
wall 58b of the projection 54b may coaxially align with the
longitudinal axis of the aperture or cavity of the receiving
portion 44b of the second lower hinge member 34b, and all or a
portion of the projection 54b (such as all or part of the side wall
58b of the projection 54b) may be received into the aperture or
cavity of the receiving portion 44b such that the projection 54b
may rotate within the aperture or cavity of the receiving portion
44b. The projection 54b may be dimensioned such that the diameter
may be slightly less than (e.g., 5% to 15% less that) the diameter
of the aperture or cavity of the receiving portion 44b. The front
face 58b may be planar or partially planar, and may extend along
the X-Z plane of the reference coordinate system of FIG. 10.
Alternatively, the front face 56b may be angled to facilitate the
insertion of the projection 54b within the receiving portion 44b.
In other contemplated embodiments, the front face 56b may be or
include a contoured surface, such as a spherical surface, and the
side wall 58b and the front face 56b may cooperate to form a
rounded nub or spherical nub. The tab portion 48b may be
cantilevered from a bottom portion of the upper base portion 14
such that the tab portion 48b may flex in the direction of the
Y-axis of the reference coordinate system of FIG. 10 to allow the
projection 54b to be inserted into (and removed from) the receiving
portion 44b.
[0048] In alternative embodiments, the lower mating features 30 of
the lower base portion 12 may include the first upper hinge member
46a and the second upper hinge member 46b, and the upper mating
features 32 of the upper base portion 14 may include the first
lower hinge member 34a and the second lower hinge member 34b. That
is, the projections 54a, 54b may be disposed on the lower base
portion 12 and the receiving portions 44a, 44b may be disposed on
the upper base portion 14. The upper base portion 14 and/or the
lower base portion 12 may each be a component of a housing assembly
(e.g., the housing assembly 15 illustrated in FIGS. 31 to 35B) or
may each operate independent of the housing assembly.
[0049] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the lower base portion 12 may
include vacuum connections 62 and/or electrical connections 64 that
operate as quick connections. That is, when the lower base portion
12 is inserted into the housing assembly, the vacuum connections 62
and/or electrical connections 64 automatically engage corresponding
vacuum connections and/or electrical connections formed in the
housing assembly.
[0050] In use, the lower base portion 12 and the upper base portion
14 may be in an open position in which the lower base portion 12 is
offset from the upper base portion 14. More specifically, the lower
mating features 30 may rotate relative to the upper mating features
32 (or vice versa). In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 10 to
12, the first lower hinge member 34a may rotate relative to the
first upper hinge member 46a (or vice versa) and the second lower
hinge member 34b may rotate relative to the second upper hinge
member 46b (or vice versa). In the open position, the open end of
the inserted sealable bag (that is sealed on three sides) is
inserted within the inner perimeter of the vacuum gasket 22a. The
upper base portion 14 is then moved to the closed position (in any
manner, such as by pivoting as previously described) such that the
open end of the inserted sealable bag is disposed within the vacuum
chamber 24. When a start command is given, such as by pressing a
start button on an input device that is in communication with the
control unit, air may be evacuated from the vacuum chamber 24 and
from the interior of the sealable bag in a known manner. When the
evacuation process is complete, one of the two (or more) heating
strips 16a, 16b, such as the first heating strip 16a, is engaged or
activated to seal the open edge of the bag and create a sealed bag
that is sealed on four sides. The command to engage the first
heating strip 16a may originate automatically from the control unit
after the evacuation process is complete, or the command may be
initiated by a user pressing a button on the input device. Air may
continue to be evacuated from the vacuum chamber 24 during the
sealing process, or the evacuation process may be terminated at any
time prior to engagement or activation of one of the two (or more)
heating strips 16a, 16b. Once the sealable bag is sealed, the lower
base portion 12 is disengaged from the upper base portion 14 (in
any manner, such as by pivoting as previously described). The
sealable bag that is sealed can then be removed from the upper base
portion 14 and/or the lower base portion 12. An additional bag may
then be inserted within the vacuum chamber 24 as previously
described, and a second one of the two (or more) heating strips
16a, 16b, such as the second heating strip 16b, is engaged or
activated to seal the open end of the additional bag as previously
described.
[0051] The sealing time may be predetermined by the control unit,
or may be manually adjusted or controlled by the user. Sensors,
such as heat sensors, may be in communication with the control unit
to alert the control unit (or user) that the transverse seal is
secure.
[0052] Each of the heating strips 16a, 16b may alternate after each
use, or may alternate after a predetermined number of uses. The
sensor(s) may also allow the control unit to automatically
alternate heating strips 16a, 16b if a limit temperature is
reached. In some applications, both heating strips 16a, 16b may be
employed simultaneously to form two parallel transverse seals that
improves bond strength.
[0053] Accordingly, the two (or more) heating strips 16a, 16b allow
the user of a vacuum sealer machine to continuously utilize the
machine without waiting the usual "cool down" period in which the
temperature of single heating strip decreases. That is, one of the
two (or more) heating strips 16a, 16b will always be in a cool-down
state. Existing vacuum sealing machines having a single heat strip
require an average 20 seconds of "cool down" between cycles and
usually after 8 continuous cycles a 20 minute "cool down." These
cool down periods can be eliminated with the two (or more) heating
strips 16a, 16b of the current configuration.
[0054] To facilitate cleaning, the lower base portion 12 and the
upper base portion 14 are removable, as mentioned. To disengage the
lower base portion 12 from the upper base portion 14, the first
upper hinge member 46a and the second upper hinge member 46b are
displaced such that the projections 54a, 54 are no longer received
into the receiving portions 44a, 44b of the first and second lower
hinge members 34a, 34b. The first and second upper hinge members
46a, 46b may be manually displaced by flexing the tab portions 48a,
48b by an outward force (i.e., away from the lower base portion 12)
applied along the Y-axis of the reference coordinate system of FIG.
10. Instead of manual displacement, the projections 54a, 54b may be
retracted or extended by an automatic mechanism that may be
controlled by a user's command. Alternatively, the first and second
upper hinge members 46a, 46b may be displaced by a displacement of
the lower base portion 12 from the upper base portion 14 along the
X-axis of the reference coordinate system of FIG. 10. When removed,
the lower base portion 12 may be cleaned and the surface(s) that
partially form(s) the vacuum chamber 24 may be drained of fluid. To
reinstall the lower base portion 12, the installation is reversed.
That is, the first and second upper hinge members 46a, 46b are
displaced as described above, and the projections 54a, 54 are
inserted into the receiving portions 44a, 44b of the first and
second lower hinge members 34a, 34b. When the lower base portion 12
is coupled to the upper base portion 14 (and/or the housing
assembly), the operating system may automatically reset itself. In
addition, the vacuum connections 62 and/or electrical connections
64 are self wiping such that removing and inserting the lower base
portion 12 from/into the housing assembly ensures secure and active
electrical and pneumatic connections between the lower base portion
12 and the upper base portion 14 (and/or the housing assembly).
[0055] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the lower base portion 12 may
include vacuum connections 62 and/or electrical connections 64 that
operate as quick connections. That is, when the lower base portion
12 is inserted into the housing assembly, the vacuum connections 62
and/or electrical connections 64 automatically engage corresponding
vacuum connections and/or electrical connections formed in the
housing assembly.
[0056] In another embodiment, a mechanism or assembly to create
custom-sized bags is illustrated, and the custom-sized bags can be
used in any suitable vacuum sealing machine, including the vacuum
sealing machine previously described. The custom bag assembly 10
may be a portion of a vacuum sealing machine or may be a
stand-alone device. The custom bag assembly 10 may include a roll
of material that is pre-sealed along a first lateral edge and a
second lateral edge but is not sealed between the first and second
lateral edges. The length of the roll (i.e., the distance between
the first and second lateral edges) may have any suitable value,
such as 10'' or 8''. The roll may be mounted, or may be adapted to
be mounted, inside the housing assembly.
[0057] The custom bag assembly 10 may also include one or more seal
bar or pair of seal bars. The seal bar or pair of seal bars
cooperate to form a transverse seal (i.e., a seal that extends from
the first lateral edge to the second lateral edge) on the material
stored on the roll, and the transverse seal, the pre-sealed first
lateral edge, and the pre-sealed second lateral edge may cooperate
to form a sealable bag having a single open end that is adapted to
be used in a suitable vacuum sealing machine. The seal bar or pair
of seal bars may form any type of seal on the sealable bag, and the
seal bar or pair of seal bars may have a heated portion to form a
heat seal. The seal bars or pair of seal bars may be stationary and
may disposed within an interior portion of the housing along a feed
path of the material that is fed from the roll. Alternatively, the
seal bars or pair of seal bars may displace relative to the roll,
or the roll may displace relative to the seal bar or pair of seal
bars. The seal bars or pair of seal bars may be the dual heat strip
configuration previously described, and the use of the heat strips
may alternate to reduce down time.
[0058] The custom bag assembly 10 may also include a cutting
mechanism may be disposed along the feed path of the material that
is fed from the roll, and the cutting mechanism may be disposed
adjacent to the seal bar or pair of seal bars. The cutting
mechanism may cut the material of the roll adjacent to the
transverse seal to create an edge of a sealable bag having a single
open end. The cutting mechanism may be powered in any suitable
manner, such as by an electric motor that may be disposed within
the housing.
[0059] The custom bag assembly 10 may also include a feeding
mechanism that may advance the material along the feed path that is
fed from the roll, and the feed path may extend from the roll to an
outlet location of the custom bag assembly 10. The feeding
mechanism may include one or more rollers and the rollers may be
disposed at any suitable location along the feed path. The feeding
mechanism may be disposed within the housing. The feeding mechanism
may be powered by an electric motor that may be disposed within the
housing.
[0060] The custom bag assembly 10 may also include a control unit
that may be in communication with the feeding mechanism, the
cutting mechanism, and the one or more seal bar or pair of seal
bars. The control unit may include one or more microprocessors, and
the control unit may be disposed in any suitable location, such as
within the housing.
[0061] In operation, a custom bag of an adjustable length may be
created by a user. Specifically, the user may initiate the process
by entering a desired volume or length (i.e., distance normal to
the distance between the first lateral edge and the second lateral
edge) of a sealable bag. The user may initiate the process by
pressing one of a plurality of buttons or keys or areas on an input
device (e.g., a touchscreen device or a tactile keypad), and the
input device may be in communication with the control unit. Each of
the plurality of buttons may correspond to a preselected bag
volume. For example, one button may correspond to a gallon-sized
bag and a second button may correspond to a quart-sized bag. When a
desired size is input (by pressing a corresponding button, for
example), the control unit may command the feeding mechanism to
advance a portion of the material of the roll to a predetermined
location. One or more sensors that may be in communication with the
control unit may be used to accurately position the roll. The
control unit may then command the seal bar or pair of seal bars to
form a transverse seal at the portion of the material, and the
control unit may next command the cutting mechanism to cut the
material of the roll adjacent to the transverse seal to create an
edge of a sealable bag having a single open end. The control unit
may then command the feeding mechanism to advance the sealable bag
to the output location, which may be a slot formed in the housing.
A user may then remove the sealable bag from the slot, and the
sealable bag may be ready to be vacuum sealed. In other
embodiments, the seal bar or pair of seal bars may move relative to
the roll to form a transverse seal at the portion of the
material.
[0062] In addition to preset sizes, the custom bag assembly 10 may
generate custom-sized sealable bags based on user input. For
example, the user may initiate the process by pressing one of a
plurality of buttons on the input device, such as an advance button
in communication with the feeding mechanism that advances the roll
to as long as the button is pressed. The outlet location may be
disposed adjacent to the seal bar or pair of seal bars and the
cutting mechanism so that the user can see the size of the bag
prior to creating the transverse seal and cutting the transverse
edge. When the user has determined that the roll has advanced to a
desired location, the user may release the advance button. A second
button, such as a seal button, may then be pressed by the user to
create a desired transverse seal and cut edge as previously
described. If necessary, the control unit may then command the
feeding mechanism to advance the sealable bag to the output
location. A user may then remove the sealable bag from the slot,
and the sealable bag may be ready to be vacuum sealed. In other
embodiments, the seal bar or pair of seal bars may move relative to
the roll to form a transverse seal at the portion of the
material.
[0063] The automatic bag creation feature takes the "guess work"
out of creating a bag for the consumer. The consumer can purchase
rolls of material in bulk, thus saving money and still be able to
create a given bag size as if they purchased it directly from the
store in a pre-cut size. The custom size bag creation also allows
for flexibility in that the consumer is not limited to a specific
bag size, but can create any desired bag size, based on the roll
length.
[0064] Example process flow charts are provided in FIGS. 15 to
20.
[0065] While various embodiments have been described above, this
disclosure is not intended to be limited thereto, and variations
can be made to the disclosed embodiments.
* * * * *