RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of
U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/063,796, filed October 14, 2014; and
U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/101,428, filed on January 9, 2015; and
U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/232,718, filed on September 25, 2015, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to vacuum sealers. More particularly, the invention relates
to vacuum sealers with an adjustable head configured to engage and seal containers
and bags.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is common practice to pack perishable goods in an evacuated bag of synthetic plastics
material. There are two widely used procedures for evacuating and then sealing a bag.
In the first procedure the packed but open bag is placed in a chamber with its open
mouth lying on an anvil. The lid of the chamber is closed and this brings a heatable
sealer bar into close proximity with the upper face of the bag. The chamber is evacuated
and hence the bag flattens. Once the pressure in the chamber has fallen to a pre-set
pressure, the sealer bar moves down towards the anvil. The bag is gripped between
the anvil and the sealer bar and then current is supplied to a wire running along
the sealer bar to weld the two walls of the bag together along a line adjacent the
bag's mouth. The sealer bar moves away from the bag and anvil, the pressure in the
chamber is allowed to rise to atmospheric and the lid is opened so that the evacuated
and sealed bag can be removed from the chamber.
[0004] This procedure is initiated by pressing a start button once the lid is closed and
the procedure which follows is fully automatic.
[0005] A disadvantage of this type of vacuum sealer is that the entire volume of the chamber
must be evacuated regardless of the volume of the bag.
[0006] The second common method employs a vacuum sealer which has an anvil of resilient
material and a sealer bar which can be lowered to grip the mouth region of the bag
between itself and the anvil. A vacuum pipe passes between the anvil and sealer bar
and enters the bag. Pneumatic cylinders press the sealer bar against the anvil and
the sealer bar itself presses the part of the pipe which is between the anvil and
sealer bar into the resilient material of the anvil. The air in the bag is sucked
out through the pipe. Thereafter the pipe is withdrawn from the bag and from between
the anvil and the sealer bar. The space left by the pipe as it withdraws is immediately
closed-up by the material of the anvil which expands resiliently to fill the space
and maintain the mouth of the bag sealed.
[0007] Power is then applied to the resistance wire of the sealer bar to weld the two faces
of the bag together and form the seal which closes the bag.
[0008] Unless care is taken to place the inlet end of the pipe close to the product being
packed, the bag can be sucked onto the pipe inlet end. Once the pipe inlet end is
obstructed the time taken to evacuate the bag increases and a poor vacuum is obtained,
there usually being residual air left in the bag.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides a vacuum sealer including
a base defining a support surface and a body extending from the base. A suction head
is supported by the body and is moveable along the body toward and away from the support
surface. The suction head supports a suction assembly including a suction inlet with
a sealing member thereabout. A suction pump is configured to selectively provide a
suction force to the suction inlet.
[0010] In at least one embodiment, the vacuum sealer base defines a reference platform aligned
with the suction assembly such that a valve assembly of a container or bag is easily
alignable with the suction assembly.
[0011] In at least one embodiment, the vacuum sealer includes a microcontroller and a motor
configured to actuate the suction pump and the microcontroller is associated with
one or both of a manual switch or an automatic switch configured to signal the micorcontroller
to activate the motor. The automatic switch is configured to signal the microcontroller
when the suction assembly is forced into the suction head by a given distance. In
at least one embodiment, the vacuum sealer includes a sensor configured to sense the
vacuum pressure of a container or bag engaged by the suction assembly and the microcontroller
is configured to deactivate the motor when a given vacuum pressure is reached.
[0012] In at least one embodiment, the suction assembly is moveable relative to the suction
head and the suction assembly is biased to a position wherein the sealing member is
furthest from the suction head.
[0013] In at least one embodiment, a guide extends within the body to define a linear track
for the suction head and the suction head includes a guide arm extending from a support
platform of the suction head to a guide block positioned within the body and configured
for movement along the linear track. The support platform supports at least one brake
member which is biased such that a brake pad thereof engages a face of a body housing
and locks the position of the suction head relative to the support surface. A release
button may be associated with each brake member. The release button includes a sloped
surface which engages a sloped surface of the brake member such that depression of
the release button causes the brake member to move away from the face thereby disengaging
the brake pad and allowing movement of the suction head relative to the body.
[0014] In at least one embodiment, the suction assembly includes a vacuum chamber into which
the suction inlet opens and a suction outlet which is in fluid communication with
the suction pump. A water flow mechanism may be positioned in the suction outlet and
configured to signal a microcontroller to deactivate the suction pump upon detection
of liquid in the vacuum chamber. The suction assembly may also include a liquid receiving
chamber about the vacuum chamber which is configured to receive any liquid extracted
via the suction inlet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute part of this
specification, illustrate the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and,
together with the general description given above and the detailed description given
below, serve to explain the features of the invention. In the drawings:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum sealer in accordance with an exemplary embodiment
of the invention with a container positioned for sealing.
Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view along the line 2-2 in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the vacuum sealer of Fig. 1 with the housing removed.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the head of the vacuum sealer of Fig. 1 with a portion
of the housing removed.
Fig. 5 is a side elevation view in partial cross-sectional showing a vacuum sealer
in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the vacuum sealer of Fig. 5 with a bag positioned
for sealing.
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a vacuum sealer in accordance with another exemplary
embodiment of the invention.
Figs. 8-10 are perspective views of a vacuum sealer in accordance with another exemplary
embodiment of the invention illustrating various operating positions.
Figs. 11-13 are perspective views of a vacuum sealer in accordance with another exemplary
embodiment of the invention illustrating various operating positions.
Figs. 14-16 are perspective views of a vacuum sealer in accordance with another exemplary
embodiment of the invention illustrating various operating positions.
Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a vacuum sealer in accordance with another exemplary
embodiment of the invention in a bag sealing configuration.
Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the vacuum sealer of Fig. 17 in a container sealing
configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] In the drawings, like numerals indicate like elements throughout. Certain terminology
is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the
present invention. The following describes preferred embodiments of the present invention.
However, it should be understood, based on this disclosure, that the invention is
not limited by the preferred embodiments described herein.
[0017] Referring to Figs. 1-4, a vacuum sealer 10 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment
of the invention will be described. The vacuum sealer 10 generally comprises a base
12 configured to support a container 100 or bag 150 (see Fig. 5) to be sealed, a body
20 extending generally perpendicular to the base 12 and a suction head 40 moveable
relative to the body 20 for engagement with the container 100 or bag 150.
[0018] With reference to Figs. 2 and 3, the base 12 includes a bottom plate 14 and an upper
portion 24 which defines the support surface 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the
upper portion 24 extends from and is integral with the body 20 although other configurations
are possible. A reference platform 18 extends from the bottom plate 14 and through
the upper portion 24 such that the reference platform 18 extends above the support
surface 16. The reference platform 18 is aligned with the suction assembly 60 of the
suction head 40 such that a valve assembly 130 of either a container 100 or bag 150
may be easily aligned with the suction assembly 60. In the case of a bag 150, the
user positions the bag with the valve assembly 130 positioned on the reference platform
18. A target marking or the like (not shown) may be provided on the reference platform
18.
[0019] With respect to a container, Fig. 2 shows an exemplary container 100 confgured for
use with the reference platform 18. The container 100 has a hollow body 102 defined
by sidewalls 104 extending from a bottom surface 108 and terminating in a rim 106
about an open end 107. The bottom surface 108 has a concave central portion 110 from
which an alignment projection 109 extends. In the current embodiment, the alignment
projection 109 has a rectangular perimeter which complements the configuration of
the reference platform 18. The reference platform 18 and alignment projection 109
may have other complimentary configurations, for example, circular, oval, pentagon
etc.
[0020] The lid 120 of the container 100 has a skirt 124 depending from a top surface 122.
The skirt 122 extends to a lower rim 126 with a channel 128 thereabout. An elastomeric
sealing member 127 is positioned in the channel 128 and is configured to engage the
rim 106 of the hollow body 102 to form a sealed connection between the lid 120 and
the hollow body 102. A valve assembly 130 extends through the top surface 122 and
is positioned such that it is aligned with the alignment projection 109 when the lid
120 is positioned on the hollow body 102 such that the valve assembly 130 is aligned
with the reference platform 18. The valve assembly 130 includes a tubular member 132
which extends through the top surface 122 to define the passage therethrough. The
tubular member 132 extends above the top surface 122 although such may not be required.
An inward shoulder 134 of the tubular member 132 defines a seat about the through
passage 135. A valve member 138 is positioned within the tubular member 132 and includes
a radially extending shoulder 136 configured to engage the seat and seal the through
passage 135. The valve member 138 is biased toward sealing engagement, however, upon
application of a sufficient suction force, the valve member 138 moves away from the
seat and a suction force may remove air from the hollow body 102 and create a vacuum
therein. Once the suction force is removed, the valve member 138 is configured to
automatically return to the seated position. Other valve assemblies may be utilized
in place of the described valve assembly 130.
[0021] To supply the suction force, a suction pump 30 and associated motor 28 are positioned
within an internal chamber 26 of the body housing 22. Tubing 32 extends between the
suction pump 30 and a tee connector 37 while further tubing 34, 36 and 67 extends
between the tee connector 37 and the suction assembly 60. An exhaust tube 38 also
extends from the suction pump 30 and is directed to a housing exhaust port (not shown).
A tube 39 also extends from the tee connector 37 to a pressure sensor 33. While tubing
is described herein, it is understood that other mechanisms, for example, integral
piping or the like, may be utilized. The motor 28, suction pump 30 and the pressure
sensor 33 are associated with a microcontroller 27 which is further associated with
a manual activation switch 31 in the body 20 and an automatic switch 74 in the suction
head 40. Actuation of the manual activation switch 31 by pressing button 29 or actuation
of the automatic switch 74 by positioning the suction assembly 60 against a container
or bag, as will be described hereinafter, causes the microcontroller 27 to actuate
the motor 28 which in turn causes the suction pump 30 to generate a suction force
in tube 32. The suction force is carried through tubes 32, 34, 36 and 67 to the suction
assembly 60. The pressure sensor 33 monitors the generated suction through tube 39
and once a desired level of vacuum has been achieved in the container or bag, the
microcontroller 27 is configured to automatically deactivate the motor 28 and thereby
the suction pump 30. In a preferred embodiment, the microcontroller 27 is further
configured to automatically deactivate the motor 28 after a certain time period as
a fail-safe mechanism.
[0022] To facilitate movement of the suction head 40 up and down, and thereby bring the
suction assembly 60 into engagement with a valve assembly 130, the body 20 includes
a vertical track 25 configured to guide a slide block 48 within a vertical slot 21
(see Fig. 3). A wiper 23 or the like may extend across the vertical slot along the
body housing 22 such that the vertical slot 21 is not externally visible. A guide
arm 46 extends between the guide block 48 and a head support platform 44. The support
platform 44 supports the suction assembly 60, the brake assemblies 80 and a liquid
cup 78. A housing member 42 is positioned on the support platform 44 to generally
enclose the suction assembly 60 and the brake assemblies 80.
[0023] Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, the brake assemblies 80 control movement of the support
platform 44, and thereby the suction head 40, relative to the body 20. Each brake
assembly 80 includes a brake body 82 with a brake pad 84 positioned adjacent to a
face 19 of the body housing 22. A spring assembly including two springs 87 and a synchronizing
plate 89 biases the brake pads 84 into engagement with the face 19 which locks the
vertical position of the suction head 40 relative to the body 20. Each brake assembly
80 includes a disengagement button 81 configured to be depressed to disengage the
respective brake pad 84. Each disengagement button 81 is aligned with a notch 86 in
the respective brake body 82. An inclined surface 83 on each disengagement button
81 is configured to engage a respective inclined surface 88 within the notch 86 such
that as the button 81 is pushed into the notch 86, the inclined surface 83 engages
the brake inclined surface 88 and pushes the respective brake pad 84 against the biasing
force of the spring assembly and away from engagement with the face 19. With both
buttons 81 depressed, the suction head 40 may be moved vertically relative to the
body 20. Upon release of the buttons 81, the brake pads 84 automatically engage under
the bias of the spring assembly and the vertical position of the suction head 40 is
again locked.
[0024] Vertical movement of the suction head 40 allows the suction assembly 60 to be brought
into engagement with a valve assembly 130 of a container 100 or bag 150 aligned with
the reference platform 18. The suction assembly 60 includes a vacuum chamber 62 supported
by a moveable cup 63 which extends though the support platform 44 and is supported
thereon by a radially outward rim 65. The cup 63 is axially moveable toward the head
housing 42, but is biased toward the seated position on the support platform 44 by
a spring 76. The vacuum chamber 62 includes a central inlet 66 which is surrounded
by a downwardly extending sealing member 64. The sealing member 64 has an inner diameter
greater than the outer diameter of the valve tubular member 132 such that the sealing
member 64 may receive the valve tubular member 132 and seal thereabout. With the sealing
member 64 sealed about the valve tubular member 132, the valve assembly 130 is in
sealed communication with the vacuum chamber 62.
[0025] As the suction head 40 is moved downward toward the container 100 or bag 150, the
sealing member 64 engages a surface thereof and the vacuum chamber 62 and cup 63 are
pushed into the suction head 40. As the cup 63 moves inward, it engages the automatic
engagement switch 74, for example, a limit switch, and the microcontroller 27 activates
the motor 28. In addition to biasing the cup 63 away from the switch 74, the spring
76 also biases the sealing member 64 toward the valve assembly 130, thereby maintaining
a good seal between the suction assembly 60 and the container 100 or bag 150. The
vertical movement of the suction head 40 avoids the need for a user to hold the suction
assembly 60 against the container or bag while vacuuming.
[0026] When the motor 28 is actuated, the suction force of the suction pump 30 is directed
to a vacuum chamber outlet 68 such that the suction force passes through the chamber
62 and the central inlet 66 to the valve assembly 130. A water flow mechanism 72 is
positioned in the opposite end 70 of the vacuum chamber outlet 68. The water flow
mechanism 72 is configured to signal the microcontroller 27 to shut off the motor
28, and thereby the pump 30, if liquid enters the vacuum chamber 62. To reduce the
likelihood of liquid entering the vacuum chamber 62, a liquid receiving chamber 78
is provided about the vacuum chamber 62. Any extracted liquid fills in the liquid
receiving chamber 78, which can be removed and emptied after use.
[0027] Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, a vacuum sealer 10' in accordance with another exemplary
embodiment of the invention will be described. The vacuum sealer 10' is similar to
the previous embodiment any only the different features will be described herein.
In the present embodiment, the faces 19' of the body housing 20' define a corner configuration
17 adjacent the support surface 16' such that positioning of a bag 150 or container
100 into the corner configuration will align the valve assembly 130 with the suction
assembly 60. Additionally, instead of guide track with slot, the body 20' includes
a toothed track 225 engaged by a damper gear 226 and a torsion spring gear 227 to
control the vertical movement. A lever 224 pivotally connected to the suction head
40' includes a projection configured to engage the toothed track 225 to lock the vertical
position of the suction head 40' relative to the body 20'. In other respects, the
vacuum sealer 10' operates in a similar manner to that described above.
[0028] Referring to Fig. 7, a vacuum sealer 10" in accordance with another exemplary embodiment
of the invention will be described. The vacuum sealer 10" is similar to the first
embodiment with a suction head 40" vertically adjustable relative to the body 20".
In the present embodiment, the motor, pump and microcontroller (not shown) are positioned
within the suction head 40' and move therewith. Such a configuration eliminates the
need for tubing and the like passing from the body 20" and the movable suction head
40". Similar to the previous embodiment, the base 12" includes a support surface 16"
with a corner configuration to assist with alignment of the bag or container with
the suction assembly. In other respects, the vacuum sealer 10" operates in a similar
manner to that described above.
[0029] Referring to Figs. 8-10, a vacuum sealer 10'" in accordance with another exemplary
embodiment of the invention will be described. The vacuum sealer 10'" is similar to
the previous embodiments. In the present embodiment, the base 12'" includes a first
support surface 16'" with a corner configuration 17 and a second, raised support surface
15. Additionally, the suction head 40'" is supported relative to the body 20'" for
both vertical motion and rotational motion. A container 150 may be positioned on the
first support surface and engaged by the suction assembly 60 in the orientation illustrated
in Fig. 8. To reduce the vertical travel of the suction head 40"' when using with
a bag, the suction head 40'" is rotated relative to the body 20'" until the suction
assembly 60 is aligned with the second, raised support surface 15 as illustrated in
Fig. 9. The suction head 40'" is then moved a shorter vertical distance as illustrated
in Fig. 10. In other respects, the vacuum sealer 10'" operates in a similar manner
to that described above.
[0030] Referring to Figs. 11-13, a vacuum sealer 10
iv in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the invention will be described.
The vacuum sealer 10
iv is similar to the previous embodiments. In the present embodiment, the suction head
40
iv includes a first portion 41 which is moveable relative to the body 20
iv and a second portion 43 which supports the suction assembly 60 and which is moveable
relative to the first portion 41. A container may be positioned on the support surface
16" of the base 12" and engaged by the suction assembly 60 by moving the first portion
41 relative to the body 20
iv as illustrated in Fig. 12. When using with a bag, the first portion 41 is moved relative
to the body 20
iv and then the second portion 43 is moved relative to the first portion 41 as illustrated
in Fig. 13. In other respects, the vacuum sealer 10
iv operates in a similar manner to that described above.
[0031] Referring to Figs. 14-16, a vacuum sealer 10
v in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the invention will be described.
The vacuum sealer 10
v is similar to the previous embodiments. In the present embodiment, the suction assembly
60
v of the suction head 40
v includes an extension tube 47 which may be extended via a slider 45. A container
may be positioned on the support surface 16" of the base 12" and engaged by the suction
assembly 60
v by moving the extension tube 47 out from the suction head 40
v via the slider 45 as illustrated in Fig. 15. When using with a bag, the extension
tube 47 is moved out from the suction head 40
v via the slider 45 and then the suction head 40
v is moved relative to the body 20
v as illustrated in Fig. 16. In other respects, the vacuum sealer 10
v operates in a similar manner to that described above.
[0032] Referring to Figs. 17-18, a vacuum sealer 10
vi in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the invention will be described.
The vacuum sealer 10
vi includes a clamshell body 20
vi including opposed body housing portions 22a and 22b connected to one another via
a body hinge 13. A support surface 16vi is defined between the body housing portions
22a, 22b. A suction assembly 60
vi extends through body housing portion 22a and is movable relative thereto to engage
the valve 130 of a bag 150 positioned on the support surface 16
vi. To utilize the sealer 10vi with a container 100', the body housing portion 22b is
pivoted about the body hinge 13 to an orientation similar to that shown in Fig. 18
wherein the body housing portion 22a may be aligned with the container and the suction
assembly 60
vi moved into contact with the valve assembly 130 by moving relative to the housing
portion In other respects, the vacuum sealer 10
vi operates in a similar manner to that described above.
[0033] These and other advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled
in the art from the foregoing specification. Accordingly, it will be recognized by
those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above-described
embodiments without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the invention.
It should therefore be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular
embodiments described herein, but is intended to include all changes and modifications
that are within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined in the claims.
1. A vacuum sealer comprising:
a base defining a support surface;
a body extending from the base;
a suction head supported by the body and moveable along the body toward and away from
the support surface, the suction head supporting a suction assembly including a suction
inlet with a sealing member thereabout; and
a suction pump configured to selectively provide a suction force to the suction inlet.
2. The vacuum sealer of claim 1 wherein the base defines a reference platform aligned
with the suction assembly.
3. The vacuum sealer of claim 1 further comprising a microcontroller and a motor configured
to actuate the suction pump, wherein the microcontroller is associated with at least
one switch configured to signal the micorcontroller to activate the motor.
4. The vacuum sealer of claim 3 wherein the at least one switch is a manual switch.
5. The vacuum sealer of claim 3 wherein the at least one switch is an automatic switch
configured to signal the microcontroller when the suction assembly is forced into
the suction head by a given distance.
6. The vacuum sealer of claim 3 further comprising a sensor configured to sense the vacuum
pressure of a container or bag engaged by the suction assembly and the microcontroller
is configured to deactivate the motor when a given vacuum pressure is reached.
7. The vacuum sealer of claim 1 wherein the suction assembly is moveable relative to
the suction head and the suction assembly is biased to a position wherein the sealing
member is furthest from the suction head.
8. The vacuum sealer of claim 1 wherein a guide extends within the body to define a linear
track for the suction head.
9. The vacuum sealer of claim 8 wherein the suction head includes a guide arm extending
from a support platform of the suction head to a guide block positioned within the
body and configured from movement along the linear track.
10. The vacuum sealer of claim 9 wherein the support platform supports at least one brake
member which is biased such that a brake pad thereof engages a face of a body housing
and locks the position of the suction head relative to the support surface.
11. The vacuum sealer of claim 10 wherein a release button is associated with each brake
member, the button including a sloped surface which engages a sloped surface of the
brake member such that depression of the button causes the brake member to move away
from the face thereby disengaging the brake pad and allowing movement of the suction
head relative to the body.
12. The vacuum sealer of claim 1 wherein the suction assembly includes a vacuum chamber
into which the suction inlet opens and a suction outlet which is in fluid communication
with the suction pump.
13. The vacuum sealer of claim 12 wherein a water flow mechanism is positioned in the
suction outlet and is configured to signal a microcontroller to deactivate the suction
pump upon detection of liquid in the vacuum chamber.
14. The vacuum sealer of claim 13 wherein the suction assembly includes a liquid receiving
chamber about the vacuum chamber which is configured to receive any liquid extracted
via the suction inlet.