The present invention generally relates to vacuum packaging appliances. More particularly, the invention is directed to a lidless vacuum packaging appliance that can be conveniently stored.
Vacuum packaging is a process for removing oxygen and other gases from containers holding food and other products that deteriorate in the presence gases. For example, food spoilage can occur due to oxidation. Thus, vacuum packaging can extend the life of products that deteriorate in the presence of gases by removing nearly all of the gases in a sealed container in which such products are stored.
While vacuum packaging appliances are very useful, as with most appliances, appliance components suffer from wear and tear. For example, those movable components that are frequently handled are prone to fall into disrepair. Further, such appliances can be unwieldy and occupy a good deal of valuable counter space and/or storage space. Thus, there is a need for vacuum packaging appliances that are configured for reduced wear and tear and for convenient storage.
The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation.
A lidless vacuum packaging appliance is described. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention.
According to certain embodiments a vacuum appliance is designed to be lidless in order to reduce the number of movable parts and thus effectively reduce wear and tear of the appliance. Further, the lidless design described herein allows for convenient placement in the operational environment of the appliance. For example, a lidless vacuum appliance can be affixed under a counter or cabinet so as to save counter-top space as well as allow for convenient access during operational mode. When such an appliance is not is use, there is no need to find storage space for the appliance since the appliance is affixed in a location that is largely non-intrusive.
In order to vacuum seal packaging bag 106, packaging bag 106 is inserted in slot 126 of lidless vacuum appliance. Guide track 118 guides the mouth of packaging bag 106 into drip tray 110. Drip tray 110 is for catching any fluids or other particles that might fall out of the bag during the vacuum packaging process. Before the vacuum packaging process begins, bladders 112 and 114 each inflate in order to clamp onto packaging bag 106 to form an air-tight seal such that air does not flow through slot 126 past the bladders into the vacuum chamber. Bladders 112 and 114 are inflated by an intake of air through connectivity components 120 caused by operation of motor components 108. Phantom bladders 112b and 114b show the inflated position of bladders 112 and 114. When an airtight seal is formed, the vacuum packaging process can begin by evacuating gasses from the vacuum chamber and from the interior of packaging bag 106. When packaging bag 106 is sufficiently evacuated of gases, heating element 116 can be activated for forming a heat seal on packaging bag 106. Such a heat seal prevents air from re-entering the bag. After packaging bag 106 is heat sealed, bladders 112 and 114 can be deflated to allow packaging bag 106 to be extricated from the lidless vacuuming appliance 104.
According to certain embodiments, drip tray 110 can be detached from the lidless vacuuming appliance 104 conveniently through an opening on the side of the appliance as described herein with reference to
In the foregoing specification, embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to numerous specific details that may vary from implementation to implementation. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/492,090, entitled, “VACUUM SEALING DEVICE WITH INTEGRATED SEALING ELEMENTS AND EVACUATION CHAMBER” by Landen Higer and Charles Wade Albritton, filed on Jul. 31, 2003, and which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. This application further claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/492,035, entitled, “DECOUPLED VACUUM PACKAGING MACHINE” by Landen Higer et al., filed on Jul. 31, 2003, and which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
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