CA2592260A1 - Vacuum sealer apparatus and a film cartridge for a vacuum sealer and a means of operating the vacuum sealer apparatus and the film cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

A vacuum sealer for packaging, sealing and storing items and a film cartridge for a vacuum sealer is disclosed.
The vacuum sealer has a means to feed, form, seal and cut film bags for storing items. The vacuum sealer preferably includes a body, a top portion, a base portion, a film cartridge, a drive mechanism, a sealing and cutting mechanism and a vacuum/pump mechanism. The film cartridge is operatively positioned in a feed opening in a top portion of the vacuum sealer. The film cartridge houses film for forming film bags for use in the vacuum sealer. The film cartridge may have tubular film contained in a collapsed state or may have two film rolls which are brought together and sealed at the edges. The vacuum sealer may be used in a vertical orientation or optionally in a horizontal or angled orientation.

Description

VACUUM SEALER APPARATUS AND A FILM CARTRIDGE
FOR A VACUUM SEALER AND A MEANS OF OPERATING THE
VACUUM SEALER APPARATUS AND THE FILM CARTRIDGE
RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/816,869 filed June 28, 2006.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a vacuum sealer for packaging, sealing and storing items and a film cartridge for a vacuum sealer. More particularly, the invention relates to a vacuum sealer having a center filling film cartridge. The invention also relates to a vacuum sealer having a means to feed, form, seal and cut film bags for storing items.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Many types of material and methods are available for packaging, sealing and storing various items, including vacuum packaging using plastic film bags. Vacuum packaging involves removing air and/or gases from a storage container or bag so that the contents thereof are not exposed to the air. Vacuum packaging is especially useful in protecting food and other perishable items from spoilage and the growth of bacteria or mold since air does not come in contact with the food. Additionally, vacuum packaging is useful for storing other items such as clothes, jewelry, fragile items and the like. Since vacuum packaging produces tight and compact packages, the bulk of an item is reduced thereby minimizing the space that the item occupies.

[0004] A problem with conventional vacuum packaging methods and apparatus is that the items must be placed horizontally into a packaging bag such that the open end of the bag is on a side. This creates difficulties when the items to be sealed are food items, especially those being liquid or having a liquid content. These types of food items often spill out of the bag or the bag may not be completely filled in order to avoid spillage from the bag.

[0005] The art discloses various methods and apparatus and for vacuum packaging and sealing items. One such apparatus is described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0022473 Al which describes a clamp structure for holding a bag and a removable drip tray which are each used in a vacuum packaging appliance.

[0006] Further, U.S. Patent Application Publication No.
2005/0028488 Al describes a vacuum packaging appliance for use with a bag including a base, a lid movably coupled to the base, a vacuum portion on the base and/or lid for receiving the open end of the bag, and a vacuum pump operably coupled to the vacuum chamber for removing gas from the vacuum chamber.

[0007] U.S. Patent No. 6,848,234 B2 describes a sealing machine including a main case, a first sealing member, a second sealing member, a movable supporting part movably supporting the second sealing member, a heater for heating and melting the pack and a pair of grip parts.

[0008] U.S. Patent No. 3,866,390 describes an apparatus for evacuating and sealing thermoplastic bags. A foodstuff to be preserved is placed within a bag and the open mouth of the bag is then sleeved over an evacuation nozzle in the apparatus and held in place by a retaining means. A vacuum pump and heater bar are then activated to evacuate and seal the bag respectively.

[0009] U.S. Patent Nos. 6,370,847 Bl and 6,516,588 B2 describe a waste or diaper disposal system for packing odorous waste in individually sealed (air-tight) packages.
The system includes a hinged base and container body with a loading area including a tubular core for holding flexible tubing. Alternatively, a flexible bag may be used. The bag is supported by a retaining ring. The tubing or bags can be sealed by thermal fusing, an ultrasonic technique, adhesives or other sealing techniques.

[0010] U.S. Patent No. 4,928,829 describes a clamping member for receiving and holding a bag during vacuum sealing. A vacuum excavation nozzle is present on the clamp structure for insertion in a bag held by the clamp.

[0011] U.S. Patent Application Publication No.
2005/0022474 Al describes a heating element and control therefore used in a vacuum packaging appliance.

[0012] U.S. Patent No. 6,256,968 B1 describes a horizontal vacuum packaging apparatus including a sensor system including use of an algorithmic factor for computing the time for reaching a predetermined evacuation level.

[0013] U.S. Patent No. 4,747,253 describes the manufacture of non-returnable packages for e.g. milk which is frequently carried out by the conversion of web-shaped, laminated packing material to a tube, filling of the tube with milk and sealing and forming filled packing containers of the desired, e.g. parallelepipedic, shape. During the forming, which is done by means of external forming devices, the contents are used as an internal mandrel or a holder-up for the forming devices, so that the desired shape can be achieved without creasing or other deformations.

[0014] U.S. Patent No. 5,048,269 describes a vacuum sealer having three wires that are heated to varying degrees. Two wires are used or dedicated to sealing a plastic bag and one of the wires is used to cut the bag after the vacuum sealing step. The vacuum sealer is tapered downwardly, i.e., has a low profile, for a better air flow during the vacuuming step. A turbine with curved fins is used to increase the air flow and reduce the time to evacuate air from the bag.

[0015] U.S. Patent No. 5,893,822 describes a tapered vacuum bag sealer that can be used to seal conventional plastic bags and to vacuum canning jars or other food containers. The rear of the sealer housing has a connection for a PVC tube or other flexible tube that will extend into the jar or container being vacuumed to remove air therefrom.
This rear connection avoids the necessity of the housing lid being opened before the vacuum procedure could be accomplished.

[0016] U.S. Patent No. 6,694,710 32 describes a vacuum bag sealing machine used for vacuuming and sealing plastic bags containing food or the like therein so as to keep the food or the like fresh. The vacuum bag sealing machine includes a main body consisting of a top cover and a base connected pivotally with the top cover; a static sealing unit including an upper and a lower sealing strip which are disposed on the front portion of the main body, the lower sealing strip being provided with a predetermined number of through holes; a vacuum generating unit including a vacuum pump and an exhaust tubule mounted on the base, the vacuum pump being communicated with the predetermined number of through holes formed in the lower sealing strip through the exhaust tubule; and a heating and opening-sealing unit.

[0017] U.S. Patent No. 6,719,194 B2 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0134914 Al describe a waste storage device including an inlet aperture and a length of flexible tubing passing through the inlet aperture from a cassette. The flexible tubing is pinched by a pair of rollers which can have continuous surfaces or multiple paddles. The waste product is placed into the aperture and the rollers rotate drawing the waste product down into the device and pinching the storage bag above it. The operation can be manually or motor driven.

[0018] U.S. Patent No. 6,772,666 B2 describes an apparatus for storing rolls of material so that a user can create individual bags from the rolls. The device may store vacuum bag material suitable for filling with food and vacuum sealing. The apparatus has a support platform, a storage unit and a base for transporting two rolls of material simultaneously to the front of the apparatus. The storage unit has two rollers for storing up to two rolls.
The apparatus also has a cutting mechanism for creating straight edges.

[0019] U.S. Patent Application Publication No.
2003/0140603 Al describes a bag sealing apparatus including a frame having a fixed bag insertion slot extending into a vacuum chamber, a heat sealer connected to the frame, and means forming a vacuum connected to the vacuum chamber. The heat sealer is for sealing a bag located in the slot.

[0020] U.S. Patent Application Publication No.
2004/0231294 Al describes a vacuum sealable storage bag and method in which a pad of material is located within the storage bag and is positioned to block, trap, and/or absorb fluid from a product to be stored within the storage bag.
The pad of material can include a fluid-absorbing material, and may be positioned between an open mouth of the bag and an interior of the bag in which the product is retained.

[0021] U.S Patent Application Publication No.
2005/0044819 Al describes an automated sealing waste disposal apparatus using tubular material. The waste storage or waste disposal device or container employs tubular sealing material/flexible tubing, wherein the sealing operation of the tube about a waste load is performed mechanically, electrically and electro-mechanically. The waste storage device has an automated operated sealing mechanism.

[0022] U.S. Patent Application Publication No.
2005/0050855 Al describes an appliance for storing articles within flexible and non-flexible containers under vacuum.
The appliance includes a lid adapted to define a vacuum chamber when it is moved to a closed position relative to a trough in the base of the appliance. The trough is slidably removable from the base of the appliance. The appliance is further adapted for connection to vacuum sealing attachments for various containers whereby the containers can be selectively evacuated. The appliance includes a thermal sealing mechanism for sealing a flexible container as well as a cutting mechanism for cutting the flexible container to a desired size. The appliance includes a control panel for selectively operating the vacuuming and sealing processes.

[0023] U.S. Patent Application Publication No.
2005/0050856 Al describes a vacuum packaging appliance for forming a hermetically sealed evacuated container. The appliance includes a lid adapted to define a vacuum chamber when moved to a closed position relative to a trough in the lower portion of the appliance. The trough in the lower portion of the appliance is removable from the lower portion of the appliance. The appliance may include pneumatic latches that are used to hold the lid in a substantially fixed position relative to the lower portion of the appliance. Additionally, a single vacuum source can be used to activate the pneumatic latches and then evacuate the vacuum chamber. The appliance is further adapted for connection to vacuum sealing attachments for various containers whereby the containers can be selectively evacuated.

[0024] The vacuum sealer devices described above have various shortcomings. These vacuum sealer devices remove air from around food or other items and create a tight seal to keep the item fresh and/or to make the item easier to store. However, current devices are big, clumsy and difficult to use. Also, these devices do not provide an easy and efficient manner of sealing and storing liquid or partial liquid food items. These and other shortcomings of the prior art devices are addressed by the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0025] The present invention relates to a vacuum sealer for packaging, sealing and storing items and a film cartridge for a vacuum sealer. More particularly, the present invention is a vacuum sealer having a center filling film cartridge. The invention also relates to a vacuum sealer having a means to feed, form, seal and cut film bags for storing items.

[0026] The vacuum sealer preferably comprises a body, a top portion, a base portion, a film cartridge, a drive mechanism, a sealing and cutting mechanism and a vacuum/pump mechanism. The vacuum sealer preferably has a feed opening through a top side of and preferably in the center of the top portion. The film cartridge is operatively positioned in the feed opening in the center of the top portion of the vacuum sealer. The film cartridge has an opening in a top face thereof to allow for inserting items into a formed film bag. The top face of the film cartridge is adjacent to and preferably in the same plane as the top side of the top portion of the vacuum sealer.

[0027] The film cartridge houses film for forming film bags for use in the vacuum sealer. The film cartridge may have tubular film contained in a collapsed state in a preferably doughnut-shaped film cartridge. The film cartridge may alternatively have two film rolls which are brought together and sealed at the edges. The two film rolls are preferably in the same plane and substantially parallel to each other.

[0028] In operation, a leading edge of the film is sealed as the film extends across and below the opening in the film cartridge. The sealed leading edge of the film is suspended within the film cartridge and below the opening of the film cartridge, thereby providing a suspended film bag in the vacuum sealer, which is ready to be filled. The film cartridge provides for the automatic feeding and forming of the film, e.g., tubular film or film rolls, to provide the film bag by a drive mechanism.

[0029] The drive mechanism spreads and flattens the film as the film advances from the film cartridge or other suitable film holder through the drive mechanism into the vacuum sealer. After forming a film bag to a predetermined size, the film bag is then filled with a predetermined item or items. Depending on the type of item put into the film bag, the film may need to be cleared prior to vacuuming/inflating or prior to sealing and cutting thereof.
Film clearing and compression can be automatically provided through use of compressed air from a vacuum/pump mechanism to move the film bag forward after filling to insure that no contaminated film, i.e., film having fill thereon, is present in the area to be sealed by a sealing and cutting mechanism.

[0030] After the film bag is filled, and cleared if necessary, air can inflate or draw a vacuum in the film bag by the use of a vacuum/pump mechanism. The vacuum/pump mechanism may be a reversible vacuum/pump mechanism. The film bag is then ready for sealing and cutting by the sealing and cutting mechanism. Sealing and cutting of the filled film bag may be automatically provided upon closure of a lid of the vacuum sealer and/or upon selecting a desired operation from a control mechanism on the vacuum sealer. Sealing of the film bag may be achieved by any suitable means.

[0031] The film used in the vacuum sealer can be any suitable film, including single ply or multiple-ply. The film can optionally be pre-embossed or embossed as the film advances through the sealing and cutting mechanism or in some other position in the vacuum sealer. The embossments ensure a faster and complete vacuum to be pulled on the film bag or film by creating pathways for air to be pulled therethrough.

[0032] As detailed herein, the vacuum sealer of the invention provides (1) feeding of film and forming a film bag; (2) movement of a film bag through the vacuum sealer;
(3) film clearing and compression; (4) vacuuming or inflating a film bag; and (5) sealing and cutting a film bag. Each of these functions may independently be automatic or mechanical.

[0033] To provide feeding of film and forming a film bag in the vacuum sealer, the film cartridge, which may have tubular film or film rolls, is inserted into the feed opening of the vacuum sealer. Once the film cartridge is secured in the vacuum sealer, the film is advanced to form a film bag of a suitable size and is then filled. Then the lid of the vacuum sealer is closed in order to enclose the film cartridge with an air-tight seal.

[0034] The vacuum/pump mechanism is activated to create a vacuum in the film bag or to blow air into and inflate the film bag depending on the direction of the motion of the vacuum/pump mechanism. The vacuum/pump mechanism has a vacuum port which is adjacent to the opening of the film bag. The vacuum port may be operatively positioned on an underside of the lid of the vacuum sealer or near at least one side of the film cartridge or the vacuum sealer, such as near the drive rollers or the sealing and cutting mechanism.
The vacuum port may also be in any other suitable position.
Air passing through the vacuum port on the lid or on the side of the vacuum sealer or the film cartridge can either inflate the film bag or vacuum the air from the film bag.

[0035] When the film bag is initially being formed, air may be blown into the film bag to aid in forming the desired size of the film bag by pushing the desired amount of film from the film cartridge. Also, by using air to forward the film through the vacuum sealer, the film bag is substantially fully opened for convenient loading of the film bag by the user. Optionally, the inside wall of the vacuum sealer may have expansion chambers and/or may be lined with a bag opening aiding component to help keep the film bag fully opened once the air pressure is released.
[00361 The vacuum sealer also provides film clearing and compression thereof. Once the contents have been placed into the film bag, some contamination from the contents, e.g., food items, may be on the film bag around the surface of the neck of the film bag. The film bag may then be advanced again, preferably by selecting a film advance or film clear button on the control panel, to make sure that all contaminated film is at a position below the sealing and cutting mechanism.
[0037] Once the film bag has been forwarded and has passed through the film clearing and compression step, e.g., by the means of compressed air, the film bag may be sealed and cut. The sealing and cutting mechanism moves into position flattening the film bag to facilitate the sealing and cutting operation. The sealing and cutting operation may occur in any suitable manner and with any suitable mechanism. Preferred embodiments of the sealing and cutting mechanism and methods of operation are described in greater detail hereafter.
[0038] Once the filled film bag is sealed and cut, the filled film bag is then released, either automatically or mechanically, into a receiving area of the vacuum sealer.
The next film bag is then advanced through the vacuum sealer in the same manner. The movement of the film and film bag through the vacuum sealer may be a mechanical or an automatic movement or operation.
[0039] The vacuum sealer of the invention preferably provides at least one of the following: (1) quick and convenient packaging of items, including, but not limited to, food items, liquids, fragile items and clothes; (2) containing items for long term storage; (3) quick and convenient packaging and freezing of leftovers or other items; (4) quick and convenient debulking and storing of items; (5) space reduction; (6) air packing of items to provide protection thereof; and (7) aesthetic design for convenient storage or display of the vacuum sealer. Vacuum sealing using the vacuum sealer of the invention enables a user to: extend the freshness of food (by up to five times longer than without vacuum sealing); eliminate freezer burn;
keep moist foods from drying out; protect dry foods from moisture or from becoming hard or stale; keep foods high in fats and oils from spoiling; marinate meat and fish in minutes; protect collectibles and other nonfood items from aging and corrosion; protect items such as brittle snacks or collectibles by using the inflate mode; provide an adjustable bag size to fit desired contents; provide a film bag ready in the open position for filling; reduce the cost of film bag refills for the vacuum sealer; eliminate the need for a tool to open a film bag, e.g., such as a knife or scissors; provide better and easier packaging of liquid or fluid foods; eliminate spillage of liquid from food contents; eliminate a vacuum lock on a film bag; and/or reduce the amount of manual effort needed to use the vacuum sealer.
[0040] The vacuum sealer is designed to be aesthetically pleasing so that the vacuum sealer may be left on a countertop or in plain view by the user for easy access thereto. The vacuum sealer may be made of any suitable material including plastics, metals, or any combination thereof.
[0041] The vacuum sealer is preferably operated in a vertical orientation. However, the vacuum sealer may be structured to change orientation. By activating or pressing a multiple orientation button, the vacuum sealer may be switched from a vertical position to a horizontal position for items which may be more conveniently vacuum sealed in a horizontal position. The vacuum sealer may also be able to be used in an angled position, for example at a 450 angle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0042] Referring to the drawings:
[0043] FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a vacuum sealer of the invention with a filled film bag.

[0044] FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the vacuum sealer of FIGURE 1 with an empty film bag.

[0045] FIGURE 3 is a rear partial cross-sectional view of the vacuum sealer of FIGURE 2.

[0046] FIGURE 4 is a top cross-sectional view of the vacuum sealer of FIGURE 2 without a lid and showing a top of a first embodiment of a film cartridge of the invention.
[0047] FIGURE 5 is a partial cut-away side view of the vacuum sealer of FIGURE 2.
[0048] FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the film cartridge of the vacuum sealer of FIGURE 4.
[0049] FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a vacuum sealer of the invention.

[0050] FIGURE 8 is a top perspective view of the vacuum sealer of FIGURE 7 without a lid and showing a top of a film cartridge.

[0051] FIGURE 9 is a front perspective view of a third embodiment of a vacuum sealer of the invention with an open lid.
[0052] FIGURE 10 is a side perspective view of the vacuum sealer of FIGURE 9 with an open lid and showing a film cartridge.

[0053] FIGURE 11 is a top view of the vacuum sealer of FIGURE 9 showing a second embodiment of a film cartridge therein.

[0054] FIGURE 12 is a top view of the vacuum sealer of FIGURE 9 with the lid closed.

[0055] FIGURE 13 is a rear view of the vacuum sealer of FIGURE 9.

[0056] FIGURE 14 is a side view of the vacuum sealer of FIGURE 9.

[0057] FIGURE 15 is a cross-sectional view of the vacuum sealer of FIGURE 2 showing a first embodiment of a sealing and cutting mechanism, a first embodiment of a control mechanism, and a first embodiment of a drive mechanism.
[0058] FIGURE 16 is a cross-sectional view of a vacuum sealer of the invention showing a second embodiment of a sealing and cutting mechanism, a second embodiment of a control mechanism, and a second embodiment of a drive mechanism.

[0059] FIGURE 17 is a front view of a third embodiment of a control mechanism of a vacuum sealer of the invention.
[0060] FIGURE 18 is a front view of a fourth embodiment of a control mechanism of a vacuum sealer of the invention.
[0061] FIGURES 19-20 show top views of a sealing and cutting mechanism of the vacuum sealer of the invention in an open position and a closed position, respectively.

[0062] FIGURES 21-24 show perspective views of the sealing and cutting mechanism of FIGURES 19-20 in operation in a field of use.
[0063] FIGURES 25-26 show perspective views of a sealing and cutting mechanism of the vacuum sealer of the invention in an open position and a closed position, respectively.
[0064] FIGURES 27-28 show perspective views of the sealing and cutting mechanism of FIGURES 25-26 in operation in a field of use.

[0065] FIGURE 29 is a perspective view of a tubular film refill for an embodiment of the film cartridge of the invention which uses tubular film.
[0066] FIGURES 30-32 show a fourth embodiment of a vacuum sealer of the invention.
[0067] FIGURES 33-35 show a fifth embodiment of a vacuum sealer of the invention.
[0068] FIGURES 36-37 show a sixth embodiment of a vacuum sealer of the invention.
[0069] FIGURES 38-40 show a seventh embodiment of a vacuum sealer of the invention.
[0070] FIGURES 41-43 show an eighth embodiment of a vacuum sealer of the invention.
[0071] FIGURES 44-45 show a ninth embodiment of a vacuum sealer of the invention.
[00721 FIGURE 46 shows a tenth embodiment of a vacuum sealer of the invention.
[0073] FIGURES 47-48 show an eleventh embodiment of a vacuum sealer of the invention.
[0074] FIGURES 49-50 show a twelfth embodiment of a vacuum sealer of the invention.
[0075] FIGURES 51-52 show a thirteenth embodiment of a vacuum sealer of the invention.
[00761 FIGURE 53 shows a fourteenth embodiment of a vacuum sealer of the invention.
[0077] FIGURE 54 shows a fifteenth embodiment of a vacuum sealer of the invention.
[0078] FIGURES 55-56 show a sixteenth embodiment of a vacuum sealer of the invention.

[0079] FIGURE 57 shows a seventeenth embodiment of a vacuum sealer of the invention.

[0080] FIGURE 58 shows an eighteenth embodiment of a vacuum sealer of the invention.
[0081] FIGURE 59 shows a first preferred embodiment of a motor mechanism of a vacuum sealer of the invention.
[0082] FIGURE 60 shows a second preferred embodiment of a pump mechanism of a vacuum sealer of the invention.
[0083] FIGURE 61 shows a thermal seal welding closure of a film bag of the invention.
[0084] FIGURE 62 shows a zipper tape lamination closure of a film bag of the invention.
[0085] FIGURE 63 shows a vacuum film zipper closure of a film bag of the invention.
[0086] FIGURES 64-66 show a vacuum activated male/female profile closure of a film bag of the invention.

[0087] FIGURE 67 shows a first embodiment of a film useful in a vacuum sealer of the invention.
[0088] FIGURE 68 shows a second embodiment of a film useful in a vacuum sealer of the invention.
[0089] FIGURE 69 shows a third embodiment of a film useful in a vacuum sealer of the invention.
[0090] FIGURE 70 shows a fourth embodiment of a film useful in a vacuum sealer of the invention.
[0091] FIGURE 71 shows a fifth embodiment of a film useful in a vacuum sealer of the invention.
[0092] FIGURES 72-73 show a means for forming oscillating rib vacuum flow channels in the film of FIGURE 71.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Vacuum Sealer In General [0093] Referring to FIGURES 1-73, the present invention relates to a vacuum sealer 100 for packaging, sealing and storing items and a film cartridge 200 for a vacuum sealer 100. More particularly, the present invention is a vacuum sealer 100 having a center filling film cartridge. The invention also relates to a vacuum sealer 100 having a means to feed, form, seal and cut film bags 308 for storing items.
[0094] The vacuum sealer 100 preferably comprises a body 102, a top portion 104, a base portion 106, a film cartridge 200, a drive mechanism 140, a sealing and cutting mechanism 170 and a vacuum/pump mechanism 180. The vacuum sealer 100 preferably has a feed opening 108 through a top side of and preferably in a center of the top portion 104. The film cartridge 200 is operatively positioned in the feed opening 108 in the top portion 104. The feed opening 108 is preferably in a center of the top portion 104 of the vacuum sealer 100. The film cartridge 200 has an opening in a top face 202 thereof to allow for inserting items into a formed film bag 308. The top face 202 of the film cartridge 200 is preferably adjacent to and preferably in the same plane as the top side 110 of the top portion 104 of the vacuum sealer 100.
[0095] The film cartridge 200 houses film 300 for forming film bags 308 for use in the vacuum sealer. In one embodiment, the film cartridge 200 may have tubular film 302 contained in a collapsed state in a preferably doughnut-shaped film cartridge. In an alternative embodiment, the film cartridge 200 may have two film rolls 304, having flat rolls of film, which are brought together and sealed at the edges prior to filling. The two film rolls 304 are preferably in the same plane and substantially parallel to each other. However, the film rolls may be in any suitable position. These embodiments of the film cartridge 200 with corresponding film 300 are described in greater detail hereafter.

[0096] In operation, a leading edge 306 of the film 300 is sealed as the film 300 extends across and below the opening 204 in the film cartridge 200. The sealed leading edge of the film 300 is suspended within the film cartridge 200 and below the opening 204 of the film cartridge 200, thereby providing a suspended film bag 308 in the vacuum sealer 100, as shown for example in FIGURE 2. The film cartridge 200 provides for the automatic feeding and forming of the film 300, e.g., tubular film 302 or film rolls 304, to provide a film bag 308 by a drive mechanism 140.
j0097] The drive mechanism 140 spreads and flattens the film as the film advances from the film cartridge 200 or other suitable film holder through the drive mechanism 140 into a receiving area 116 of the vacuum sealer 100. More particularly, drive rollers of the drive mechanism 140 may be parallel and linear or angled to spread and flatten the film as the film 300 advances through the drive mechanism 140. After forming a film bag 308 to a predetermined size, the film bag 308 is then filled with a predetermined item or items. Depending on the type of item put into the film bag 308, the film 300 may need to be cleared prior to vacuuming/inflating or prior to sealing and cutting thereof.
[0098] Next, film clearing and compression can be automatically provided through use of compressed air from a vacuum/pump mechanism 180 to move the film bag 308 forward after filling to insure that no contaminated film 300, i.e., film having fill thereon, is present in the area to be sealed by a sealing and cutting mechanism 170.
[0099] After the film bag 308 is filled and either before or after film clearing and compression, air can inflate or draw a vacuum in the film bag 308 by the use of the vacuum/pump mechanism 180. The vacuum/pump mechanism may be a reversible vacuum/pump mechanism. The film bag 300 is then ready for sealing and cutting by the sealing and cutting mechanism 170. Sealing and cutting of the filled film bag 308 may be automatically provided upon closure of a lid 112 of the vacuum sealer 100 and/or upon selecting a desired operation from a control mechanism on the film sealer 100.
[00100] Sealing of the film bag 308 may be achieved by any suitable means. One means is by thermal sealing the film bag 308. The sealing and cutting mechanism 170, through the sealing element 172, provides heat up to about 800 Fahrenheit (426.7 Celsius) in about 1.5 seconds to the area of the film bag 308 to be sealed. The area is then cooled to room temperature in about 2 seconds. Radio frequency (RF) bonding may also be used to seal the film bag 308 rather than using heat, such as by the use of a RF adhesive system. These and other suitable sealing and cutting mechanisms and means are described in greater detail hereafter.
[00101] The film 300 used in the vacuum sealer 100 can be any suitable film 300, including single layer or multiple layer film. The film 300 can optionally be pre-embossed or embossed as the film advances through the sealing and cutting mechanism 170 or in some other position in the vacuum sealer 100. The embossments ensure a faster and complete vacuum to be pulled on the film bag 308 or film 300 by creating pathways for air to be pulled therethrough.
Embossment of the film 300 is described in greater detail hereafter.

[00102] The vacuum sealer 100 of the invention provides (1) feeding of film 300 and forming a film bag 308; (2) movement of film 300 through the vacuum sealer 100; (3) film clearing and compression; (4) vacuuming or inflating a film bag 308; and (5) sealing and cutting a film bag 308. Each of these functions may independently be automatic or mechanical.

[00103] To provide feed and form of a film bag 308 in the vacuum sealer 100, the film cartridge 200, which may have tubular film 302 or film rolls 304, is inserted into the feed opening 108 of the vacuum sealer 100. The feed opening 108 of the vacuum sealer l00 is preferably cylindrical in shape. However, the feed opening 108 may be any suitable shape. Once the film cartridge 200 is secured in the vacuum sealer 100, the film 300 is advanced to form a film bag 308 of a suitable size and is then filled. Then a lid 112 of the vacuum sealer 100 is closed in order to enclose the film cartridge 200 with an air-tight seal.

[00104] Then, the vacuum/pump mechanism 180 is activated to create a vacuum in the film bag 308 or to blow air into and inflate the film bag 308 depending on the direction of the motion of the vacuum/pump mechanism 180. The vacuum/pump mechanism 180 has a vacuum port 182 which is near the opening of the film bag. In one embodiment, the vacuum port 182 may be operatively positioned on an underside of the lid 112 of the vacuum sealer 100, such as shown in FIGURES 15 and 16. In another embodiment, the vacuum port 182 is operatively positioned on or near at least one side of the film cartridge 200 or the top portion 104 of the vacuum sealer 100, such as near the drive rollers 142, the end drive rollers 143 and/or the sealing and cutting mechanism 170 such as shown for example in FIGURES
21-24. The vacuum port 182 may also be in any other suitable position. Air passing through the vacuum port 182 in the lid 112 or on the side of the vacuum sealer 100 or the film cartridge 200 can either inflate the film bag 308 or vacuum the air from the film bag 308.

[00105] When the film bag 308 is initially being formed, air may be blown into the film bag 308 to aid in forming the desired size of the film bag 308 by pushing the desired amount of film 300 from the film cartridge 200. Also, by using air to forward the film through the vacuum sealer 100, the film bag 308 is substantially fully opened for convenient loading of the film bag 308 by the user.
Optionally, the inside wall of the vacuum sealer 100 may have expansion chambers and/or may be lined with a bag opening aiding component to help keep the film bag fully opened once the air pressure is released.
[00106] The vacuum sealer 100 also provides film clearing and compression thereof. Once the contents have been placed into the film bag 308, some contamination from the contents, e.g., food items, may be on the film bag 308 around the surface of the neck of the film bag 308. The film bag 308 may then be forwarded or advanced again, preferably by selecting a film advance or film clear button on the control panel 160, to make sure that all contaminated film is at a position below the sealing and cutting mechanism 170.
[00107] Once the film bag 308 has been forwarded and has passed through the film clearing and compression step, e.g., by the means of compressed air, the film bag 308 may be sealed and cut. The sealing and cutting mechanism 170 moves into position flattening the film bag 308 to facilitate the sealing and cutting operation. The sealing and cutting operation may occur in any suitable manner and with any suitable mechanism. Preferred embodiments of the sealing and cutting mechanism and methods of operation are described in greater detail hereafter.
[00108] Once the film bag 308 is filled, sealed and cut, the film bag 308 is then released, either automatically or mechanically, into a receiving area 116 of the vacuum sealer 100. The next film bag is then advanced through the vacuum sealer 100 in the same manner. The movement of the film and film bag through the vacuum sealer 100 may be a mechanical or an automatic movement or operation.

[00109] The vacuum sealer 100 of the invention preferably provides at least one of the following: (1) quick and convenient packaging of items, including, but not limited to, food items, liquids, fragile items and clothes; (2) containing items for long term storage; (3) quick and convenient packaging and freezing of leftovers or other items; (4) quick and convenient debulking and storing of items; (5) space reduction; (6) air packing of items to provide protection thereof; and (7) aesthetic design for convenient storage or display of the vacuum sealer. Vacuum sealing using the vacuum sealer 100 of the invention enables a user to: extend the freshness of food (by up to five times longer than without vacuum sealing); eliminate freezer burn; keep moist foods from drying out; protect dry foods from moisture or from becoming hard or stale; keep foods high in fats and oils from spoiling; marinate meat and fish in minutes; protect collectibles and other nonfood items from aging and corrosion; protect items such as brittle snacks or collectibles by using the inflate mode; provide an adjustable bag size to fit desired contents; provide a film bag ready in the open position for filling; reduce the cost of film bag refills for the vacuum sealer; eliminate the need for a tool to open a film bag, e.g., such as a knife or scissors; provide better and easier packaging of liquid or fluid foods; eliminate spillage of liquid from food contents; eliminate a vacuum lock on a film bag; and/or reduce the amount of manual effort needed to use the vacuum sealer.

[00110] The vacuum sealer 100 is preferably designed to be aesthetically pleasing so that the vacuum sealer may be left on a countertop or in plain view by the user for easy access thereto. The vacuum sealer 100 may be made of any suitable material including plastics, metals, or the like and any combination thereof.
[00111] In a preferred embodiment, the film cartridge 200 is preferably a center filling circular film cartridge which uses tubular film 302 as described hereafter. In this embodiment, the film cartridge 200 does not require any prefabrication of the film bags 308, enables the film bag size to be adjusted during the filling operation, provides hands-free operation, and enables the vacuum intake, i.e., vacuum port 182, to be located above the film cartridge 200 or below the top component 206 of the film cartridge 200, but above the open end of the film bag 308.
[00112] In another preferred embodiment, the film cartridge 200 is preferably a center filling dual roll film cartridge which uses two film rolls 304 as described hereafter. The dual roll film cartridge provides less wrinkling of the film 300, provides a better way to implement zippers, if desired, provides a final product which looks like a high-quality bag, and enables the vacuum intake, i.e., vacuum port 182, to be located above the film cartridge 200 or below the top component 206 of the film cartridge 200, but above the open end of the film bag 308.
The film cartridge 200 will be described in greater detail hereafter.

[00113] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the vacuum sealer 100 may comprise a film housing container 220 instead of a film cartridge 200. A preferred film housing container 220 is shown in FIGURES 36-37.

[00114] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the vacuum sealer 100 may comprise rolls of film instead of a film cartridge 200 or a film housing container 220. This embodiment is described in more detail hereafter.

[00115] The vacuum sealer 100 of the invention may have various shapes and designs including, but not limited to, those embodiments shown for example in FIGURES 1-5, 7-14, 30-39, and 41-58. These and other embodiments are within the scope of the invention as described herein.

Drive Mechanism [00116] The drive mechanism 140 primarily functions to feed the film 300 and advance the film bag 308 through the vacuum sealer 100. As shown in FIGURES 5, 15 and 16, the drive mechanism 140 preferably comprises drive rollers 142 and/or end drive rollers 143, a drive roller latch 144, and a motorized drive 146 having two vertical side members 148 and a drive base 150.
[00117] The drive rollers 142 are preferably operatively positioned downstream from the film. The drive rollers 142 may be operatively positioned in the film cartridge 200 or in the top portion 104 or in the body 102 of the vacuum sealer 100. The drive rollers 142 are operatively positioned along the sides of the opening of the film cartridge 200 or the opening of the vacuum sealer 100 lengthwise therein. However, the drive rollers 142 may be in any other suitable position. A drive roller latch 144 may be preferably used to aid in installing the film 300 into the drive rollers 142 by separating the drive rollers 142 or end drive rollers 143 by a predetermined distance.
The end of the film is placed between the two drive rollers 142 and/or the end drive rollers 143 on each side of the film cartridge or vacuum sealer. The drive roller latch 144 may be closed to pinch the film again once the film is fed through the drive rollers 142 or the end drive rollers 143.
The drive roller latch 144 and the drive rollers 142 and/or the end drive rollers 143 preferably operate similarly to an arm on a typewriter opening rollers to feed a piece of paper in a typewriter.

[00118] As shown in FIGURES 4, 6, 8-11, 15-16, 21 and 23-24, two end drive rollers 143 are operatively positioned on each end in the top portion 104 of the vacuum sealer 100 or in the top component 206 of the film cartridge 200 at each end of the film cartridge 200 adjacent the opening of the film cartridge or vacuum sealer. The leading edge of the film is placed between the end drive rollers 143 such that the side edges of the film are in contact with the end drive rollers 143 to aid the film in advancing through the vacuum sealer 100.

[00119] The motorized drive 146 is preferably provided for moving the drive rollers 142 and, thus, the film 300. As shown in FIGURES 6, 15 and 16, the motorized drive 146 comprises two vertical side members 148 which are substantially parallel and are operatively connected to each other at a lower end by a drive base 150. A top end of each vertical member 148 is operatively connected to drive the drive rollers 142 and/or end drive rollers 143. The drive base 150 is also operatively connected to a motor 184 or other power source to drive the drive mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, the motorized drive 146 is preferably an 0-ring drive as shown in FIGURES 6, 15 and 16.
[00120] The drive rollers 142 may be angled in order to angle the sealed advancement of the film and thereby eliminate wrinkles from the film 300, thereby making the film flatter and thus easier to handle and advance during operation.

[00121] The drive mechanism 140 is preferably a component of the film cartridge 200. However, the drive mechanism 140 or any component thereof may be a component of the vacuum sealer 100 and not a component of the film cartridge 200.
Sealing And Cutting Mechanism [00122] In the vacuum sealer 100, the sealing and cutting mechanism 170 preferably simultaneously seals the top of a filled film bag, cuts the sealed film bag and seals the bottom of the next film bag. The sealing and cutting mechanism 170 may preferably only be operated when the lid 112 of the vacuum sealer 100 is closed. This functioning provides enhanced safety to the user. The closing of the lid 112 is preferably indicated by a lid position sensor 114, which is preferably located on the top side 110 of the top portion 104 of the vacuum sealer 100, such as shown in FIGURES 15 and 16. However, any suitable lid position indicator may be used in any suitable position.
[00123] A preferred embodiment of a general orientation of a sealing and cutting mechanism 170 of the vacuum sealer 100 is shown in FIGURES 15 and 16 in cross-sectional views. In general, the sealing and cutting mechanism 170 includes two sealing elements 172 being operatively positioned substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the direction of the advance of the film bag 308. A cutting element 174 is operatively positioned substantially parallel to and between the two sealing elements 172. The cutting element 174 and the sealing elements 172 are preferably in the same plane.
[00124] Embodiments of the sealing elements and cutting element are shown for example in FIGURES 15, 16, and 19-28.

More particularly, a preferred embodiment of a sealing and cutting mechanism 170 is shown in FIGURES 19-24. FIGURES
19, 21 and 23 show this embodiment of the sealing and cutting mechanism 170 in an open position and FIGURES 20, 22 and 24 show the sealing and cutting mechanism 170 in a closed position. The sealing and cutting mechanism 170 preferably includes two sealing and cutting members 171.
Each sealing and cutting member 171 includes two sealing elements 172 operatively positioned substantially parallel to each other and a cutting element 174 operatively positioned substantially parallel to, between and in the same plane as the sealing elements 172. The sealing elements 172 and cutting element 174 are preferably operatively positioned on a first side of each sealing and cutting member 171. The sealing and cutting members 171 from an opening therebetween when in the open position, as shown for example in FIGURES 19, 21 and 23. The sealing and cutting members 171 push the film together to facilitate sealing and cutting of the film bag 308. In the closed position, the sealing and cutting members 171 are in substantially the same alignment and adjacent to each other, such as shown for example in FIGURES 20, 22, and 24.
[00125) In this embodiment, the sealing and cutting members 171 are preferably crescent shaped sealing and cutting members 171. The sealing and cutting members 171 are operatively positioned such that the crescent shape of each sealing and cutting member 171 is in an outwardly facing position in the open position and the outwardly extending portions of the crescent shaped bars are substantially opposite facing one another. In order to facilitate sealing and cutting, one sealing and cutting member 171 pivots so that the crescent shape of the sealing and cutting members 171 are in alignment and facing the same direction prior to being in the closed position, such as when the sealing and cutting members 171 are moving together into the closed position, and thereby pushing the film together. Once the sealing and cutting mechanism 170 is in the closed position or almost in the closed position, any desired vacuuming or inflation of air occurs by the vacuum/pump mechanism 180 via the vacuum port 182. The vacuum port may be operatively positioned in the underside of the lid 112, such as shown in FIGURES 15 and 16, or at one or both of the ends of the sealing and cutting members 171, such as shown in FIGURES 21-24. The vacuum port 182 and the vacuum/pump mechanism 180 are described in greater detail herein. The film bag 308 is then sealed and cut.
After sealing and cutting, the sealing and cutting member that pivoted will again pivot to its initial position so that the sealing and cutting members 171 will be in the open position. However, the sealing and cutting members 171 may operate in any suitable manner to move from the open position to the closed position and back to the open position during operation of the sealing and cutting mechanism 170.
[00126] Another embodiment of the sealing and cutting mechanism 170 is shown in FIGURES 25-28. In this embodiment, the sealing and cutting mechanism 170 preferably comprises two crescent shaped sealing and cutting members 171, i.e., bars, each having an outwardly extending portion facing away from each other such as shown in FIGURE 25.
Each sealing and cutting member 171 has two sealing elements 172 and a cutting element 174 operatively positioned adjacent to and between the sealing elements 172. More particularly, the sealing elements 172 and the cutting element 174 are preferably parallel to each other and operatively positioned substantially adjacent to each other with the cutting element 174 operatively positioned between the sealing elements 172 in a similar manner as detailed above. The sealing and cutting members 171 are also preferably operatively positioned substantially perpendicular to the direction of the advance of the film 300.
[00127] In this embodiment, the sealing and cutting members 171 facilitate sealing and cutting by being moved from the open position, as shown in FIGURES 25 and 27 to the closed position, as shown in FIGURES 26 and 28. To facilitate closing and re-opening, each end portion 176 of the sealing and cutting mechanism is moved outwardly away and in an opposite direction from each other, as indicated by the arrows in FIGURES 25 and 26, thereby straightening the crescent shaped sealing and cutting members 171 such that each sealing and cutting member 171 is in a linear orientation and parallel to and in close proximity to the other sealing and cutting member, thereby eliminating the opening therebetween, such as shown in FIGURE 26. This embodiment is preferably used with a film cartridge 200 having tubular film 302 and with a vacuum port 182 located in the lid 112 of the vacuum sealer 100. However, this embodiment of the sealing and cutting mechanism 170 may be used with a film cartridge 200 having film rolls 304 or with the vacuum sealer 100 having individual rolls of film instead of a film cartridge 200.
[00128] In operation, this embodiment of the sealing and cutting mechanism 170 seals and cuts the film bags 308 into separate film bags, such as shown in FIGURES 27 and 28.
[00129] Sealing and cutting of the film bag 308 may be achieved by thermal heating. One type of thermal heating is Athalite' technology for low voltage film bag sealing and cutting. Generally, Athalite' technology can generate temperatures over 800 Fahrenheit (426.7 Celsius) in less than 2 seconds. Once the current is released, the system returns to room temperature in less than 2 seconds. More particularly, the sealing and cutting mechanism may use AthaliteTM technology in combination with a foil strip for a heating element.
[00130] More particularly, Athalite' technology is ColdHeat' technology which has several proprietary components: (1) an unconventional resistive material named Athalite', which has physical properties that allow it to create heat from a low source power supply, (2) innovative mechanical designs that minimize thermal mass and increase heat flow, and (3) electronic controls that efficiently manage the limited power source for optimal operation. By applying this ColdHeatTM technology to a variety of applications, products take on unique rapid heating, quick cooling and low power consumption properties that make these tools easier to use, safer and more efficient. The unique chemical and physical properties of Athalite' deliver significant heating potential. With the ability to reach temperatures exceeding 800 Fahrenheit in mere seconds, Athalite' cools down just as quickly.
[00131] In addition, Athalite' is a highly malleable material and can be milled into multiple form factors, thus permitting the innovative design of a broad array of products. Using Athalite' technology, the heating element is able to heat up to 800 Fahrenheit (426.7 Celsius) in about 1.5 seconds and can cool to room temperature in about 2 seconds. For example, three strips of Athalite' are in parallel arrangement, by setting the three strips to operate at different voltages, the outer two Athalite' strips, i.e., the sealing elements 172, can be set to achieve a sealing temperature and the middle Athalite' strip, i.e., the cutting element 174, can be set to achieve a melt through or cutting temperature. Each sealing and cutting cycle could effectively seal and cut off the top of a filled film bag 308 while forming the bottom seal of the next film bag.
[00132] Sealing and cutting of the film bags 308 may also be achieved by the use of RF bonding technology. In using RF bonding technology, the open ends of the film bags may be sealed. One example of RF bonding technology is a Codaco RF
system which is a combination of RF seal-generating equipment and an RF active adhesive. In this embodiment, a small RF seal-generating system is placed in the vacuum sealer 100 and an adhesive is placed on the open ends of the film 300 that need to be sealed, i.e., the top of the filled film bag and the bottom of the next film bag. The adhesive is inserted and then treated by the RF bonding to provide the seal, i.e., by the sealing elements 172. The cutting element 174 also substantially simultaneously cuts the film between the two seals, i.e., between the seal of the top of the filled film bag and the seal of the bottom of the next film bag.
[00133] While preferred embodiments of the arrangement and types of sealing and cutting mechanisms have been detailed above, the sealing and cutting mechanism 170 of the vacuum sealer 100 may be any suitable sealing and cutting mechanism having any suitable arrangement and using any suitable technology type. Additionally, the sealing and cutting mechanism 170 may be a component of the film cartridge 200 or a component of the vacuum sealer 100.

Film Cartridge [00134] The film cartridge 200 has been described generally above. More particularly, as shown for example in FIGURE 6, the film cartridge 200 includes a top component 206, a film holder 208, a drive mechanism 140 and a sealing and cutting mechanism 170. The novel arrangement of the film cartridge 200 described herein is significantly advantageous in that it provides for ease of use by a consumer since the film for forming the bags is present and the film cartridge 200 need be simply inserted without any threading or other insertion operation by the user.
Accordingly, the film cartridge 200 ensures correct insertion, eliminates the chances of wrong insertion and thus, ineffective bag formation and/or sealing.
[00135] The film cartridge 200 may optionally be a replaceable and/or disposable component such that a new film cartridge will be inserted into the vacuum sealer 100 whenever additional film.is needed. Also, the film cartridge 200 can be designed to be inserted into any suitable vacuum sealers, including prior art vacuum sealers and future designed vacuum sealers.
[00136] In order to lower manufacturing costs and/or to provide for easier manufacturing of a replaceable and/or disposable film cartridge 200, the film cartridge 200 may include the top component 206 and the film holder 208, while the drive mechanism 140, the sealing and cutting mechanism 170 and/or components thereof may be separate from the film cartridge 200 and be in the vacuum sealer 100 since the drive mechanism 140, the sealing and cutting mechanism 170 and/or components thereof preferably have a longer functioning life than the life of the film 300. In this embodiment, multiple replacement film may be utilized in the vacuum sealer 100 without having to incur the costs to replace the drive mechanism 140, the sealing and cutting mechanism 170 and/or components thereof. The novel arrangement of the film cartridge 200 and functioning of the components in relation to each other is the same or substantially similar whether the drive mechanism 140, the sealing and cutting mechanism 170 and/or components thereof are in the film cartridge 200 or structured in the body of the vacuum sealer 100. Accordingly, the description of the functioning of these components described herein correspond to the arrangement of the component in either location unless specified otherwise.

[00137] Preferred embodiments of the drive mechanism 140 and the sealing and cutting mechanism 170 have been described in detail above. These embodiments of the drive mechanism 140 and the sealing and cutting mechanism 170 function in the same or similar manner and have the same or similar or corresponding components whether they are a part of the film cartridge 200 or separate therefrom and a part of the vacuum sealer 100.

[00138] In a preferred embodiment, the top component 206 of the film cartridge 200 has a top face 202 with an opening 204 therethrough. The opening 204 is preferably centrally located. The film 300 is preferably operatively positioned below the top face 202 of the film cartridge 200 in a film holder 208. More particularly, the film 300 is preferably a tubular film 302 as shown for example in FIGURES 4 and 29 in a collapsed state in a film holder 208, which is a tubular film holder 210, as shown for example in FIGURES 4 and 15, or two film rolls 304 as shown for example in FIGURES 21-22 and 23-24 in a film holder 208, which is a roll film holder 212, as shown for example in FIGURES 10, 11, and 16. More particularly, a film roll 304 is operatively positioned in a roll film holder 212 on each side of the opening 204 of the film cartridge 200 along the length of the top component 206 and below the top face 202 of the film cartridge 200.
[00139] The film 300, e.g., the film roll 304 in each roll film holder 212 or the tubular film 302 in the tubular film holder 208, extends through the drive rollers 142 and/or end drive rollers 143 in the drive mechanism 140 as detailed above in the description of the drive mechanism.
The placement of the film 300 through the drive rollers 142 and/or end drive rollers 143 is preferably provided by aid of the manual drive roller latch 144. The motorized drive 146 is preferably provided for moving the drive rollers 142 and/or the end drive rollers 143 and, thus, the film 300.
As shown in FIGURES 6, 15 and 16, the motorized drive 146 comprises two vertical side members 148 which are substantially parallel and operatively connected to each other at a lower end by a drive base 150 as described above.
A top end of each vertical side member 148 is operatively connected to drive the drive rollers 142 and/or end drive rollers 143. The drive base 150 is also operatively connected to a motor 184 or power source to drive the drive mechanism 140. In a preferred embodiment, the motorized drive 146 is preferably an 0-ring drive mechanism as shown in FIGURES 6, 15 and 16.

[00140] The film cartridge 200 of the vacuum sealer 100 supplies the film 300, in either pre-made film bag form, i.e., tubular film 302, or on separate rolls, i.e., film rolls 304, which must be sealed along the sides prior to filling. The sides of the film rolls can be sealed in any suitable manner and by any suitable means.
[00141] The film cartridge 200 allows for the presentation of the film bag 308 in its open form, making it easier for the user to fill the film bag 308 with food or other items.

[00142] The film cartridge 200 may also optionally include an end-of-film indicator and a reclosable film means in the film cartridge. Alternatively, the end-of-film indicator may be located in the vacuum sealer 100 or on the film 300.
The end-of-film indicator alerts the user that the film 300 is coming to an end and additional or replacement film 300 will need to be inserted into the film cartridge 200 in due course. For example, the end-of-film indicator may be a color or other symbol indicator on the film 300, such as a color stripe on the film. Also for example, the end-of-film indicator may be a signal indicator given off by the vacuum sealer 100 or the film cartridge 200 such as, but not limited to, a light or sound indicator. However, any suitable end-of-film indicator may be used in the invention.
[00143] The film cartridge 200 or vacuum sealer 100 may also preferably have a reclosable film means/feature in the film 300 in the film cartridge 200.
[00144] The film cartridge 200 preferably has an asymmetrical (non-symmetrical) shape that only permits the film cartridge 200 to be installed into the vacuum sealer 100 in one position, thus, automatically providing proper alignment in the vacuum sealer 100. This geometry of the film cartridge 200 enables a user to easily orient the film cartridge 200 in the correct position in the vacuum sealer 100 and will align a closure of the film bag 308, e.g., tear-strip or zipper profile, if used, in the vacuum sealer 100. The quality of the seal of the film bag 308 will depend on the accuracy of the position of the closure of the film bag 308 profiles or tear-strips relative to the sealing elements 172.

[00145] FIGURE 23 shows a tubular film replacement for a film cartridge 200 having tubular film.

Control Panel [00146] The vacuum sealer 100 also includes a control panel 160 which enables a user to control the vacuum sealer 100 by selecting and controlling various functions including: (1) the start/stop of the vacuum sealer 100, (2) the inflation and the degree of inflation of the film bag 308, (3) the vacuuming and the degree of vacuuming the film bag 308, (4) the advancing of the film bag 308 and/or clearing of the film bag 308, (5) monitoring the degree of a vacuum or inflation of the film bag 308 until completion, (6) the sealing and cutting of the film bag 308 and (7) any other suitable function of the vacuum sealer 100.

[00147] The control panel 160 of the vacuum sealer 100 preferably includes, but is not limited to, the specific control mechanisms for operating and controlling the functions of the vacuum sealer 100. More particularly, the control panel 160 preferably includes at least a means for initiating starting and stopping, i.e., power, of the vacuum sealer 100; a means for initiating and controlling vacuuming and/or inflating a filled film bag 308; a means for initiating and controlling the advancement and/or clearing of the film bag 308; and a means for initiating and controlling the sealing and cutting of a filled film bag 308. For example, the control panel 160 may include the following function controls in the form of a button, lever, switch, scroll pad, or other suitable control: a power control 161 which may be a start control 161a and a stop control 161b or a combination start/stop control 161c; a seal/cut control 162; at least one inflate control 163; and at least one vacuum control 164. The control panel 160 may also optionally include a film advance control 165 and/or a clear film control 166.

[00148] The power control 161 starts and stops the vacuum sealer 100. The seal/cut control 162 initiates and controls the sealing and cutting of the film bag 308 in either one step or multiple steps. The seal/cut control 162 preferably does not provide any inflation or vacuuming of the film bag 308. The inflate control 163 may be one control or multiple controls. The inflate control 163 may provide any suitable predetermined inflation percentage to the film bag including, but not limited to, 100% and 50%, or the inflate control 163 may provide a predetermined range of inflation percentages. The vacuum control 164 may be one control or multiple controls. The vacuum control 164 may provide any suitable predetermined vacuum percentage to the film bag including, but not limited to, 25%, 45%, 75% and 100%. In another embodiment, the predetermined vacuum percentage of the film bag includes, but is not limited to, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100%. In another embodiment, the vacuum control 164 may provide a predetermined range of vacuum percentages.
The film advance control 165 and/or the clear film control 166 provides advancement or clearing of the film bag 308.
Preferred embodiments of the control panel 160 as detailed above are shown for example in FIGURES 15 and 16.
(00149] In another preferred embodiment, such as shown for example in FIGURE 17, the control panel 160 is a combination control including a power control 161, a film advance control 165, a seal/cut control 162, an inflate control 163, and a vacuum control 164. This embodiment of the control panel having a combination control mechanism has the power control 161 operatively positioned in substantially the center of the combination control mechanism. The power control 161 initiates and controls the starting and stopping operation of the vacuum sealer 100. The film advance control 165 and the cut/seal control 162 are operatively positioned adjacent the power control 160 as a larger button surrounding the power control 161 button. The film advance control 165 in the combination control mechanism provides advancement of the film bag. For example, by pressing the film advance control 165 adjacent a first side of the power control 160 button, the film bag 308 advances continually under a user's finger pressure until the pressure is released or until the bottom of the film bag 308 reaches a set maximum volume point. The combination control mechanism also preferably has a scroll dial around the film advance control 165 button and the cut/seal control 162 button. The scroll dial includes the inflate control 163 and the vacuum control 164. A user can scroll his/her finger around the scroll dial to set the amount or percentage of inflation or vacuum desired for the film bag. A user can seal and cut the film bag 308 by pressing the seal/cut control 162 button adjacent a second side of the power control 160 button. By pressing the seal/cut control 162, the top of the filled film bag is sealed and cut and the bottom of the next film bag is sealed as detailed herein.
[00150] LED lights may preferably be illuminated to indicate the chosen inflation or vacuum percentage setting in any embodiment of the control mechanism or control panel.
The functioning of the LED lights are described in more detail hereafter.
[00151] In another preferred embodiment, the vacuum sealer 100 may have a combination control mechanism as shown for example in FIGURE 18, which preferably includes a film advance control 165 button, a seal/cut control 162 button, and a positive and negative air control button which includes an inflate control 163 and a vacuum control 164 button. The control buttons preferably form a diamond shape. However, the control buttons may be arranged in any suitable manner. By pressing the film advance control 165 button, the film bag 308 continually advances until the user releases his/her finger pressure from the film advance control 165 button or until the film bag 308 reaches a set maximum volume point. The user then presses and holds down the positive or negative air control button to control the amount of air either added to or removed from the film bag 308 after the film bag 308 has been filled with the desired contents. Once the film bag is filled, the film advance control 165 button is pressed and the film bag 308 is advanced until the sealing and cutting area is clean. The film bag 308 is then sealed and cut by the user pressing the seal/cut control 162 button. The components and functioning of sealing and cutting mechanism 170 of the vacuum sealer 100 are described in greater detail herein.

Lid [00152] The vacuum sealer 100 also preferably comprises a lid 112. The lid 112 of the vacuum sealer 100 may be operatively connected to the top portion 104 of the vacuum sealer 100 by any suitable means. For example, the opening of the lid 112 of the vacuum sealer 100 may be by a hinge mechanism such as shown for example in FIGURES 9-11, 15, 16, 36, 37, and 42, by a slide mechanism such as shown for example in FIGURES 31 and 35, or by any other suitable mechanism. The lid 112 keeps the contents of the film bag 30 from coming out of the vacuum sealer 100 during operation. The lid 112 also preferably allows for activation of the vacuum sealer 100 when the lid 112 activates a lid position sensor 114 which is preferably located on the top side 110 of the top portion 104 of the vacuum sealer 100. The lid 112 also ensures an air-tight seal around the opening of the film cartridge 200 and/or the opening in the top portion 104 of the vacuum sealer 100.
Vacuum/Pump Mechanism [00153] The vacuum/pump mechanism 180 of the vacuum sealer 100 may be any suitable vacuum/pump mechanism. The vacuum/pump mechanism 180 preferably comprises a motor 184, a pump 186, a compressor 188, a pressure transmitter 190, a vacuum/pressure select solenoid valve 192, and a vacuum port 182 as shown for example in FIGURES 15 and 16. The motor 184 provides power to and drives the vacuum/pump mechanism and the drive mechanism 140. The pump 186 and the compressor 188 work in conjunction to provide air into the film bag 308 to inflate the film bag or to remove air from the film bag 308 to provide vacuuming to the film bag 308.
The pressure transmitter 190 is operatively connected to the pump 186 and transmits and monitors the air pressure going into the film bag 308 or being removed from the film bag 308. The vacuum/pressure select solenoid valve 192 is operatively connected to the pump 186 and selects and controls the air pressure going into the film bag 308 or being removed from the film bag 308.
[00154] A preferred embodiment of a motor mechanism 184 is shown in FIGURE 59. The motor mechanism 184 provides forward rotation at the drive of the drive mechanism 140 so that the film 300 is advanced from the film holder 208 through the vacuum sealer 100. The motor mechanism 184 also drives the vacuum/pump mechanism, thereby powering the vacuum pressure select solenoid valve 192.
[00155] A preferred embodiment of a pump mechanism 186 is shown in FIGURE 60. The pump mechanism 186 controls the air pressure going into or being removed from the film bag 308 as determined by the vacuum pressure select solenoid valve 192.

Vacuum Port [00156] The vacuum port 182 is the component which extends into or near the opening of the film bag 308 to add air thereto or remove air therefrom. The vacuum port 182 is preferably operatively positioned on an underside of the lid 112, such as shown for example in FIGURES 15, 16, and 37.
FIGURES 21-24 show a second embodiment of a vacuum port 182 of the vacuum sealer 100. In this embodiment, the vacuum port 182 is operatively positioned near at least one end of the sealing and cutting mechanism 170. More particularly, FIGURES 23 and 24 show a vacuum port 182 operatively positioned at one end of the sealing and cutting mechanism 170. FIGURES 21 and 22 show a vacuum port operatively positioned at each end of the sealing and cutting mechanism 170. Once the desired contents are placed into the film bag, air is removed from or put into the film bag 308. The film bag 308 is then sealed and cut by the sealing and cutting mechanism 170 as described herein or in any suitable manner.
[00157] In an alternative embodiment, an external vacuum port 182a may be located on an external side of the body 102 of the vacuum sealer 100, such as shown in FIGURES 38-40.
The external vacuum port 182a may be used in a similar manner as vacuum port 182 to remove air from or add air to a film bag 308 or a film housing container 220 as shown for example in FIGURES 38-40.

Operation [00158] The user may operate the vacuum sealer 100 by installing the film cartridge 200 (or rolls of film if no film cartridge is used). The film cartridge 200 may contain tubular film 302 or two film rolls 304 as described above.
The lid 112 is opened and the film cartridge 300 (or the rolls of film if no film cartridge is used) is placed into the opening 108, e.g., feed opening or filling chute, of the vacuum sealer 100. If a film cartridge 200 is used, the film cartridge 200 is aligned in the opening 108, preferably in a predetermined manner.
[00159] If individual rolls of film are used, the rolls of film are placed into film holders, such as cylindrical troughs, on either side of the opening 108 in the top portion 104 of the film sealer 100.
[00160] In one embodiment, the film on the rolls of film may be one continuous piece of film with a fold in the center thereof. To make the individual rolls of film, a total length of film could be wound on a first roller and then the free end of the film would contact an empty core.
About half of the film could then be rewound back onto a second roller. A user could then insert the two cores of the film into the cylindrical troughs and feed the joined piece of film down through the drive rollers 142 and/or end drive rollers 143. In order for the film to be open around the opening 108 in the top side 110 of the film sealer 100, a pleated film gathering technology may be used to allow a film bag to billow between fixed end points to provide a wide open mouth of the film bag. The core could have corrugation in its circumference to pre-pleat the film during the winding operation.

[00161] In an embodiment having a film cartridge 200 having two film rolls 304, the two film rolls 304 are preferably held in a parallel fashion on either side of the opening 204 in and under the top face 202 of the top component 206 of the film cartridge 200. The leading edge 306 of both film rolls 304 are inserted through the drive rollers 142 and/or the end drive rollers 143 of the drive mechanism 140 and joined and sealed together to form the bottom of the first film bag 308 as detailed hereafter. The side edges of the film rolls 304 are also sealed in a suitable manner. Additionally, adhesive may be provided along the side edges of the film 300 to provide side seals or the side edges may be sealed by thermal technology or any other suitable technology. A reclosable adhesive may optionally be provided on one side of the film bag to provide a means to open and close the film bag 308.
[00162] In an embodiment having a film cartridge 200 having tubular film 302, the tubular film 302 is contained in a collapsed state in the film cartridge 200. An example of tubular film 302 is shown in FIGURE 29. The tubular film 302 is then inserted through the drive rollers 142 and/or end drive rollers 143 of the drive mechanism 140 and the leading edge 306 thereof is sealed together to form the bottom of the first film bag 308 as detailed hereafter.
[00163] Next, the first film bag 308 is advanced from the film cartridge 200 or from the individual rolls and is pushed downward through the center of the film sealer 100 until the bottom of the film bag can be seen in the receiving area 116. This may be achieved mechanically or automatically by the user pushing a film advance control 165 on the control panel 160 to advance the film bag slightly to ensure that the film is locked into the mechanism.
[00164] More particularly, to form the film bag 308, the film is fed through the drive rollers 142 and/or end drive rollers 143. The drive rollers 142 are operatively positioned downstream from the film. The drive rollers 142 and/or end drive rollers 143 may be operatively positioned in the film cartridge 200 or in the top portion 104 or in the body 102 of the vacuum sealer 100 as detailed above. A
drive roller latch 144 may be preferably used to aid in installing the film into the drive rollers 142 and/or end drive rollers 143 by separating the drive rollers 142 and/or end drive rollers 143 by a predetermined distance. The end of the film is placed between the two drive rollers 142 and/or end drive rollers 143 on each side of the film cartridge or vacuum sealer. The drive roller latch 144 may be closed to pinch the film again once the film is fed through the drive rollers 142 and/or end drive rollers 143.
The drive roller latch 144 and the drive rollers 142 and/or end drive rollers 143 preferably operate similarly to an arm on a typewriter opening rollers to feed a piece of paper in a typewriter. In another embodiment, the edges of the film may have profiles which can be guided into slots on the drive rollers 142 in order to advance the film.
[00165] More particularly, as shown in FIGURES 4, 6, 8-11, 15-16, 21 and 23-24, the two end drive rollers 143 are operatively positioned on each end in the top portion 104 of the vacuum sealer 100 or in the top component 206 of the film cartridge 200 at each end of the film cartridge 200 adjacent the opening of the film cartridge or vacuum sealer.
The leading edge of the film is placed between the end drive rollers 143 such that the side edges of the film are in contact with the end drive rollers 143 to aid the film in advancing through the vacuum sealer 100.

[00166] The leading edge of the first film bag is then sealed as described herein. The film advance control 165 is then operated in order to forward the film until the desired size of the film bag 308 is reached. The position of the vacuum sealer 100 may then be determined. While the preferred embodiment is for the vacuum sealer 100 to be in a vertical orientation, a multiple orientation control 118 may be operated in order to change the vacuum sealer 100 among a vertical orientation, a horizontal orientation or an angled orientation. The multiple orientation control 118 may be located in any suitable position on the vacuum sealer 100, but is preferably operatively positioned near the base portion 106 of the vacuum sealer 100, such as shown for example in FIGURES 15 and 16. When the multiple orientation control 118 is operated, the body 102 of the vacuum sealer 100 may be adjusted between a vertical, horizontal, or angled orientation. The vertical orientation is more convenient for using with most storage items, especially liquid items. However, the horizontal orientation enables packaging and sealing of longer items or for items that are easier to load in a horizontal orientation.
[00167] In an alternative embodiment, the vacuum sealer 100 may be able to be positioned in an angled orientation.
When the multiple orientation control 118 is operated, the body 102 of the vacuum sealer 100 is angled to a predetermined degree, e.g., forty-five degrees, and set in position to provide easier filling of items that are desired to be loaded in a horizontal orientation, but may need to prevent any spillage thereof. This orientation may also be achieved by pivoting the whole vacuum sealer, using a low pivot point on the vacuum sealer, using a high pivot point on the vacuum sealer or removing a top of the vacuum sealer.
[00168] The film bag 308 is then ready to be filled with the desired contents. The film bag 308 is filled to a desired level. If a larger film bag 300 is needed than what has been initially predetermined prior to filling, the film advance control 165 may be operated to advance the film and increase the size of the film bag 308. The film may also be advanced so that the film in the sealing area is clear.
[00169] In one embodiment, the vacuum sealer 100 may be preprogrammed such that the film is automatically forwarded following the filling of the film bag 308 to prevent contamination of the vacuum sealer equipment or the next film bag. In a preferred embodiment, the lid 112 of the vacuum sealer 100 may not be able to close until contaminated film has been forwarded.
[00170] Rollers may be located on the sides of the vacuum sealer to limit contamination of the vacuum sealer and contamination of the next film bag. The sealing and cutting mechanism 170 is also operatively located near the top of the vacuum sealer to reduce the amount of film used when advancing the film bag, such as shown in FIGURES 15 and 16.
[00171] Once the film bag is filled and the film is cleared, if necessary, the desired operation is then selected from the control panel 160 or control mechanism.
The desired operations preferably include inflate, seal or vacuuming the film bag. While inflate, seal and vacuum are used throughout the description, any suitable nomenclature may be used to represent these functions. Also, any other suitable functions may be performed by the vacuum sealer.
[00172] Vacuuming is for vacuum storage of items. Total vacuum of the film bag 308 is possible, as well as partial vacuuming. Partial vacuuming is useful if the contents of the film bag are fragile. To vacuum, the vacuum control 164 having a desired predetermined vacuum percentage is selected from the control panel 160 or control mechanisms. For example, the predetermined vacuum percentages may include 25%, 45%, 75% and 100%. In another example, the desired predetermined vacuum percentages may include 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100%. Any suitable vacuum percentages may be predetermined. Preferred embodiments of a control panel having vacuum control 164 are shown for example in FIGURES
15 and 16. Other control panels/mechanisms for providing a vacuum control 164 for providing a predetermined vacuuming percentage to the film bag 308 are shown for example in FIGURES 17 and 18 and have been described above.
[00173] To inflate a film bag, the inflate control 163 having a predetermined inflation percentage is selected from the control panel 160 or control mechanism. For example, predetermined inflation percentages may include 50% and 100%. Any suitable predetermined inflation percentages may be predetermined. Preferred embodiments of a control panel 160 having inflate control 163 are shown for example in FIGURES 15 and 16. Other control panels/mechanisms for providing an inflate control 163 for providing a predetermined inflation percentage to the film bag 308 are shown for example in FIGURES 17 and 18. Inflating film bags is useful, for example, for protecting the contents of the film bag.
[00174] For packaging an item without providing vacuuming or inflation to the film bag 308, zero percent (0%) inflation and zero percent (0%) vacuum would be set. Then, a seal/cut control 162 may be selected from the control panel 160. Preferred embodiments of a control panel 160 having a seal/cut control 160 are shown for example in FIGURES 15 and 16. Alternative embodiments of the control panel 160 having a seal/cut control 162 are shown in FIGURES
17 and 18. In these embodiments, the air percentage would be set to zero percent (0%) to provide sealing of the film bag 308 without vacuuming or inflation thereof.

[00175] The film bag 308 may be further or optionally advanced at this stage, if necessary or desired, by selecting the film advance control 165 or a clear film control 166 in order to advance any contaminated film forward before sealing and cutting.
[00176] Next, the lid 112 of the vacuum sealer is closed.
A lid closing latch 115 locks around the lid 112 to hold the lid 112 in place and is locked in place by a lid lock 113.
Latching of the lid 112 depresses a lid position sensor 114 which allows the vacuum sealer to operate. The lid closing latch 115 is operatively positioned on the top portion 104 of the vacuum sealer 100 and adjacent to or near the lid 112 such as shown in FIGURES 15 and 16. In locking the lid 112, the lid closing latch 115 ensures a good seal of the vacuum port 182 over an open film bag 308. The lid closing latch 115 can also be locked down to maintain the seal and to eliminate the need for manually holding down the lid 112.
In preferred embodiments, the lid 112 must be latched for the vacuum/pump mechanism 180 to start. If the lid closing latch 115 is opened during the operation of the vacuum sealer 100, the lid position sensor 114 will disengage and may shut down the vacuum sealer 100.
The lid position sensor 114 is also preferably operatively positioned on the top side 110 of the top portion 104 of the vacuum sealer 100, such that the lid 112 comes in contact with the lid position sensor 114 when the lid 112 is closed.
The lid position sensor 114 indicates that the lid 112 is locked down and enables the vacuum sealer 100 to operate and to ensure safety of the user. Specifically, the motor 184, the pump 186 and the compressor 188, which may preferably be a dual head miniature diaphragm pumping compressor, in conjunction with a vacuum/pressure select solenoid valve 192, becomes operable to either vacuum or inflate the filled film bag 308. Then, solenoid 130 in conjunction with solenoid 131 become operable to seal and cut the film bag at a predetermined time. Closing the lid 112 preferably moves the sealing and closing mechanism 170 in contact with the film bag 308.
[00177] Next, the vacuum sealer 100 is ready for operation. The power control 161, e.g., start control 161a or the combination start/stop control 161c, is pressed to begin the pre-selected operation (inflate, seal or vacuum).
The various components then commence operation to pull the film bag from the film cartridge or from the individual rolls of film. The film or rollers will run for a predetermined time to bring all contaminated film below the sealing and cutting mechanism 170 and then turns off. Next, the drive base 150 moves in and tugs on the film that extends up.
[00178] In an embodiment where a vacuum control 164 is selected, the pump 186, the motor 184 and the vacuum/pressure select solenoid valve 192 operate to vacuum the film bag 308 to the predetermined vacuum percentage. A
light adjacent to the pre-selected vacuum percentage vacuum control may light up and the predetermined vacuuming percentage will commence. The light may then indicate that the process has evacuated the predetermined amount of air from the film bag 308.
[00179] In an alternative embodiment, as air is removed from the film bag, a second indicator light near the first indicator light may optionally turn on when a predetermined percentage of vacuuming, but less than the total vacuuming desired, is achieved. Various indicator lights may turn on and stay on as the vacuum percentage increases until the total predetermined vacuum percentage is reached and all of the indicator lights up to the total predetermined vacuum percentage turn on. The purpose of each indicator light is to indicate to the user the amount of pressure, i.e., vacuum percentage, in the film bag 308. A user will become familiar with the levels of vacuum necessary for their needs where total vacuum, i.e., 100% vacuum, may be too much.
[00180] Another purpose for the indicator light array is to give the user some sense of progress regarding the vacuuming percent of the film bag 308. When all indicator lights are on up to the predetermined vacuum percentage, the vacuum sealer will then perform the sealing and cutting function. In the sealing function, a first side solenoid 130 and a second side solenoid 131 will move into position in preparation for sealing and cutting the film bag 308.
Simultaneously, the sealing and cutting mechanism will turn on and the sealing and cutting mechanism 170 will then come together to preferably simultaneously seal the filled film bag 308, cut the film bag 308, and seal the bottom of the next film bag.
[00181] On either side of the sealing and cutting mechanism 170 may be a spring actuated tension isolating bar 178, as shown for example in FIGURE 15, which contacts the film when the lid is closed, but when the sealing and cutting mechanism 170 is still not in contact with the film bag 308. The spring actuated tension isolating bars 178 need to be strong enough to hold a full film bag 308 without letting the weight of the contents in the film bag 308 affect the cutting of the film bag 308. After a predetermined time, the sealing and cutting mechanism 170 will shut off and an operator interface on the control panel 160 or control mechanism will light up. Then, the base drive 150 will open up and the sealed film bag 308 will fall to the bottom of the receiving area 116 of the vacuum sealer 100.
[00182] During vacuuming, a user may manually stop the vacuuming at a desired point by pressing the power control 161, e.g., stop control 161b or combination start/stop control 161c, on the control panel 160 or control mechanism.
[00183] In an embodiment where the seal/cut control 162 is selected on the control panel 160, an indicator light may turn on to indicate as such. The first side solenoid 130 and the second side solenoid 131 will move into position in preparation for sealing and cutting.the film bag 308=.
Preferably simultaneously, the sealing and cutting mechanism 170 will be activated and the sealing and cutting mechanism 170 will come together to seal the filled film bag 308, cut the film bag 308 and seal the bottom of the next film bag.
After a predetermined time, the sealing and cutting mechanism 170 will shut off and an operator interface will indicate such on the control panel 160 or control mechanism that the sealing and cutting mechanism 170 has shut off, e.g., an indicator will light up. The sealed film bag 308 will then fall to the bottom of the receiving area 116 of the vacuum sealer 100.
[00184] In an embodiment where an inflate control 163 is selected, a vacuum/pressure select solenoid valve 192 will cycle and change the output of the pump 186 and compressor 188 from vacuum to inflate and the film bag 308 will be inflated to the predetermined inflate percentage. A light adjacent to the pre-selected inflate percentage may light up as the inflation of the film bag 308 begins. A user may manually stop the inflation process by pushing the power control 161, e.g., stop control 161b or the combination start/stop 161c.

[00185] In an alternative embodiment, as air is blown into the film bag 308, a first indicator light may optionally turn on when the film bag 308 is 50% inflated. If the film bag 308 is to be totally inflated (100% inflation), a second indicator light may optionally turn on when that inflation percent is reached. When the pre-selected inflation percentage is reached, and, if the embodiment has indicator lights, all indicator lights are on up to the pre-selected inflation percentage, the vacuum sealer 100 will go into the seal/cut operation.
[00186] Once the inflation is complete, the sealing and cutting mechanism 170 comes together to seal the filled film bag 308, cut the filled film bag 308 and seal the bottom of the next film bag. More particularly, the first side solenoid 130 and the second side solenoid 131 will move in preparation for sealing and cutting the film bag as set forth above. Preferably simultaneously, the sealing and cutting mechanism 170 will be activated. After a predetermined time, the sealing and cutting mechanism 170 will shut off and an operator interface will indicate on the control panel 160 or control mechanism that the sealing and cutting mechanism 170 has shut off. The sealed film bag 308 will then fall to the bottom of the receiving area 116 of the vacuum sealer 100.
[00187] In each of the embodiments described above, the vacuum sealer 100 also has at least one pressure transmitter 190 in the vacuum/pump mechanism 180 that functions in both vacuum and pressure ranges. The pressure transmitter 190 is preferably a combination high/low pressure sensor or two pressure transmitters 190 including a high pressure shut off sensor and a low pressure shut off sensor. The pressure sensor(s) of the pressure transmitter 190 monitor the amount of pressure in the film bag 308 while vacuuming or inflation is occurring, such as to prevent the film bag 308 from exploding from too much pressure. The pressure shut off sensor or combination high/low pressure sensor operates in conjunction with the vacuum control 164 or the inflate control 163 that was selected by the user. The indicator lights on the control panel 160, if present, may light up in different colors or intensity, for example, in order to indicate positive pressure for increasing levels of vacuuming or inflation and a neutral/start position having no vacuum pressure or no inflation pressure inside the film bag 308.
[00188] Once the filled film bag 308 is sealed and cut, the vacuum sealer 100 is ready to have another film bag filled or ready to be shut off. If another film bag is to be filled, the lid lock 113 and the lid closing latch 115 are released, the lid 112 is opened and the process may be repeated by selecting the desired operation and filling the film bag with the desired contents and then proceeding as detailed above. The vacuum sealer 100 of the invention may have an automatic turn off mechanism which automatically turns the vacuum sealer 100 off after a predetermined time of non-use.

Position Of Sealer [00189] The vacuum sealer 100 is preferably operated in a vertical orientation such as shown for example in FIGURES 1, 2, 7-9, 13-14, 30, 32-33, 35, 36-39, 41-47, 49-51, and 53-58. However, the vacuum sealer 100 may be able to change orientation. By activating or pressing a multiple orientation button, the vacuum sealer 100 may be switched from a vertical position to a horizontal position, such as shown for example in FIGURES 10, 34 and 52, for items which may be more conveniently vacuum sealed in a horizontal position. In the vertical orientation, the vacuum sealing technology of the vacuum sealer eliminates problems associated with vacuum sealing bags containing liquid items, such as preventing spillage and preventing the contents from being pumped into the vacuum/pump mechanism 180 or the suction lines thereof. The vacuum sealer may also be able to be used in an angled position.
[00190] The vacuum sealer 100 is preferably operated in a vertical orientation as described above and thus the vacuum port 182 is positioned above the contents of the film bag 308. This structure allows gravity to minimize the sucking up of juices or other liquid that may be present in the film bag 308 into the vacuum port 182 and thus, the vacuum/pump mechanism 180. This vertical orientation of the vacuum sealer 100 avoids the need for a drip tray as required in horizontal vacuum sealers. However, in some circumstances, it may be desired for the user to position and/or used the vacuum sealer 100 in the horizontal orientation or in an angled orientation.

Closures [00191] FIGURES 61-66 show various embodiments of closures for the film bag 308 of the invention. Other suitable closures may also be used. Specifically, FIGURE 61 shows a thermal seal welding closure of two internal layers of the film bag 308 of a multi-layered film. FIGURE 62 shows a standard zipper tape lamination which allows air to permeate through the zipper and into the film bag 308. FIGURE 63 shows sealing of the film bag through a single male/female closure design. With this closure, the film layers are held in such close proximity to each other that air permeability is negligible. FIGURES 64-66 show a vacuum activated sealing of a film bag 308 showing a predetermined male/female profile closure mechanism. Specifically, a vacuum is used to pull together the profiles of the zipper to form an air-tight seal. More particularly, FIGURE 64 shows the male/female profile closure mechanism in an open position, FIGURE 65 shows the male/female profile closure mechanism in a partially closed position and FIGURE 66 shows the male/female profile closure mechanism in a closed position.
[00192] Various types of other closures may be added to the film bag 308 to provide the seal thereof and/or to provide resealable film bags 308. The film bag 308 may be closed by thermal heating as discussed above. Other types of seals include, but are not limited to, (1) a pinch and seal closure, (2) a pinch and seal closure with adhesive seal technology, (3) an adhesive seal closure, (4) an adhesive seal closure with a tear strip, (5) a slider seal closure, (6) an adhesive embedded in an embossed pattern closure, (7) a pinch and seal closure inside a sealed flap, (8) an adhesive embossed pattern closure covering a top of a film bag, and (9) a pinch and seal closure with a peelable heat seal. The seal of the film bag 308 may also be a vacuum activated closure which uses a vacuum to make extremely tight fitting profiles such as shown for example in FIGURES 64 and 66 detailed above.
[00193] The pinch and seal closure is in-line or along the same axis as the film. The bottom of the film bag 308 is formed at the same time as the pinch and seal closure. The vacuum sealer 100 can form both sides of the film bag adjacent to the pinch and seal closure when film rolls 304 are used.

[00194] The pinch and seal closure with an adhesive seal is in-line or along the same axis as the film. The bottom of the film bag 308 is formed at the same time as the pinch and seal closure. The vacuum sealer 100 can form both sides of the film bag adjacent to the pinch and seal closure when film rolls 304 are used. An adhesive at, near or below the pinch and seal closure is used to improve the seal of the film bag 308.
[00195] The adhesive seal closure and the adhesive seal closure with a tear strip is in-line or along the same axis as the film. The film may also have a non-air permeable tear strip, at, near or above the adhesive seal closure for initially opening a vacuum packed film bag 308. The tear strip could be composed of foam which would keep the integrity of the film bag and not allow leakage, but yet is readily torn apart by the user when desired. The tear strip can be colored for easy user identification. The bottom of the film bag 308 is formed at the same time as the adhesive seal closure. The vacuum sealer 100 can form both sides of the film bag adjacent to the adhesive closure when film rolls 304 are used.
[00196] The slider seal closure is in-line or along the same axis as the film. The bottom of the film bag 308 is formed at the same time as the slider seal closure. The vacuum sealer 100 can form both sides of the film bag adjacent to the slider seal closure when film rolls 304 are used.
[00197] The adhesive embedded in an embossed pattern closure is in-line or along the same axis as the film. The bottom of the film bag 308 is formed at the same time as the adhesive seal closure. The vacuum sealer 100 can form both sides of the film bag adjacent to the adhesive seal closure when film rolls 304 are used.

[00198) The pinch and seal closure inside a sealed flap is formed by placing the closure inside the flap of the film bag which makes the film bag non air-permeable. The flap could have a tear strip to expose the pinch and seal closure upon initial use. The pinch and seal closure inside the flap is in-line or along the same axis as the film. The bottom of the film bag is formed at the same time as the pinch and seal closure. The vacuum sealer 100 can form both sides of the film bag adjacent to the pinch and seal closure when film rolls 304 are used.
[00199] The adhesive embossed pattern closure covering a top of the film bag preferably fully covers one interior half of the film and the closure is in-line or along the same axis as the film. The bottom of the film bag is formed at the same time as the closure. The vacuum sealer 100 can form both sides of the film bag adjacent to the closure when film rolls 304 are used. It may not be necessary to have thermoform side seals if the adhesive forms an airtight seal.
[00200] The pinch and seal closure with a peelable heat seal is a pinch and seal closure which is in-line or along the same axis as the film. The film bag 308 also has a peelable heat seal at, near or below the pinch and seal closure for the purposes of improving the seal. The bottom of the film bag 308 is formed at the same time as the pinch and seal closure. The vacuum sealer 100 can form both sides of the film bag adjacent to the pinch and seal closure when film rolls 304 are used.
[00201) Another type of closure that may be used is a leak-proof foam tear strip. Foam tear strips do not leak fluid like serrated tear strips. Foam tear strips can contain a vacuum for a predetermined time unlike serrated tear strips which cannot contain a vacuum. With foam tear strips, a user is able to open a film bag 308 easily without the aid of tools. Foam tear strips are also beneficial especially when used with nylon film bags which are nearly impossible to tear without using scissors, a knife or some other sharp instrument. Also, foam tear strips rip substantially straight every time.
[00202] Foam tear strip closures can be produced using a multiple section die which would allow a different material to be placed in the strip. The strip can be made of any number of resins, including a foaming agent added to the blend. One such foaming agent used for polyethylene is SAFOAM FPE-20, manufactured by Reedy International, Key Port, New Jersey. The foaming agent needs to be added only at about 1-2% to be effective.

Film [00203] The film 300 used in the vacuum sealer 100 of the invention may be any suitable film. The film 300 may be a single layer or may have two or more layers, such as shown in FIGURES 67-70, and are described in more detail hereafter. The film preferably has at least one layer of gas permeable film which forms the film wherein the air permeability thereof is reduced to an acceptable level.
[00204] It is known that air permeates through low gauge polyethylene film. It has been determined, however, that when an air permeable film in the form of a film bag is sealed properly, it will take the air weeks to months to equalize the pressure between the inside and the outside of the film bag. This is accomplished by adding a second layer and optionally putting a second vacuum (the first vacuum being on the interior storage section of the film bag) between the two layers. The process of equalizing pressure must then occur first in the space between the two layers and the outside of the film bag prior to affecting the inside of the film bag. This slows down the rate of permeation such that the film bag performs as well as a film bag made of higher cost gas impermeable film.
[00205] The film may also optionally be produced with ribs or segments that connect both layers of the film and keep the layers in close proximity to each other. This connection serves to prevent a loss of the vacuum between the two layers from being noticeable. However, there should be little or no permeation through the film bag due to the vacuum in the space between the two layers and the connecting ribs or segments which prevent compression or expansion of the space.
[00206] The vacuum between the two layers can be provided during production of the film 300 prior to loading into the film cartridge 200 which will be inserted into the vacuum sealer 100 or at any other suitable time. Producing vacuums between two or more layers of film may be achieved by using the heat of an extruded polymer to expand the gases between the layers and then sealing the gap prior to allowing the plastic of the film to cool. Also, production of a vacuum between the two layers may be achieved by any other method.
The film preferably has controlled oxygen permeability, such as a film structure with sufficient oxygen permeability to maintain headspace oxygen levels inside the package above 2%
during food storage. It may also be preferable to allow this amount of permeation for better food storage.
[00207] The film used in the vacuum sealer 100 of the invention may optionally be pre-embossed film or the film may be embossed as it advances through the vacuum sealer 100. The film may be embossed by enabling a vacuum to be pulled on a film bag or film, thereby creating paths for the air to be pulled through. When the film is embossed by the vacuum sealer 100, rollers may be provided to emboss the film as it comes from the film cartridge 200.

[00208] Any suitable film 300 may be used in the vacuum sealer 100 of the invention. Preferred embodiments of film are shown for example in FIGURES 67-73. More particularly, FIGURE 67 shows a two-layer film. The two layer film is preferably a nylon polyethylene combination film.

[00209] FIGURE 68 shows a four layer film, which is preferably a nylon polyethylene combination film having alternating nylon and polyethylene layers. The outermost nylon layer of the film is preferably the outside of the film bag 308 and the outermost polyethylene layer of the film is preferably the inside of the film bag 308. However, the arrangement of layers may be reversed or in any other suitable arrangement. The film layers are preferably joined together by a suitable adhesive. The film preferably has a thickness as conventional in the art, most preferably, e.g.
about 30 mils. Each nylon layer most preferably ranges in thickness from about 4 mils to about 5 mils. Each polyethylene layer most preferably ranges in thickness from about 10 mils to about 11 mils.
[00210] FIGURE 69 shows a three layer film, which is preferably a polyethylene and ethylene vinyl alcohol combination film, having two polyethylene layers with an ethylene vinyl alcohol layer between the polyethylene layers. The film layers are preferably joined together by a suitable adhesive. The film most preferably has a thickness of about 23 mils. Each polyethylene layer most preferably ranges in thickness from about 8 mils to about 13 mils. The ethylene vinyl alcohol layer most preferably has a thickness of about 2 mils. At 75% of the thickness of the nylon polyethylene combination film, the polyethylene and ethylene vinyl alcohol combination film provides twice the air barrier than the nylon polyethylene combination film.

[00211] FIGURE 70 shows another embodiment of a multi-layer film construction having embossing to form vacuum channels therein.
[00212] FIGURE 71 shows a film bag having oscillating rib vacuum flow channels 350 therein. FIGURES 72-73 show a method of forming the oscillating rib vacuum flow channels 350 in the film of FIGURE 71. Particularly, oscillating bellybands 352 of a die 354 are blown from side to side by air pulses or are moved back and forth along the axis of the film 300 by air blasts, thereby forming the rib vacuum flow channels 350 in the film 300. Crisscrossing bands when the film 300 is folded allows distribution of a vacuum across the inside of the film bag.
[00213] Another type of film that may be used to form the film bags 308 is foam film. Foam film bags provide (1) a thermo-clarity seal, (2) a contact clarity vacuum, (3) visually appear to be a thicker gauge, (4) have enhanced rightability, (5) have an aluminum foil look, (6) potentially affect air permeability, and (7) have the ability to open manually. Potentially, foam film bags are more flexible than other types of film bags. The pliability of the film may have an impact on the efficiency of the vacuum sealer 100.
[00214] A film having nylon make the film bags 308 made therefrom very stiff. In order for the end product to have a perfectly conformed film vacuum look, the vacuum pumps for these film bags have to be much more powerful. If a very soft and pliable film is used, the vacuum pump can be much less powerful and still be effective. If a small pump can be used to get the same effect, there is less of a chance for sucking up liquid contents from the film bag. Smaller, less powerful pumps also tend to cost less. After the film bag is formed, the stiffness of the film works in conjunction with the air permeability of the film to cause the film bag to lose the vacuum therein. Less stiffness in the film equates to a longer period where the film remains conformed to the contents of the film bag.
[00215] Other types of film may also be used in the present invention. In choosing a film to use with the vacuum sealer 100 of the invention, the ability of the film 300 to maintain contact with the contents of the film bag 308 is preferably greater than or equal to (1) the compression resistance of the contents, plus (2) the stiffness of the film, i.e., the force required to overcome the memory of the film, plus (3) the air permeability of the film, plus (4) the thickness of the film, plus (5) the delta pressure between the atmosphere and the inside of the film bag 308.

[00216] However, any suitable means may be utilized to produce vacuums between the two or more layers of film. It may also be preferable to allow this amount of permeation for better food storage results.

Film Bag Labeling [00217] Optionally, the vacuum sealer 100 may have the capability to manipulate, label or print on a surface of a film bag 308 in order to provide a date of the contents therein, to identify the contents therein and/or to inventory the contents therein. In order for a vacuum sealer 100 to manipulate the surface of a film bag 308, the vacuum sealer could thermo-form, indenture or emboss a pattern into the film bag in order to date, identify and/or inventory the contents therein. In a preferred embodiment, manipulating the surface of a film bag may be achieved by a heat-sealing barcode over a foamed strip in-line or along the same axis as the film. Contacting a bar type heating element against a foam opaque strip would cause the foam to be clear at the point of contact. This heat manipulated portion of the foam strip would be placed into a slot on the vacuum sealer 100 so that the pertinent information would be on a display on the vacuum sealer and then on the film bag.
The clear bars of the foam strip can be placed over a black surface so that the bars would appear much like a barcode seen on present-day store packages. In another preferred embodiment, printing content information directly on the surface of the film bag 308 may be achieved by corona treatment of the film prior to loading the film into the film cartridge 200.
[00218] The display on the vacuum sealer 100 could also have an interface that allows the user to select a vacuum setting that matches the contents of the film bag. Not only would the vacuum sealer 100 adjust the vacuum pressure appropriately based on the selection made on the interface, but could enter the contents into a database for inventory control. Additionally, reminders could be displayed on the vacuum sealer to help the user use their inventory items, e.g., food, more wisely.

Replacement For Film Cartridge And Film [00219] In an alternative embodiment, the vacuum sealer 100 can be designed such that the film cartridge 200 can be replaced with a film housing container 220, such as shown for example in FIGURES 36-37 and as described above. The film housing container 220 may be filled with items, such as food, and then a container lid 224 is then inserted on the top of the film housing container 220. As the vacuum pump 186 creates a vacuum, the container lid 224 can be drawn down tighter onto the film housing container 220 and locked in place, such as in an indentation on the film housing container 220. Once the vacuum pump is shut off, the container lid 224 will preferably remain locked in place.
Miscellaneous [00220] The vacuum sealer 100 may optionally release freshness enhancing volatile compounds into the head space of the film bag 308 after filling thereof, but prior to or during sealing thereof. The compounds may be dispensed from a canister that is optionally attached to or a part of the vacuum sealer 100. These compounds may include, but are not limited to, ethanol, carbon dioxide, ethylene blocking compounds with anti-microbial properties, and/or any other suitable compounds.
[00221] The vacuum sealer 100 may also have additional optional functional accessories or modular components such as, but not limited to, an integrated scale, a perforating roller, a vibration mode and a pleating unit. An integrated scale would weigh the contents of the film bag 308 or film housing container 220 during or after filling thereof. A
perforating roller, which may be removable, could perforate the film bag 308 to allow transpiration of stored fruits and vegetables, if desired. A vibration mode would cause the vacuum sealer 100 to vibrate while filling so that the contents may settle in the film bag 308 or film housing container 220 in order to accommodate more contents into the film bag or film housing container. A pleating unit, which may be removable, could enable a user to pleat the film as the film is dispensed or retracted so that a pleated or non-pleated film bag is produced.
[00222] The vacuum sealer may also optionally include a sensor to prevent bursting or tearing of the film bag during inflating and vacuuming.
[00223] The vacuum sealer and the film cartridge may be made of any suitable material, e.g. plastics, metals, and any combination thereof.
[00224] The exemplary embodiments herein disclosed are not intended to be exhaustive or to unnecessarily limit the scope of the invention. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the present invention so that others skilled in the art may practice the invention. As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, various modifications can be made within the scope of the aforesaid description. Such modifications being within the ability of one skilled in the art form a part of the present invention.

Claims (20)

1. A vacuum sealer for packaging and storing items in a film bag comprising:
a body having a bottom portion and a top portion with an opening in the top portion;
a film cartridge having an opening in a top face thereof and a film holder for holding film therein to form a film bag, wherein the film cartridge is operatively positioned within the opening in the top portion of the body;
a drive mechanism comprising at least two drive rollers and a motorized drive, wherein the drive mechanism is adapted to feed the film from the film cartridge and to advance the film through the body to feed and form the film bag;
a sealing and cutting mechanism comprising at least one sealing and cutting member having a first sealing element, a cutting element and a second sealing element, wherein the cutting element is operatively positioned substantially adjacent to and between the first sealing element and the second sealing element, wherein the sealing and cutting member is constructed and arranged to seal a bottom of a first film bag, and after filling of the first film bag with predetermined contents, the first sealing element is constructed and arranged to seal a top of the first film bag providing a top seal therein, the second sealing element is constructed and arranged to seal a bottom of a subsequent film bag providing a bottom seal therein, and the cutting element is constructed and arranged to cut the film between the top seal on the first film bag and the bottom seal on the subsequent film bag;

a vacuum/pump mechanism comprising a motor, a pump, a compressor and a vacuum port for inflating the film bag with gas or vacuuming the film bag to remove gas therefrom; and a control mechanism for controlling functioning of the vacuum sealer.

2. The vacuum sealer of claim 1, wherein the film holder in the film cartridge is adapted to hold tubular film and/or film rolls.

3. The vacuum sealer of claim 1, wherein the film is present between the drive rollers which are adapted to guide and to advance the film from the film holder through the body in formation of the film bag.

4. The vacuum sealer of claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism further comprises a drive base and two vertical side members in the motorized drive, said drive base being operatively connected to a power source to drive the vertical side members of the motorized drive, wherein a top of at least one of the vertical side members is operatively connected to drive the drive rollers.

5. The vacuum sealer of claim 1, wherein the drive rollers are substantially parallel.

6. The vacuum sealer of claim 1, wherein the first sealing element, the cutting element and the second sealing element are substantially parallel, in a common plane and perpendicular to a direction of advance of the film bag.

7. The vacuum sealer of claim 1, wherein the at least one sealing and cutting member includes a first sealing and cutting member and a second sealing and cutting member, wherein the first sealing and cutting member and the second sealing and cutting member have a substantially crescent shape.

8. The vacuum sealer of claim 1, wherein the sealing and cutting mechanism operates by thermal heating or radio frequency bonding.

9. The vacuum sealer of claim 1, wherein the vacuum/pump mechanism further comprises a pressure transmitter and a vacuum/pressure solenoid valve.

10. The vacuum sealer of claim 1, wherein the pump and the compressor work in conjunction to provide gas into the film bag during inflation of the film bag or to remove gas from the film bag during vacuuming of the film bag.

11. The vacuum sealer of claim 1, wherein the vacuum port is constructed and arranged to extend into or near an opening of the film bag so that pressure provided by the pump can inflate or vacuum the film bag, wherein the vacuum port is operatively positioned in an underside of a lid which is adapted to cover the opening in the top face of the film cartridge or near at least one end of the sealing and cutting mechanism.

12. A film cartridge for a vacuum sealer for forming a film bag for packaging and storing items therein comprising:
a top component having a top face and an opening in the top face;
at least one film holder for holding film therein to form the film bag, wherein the at least one film holder is operatively positioned below the top face of the top component and adjacent the opening in the top face;
a drive mechanism comprising at least two drive rollers and a motorized drive having two vertical side members and a base drive connecting the side members at a bottom end thereof, wherein the drive mechanism is adapted to feed film from the at least one film holder and to advance the film in formation of the film bag; and optionally, a sealing and cutting mechanism constructed and arranged to seal a bottom of a first film bag, and after filling of the first film bag with predetermined contents, to seal a top of the first film bag providing a top seal therein, to seal a bottom of a subsequent film bag providing a bottom seal therein, and to cut the film between the top seal on the first film bag and the bottom seal on the subsequent film bag.

13. The film cartridge of claim 12, wherein the at least one film holder is adapted to hold tubular film and/or film rolls.

14. The film cartridge of claim 12, wherein each of the at least two drive rollers is operatively positioned along each side of the opening in the top face of the top component and below the top face of the top component.

15. The film cartridge of claim 12, wherein the at least two drive rollers are operatively positioned on each end of the top component adjacent to the opening in the top face of the top component.

16. The film cartridge of claim 12, wherein the drive base of the motorized drive is operatively connected to a power source to drive the vertical side members of the motorized drive, wherein a top of each of the vertical side members is operatively connected to drive the at least two drive rollers.

17. The film cartridge of claim 12, wherein the drive rollers are substantially parallel and in a common plane.

18. The film cartridge of claim 12, wherein the sealing and cutting mechanism comprises at least one sealing and cutting member having a first sealing element, a cutting element and a second sealing element, wherein the cutting element is operatively positioned substantially adjacent to and between the first sealing element and the second sealing element on the sealing and cutting member, wherein the sealing and cutting member is adapted to seal a bottom of a first film bag, and after filling the first film bag with predetermined contents, the first sealing element is adapted to seal the top of the first film bag providing the top seal therein, the second sealing element is adapted to seal the bottom of the subsequent film bag providing the bottom seal therein, and the cutting element is adapted to cut the film between the top seal on the first film bag and the bottom seal on the subsequent film bag.

19. The film cartridge of claim 12, wherein the first sealing element, the cutting element and the second sealing element are substantially parallel, in a common plane and perpendicular to a direction of advance of the film bag.

20. The film cartridge of claim 12, wherein the sealing and cutting mechanism operates through thermal heating or radio frequency bonding.