KR20050014746A - Fragile-product cage for vacuum packaging appliances - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A fragile-product cage for vacuum packaging appliances is provided to protect fragile products when such products are vacuum packaged. CONSTITUTION: A protective cage(150) is used in order to protect the structural integrity of fragile products(156) during the process of vacuum packaging. The protective cage is constructed using a membrane(152) supported by a suitable frame(158). The protective cage includes a suitable mechanism to allow gas to exit the protective cage during the process of vacuum packaging. The protective cage is adapted to have a variable size, and thus is adjusted to a desired size. To protect fragile products, the frame and the membrane are such that they, in combination, provide sufficient resistance to compressive forces that occur during the vacuum packaging process.

Description

FRAGILE-PRODUCT CAGE FOR VACUUM PACKAGING APPLIANCES}

The present invention relates generally to vacuum packaging apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a cage for protecting soft products when they are packaged using a vacuum packaging device.

Vacuum packaging is a process for removing oxygen and other gases from food and other products that are spoiled in the presence gas. For example, food spoilage is caused by oxidation, and important documents are degraded when exposed to air. Thus, vacuum packaging can extend the life of a degraded product in an existing gas by removing almost all gases in a sealed container in which the product is stored. However, some products that are inherently fragile can be destroyed if the container in which they are stored is weak during vacuum packaging. For example, if berries are stored in a fragile container, the compression forces generated by the differential pressure between the inside and outside of the bag will destroy the fruit when the gas is withdrawn from the fragile bag. I will throw it away.

Based on the above, it is necessary to protect these soft products when they are vacuum packed.

1 is a perspective view showing a vacuum packaging apparatus 100;

2 is a side view of a cage for protecting a soft product in accordance with certain embodiments;

3 is a plan view showing various frame configurations in accordance with certain embodiments;

4 is a side view of the soft product cage in an open position;

5 is a perspective view showing a vacuum packaging apparatus for sealing a storage bag including a cage;

6 is a schematic diagram illustrating various shapes of a cage according to certain embodiments;

7 is a block diagram showing the proper shape of the cage;

8 is a block diagram showing a cylindrical cage having a telescope configuration;

9 is a block diagram showing an igloo shaped cage having a telescope configuration;

10 is a block diagram showing an ellipsoidal cage having a telescope configuration.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

100 ... vacuum packaging 102 ... base

104 ... vacuum channel 106 ... sealing strip

108 .... control panel 150 .... cage

152 .... jacket 154 .... hinge mechanism

155a .... part 1 155b ... part 2

156 .... soft product 158 .... frame

170,180,190 .... Frame Composition

172,174,182,184,186,192a, 192b, 194 ... structural member

330,335,340 .... Various shapes

410 .. pillow-type cage 420 ... cylindrical cage

422 ... opening 500 cage

520 .... open space position 530 .... folded space position

600 .... Igloo-shaped telephoto cage

620 .... open space position 630 .... folded space position

700 .. Telescopic cage of ellipsoid 720 .... open position

730 .... folding space position

Cages for protecting soft products for use in vacuum packaging devices, and soft storage containers such as storage bags are described. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific structures are provided to aid in a thorough understanding of the present invention.

However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced with the exception of these specific details. As another example, well-known structures and devices are shown in the form of block diagrams to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention.

Vacuum packaging device

1 is a perspective view showing a vacuum packaging apparatus 100 shown in an open position. In FIG. 1, the vacuum packaging apparatus 100 includes a base 102 and a cover 150. The base 102 includes a vacuum channel 104 and a sealing strip 106.

According to some embodiments, the base 102 encloses a vacuum pump (not shown) and includes a control panel 108 at the upper front side of the base. The control panel includes an accessory port for removing gases from the storage canister, a momentary seal button for manually sealing the storage bag, a vacuum button for removing gas from the storage bag or canister, and the like. In addition, the control panel may be an indicator that signals the start or end of various processes, for example, a sealing process, a vacuum process, and / or a mechanical re-programming process, etc. indicator lights).

Some examples of vacuum packaging units are the Tilia FoodSaver vacuum packaging system series. Some examples of storage bags used in connection with vacuum packaging devices are Tilia FoodSaver bags. Tilia FoodSaver bags are also suitable for storing non-food products.

Protective soft product cage

2 shows a side view of a cage 150 for protecting soft products according to any embodiment of the present invention. Cage 150 has an outer shell 152 and a frame 158. The sheath may be a porous sheath or a porous membrane, which is sufficiently permeable to allow all gases in the cage space to escape to the outside during the vacuum packaging process. For example, the porous sheath may be a wire mesh, mesh structure or other suitable materials. In addition, the porous shell combined with the frame of the cage allows the cage to have sufficient strength and rigidity to protect the fragile products stored in the cage during the vacuum packaging process.

According to some embodiments, a nonporous envelope can be used in combination with the frame to form a cage. These cages include a suitable mechanism during the vacuum packaging process so that gas can be discharged from the cage to the outside. Such a mechanism may be, for example, a one-way valve. The one-way valve will allow gas to exit the cage during the vacuum packaging process and when the cage is in the closed position. The mechanism by which gas is discharged from the cage can vary depending on the implementation.

Cage 150 may be made of metals or synthetic materials, or in combination thereof, or of materials suitable for protecting fragile products contained therein. In some embodiments, the cage 150 is made of a material that is not reactive to food products, and is made of a material that is harmless to the human body and is washable if ingested accidentally. Cage 150 includes a first portion 155a and a second portion 155b. The first portion 155a is hinged to the second portion 155b by a hinge mechanism 154. The hinge mechanism 154 allows the cage to be opened to insert the soft product into the space of the cage 150. According to any other embodiment, the first portion 155a may be secured to the second portion 155b by an appropriate tightening, clamping or latching mechanism. According to yet another embodiment, the first portion 155a may be configured to act as a lid that comfortably engages on the second portion 155b.

The fragile product 156 is contained within the space of the cage 150 and protected during the vacuum packaging process. It should be appreciated that the cage 150 can be any shape suitable for storing fragile products. The ellipsoid shown in FIG. 2 is only one example of a cage of suitable shape for protecting a soft product. 3 shows various frame configurations and shapes, which may be suitable for a cage in accordance with any embodiment of the present invention. The frame configuration of any cage is such that the frame combined with the shell around the frame provides sufficient resistance during the vacuum packaging process to protect the fragile product.

3 illustrates a top view of various frame configurations for a soft product cage in accordance with certain embodiments. Frame configuration 170 includes two structural members 172 and 174, which are suitably disposed as shown. The frame configuration 180 includes three structural members 182, 184 and 186, which are suitably arranged as shown. Frame configuration 190 includes three structural members 192a, 192b, and 194, which are suitably disposed as shown. Each of the structural members as shown in FIG. 3 may be non-contiguous at a connection across the structural member from the first portion to the second portion of the cage. 6 illustrates various shapes 330, 335, and 340 of a cage in accordance with certain embodiments. Similarly, FIG. 7 shows a suitable shape of the cage, such as a cylindrical cage 420 and a pillow cage 410. The cylindrical cage 420 includes an opening 422 with a lid. The soft product may be placed or removed in the cylindrical cage 420 through the lidded opening 422. The pillow-type cage 410 includes a first portion 404 and a second portion 406. The first portion 404 and the second portion 406 are hinged to one another along one side, ie, corner 408. Cages 410 and 420 include an appropriate mechanism to allow gas to escape from the cage. Suitable mechanisms include a porous shell and suitable valves to allow gas to escape from the cage. Cage shapes and frames may vary depending on the implementation, and are not limited to the cage shapes and frame configurations described in connection with FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 6-10.

The cage frame may have various sizes of cages. In other words, the size of the cage can be adjusted to the desired size using an appropriate mechanism. Examples of such mechanisms are shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10. 8 shows a cylindrical cage having a telescope configuration. In FIG. 8, cage 500 is shown in open space position 520 and folded space position 530. In FIG. 8, parts 502, 504, 506 are slidably interconnected by a slide rail 510. Cage 500 has three parts. However, the number of parts can vary. Parts 502-506 are sized appropriately to allow the cage 500 to seat when it is retracted from its fully deployed position. Thus, the size of the cage 500 can be configured to any desired size, ranging from a fully deployed configuration to a fully contracted configuration. In a fully retracted configuration, parts 502, 504 and 506 are fully seated. From the constricted configuration, the cage 500 can extend any length up to the fully deployed configuration.

As with FIG. 8, FIGS. 9 and 10 also show cages with telephoto structures. 9 shows a telephoto cage 600 of igloo shape. Cage 600 is shown in open space position 620 and collapsed space position 630. The parts 602, 604, 606, 608 are slidably connected to each other by the slide rail 610. 10 shows the telephoto cage 700 of an ellipsoid. Cage 700 is shown in open position 720 and collapsed space position 730. Parts 701-706 are slidably connected by slide rails 710.

When the fragile products are vacuum packed in flexible storage bags, the structural integrity of the fragile product can be compromised by the vacuum forming process. For example, if the soft berries of a strawberry are vacuum packed in a flexible container such as flexible plastic storage bags, the side of the flexible plastic storage bag when all air escapes from the flexible plastic storage bag. When pressed against the berries of the berries, the berries of the berries will break. In order to prevent the berries of the berries from being broken, the berries of the berries may be placed in the cage 150. The cage 150 is then placed in a flexible plastic storage bag and then vacuum packed. Since air exits the flexible plastic storage bag and cage 150, the sides of the flexible plastic storage bag can press against the cage. However, the cage is made in such a way that it provides sufficient resistance to the compressive forces generated during the vacuum packaging process. Therefore, the cage can sufficiently protect the weak product during the vacuum packaging process. The cage protecting the soft product will be referred to herein as the soft product cage.

4 is a side view of the soft product cage 250 in the open position, for inserting the soft product 256 into the space 262 of the soft product cage 250. The soft product cage 250 consists of a porous shell 252 with a frame and can provide sufficient resistance to the compressive forces that occur during the vacuum packaging process in a flexible container such as a flexible storage bag. The soft product cage 250 includes a first portion 260a and a second portion 260b. The first portion 260a is hinged to the second portion 260b by a hinge mechanism. The first portion of the soft product cage may or may not be the same volume as the second portion of the soft product cage. As described herein, the first and second portions of the soft product cage can be connected to each other by various mechanisms and can vary depending on the implementation. In some embodiments, the first portion of the soft product cage can be made to act as a lid that is stably mounted on the second portion of the soft product cage. 5 shows a perspective view of a vacuum packaging device 200 for sealing a storage bag 210 including a cage 215. Cage 215 contains soft product 216.

In the foregoing detailed description, embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to various specific details, which may vary depending on the implementation thereof. Accordingly, the only and exclusive indicator of the present invention, and of what is intended by the applicant as the present invention, is a set of claims presented from the present application, and any particular modifications that such claims present include any subsequent modifications. will be. Any special definitions described herein for the terms contained in such claims include the meaning of those terms used in the claims.

Therefore, no limitation, element, characteristic, feature, effect or attribute not explicitly defined within a claim shall in any way limit the scope of the claim. Accordingly, the specification and the accompanying drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

The present invention can fully protect the soft product during the vacuum packaging process.

Claims (44)

A cage that protects a soft product when the vacuum is packaged in a flexible storage container using a vacuum packaging device. The cage of claim 1, wherein the cage can be made of a variable size. 3. The cage of claim 2 comprising seatable components, wherein said variable size is achieved by slidably interconnecting said seatable components using a slide rail. The cage of claim 1 wherein said soft product comprises a membrane adapted to prevent collapse of said flexible product when vacuum packaged in said flexible storage container. 5. The cage of claim 4 wherein said membrane is a mesh structure. 5. The cage of claim 4 wherein said membrane is a gas permeable membrane. The cage of claim 1 further comprising a mechanism to allow gas to escape from the cage when the fragile products are vacuum packed. 8. The cage of claim 7, wherein the mechanism is a one-way valve that allows gas to escape from the cage when the fragile products are vacuum packed. 5. The cage of claim 4 wherein said flexible storage container is a flexible storage bag. The cage of claim 1 wherein the cage is shaped to store the fragile product. The vacuum packaging device is used to protect the fragile products when they are vacuum packed in the flexible storage container, membrane; And A cage comprising a frame supporting the membrane. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the frame in combination with the membrane is adapted to enclose a volume of space therein; And And the soft product is inserted into the space volume to protect it. The method of claim 12, further comprising a first portion and a second portion, The first portion corresponds to a first small portion of the volume of space; The second portion corresponds to the remaining small portion of the space volume; And And the first and second portions are interconnected by a linkage mechanism. 15. The cage of claim 13 wherein the connector mechanism is a hinge. The cage of claim 13 wherein said connector mechanism is a clamp. The cage of claim 13 wherein said connector mechanism is a clasp. The cage of claim 13 wherein said first portion is a lid covering said second portion. 12. The cage of claim 11 further comprising a variable size. 19. The cage of claim 18 comprising seatable parts, wherein the variable size is achieved by slidably interconnecting the seatable parts using a slide rail. 12. The cage of claim 11 wherein the membrane in combination with the frame is adapted to prevent collapse of the flexible product when the fragile product is vacuum packed in a flexible storage container. 12. The cage of claim 11 wherein the membrane is a mesh structure. 12. The cage of claim 11 wherein the membrane is a gas permeable membrane. 12. The cage of claim 11 further comprising a mechanism to allow gas to escape from the cage when the fragile products are vacuum packed. 24. The cage of claim 23 wherein the mechanism is a one-way valve that allows gas to escape from the cage when the fragile products are vacuum packed. 12. The cage of claim 11 wherein the flexible storage container is a flexible storage bag. 12. The cage of claim 11 wherein the cage is shaped to store the fragile product. 12. The cage of claim 11 wherein the frame comprises two or more structural members. The vacuum packaging device is used to protect the fragile products when they are vacuum packed in the flexible storage container, Using a cage adapted to receive the fragile product; Placing the cage in the flexible storage container after filling the cage with fragile products and prior to vacuum packaging the storage container; And The cage is: membrane; And And a frame supporting the membrane. 29. The method of claim 28, further comprising: the frame in combination with the membrane encompasses a volume of space therein; And Wherein said fragile product is inserted and protected within said space volume. 30. The method of claim 29, further comprising connecting the first portion of the cage to the second portion; The first portion corresponds to a first small portion of the volume space; The second portion corresponds to the remaining small portion of the space volume; And Connecting said first portion and said second portion is accomplished by a linkage mechanism. 31. The method of claim 30, wherein the connector mechanism is a hinge. 31. The method of claim 30, wherein the connector mechanism is a clamp. 31. The method of claim 30, wherein the connector mechanism is a clamp. 31. The method of claim 30, wherein said first portion is a lid mounted to said second portion. 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the cage is of varying size. 36. The method of claim 35, wherein the cage comprises seatable parts, wherein the variable size is achieved by slidably interconnecting the seatable parts using a slide rail. 29. The method of claim 28, further comprising allowing the membrane to be combined with a frame to prevent collapse of the flexible product when the fragile product is vacuum packed in a flexible storage container. 29. The method of claim 28, further comprising using a membrane of a mesh structure as said membrane. 29. The method of claim 28, further comprising using a gas permeable membrane as said membrane. 29. The method of claim 28, further comprising using a mechanism to allow gas to escape from the cage when the soft products are vacuum packed. 41. The method of claim 40, wherein the mechanism is a one-way valve that allows gas to escape from the cage when the fragile products are vacuum packed. 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the flexible storage container is a flexible storage bag. 29. The method of claim 28, further comprising using a shape for the cage, wherein the shape is adapted to store a soft product. 29. The method of claim 28, further comprising using two or more structural members for the frame.