KR20060011846A - Vacuum sealing system with a sealing element inside an evacuation chamber - Google Patents

Abstract

A vacuum packaging appliance for sealing items in a plastic gab is disclosed. The appliance comprises a lid 170 adapted to define a vacuum chamber when it is moved to a closed position relative to a trough in the base of the device. The trough in the lower portion (38) of the device contains a heat-sealing element used to seal the contents of the bag once the vacuum packaging is complete.

Description

VACUUM SEALING SYSTEM WITH A SEALING ELEMENT INSIDE AN EVACUATION CHAMBER}

A vacuum hermetic system is used to evacuate the vessel containing air and fluid. Vacuum sealing is contaminants such as oxygen or other gases, fluids or air-borne or fluid-borne particles from the vicinity of the article which may be adversely affected by the compression or contamination of the article for handling and storage. It has the same benefits as elimination.

Vacuum seals are described in US Pat. No. 4,941,310, invented by Hanns J. Kristen on July 19, 1990.

This device is for a vacuum sealing bag of the type disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,756,422 to Hanns J. Kristen, July 12, 1998.

The container material for making the vacuum sealed bag may be in the form of a continuously bonded plastic roll as described in the '422 patent.

The device includes a hood adapted to form a vacuum chamber when moved to the closed (closed) position on the support surface.

Outside the vacuum chamber there is a sealing element for sealing the bag. Optional sealing elements are described in US Pat. No. 6,058,998 to Hanns J. Kristen, dated May 9, 2000.

1 shows a conventional vacuum sealing bag 10-1 before vacuuming (exhaust) and a vacuum sealing bag 10-2 after vacuuming (exhaust).

The article 12 and the contaminant 14 are in the bag 10-1. Contaminants 14 may include moisture, atmospheric gases under constant pressure, and other liquid, gas, or solid contaminants.

The contaminants may diffuse through the bag 10-1 and may also be present on the article 12. The bag 10-1 is exhausted (vacuumized) through the opening 16. After evacuation, the article 12 remains inside the bag 10-2 but most of the contaminant 14 is discharged. Nevertheless, some contaminants 18 may remain around the enclosed area 20. In addition, part 22 of the back material may be discarded.

It would therefore be advantageous to provide a device capable of reducing contaminants in the vicinity of the sealed area of the vacuum bag and reducing the amount of bag material discarded.

1 is a schematic perspective view of a conventional vacuum airtight container showing a state before and after vacuuming

2 is a conceptual diagram of a vacuum sealing system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a flow chart showing an example of a vacuum sealing method using the system of FIG.

Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view showing a vacuum sealed container before and after vacuuming using the method of Figure 3

5 is a flow chart showing a vacuum sealing method according to an embodiment of the present invention

6 is a schematic perspective view of a vacuum sealing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

7 is a flow chart of a vacuum sealing method using the apparatus of FIG.

8 is a cross-sectional view of a trough with an integrated closure element in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a schematic diagram of a vacuum chamber cover having an integrated power coupling according to an embodiment of the present invention.

10 is a cross-sectional view of a vacuum chamber cover having an integrated sealing element and a trough according to an embodiment of the present invention.

11 is a cross-sectional view of a trough and vacuum chamber cover having an integrated closure element in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

12 is a schematic diagram showing a conventional system for sealing a vacuum bag with or without vacuuming the bag;

13 is a schematic representation of a system according to the present invention for encapsulating a vacuum bag with or without vacuuming it.

The following description is only intended to illustrate the invention, and unless stated otherwise, these descriptions should not be limited to any particular structure or example. The accompanying drawings are also illustrative, and these drawings illustrate one of several modifications.

The concept of one embodiment of the present invention is provided with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5, and another embodiment is provided with reference to the remaining drawings.

Figure 2 is a conceptual diagram of a vacuum sealing system according to an embodiment of the present invention, the system shown is one of several modifications.

The system includes a vacuum closure mechanism 30 and a vacuum-tight container 32. Inside the vacuum seal mechanism 30 is a vacuum chamber (not shown) that includes a hermetic inlet 46 adapted to receive at least a portion 34 of the vacuum sealable container 32.

The vacuum chamber is configured to be evacuated by a vacuum source (not shown) in fluid communication with the vacuum chamber during the evacuation process.

The evacuation process involves substantially evacuating the vacuum chamber. The system includes a power tube (not shown) configured to provide power from a power source to drive the vacuum source during the evacuation process.

The vacuum sealing mechanism 30 includes an upper housing member 36, a lower housing member 38, an upper hermetic member 40, a lower hermetic member 42 and a sealing element. (44).

The upper hermetic member 40 is connected to the upper housing member 36, and the lower hermetic member 42 is connected to the lower housing member 38.

When the upper housing member 36 comes into contact with the lower housing member 38, the upper hermetic member 40 and the lower hermetic member 42 form a barrier so that the air is sealed. To prevent it from entering the vacuum chamber.

Pressing the upper housing member 36 and the lower housing member 38 together helps to form a better barrier.

An inner wall of the housing including the upper housing member 36 and the lower housing member 38 forms a vacuum chamber therein.

The sealing element 44, which may be a heat seal element, is located in the vacuum chamber. The sealing element 44 is the vacuum sealable container portion 34 when the portion 34 of the vacuum-sealing container is close to the sealing element 44 for at least the time that the vacuum chamber is substantially evacuated during the vacuuming process. Is arranged to secure the first portion of the to the second portion of the vacuum-sealing container.

Conceptually, the closure of the vacuum hermetic container is the side of the container, which are glued together to form a closure.

The system includes a power tube arranged to provide power from a power source (not shown) to drive the sealing element 44 for at least the time that the vacuum chamber is substantially evacuated.

The sealing element 44 may complete sealing during that time. The sealing element 44 may be activated in response to a vacuum detection mechanism that determines whether the vacuum chamber has been at least partially evacuated. Since the vacuum detection mechanism is well known in the vacuum packaging field, a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

The upper housing member 36 may function as a cover for the vacuum sealing mechanism 30.

The upper housing member 36 may be fixed to the lower housing 34 or may be detachable.

When the upper housing member 36 is fixed to the lower housing 34 may be fixed by a hinge. If the upper housing member 36 is openable, the vacuum-sealing container may be easier to place than when the upper housing member 36 is closed when the upper housing member 36 is opened.

When the upper housing member 36 is closed, the upper hermetic member 40 comes into contact with the lower hermetic member 42, and thus the hermetic inlet 46 through which the vacuum-sealing container 32 extends. It forms a barrier through which air can be prevented from entering the vacuum chamber.

3 is a flowchart of a method of vacuum sealing using a vacuum sealing system such as the system shown in FIG.

The illustrated method is just one of several variations.

According to the flowchart, the first step of the method is to place a vacuum sealed container containing contaminants in a position where the open end of the vacuum sealed container is in fluid communication with the vacuum chamber (block 50).

Thereafter, at any stage, block 52, pressure is applied to the upper housing of the vacuum chamber to secure the upper and lower hermetic members together, so that the vacuum chamber is tightly sealed before evacuating the vacuum chamber.

In block 54, the vacuum chamber is then evacuated such that at least some of the contaminants are discharged out of the vacuum-sealing container. Block 56 then activates a sealing element located within the vacuum chamber, the activated sealing element sealing at least a portion of the vacuum-sealing container.

In optional block 58, the activated sealing element releases pressure after closing at least a portion of the vacuum-sealing container.

In block 60, which is the last step of the flowchart, the vacuum sealing container is removed from the vacuum chamber.

4 shows the vacuum hermetic container 70-1 before evacuation and the vacuum hermetic container 70-2 after evacuating using the invention just described with reference to FIG.

The article 72 and contaminants 74 are inside of the container 70-1. Contaminants 74 include moisture, atmospheric gases under constant pressure, and other liquid, gas, or solid impurities. The contaminants 74 may be diffused inside the vessel 70-1 and may be on the article 72. The container 70-1 is evacuated (exhausted) through the opening 76.

After vacuuming, the article 72 remained in the vessel 70-2 but most of the contaminants 74 were discharged. Since the inside of the vacuum chamber is sealed, there is almost no contaminant near the sealing area 78. Moreover, since a seal is made close to the opening 76, only a small portion 80 of the container is discarded. Indeed, in embodiments, no portion 80 may be present (eg, the enclosed region 78 extends to the end of the container).

5 is a flowchart of a vacuum sealing method according to an embodiment of the present invention. In block 90, the evacuation chamber is at least partially evacuated. In block 92 it is determined whether the chamber has been at least partially evacuated. Block 94 then activates the closure element in response to determining that the chamber has been at least partially evacuated. In block 96, the last step is to seal the portion of the container extending into the evacuation chamber.

As mentioned above, Figures 2-5 provide a conceptual overview of the present invention. However, the present invention is not merely a more complicated aspect of the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 2-5. The invention is limited only by the claims.

6 is a schematic perspective view of the vacuum sealing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Apparatus 100 is one of many variations. For example, a device suitable for use by one embodiment of the present invention is disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,941,310 and US Patent Application 60 / 450,295 (2003.2.27) of Alexandre Baptisa.

Another suitable device is a portable vacuum sealing device having a vacuum chamber in a hand-held housing.

The use of this portable vacuum sealing apparatus includes fastening the resin housing over the opening of the vacuum sealing container and then evacuating the vacuum chamber.

Another device suitable for use in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is a vacuum sealing device having a side-opening housing. The housing may have a thin side that is lowered across the opening of the vacuum-sealing container before vacuuming the container.

Another suitable device of the present invention is a coverless vacuum sealing device as described in patent application relating to agent number 37469-8023-001.

The devices described are merely examples, and one of ordinary skill in the art would be able to employ other vacuum hermetic systems for use in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 6, the device 100 includes an upper housing 102 and a lower housing 104 connected to each other by a hinge 105. The upper housing 102 and the lower housing 104 may be made of molded plastic, ceramic, metal or other material, for example. The upper housing 102 and the lower housing 104 may be collectively called a housing.

The hinge 105 serves to pivotally mount the upper housing 102 onto the lower housing 104 such that the upper housing 102 is movable to the closed (closed) position.

For example, the upper housing 102 may be pivotally mounted on the lower housing 104 with a pair of pins spaced apart in the longitudinal direction. Hinge 105 may also include a torsion spring mounted on each pin to bias the upper housing 102 in the open position.

It should be noted that the upper housing 102 and the lower housing 104 need not be connected by a hinge nor necessarily need to be connected (e.g., the upper housing may be a cover detachable from the lower housing). Optionally, the upper housing may be fixed in place on the lower housing.

The upper housing 102 includes a first vacuuming module member 106, a gasket 108, a vacuuming port 110, a pressure profile 111, and two contacts 112. The lower housing 104 includes a second vacuuming module member 114, a heating element 116 and a gasket 118.

An operator, such as a human or robot, closes the upper housing 102 on the lower housing 104 before performing a vacuuming procedure and a closing procedure for draining contaminants such as air from the vessel (not shown). When closed, the first evacuation module member 106 is joined to the second evacuation module member 114 to create a vacuum chamber by the inner surface of these evacuation module members.

In FIG. 6, since the first evacuation module member 106 merges over the second evacuation module member 114, the first evacuation module member 106 may be referred to as a cover, cap, or cover.

The first evacuation module member 106 may, in a variant embodiment, slide over the second evacuation module member 114, be attached by screws, or fastened as a clamp or other fastener.

Further, the first vacuuming module member 106 may be fixed in place while capping the second vacuuming module member 114 or may be pivotally mounted on the second vacuuming module member 114.

In FIG. 6, since the second vacuuming module member 114 achieves volume compression, the second vacuuming module 114 may be called a trough, a cavity, or a trench.

The volumetric depression (volumetric depression) functions to collect liquid or powder particles discharged from the vessel and to prevent them from getting into the vacuum pump.

The first and second evacuation module members may be made of any gas impermeable material, including molded plastics, ceramics, metals or other materials.

When the vacuuming module members are combined to form a vacuum chamber, the gasket 108 and the gasket 118 are in contact with each other to form a hermetic sealing between the vacuuming module members. In this way, these evacuation module members may join together to not actually touch each other during the vacuum chamber.

A hermetic seal is a barrier that prevents gas or other contaminants from entering the vacuum chamber during the evacuation procedure.

The gasket may be formed of an elastic material. However, in one embodiment the gasket may be formed of different materials and the contact surface of one or both gaskets may be rigid.

For example, in a variant, the gasket 108 may be made of an elastic material while the gasket 118 may be made of a rigid material.

As shown in FIG. 6, the gaskets 108 and 118 extend over the periphery of the vacuum chamber.

In FIG. 6 the gaskets 108 and 118 are substantially elliptical, but in other embodiments may be rectangular, polygonal or otherwise shaped. It is noted that the hermetic seal can be formed using one gasket or two or more gaskets.

In FIG. 6, the evacuation port 110 is formed in the first evacuation module member 106. The vacuumization channel 120 extends from the vacuumization port 110 to the vacuum module 122. The vacuumization channel 120 may be a plastic tube.

In FIG. 6, the evacuation channel 120 extends from the upper housing 102 to the lower housing 104. The vacuum module 122 is located in the housing 104.

The vacuum module may include a vacuum motor (not shown) and a vacuum pump. The vacuum motor drives a vacuum pump.

The vacuum pump is connected to the evacuation channel 120 exposed to the vacuum chamber at the evacuation port 110 to cause a vacuum therein. The evacuation in the chamber assists static sealing of the chamber and the chamber while activating the differential pressure on opposite sides of the first and second evacuation module members to simultaneously evacuate the vessel and the vacuum chamber.

Vacuum pumps and drive mechanisms are well known in the art and description thereof will be omitted. The evacuation port 110 does not necessarily need to be formed in the first evacuation module member 106.

For example, the evacuation port may be secured to the end of a hose or tube formed in the second evacuation module member or extending between the gaskets 108 and 118.

In addition, the vacuum module 122 is not necessarily located in the lower housing 104, for example, the vacuum module 122 or a part thereof may be located in the upper housing 102 or outside the housing. .

In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the heating element 116 is connected to the inner surface of the second evacuation module 114. However, the position of the heating element 116 need not necessarily be as shown in FIG. 6.

For example, the heating element 116 may be fixed to the inner surface of the first vacuumization module 106. Moreover, the heating element 106 may be fixed to the inner surface by an adjustable support, a removable support or an elastic support (such as a spring).

(폴리테트라플루오로에틸렌) 테이프나 다른 비교적 내열성인 물질일 수 있다.The heating element 116 includes at least one electrically conductive wire or sealing element that generates heat when a voltage differential is applied across the length of the wire. The heating element may be a low voltage heating element. The heating element 116 may be covered with any material such that it does not adhere to the container material when the heating element 116 is used to form a thermal bond on the container. The heating element 116 may be covered for other reasons, such as to make cleaning easier, or to promote safety. The material covering the heating element 116 is Teflon.

(Polytetrafluoroethylene) tape or other relatively heat resistant material.

The heating element 116 or each wire of the heating element may be wrapped or coated with any material to protect the heating element 116 from being exposed to, for example, liquids.

The coating also serves to protect the device or operator from voltage across the heating element 116.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the contact point 112 is connected to the heating element when the first vacuuming module member 106 and the second vacuuming module member 114 coincide with each other to form a vacuum chamber. 116 is positioned to be in contact with.

Contact point 112 is a power coupling portion that powers heating element 116. Contact point 112 includes exposed conductive nodes that conduct electrical current to heating element 116 from a power source (not shown), thereby activating heating element 116.

Since the contact point 112 is connected to the first evacuation module member 106, the heating element cannot receive current through the conductive node when the evacuation module members do not coincide with each other. Positioning the contact point 112 in this manner acts like a switch that disconnects the heating element 116 when the vacuuming module members do not coincide with each other. This prevents the operator from injury, for example.

In addition, the contact point 112 can be disconnected from the power source using a switch (not shown) that is opened when the vacuuming module members are not matched with each other and closed when they are matched with each other, thereby allowing the operator to disconnect the electricity. It can reduce the risk of injury such as shock.

The pressure profile 111 may be an elongated elastic member extending in the longitudinal direction. The pressure profile 111 serves to help push an area of the container against the heating element 116 to seal it on the container substantially along the area.

The pressure profile 111 ensures complete sealing through heat conduction through the top and bottom panels of the vessel such that the heat sealing layers of the vessel are sealed together by applying precise pressure on the vessel over the heating element 116. To be done.

In operation, an operator, such as a person or robotic instrument, places a vessel (not shown) on the heating element 116. The operator then covers the upper housing 102 over the lower housing 104. This has the effect of forming a vacuum chamber by matching the first vacuuming module member 106 with the second vacuuming module member 114.

The container may extend between gaskets 108 and 118 through what may be called a hermetic ingress, indicated by arrow 124 in FIG. 6. The seal recess is provided around the gasket 108 and 118 while the container is located between the gasket 108 and 118 between the container and the gasket 108 and between the container and the gasket 118. This is so called because it forms a barrier that substantially blocks contaminants such as air entering the vacuum chamber.

While so positioned, the vessel is circulated with the vacuum chamber so that the vessel is likewise evacuated when the vacuum chamber is evacuated.

As indicated above, the power coupling is connected to the heating element 116 via a contact point 112 in contact with the heating element 116. In one embodiment, the power coupling is connected to the heating element 116 during the entire time the vacuum chamber is made by the inner surfaces of the first and second evacuation module members. In a variant, however, the power coupling need not be connected to the heating element 116 for the entire time. For example, the power coupling may be set to connect with the heating element 116 only when the switch is closed, when the button is pressed, or in response to something else.

As described above, the vacuumization channel 120 is coupled to the vacuum module 122. The vacuum module 122 discharges the vacuum chamber with at least some contaminants through the evacuation channel 120 while the vacuum chamber is defined by at least the inner surfaces of the first and second evacuation module members.

This evacuation step may begin in response to the first and second evacuation module members mating with each other.

Optionally, the evacuation procedure is in response to pressure applied on the upper housing 102 to activate the vacuum module 122 or in response to other stimuli such as a button, a switch or a knob to activate the vacuum module 122. Can be started.

The evacuation procedure may continue until a vacuum detector (not shown), such as a pressure sensor, determines that the vacuum chamber is sufficiently evacuated. Optionally, the evacuation procedure may continue until the end of a predetermined time or other stimulus such as a termination time is caused.

When the vacuum chamber is at least partially evacuated, the heating element 116 is actuated by the power received through the power coupling while at least the vacuum chamber is defined by the inner surface of the evacuation module member. The heating element 116 may have an adverse effect on the integrity of the vacuumed container if the vacuum chamber integrity is impaired, such as by mismatch with the heating chamber vacuuming module member.

The heating element 116 may be operated for a predetermined time, such as for example 5 seconds, or for a time determined by various factors such as the initial temperature of the heating element 116 or the presence of liquid or other material in the vacuum chamber. . The heating element 116 may also be actuated at any time by the operator if necessary. For example, an operator may want to seal a container that has not been evacuated at all.

7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of vacuum sealing using the apparatus of FIG. 6. Block 130 is the first step to determine the vacuum chamber by joining the first and second vacuum module members.

In the next step, block 132, the vessel is at least partially inserted into the vacuum chamber. Inserting the container as described above with reference to FIG. 6 may include positioning the container and closing the upper housing. The vacuum chamber is formed when the upper housing is closed. For this reason, block 132 may describe an action that begins before the action described in block 130, but this action ends almost simultaneously.

Optional step, block 134, is to push some area of the vessel onto the heating element. In a later step, block 136, the vacuum chamber with at least some contaminants is evacuated.

Block 138 then starts a heating element located in the vacuum chamber. Block 140 then closes the container using heat from the heating element.

If the action described in any block 134 has been performed, then closing the container (block 140) includes substantially closing the container along the area.

The technique described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 is more advanced than the prior art. For example, the closure on the container is closer to the opening because the closure element is inside the vacuum chamber. The result is less container material consumption each time the container is closed, especially when it is opened and reclosed more than once. It is also better because the closure is made inside the vacuum chamber instead of outside of the hermetic seal. Contaminants tend to be trapped just behind the hermetic seal and can be placed between the top and bottom panels of the vessel in a hermetic zone, thus degrading the sealing quality.

8-10 illustrate another embodiment of the present invention and are merely exemplary and illustrate only one of many variations.

8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a trough (hereinafter referred to as 'integrated trough 150') having an integrated closure element 150 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

The integrated trough 150 includes a trough 152, a gasket 154, a heat sealing element 156, a support member 158 and a removable drip tray 159.

The trough 152 is volume inhibited, making part of the vacuum chamber when the lid (not shown) is fitted over the trough 152.

The gasket 154 is used to form a hermetic seal around the periphery of the vacuum chamber when the cover is placed over the gasket 154. The heat sealing element 156 is connected to the trough 152 by the support member 158. The support member supports the heat seal element 156 at at least one point along the length of the vacuum chamber such that the seal element extends along at least a portion of the trough 152. The support member 158 may be, for example, a series of studs along the length of the vacuum chamber or an elongated baffold that extends the length of the vacuum chamber.

The heat sealing element 156 is mounted in the vacuum chamber when the integral trough 150 is arranged in a structure that is optionally used in a vacuum packaging system. The removable drip tray 159 may be suspended on a flange connected to the stud 158 or another portion of the trough 152.

In operation, a container, not shown, is placed over the heat sealing element 156 over the gasket 154. When the vessel is evacuated in the evacuation step, liquid or solid contaminants may be collected in the removable drip tray 159. Thereafter, the sealing element 156 seals the container. The removable drip tray 159 may be conveniently removed for cleaning.

The removable drip tray installation is less expensive than the removable trough with integrated heating elements. Optionally, the removable drip tray may more easily provide power to the heating element, such as to provide power coupling by wire connection through the surface of the trough into the heating element.

With reference to Figure 9 will be described another technique for providing power to the sealing element.

9 illustrates an exemplary vacuum chamber lid 160 (hereinafter referred to as 'integral lid 160') with integrated power coupling in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

The integral shroud 160 includes a shroud 162, a gasket 164 and a “vampire wing” power coupling 166. The integrated lid 160 may be used with the integrated trough 160 (FIG. 8), for example.

The lid 162 forms a vacuum chamber with the trough and the gasket 164 may form a hermetic seal around the periphery of the vacuum chamber.

The “vampire wing” power coupling 166 is configured to couple to or near the end of the hermetic element, such as a heating wire, to allow current to flow through the hermetic element. The "vampire wings" can be connected to each + and-pole. Current may or may not flow through the closure element when the “vampire wing” power coupling 166 is actuated.

For example, there may be a switch that is closed to allow current to flow. This switch can be closed when the "Vampire Wing" power coupling 166 is actuated or the switch can be closed in response to other stimuli such as substantial vacuuming of the vacuum chamber.

10 is a cross-sectional view of a vacuum chamber cover having an integrated closure element and a trough according to one embodiment of the invention.

10 includes a lid 170, trough 172, gasket 174, heat seal 176, gasket 178, support member 180, and pressure profile 182. The cover 170 is for covering the trough 172. The trough 172 constitutes a volume restraint, and the lid 170 and the trough 172 together form a vacuuming chamber containing volume restraint when the lid 170 and the trough 172 are operatively configured in a vacuum packaging system. Achieve.

The cover 170 and the trough 172 are operatively configured such that the gasket 174 and the gasket 178 form a sealing inlet 184 and the heat sealing element 176 connected to the cover 170 is a pressure profile ( 182 may include joining cover 170 and trough 172.

The pressure profile 182 is connected to the trough 172 by the support member 180. The heat sealing element 176 may receive power through an unshown power conduit extending through the cover 170.

In operation, a portion of the heat sealable bag in the evacuation chamber near the heat seal element 176 is sealed by the heat seal element 176. For example, the heat-sealing bag may be positioned between the heat-sealing element 176 and the pressure profile 182 when the heat-sealing element 176 is actuated to enable sealing to the heat-sealing bag.

11 is a cross-sectional view of the cover 190 and the trough 192 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The cover 190 includes a gasket 194. Trough 192 includes gasket 196, sealing element 198, support member 200, backfolding 202, power conduit 204, and barrier wall 206. The sealing inlet is shown by arrow 208.

When cover 190 engages trough 192, gasket 194 forms a hermetic seal with gasket 196. Gasket 194 also acts as a pressure profile that presses a vacuum-sealing container (not shown) onto sealing element 198, such as pressure profile 182 of FIG.

In the embodiment of FIG. 11, gasket 194 is larger than each gasket 196 and sealing element 200. In an embodiment, the gasket 194 may have a width dimension extending from the outer edge of the gasket 196 to the inner edge of the sealing element 200. In other embodiments, the gasket 194 may extend up to the backfold 202. In other embodiments, the gasket 194 may extend beyond the backfold 202.

In fact, the gasket 194 can have any size width if it serves as the top of the hermetic seal when the cover 190 and trough 192 are coupled. The backfold 202 helps to prevent fluid from being drawn into the trough 192 from the vacuum closure vessel. An unshown drip tray may also be used to trap fluid or other material entering the trough in conjunction with or in place of the backfold 202.

In the embodiment of FIG. 11, the sealing element 198 receives power through the power conduit 204. The blocking wall 206 separates the power conduit 204 from the vacuum chamber defined by the cover 190 and the inner wall of the trough 192 when the cover and trough are coupled.

If power is supplied to the sealing element in other ways as described with reference to FIGS. 8-10 above, it may be able to extend through the support member 200 without being exposed as shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 shows a prior art system 210 for closing the vacuum bag 212 with or without vacuuming the bag. System 210 includes a bag sealer 214, a bag barrier wall 216 and a vacuum chamber portion 218. In this system, the bag is typically sealed (bonded) at a distance (x + l) from the end of the bag opening into the vacuum chamber 218. When the trough is evacuated the bag sealer 214 will automatically seal the bag. For example, the back seal 214 may be activated when there is a vacuum in the vacuum chamber 218.

If the back opening extends beyond the back seal 214 and does not pass through the air barrier wall 216, the bag may be automatically closed when the vacuum chamber 218 is evacuated.

This technique takes less than x length of the backing material but does not allow vacuum sealing. This technique is particularly useful when a partial bag having two opening ends is filled and vacuum sealed with an article which is sealed and vacuum packed at one opening end thereof.

Since the partial bag does not need to extend past the air shutoff bag 216, the vacuum chamber 218 is normally evacuated and the bag is automatically closed when the vacuum chamber 218 has the required pressure. do.

FIG. 13 schematically illustrates a system 220 according to one embodiment of the present invention for sealing a vacuum bag 222 with or without vacuuming the bag.

The system 220 includes a bag sealer 224, an air barrier wall 226 and a vacuum chamber portion 228. In this system, when the bag 222 extends past the bag sealer 224, the bag is placed inside the vacuum chamber 228 so that the bag passes through the air barrier wall 226. It extends invariably into chamber 228. This can be a problem if, for example, the back material in the rolled state is cut to make a partial bag and there are two opening ends.

If one end of the partial bag is inserted into the vacuum chamber 228, the vacuum chamber 228 may not be evacuated because air may enter the vacuum chamber 228 through one end of the partial bag.

According to conventional techniques, one million (not partial bags) can be sealed in this way. This is because the bag may be evacuated at the same time as the vacuum chamber 228 and thus the vacuum chamber 228 may be evacuated.

In order to achieve a first seal on the partial bag, a technique is required to avoid vacuuming the vacuum chamber 228 or to enable vacuuming of the vacuum chamber 228 even if the partial bag is inserted into the vacuum chamber 228.

This technique, for example, applies a sufficient pressure to the air barrier wall 226 that allows much less air to pass from the portion back into the vacuum chamber 228, and, at the same time as the vacuum chamber 228, inserting the part bag into a bladder, and providing a latch that can be closed over a part of the part bag so that a significant air barrier wall is formed at the latch position due to the pressure on the side of the bag; It may include providing a seal-only mode of operation in which the system does not attempt to evacuate the vacuum chamber 228 prior to operation.

The present invention is primarily designed for food preservation, but the vacuum seal can also be used for preservation systems. For example, there is no need to use harmful desiccants to ship electronic components. The present invention can be applied to pharmaceutical as well as medical products. The scope of the present invention is not limited by the above examples, but is defined by the following claims.

Claims (33)

A housing including a hermetic inlet arranged to receive at least a portion of the vacuum-sealing container, the housing having an inner surface of which forms a vacuum chamber; A vacuum source in fluid communication with the vacuum chamber and arranged to substantially evacuate the vacuum chamber during the evacuation procedure; And Located in the inner surface of the housing and evacuating the first portion of the vacuum-sealing container portion to the vacuum when at least the vacuum-sealing container portion is in close proximity to the sealing element for at least the time that the vacuum chamber is substantially evacuated during the vacuuming procedure. A sealing element disposed to secure the second portion of the hermetic container portion; Vacuum sealing system is configured to include. The method of claim 1, wherein the hermetic inlet is located between the upper hermetic member and the lower hermetic member, The housing further An upper housing member disposed to be open to facilitate mounting of the vacuum-sealing container and including an upper hermetic member; And The upper housing member is closed so that the upper hermetic member contacts the lower hermetic member during the evacuation procedure, thereby forming a barrier to substantially prevent air from entering the vacuum chamber through the hermetic inlet. A lower housing member; To A system comprising: a. The system of claim 1, wherein the sealing element comprises a heat sealing element. The system of claim 1 further comprising a power conduit arranged to supply power from a power source to drive the hermetic element for at least the time period. Evacuation means for evacuating the vacuum chamber during the evacuation procedure; Hermetic inlet means for facilitating the insertion of at least a portion of the vacuum-sealed container into the vacuum chamber; Sealing means located in said vacuum chamber and for securing said first portion of said vacuum containment vessel portion to said second portion of said vacuum containment vessel portion during said evacuation procedure; Vacuum sealing system of the container comprising a. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein said sealing means comprises heat (adhesive) sealing means. 6. The system of claim 5, further comprising power conduit means for providing power to drive the closure means. Placing a vacuum-sealed container containing contaminants at a location where one end of the container is in fluid communication with the vacuum chamber; Evacuating the vacuum chamber such that at least a portion of the contaminant is discharged out of the vacuum-sealing container; And Activating a sealing element located in the vacuum chamber such that the activated sealing element seals at least a portion of the vacuum-sealing container; Vacuum sealing method of the container comprising a. The method of claim 8, wherein the vacuum chamber is subjected to a hermetic sealing prior to pressurizing pressure on the upper housing of the vacuum chamber and thereby evacuating the vacuum chamber to secure the upper and lower hermetic members together. Securing the presence; Releasing the pressure after the activated sealing element seals at least a portion of the vacuum-sealing container; And Removing the vacuum-sealing container from the vacuum chamber; Method comprising a. A housing in which the inner surface forms a vacuum chamber therein when arbitrarily disposed; A evacuation detector mechanism for determining whether the evacuation chamber has been at least partially evacuated; And The vacuum coupled to the housing and arranged to seal (bond) a container that is at least partially inserted into the evacuation chamber when the evacuation detector mechanism determines that the evacuation chamber has been at least partially evacuated A sealing element inside the shoe chamber; Vacuum sealing mechanism comprising a. 11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a power conduit for powering the hermetic element when the vacuum detection mechanism determines that at least the evacuation chamber is at least partially evacuated. At least partially evacuating the evacuation chamber; Determining that the evacuation chamber is at least partially evacuated; And Sealing a portion of the vessel extending within said evacuation chamber; Container vacuum sealing method comprising a. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising actuating the closure element in response to determining that the evacuation chamber is at least partially evacuated. A vacuum closure device for sealing a container using a heating element located within a vacuum chamber, the apparatus comprising: A first vacuuming module member; A second evacuation module member, provided that the first evacuation module member and the second evacuation module member are arranged so that a vacuum chamber is formed by the inner surfaces of the first and second evacuation module members; A heating element connected to at least one of said inner surfaces; A power coupling engaging the heating element for at least a first period of time during which the vacuum chamber is formed by the inner surface; A vacuuming channel extending from the vacuum chamber when the vacuum chamber is formed by the inner surface; And A vacuum module coupled to the evacuation channel and discharging at least some contaminants of the vacuum chamber through the evacuation channel for at least a second time during which the evacuation chamber is formed by the inner surface; And the heating element is operated by power received through the power coupling for at least a third time period during which the vacuum chamber is made by the inner surface. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first evacuation module member has a discharge port formed therein, the vacuum channel is connected to the first evacuation module member at the evacuation port, and the contaminant is discharged from the evacuation port. Apparatus characterized in that it is discharged from the vacuum chamber through. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the second evacuation module member comprises a trough. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first evacuation module member is a cover covering the trough while the inner surface forms the vacuum chamber. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the power coupling includes two contact points connected to the first vacuuming module member, wherein the contact points are arranged when the first and second vacuuming module members are matched with each other to form the vacuum chamber. Device in contact with the heating element. The method of claim 14, further A first gasket connected to the first vacuuming module member; A second gasket connected to the second vacuuming module member; Including; The first gasket and the second gasket are positioned between the first and the second vacuuming module member when the first vacuuming module member and the second vacuuming module member coincide with each other to form a vacuum chamber. The first gasket and the second gasket together form a hermetic barrier in the vacuum chamber, Wherein said container is insertable between said first and second gaskets without substantially damaging said enclosed barrier, such that said container extends at least partially into said vacuum chamber. 20. The heating element of claim 19 wherein the first gasket comprises a region of the vessel to assist in forming a seal on the vessel along a region of the vessel when the vessel is at least partially inserted into the vacuum chamber. And a pressure profile for pushing into. 15. The method of claim 14 further comprising a pressure profile for pushing a region of the vessel, at least partially inserted into the vacuum chamber, into the vacuum chamber to assist in forming a seal on the vessel along the region. Device. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a barrier arranged to separate the power conduit from the vacuum chamber. A container closure method using a heating element located in a vacuum chamber, the method comprising: Joining the first and second evacuation module members together to form a vacuum chamber; At least partially inserting a vessel into said vacuum chamber; Draining at least partial contaminants of the vacuum chamber; Operating a heating element located in the vacuum chamber; And Closing the vessel using heat from the heating element; Method comprising a. 24. The method of claim 23, further comprising pushing a region of the vessel onto the heating element, wherein closing the vessel comprises substantially closing the vessel along the region. . In a trough module for use in a vacuum packaging system, the trough module comprises: A volumetric trough that creates a vacuum chamber portion when operatively deployed for use in a vacuum packaging system; And A heat sealing element connected to the trough and extending along at least a portion of the trough; Including; And the heating element is disposed in the vacuum chamber when the trough is operatively arranged for use in the vacuum packaging system. 26. The device of claim 25, further comprising a detachable drip tray suspended in the trough, wherein the drip tray is positioned below at least a portion of the heat-sealing bag that extends into the vacuum chamber when the trough is operatively placed in a vacuum packaging system. Trough module characterized in that. 28. The trough module of claim 25 further comprising a power conduit for connecting power to said heat sealing element. 28. The trough module of claim 27 further comprising a barrier to create the vacuum chamber portion, the barrier separating power conduits from the vacuum chamber. 27. The trough module of claim 25 further comprising baffolding to prevent liquid from entering the vacuum chamber from the heat-sealed bag extending into the vacuum chamber. In a vacuum chamber lid having an integrated power coupling for use in a vacuum packaging system, the lid is A lid covering a volumetric trough (the trough includes an integral sealing element, the lid and trough together forming a evacuation chamber comprising the volumetric contraction); And A power coupling connected to the lid and in contact with the integrated sealing element to facilitate power supply to the integrated sealing element; Vacuum chamber cover, characterized in that it comprises a. 31. The vacuum chamber cover of claim 30, wherein said power coupling has a vampire wing arrangement. A vacuum chamber cover having an integrated heat sealing system for use in a vacuum packaging system, the vacuum chamber cover comprising: A lid covering a volume shrinking trough, provided that the lid and trough together form a vacuuming chamber containing the volume shrinkage when they are placed in a vacuum packaging system; And A heat sealing element connected to the cover; And a portion of the heat sealable bag in the vacuuming chamber and adjacent to the heat seal element when the cover and trough are operatively disposed in a vacuum packaging system is sealed by the heat seal element. 33. The vacuum chamber cover of claim 32, wherein said heat seal element is disposed to rest over a pressure profile connected to said trough.

Images