Vacuum packaging system

Abstract

A system for vacuum packaging foods and other perishable items, including a front loading appliance and a hand held appliance. A multiple stage vacuum and sealing process enhances performance. Low cost vacuum bags are formed using a continuous process. A visible indicator assures consumers that a safe level of vacuum has been reached and maintained.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Applications Ser. No. 60 / 426,094, dated Nov. 14, 2002, and Ser. No. 60 / 393,803, dated Jul. 8, 2002, both of which are pending. [0002] This invention relates to a vacuum packaging system that may be used to conveniently store foods and other perishable items. A hand-held appliance is upwardly compatible with a front loading appliance, and performance may be enhanced with an innovative two stage vacuum system. Uniquely designed vacuum bags allow the free flow of air past objects contained therein, allowing the system to achieve levels of vacuum suitable for food storage purposes. A passive indicator assures consumers that a safe level of vacuum has been reached and maintained. BACKGROUND [0003] The demand for vacuum packaging systems has increased in recent years as consumers become more aware of their suitability for storing food and other perishable items. Many consumers are ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] The vacuum packaging system as taught by the present invention includes heat sealable bags specifically designed for vacuum storage, a process for inexpensively manufacturing the same, a hand-held vacuum storage appliance that is adapted for portable use, and a front loading vacuum storage appliance that may be adapted to fit neatly under cupboards and remain accessible at all times, a two stage vacuum pumping system for enhanced performance, and a passive vacuum indicator for consumer use.

[0013] The hand-held vacuum storage appliance is an entry level product that may be used with smaller “Ziploc” sized bags. The appliance is further adapted for use with larger bags by incorporating a unique “L” shaped sealing bar that allows the appliance to seal the larger bag in two stages without requiring any precise alignment. The final seal profile, although not a straight line, does form a continuous seal across the end of the bag. The hand-held device may be easily positioned above the bag during the sealing process to substantially prevent the drawing in of fluids during the sealing process.

[0014] The front loading vacuum storage appliance may be adapted to mount conveniently under the overhead cupboards in a kitchen. A work platform extends from the base of the unit and automatically dispenses, with each use, a new section of vacuum storage bag from a roll located at the back of the unit. The bag may be sealed on one end, and then vacuum sealed and date stamped, by simply pressing a button and then positioning the bag correctly within the appliance. The front loading mechanism substantially prevents the drawing in of fluids while creating a vacuum within the bag. Finally, a retractable vacuum hose and a vacuum docking station under the appliance facilitate the vacuum sealing of wine bottles, canisters, spice bottles, and the like.

Problems solved by technology

Less expensive bags, such as those available from Philips, do not allow a sufficient vacuum to be drawn since the bags tend to “cling” to the irregular surfaces of the objects within the bags, preventing the free flow of air past these objects and thus preventing all of the air from being withdrawn from the bag.

While these bags may work well, they are expensive to produce and they have a substantially higher retail price than the “standard” storage bags described above.

While this configuration works, it does have the disadvantage of drawing fluids into the vacuum chamber along with the air being pumped from the bag, driving the requirement for a fluid trap.

Further, the existing units are large and usually stored “out of sight” because of their bulk.

Apart from being inconvenient for the consumer, this is also a disadvantage to the manufacturer since “out of sight, out of mind” consumer behaviour means that the unit will not be used as often and as a result, the consumers will buy fewer bags.

Operationally, common complaints associated with most systems include the difficulty of operation, requiring two hands, and the time taken to draw an acceptable vacuum and heat seal the bag.

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