VACUUM SEALER CAPABLE OF CONTINUOUS OPERATION

Abstract

VACUUM SEALER CAPABLE OF CONTINUOUS OPERATION A vacuum sealer capable of continuous operation comprises: a body (1), a sealing member (14), a covering mechanism, an air suction pump, an air supply pump and an exhaust tank (16). The sealing member (14) and the covering mechanism contact each other to close the exhaust tank (16) before vacuuming. In a heat sealing process, a mouth of the vacuum packaging bag is pressed by the sealing member (14). The covering mechanism comprises an inflatable pressure band (21) in which an inflatable cavity is defined, and the air supply pump communicates with the inflatable pressure band (21). During the heat sealing process, the inflatable pressure strip (21) is inflated to expand and abut against the sealing member (14).Figure to be published with the abstract: Figure 2.

Description

Title of the invention: VACUUM SEALER CAPABLE OF CONTINUOUS OPERATION Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vacuum sealer, and more particularly to a vacuum sealer which is capable of continuous operation.

[0002] BACKGROUND

[0003] A conventional vacuum sealer is a small kitchen appliance that evacuates air from the vacuum packaging bag using a small built-in vacuum pump and an air extraction tank. After vacuuming, the mouth of the packaging bag is heat-melted and solidified to form a sealing strip that seals the mouth of the bag. The sealing member comprises a mounting base arranged on the main body, a heating wire arranged horizontally and fixed on the upper part of the mounting base, and a heating wire covering the upper part of the bag. During the entire vacuuming and heat sealing process, the sealing strip installed on the upper cover always presses against the insulation layer of the sealing member and maintains pressure, which makes it extremely difficult for the heat from the heating wire to dissipate.

[0004] The vacuum sealer is not equipped with a heat dissipation device and does not have sufficient space to fix a heat dissipation device for the sealing element. The sealing element cools extremely slowly, so that the temperature of the heating wire gradually increases during continuous operation. Therefore, the disadvantages are as follows:

[0005] First, the temperature of the heating wire of the vacuum sealer is too high due to poor heat dissipation, which prevents the vacuum sealer from working continuously for a long time.

[0006] Second, if the temperature of the heating wire is too high, the user may accidentally burn himself.

[0007] Third, if the temperature of the heating wire is too high, it will burn or pass through the vacuum packaging bag, making vacuum sealing impossible.

[0008] Fourth, the hot melt sealing strip formed during the heat sealing step will also cause deformation of the bag mouth due to excessive heating time. The formed hot melt sealing strip will also become thinner and deformed, which will greatly facilitate air leakage and greatly reduce the sealing effect.

[0009] The present invention aims to mitigate and / or avoid the drawbacks described above.

[0010] SUMMARY

[0011] The main objective of the present invention is to provide a vacuum sealer which is capable of continuous operation, simplified and improving heat dissipation.

[0012] To achieve the above-mentioned objective, the present invention provides a vacuum sealer capable of continuous operation comprising: a body, a sealing member and a covering mechanism which are connected on the body, a control circuit received in the body, an air suction pump, an air supply pump and an exhaust tank defined in the body, located next to the sealing member and configured to suck air from a vacuum packaging bag. An exhaust interface of the air suction pump is in communication with the exhaust tank via a first air pipe, the control circuit is electrically connected to the air suction pump, the air supply pump and the sealing member. The sealing member and the covering mechanism movably contact each other to close the exhaust tank before vacuuming.In a heat sealing process, a mouth of the vacuum packaging bag is pressed by the sealing member. The capping mechanism includes an inflatable pressure strip in which an inflatable cavity is defined, and an exhaust interface of the air supply pump is in communication with the inflatable pressure strip via a second air pipe. After the sealing member contacts the capping mechanism, the inflatable pressure strip is not inflated and remains at a predetermined distance from the sealing member. In the heat sealing process, the inflatable pressure strip is inflated to expand a flexible wall of the inflatable pressure strip and to movably abut against the sealing member.

[0013] Preferably, the covering mechanism comprises a cover, a rear end of the cover is rotatably connected on a rear end of an upper part of the body, the body further comprises a sealing working area formed on a front end of its upper part and configured to receive the sealing member, and two sides of the sealing member extend respectively to two sides of the sealing working area; the cover comprises the inflatable pressure band provided on a front end of its lower part, and the exhaust tank is defined behind the sealing working area.

[0014] Preferably, during the heat sealing process, the inflatable pressure strip is inflated to expand and to movably abut against the sealing member. In any work process other than the heat sealing process, the inflatable pressure strip is not inflated to retract, and a defined distance between a lower part of the inflatable pressure band and an upper part of a heating element is produced.

[0015] Thus, the inflatable pressure strip of the present invention is configured to replace the conventional sealing strip.

[0016] In the set operation mode or the non-heat sealing operation mode, the inflatable pressure band and the sealing member are relatively separated to avoid a slow temperature reduction rate of the sealing member, and the vacuum sealer is capable of continuous operation.

[0017] Preferably, the sealing element comprises an insulation seat, the heating element and at least one insulating layer, wherein the heating element extends from an upper portion of the insulation seat, and the at least one insulating layer covers the heating element; a lower portion of the inflatable pressure strip is a flexible wall made of flexible silicone, when the inflatable pressure strip abuts against the sealing element, the flexible wall of the inflatable pressure strip is stopped to deformably contact the upper portion of the sealing element and to cover the heating wire with the at least one insulating layer; wherein, in any working process other than the heat sealing process, a defined distance between the lower portion of the flexible wall of the inflatable pressure strip and the upper portion of the heating element is produced.

[0018] Preferably, the inflatable pressure strip has a receiving groove defined on a central portion of its lower portion and configured to receive the heating element which is covered by the at least one insulating layer, wherein the receiving groove extends along a length of the inflatable pressure strip, two abutting portions being respectively formed adjacent two sides of the receiving groove and configured to contact the insulation seat.

[0019] Preferably, the lid includes a receiving chamber defined therein, multiple spaced-apart separator sheets extending integrally from a length of the inflatable pressure band and located above the receiving chamber, and a defining trench located below the receiving chamber and extending through the lower portion of the lid; the inflatable pressure band is flat and is received in the receiving chamber of the lid, wherein the multiple spaced-apart separator sheets abut an upper portion of the inflatable pressure band, when the inflatable pressure band is deflated, the lower portion of the inflatable pressure band retracts into or above the defining trench so as to maintain the predetermined distance of the inflatable pressure band from the sealing member; when the pressure band When the inflatable is inflated, it extends under the lower part of the cover so as to come into contact with the sealing element.

[0020] Preferably, the cover further comprises a contact foot extending from its lower portion and received in a through-hole of the upper portion of the body, the body further comprises a control switch received therein and mating with the contact foot by contact or sensing, wherein the control circuit is in electrical contact with the control switch to activate the air supply pump for inflation once the control switch has been actuated and the control circuit has activated the sealing element, wherein the defined distance between the lower portion of the flexible wall of the inflatable pressure band and the upper portion of the heating element is between 0.2 cm and 1 cm.

[0021] Preferably, the cover further comprises two retainers extending thereon, the inflatable pressure band comprises a sealing segment formed on a first end thereof, a rotation interface formed on a second end of the inflatable pressure band and having an air passage, wherein the rotation interface comprises a first end inserted into the first end of the inflatable pressure band, and a second end inserted into the second air pipe, wherein the two retainers are respectively locked to the cover, a first retainer is locked to the first end of the inflatable pressure band and a second retainer is locked to the second end of the inflatable pressure band. Brief description of the drawings

[0022] [Fig-1] is a perspective view showing the assembly of a vacuum sealer according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] [Fig.2] is another perspective view showing the assembly of the vacuum sealer according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] [Fig.3] is a perspective view showing the assembly of a portion of the vacuum sealer according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] [Fig.4] is another perspective view showing the assembly of a portion of the vacuum sealer according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] [Fig.5] is also another perspective view showing the assembly of a portion of the vacuum sealer according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] [Fig.6] is yet another perspective view showing the assembly of a portion of the vacuum sealer according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Referring to Figures 1 to 6, a vacuum sealer capable of continuous operation according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises: a body 1, a sealing member 14 and a covering mechanism which are connected on the body 1, a control circuit 15 received in the body 1, an air suction pump 11, an air supply pump 12, and an exhaust tank 16 defined in the body 1, located next to the sealing member 14 and configured to suck air from a vacuum packaging bag, an exhaust interface of the air suction pump 11 being in communication with the exhaust tank 16 via a first air pipe, the control circuit 15 being electrically connected to the air suction pump 11, the air supply pump 12 and the sealing member 14. sealing 14,the sealing member 14 and the covering mechanism movably contacting each other to close the exhaust tank 16 before vacuuming. In a heat sealing process, a mouth of the vacuum packaging bag is pressed by the sealing member, the covering mechanism comprising a cover 2, a rear end of the cover 2 being rotatably connected to a rear end of an upper portion of the body 1, the body 1 further comprising a sealing working area 13 formed on a front end of the upper portion thereof and configured to receive the sealing member 14, and two sides of the sealing member 14 extending respectively to two sides of the sealing working area 13. The cover 2 comprises an inflatable pressure strip 21 provided on a front end of the lower portion thereof.

[0029] The sealing element 14 comprises an insulation seat 17, a heating element 33 and at least one insulating layer 18, the heating element 33 extending from an upper portion of the insulation seat 17, and the at least one insulating layer 18 covers the heating element 33. The heating element 33 respectively comprises a heating wire which extends from an upper portion of the sealing element 14, a lower portion of the inflatable pressure strip 21 is a flexible wall made of flexible silicone. When the inflatable pressure strip 21 abuts against the sealing member 14, the flexible wall of the inflatable pressure strip 21 is stopped to deformably contact the upper portion of the sealing member and to cover the heating wire with the at least one insulating layer 33, thereby improving a heat sealing effect and reducing heat loss and sealing time.

[0030] During the heat sealing process, the inflatable pressure strip 21 contacts the heating element 33 and covers it. In any working process other than the heat sealing process, a defined distance between the lower part of the flexible wall of the inflatable pressure strip 21 and the upper part of the heating element 33 is between 0.2 cm and 1 cm. Preferably, the distance defined is between 0.3 cm and 0.5 cm. In any working process other than the heat sealing process, the inflatable pressure strip 21 does not come into contact with the sealing element 14 and the heating element 33.

[0031] The cover 2 comprises the inflatable pressure band 21 in which an inflatable cavity 25 is defined, an exhaust interface of the air supply pump 12 is in communication with the inflatable pressure band 21 via a second air pipe 26, the second air pipe 26 extending into the cover 2 from the body 1 via a coupling port of a rotating shaft of the body 1. After the sealing member 14 contacts the covering mechanism, the inflatable pressure band 21 is not inflated and remains at a predetermined distance from the sealing member 14.In the heat sealing process, the inflatable pressure strip 21 is inflated to expand the flexible wall of the inflatable pressure strip 21 and to movably abut against the sealing member 14, such that the lower portion of the inflatable pressure strip 21 contacts the upper portion of the sealing member 14 in a mating manner. In any working process other than the heat sealing process, the inflatable pressure strip 21 is not inflated to shrink into a receiving chamber, thereby producing the set distance between the lower portion of the inflatable pressure strip 21 and the upper portion of the heating element 33.

[0032] Preferably, the inflatable pressure band 21 is inflated and deflated within 1 second. When the inflatable pressure band 21 is deflated, the inflatable pressure band 21 quickly retracts into the receiving chamber to produce a negative pressure above the heating wire of the heating element 33, thereby increasing a temperature and pressure of the heating wire. Then, air around the heating wire is pushed upward to quickly reduce the temperature of the sealing element 14.

[0033] The inflatable pressure strip 21 has a receiving groove 27 defined on a central portion of its lower portion and configured to receive the heating element 33 which is covered by the at least one insulating layer 18, the receiving groove 27 extending along a length of the inflatable pressure strip 21, two abutting portions 28 being respectively formed adjacent two sides of the receiving groove 27 and configured to contact the insulation seat 17. When the inflatable pressure strip 21 abuts against the sealing member 14, a pressure between the inflatable pressure strip 21 and the heating element 33 is equal to a pressure between the heating element 33 and the insulation seat 17, a height of the receiving groove 27 is not aligned with a height of the mouth of the vacuum packaging bag so as to maintain a fixed pressure in multiple pressure positions of the vacuum packaging bag, when the vacuum packaging bag is heat sealed. A pressure and a heated temperature of a heat sealing area of the mouth of the vacuum packaging bag are stably balanced. Preferably, the heat sealing effect and the heated temperature of the heat sealing area of the mouth of the vacuum packaging bag are at the same level, which improves a heat sealing quality.

[0034] Alternatively, the heating wire of the heating element 33 is a laminated film, two sides of the heating element 33 extend respectively to two sides of a lower portion of the insulation seat 17 and are electrically connected to two electrode connections 34 and the control circuit 15, thereby providing power to the heating element 33.

[0035] The lid 2 includes the receiving chamber defined therein, multiple spaced-apart separating sheets 22 extending integrally from a length of the inflatable pressure strip 21 and located above the receiving chamber, and a defining trench 23 located below the receiving chamber and passing through the lower portion of the lid 2. The inflatable pressure strip 21 is flat and is received in the receiving chamber of the lid 2, with the multiple spaced-apart separating sheets 22 abutting an upper portion of the inflatable pressure strip 21. When the inflatable pressure strip 21 is deflated, the lower portion of the inflatable pressure strip 21 retracts into or above the defining trench 23 so as to maintain the predetermined distance of the inflatable pressure strip 21 from the sealing member 14.When the inflatable pressure band 21 is inflated, it extends below the lower part of the cover 2 so as to abut against the sealing member 14. Thus, the inflatable pressure band 21 is inflated by the air supply pump 12 to expand and abut against the sealing member 14. The inflatable pressure band 21 communicates with an external environment via two pressure relief tubes 4 to be deflated to retract into the defining trench 23.

[0036] Accordingly, the inflatable pressure band 21 is rapidly and stably expandable and retractable by using the air supply pump 12 and the air suction pump 11 with less power, thereby reducing power consumption. Preferably, a shape of the inflatable pressure band 21 is limited to a predetermined shape by the defining trench 23. After deflating the inflatable pressure band 21, the inflatable pressure band quickly retracts into the defining trench 23 to accelerate a flow rate of air around the sealing member 14, thereby rapidly decreasing the temperature.

[0037] The cover 2 further comprises a contact foot 24 extending from its lower portion and received in a through-hole 19 of the upper portion of the body 1. The body 1 further comprises a control switch 10 received therein and mating with the contact foot 24 by contact or sensing, the control circuit 15 being in electrical contact with the control switch 10 to activate the air supply pump 12 for inflation after the control switch 10 has been actuated and the control circuit 15 has activated the sealing member 14. The inflatable pressure band 21 is not over-inflated to expand and withdraw from the defining trench 23 in a program-controlled manner or using the control switch 10.

[0038] The cover 2 further comprises two retainers 29 extending thereon, the inflatable pressure band 21 comprises a sealing segment formed on its first end, a rotation interface 20 formed on a second end of the inflatable pressure band 21 and having an air passage, the rotation interface 20 being L-shaped and comprising a first end inserted into the first end of the inflatable pressure band 21, and a second end inserted into the second air pipe 26, the two retainers 29 being respectively locked to the cover 2 by means of two screws, a first retainer 29 being locked to the first end of the inflatable pressure band 21, and a second retainer 29 being locked to the second end of the inflatable pressure band 21.The body 1 further comprises two release buttons 3 respectively formed on its two sides, the first air pipe and the second air pipe 26 being respectively in communication with the two pressure relief tubes 4, and the two release buttons 3 respectively comprising two relief parts 31 moving therewith and abutting against the two pressure relief tubes 4.

[0039] The exhaust tank 16 is defined on a rear end of the sealing working area 13, the exhaust tank 16 has a first sealing washer 6 surrounding it, and the cover 2 comprises a second sealing washer 7 mounted on its lower part, such that the exhaust tank 16 is closed by the first sealing washer 6 and the second sealing washer 7. The cover 2 further comprises two locking rods 5 extending from its lower part and received in two connection holes 8 of the upper part of the body 1, two ends of the sealing working area 13 corresponding to the two connection holes 8, and the two release buttons 3 comprising two positioning parts 32 configured to correspond to the two locking rods 5.The two positioning parts 32 and the two discharge parts 31 are located in the body 1, the positioning parts 32. are located below the two connection holes 8, and the locking rods 5 are located on two sides of the lower part of the cover 2, so that the two locking rods 5 are locked with the positioning parts 32 via the two connection holes 8.

[0040] The body 1 further comprises a control platform 9 or a touch screen disposed on its upper part, electrically connected to the control circuit 15, and configured to control the vacuum sealer and display an operating status of the vacuum sealer.

[0041] Although the first embodiments of the invention have been presented for the purpose of disclosure, modifications to the disclosed embodiments of the invention as well as other embodiments thereof may be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1.

2. Claims A vacuum sealer capable of continuous operation, characterized in that it comprises: a body (1), a sealing member (14) and a covering mechanism which are connected on the body (1), a control circuit (15) received in the body (1), an air suction pump (11), an air supply pump (12), and an exhaust tank (16) defined in the body (1), located next to the sealing member (14) and configured to suck air from a vacuum packaging bag, wherein an exhaust interface of the air suction pump (11) is in communication with the exhaust tank (16) via a first air pipe, the control circuit (15) is electrically connected to the air suction pump (11), the air supply pump (12) and the sealing member (14),wherein the sealing member (14) and the covering mechanism movably contact each other to close the exhaust tank (16) before vacuuming; during a heat sealing process, a mouth of the vacuum packaging bag is pressed by the sealing member;, wherein the covering mechanism comprises an inflatable pressure band (21) in which an inflatable cavity (25) is defined, an exhaust interface of the air supply pump (12) is in communication with the inflatable pressure band (21) via a second air pipe (26); wherein, after the sealing member (14) has contacted the covering mechanism, the inflatable pressure strip (21) is not inflated and remains at a predetermined distance from the sealing member (14); and, during the heat sealing process, the inflatable pressure strip (21) is inflated to expand a flexible wall of the inflatable pressure strip (21) and to movably abut against the sealing member (14). Vacuum sealer according to claim 1, characterized in that the covering mechanism comprises a cover (2), a rear end of the cover (2) is rotatably connected to a rear end of an upper part of the body (1), the body (1) further comprises a sealing working area (13) formed on a front end of its upper part and configured to receive the sealing member (14), and two sides of the sealing member (14) extend respectively to two sides of the sealing working area (13); the cover (2) comprises the inflatable pressure strip (21) arranged on a front end of its lower part, and the exhaust tank (16) is defined behind the sealing working area (13).

3. A vacuum sealer according to claim 2, characterized in that, during the heat sealing process, the inflatable pressure band (21) is inflated to expand and to movably abut against the sealing element (14); in any working process other than the heat sealing process, the inflatable pressure band (21) is not inflated to shrink, and a defined distance between a lower portion of the inflatable pressure band (21) and an upper portion of a heating element (33) is produced.

4. A vacuum sealer according to claim 3, characterized in that the sealing element (14) comprises an insulation seat (17), the heating element (33) and at least one insulating layer (18), wherein the heating element (33) extends from an upper portion of the insulation seat (17), and the at least one insulating layer (18) covers the heating element (33); a lower portion of the inflatable pressure strip (21) is a flexible wall made of flexible silicone, when the inflatable pressure strip (21) abuts against the sealing element (14), the flexible wall of the inflatable pressure strip (21) is stopped to deformably contact the upper portion of the sealing element and to cover the heating wire with the at least one insulating layer (33);wherein, in any working process other than the heat sealing process, a defined distance between the lower part of the flexible wall of the inflatable pressure strip (21) and the upper part of the heating element (33) is produced.;

5. A vacuum sealer according to claim 4, characterized in that the inflatable pressure strip (21) has a receiving groove (27) defined on a central portion of its lower portion and configured to receive the heating element (33) which is covered by the at least one insulating layer (18), wherein the receiving groove (27) extends along a length of the pressure strip inflatable (21), two abutting portions (28) being respectively formed next to two sides of the receiving groove (27) and configured to contact the isolation seat (17).

6. A vacuum sealer according to claim 5, characterized in that the cover (2) comprises a receiving chamber defined therein, multiple spaced-apart separating sheets (22) extending integrally from a length of the inflatable pressure band (21) and located above the receiving chamber, and a defining trench (23) located below the receiving chamber and passing through the lower portion of the cover (2);the inflatable pressure strip (21) is flat and is received in the receiving chamber of the cover (2), wherein the multiple spaced-apart separating sheets (22) abut against an upper portion of the inflatable pressure strip (21), when the inflatable pressure strip (21) is deflated, the lower portion of the inflatable pressure strip (21) retracts into or above the defining trench (23) so as to maintain the predetermined distance of the inflatable pressure strip (21) from the sealing member (14); when the inflatable pressure strip (21) is inflated, it extends below the lower portion of the cover (2) so as to abut against the sealing member (14).;

7. A vacuum sealer according to claim 5, characterized in that the cover (2) further comprises a contact foot (24) extending from its lower portion and received in a through-hole (19) of the upper portion of the body (1), the body (1) further comprises a control switch (10) received therein and coupling with the contact foot (24) by contact or detection, wherein the control circuit (15) is in electrical contact with the control switch (10) to activate the air supply pump (12) for inflation once the control switch (10) has been actuated and the control circuit (15) has activated the sealing element (14), wherein the distance defined between the lower portion of the flexible wall of the inflatable pressure band (21) and the upper portion of the heating element (33) is between 0.2 cm and 1 cm.

8. A vacuum sealer according to claim 5, characterized in that the cover (2) further comprises two retaining devices (29) extending thereon, the inflatable pressure band (21) comprises a sealing segment formed on a first end thereof, a rotation interface (20) formed on a second end of the inflatable pressure band (21) and having an air passage, wherein the rotation interface (20) comprises a first end inserted into the first end of the inflatable pressure band (21), and a second end inserted into the second air pipe (26), wherein the two retainers (29) are respectively locked on the cover (2), a first retainer (29) is locked on the first end of the inflatable pressure band (21) and a second retainer (29) is locked on the second end of the inflatable pressure band (21).

Images