VACUUM SEALER SUITABLE FOR CONTINUOUS OPERATION

Abstract

CONTINUOUS VACUUM SEALER The invention relates to a continuous vacuum sealer comprising: a body (1), a sealing element (14), a cover mechanism, an air suction pump, an air supply pump, and an exhaust reservoir (16). The sealing element (14) and the cover mechanism come into contact with each other to close the exhaust reservoir (16) before vacuuming. During the heat-sealing process, an opening of the vacuum packaging bag is pressed by the sealing element (14). The cover mechanism includes 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 band (21) is inflated to expand and come against the sealing element (14).Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Figure 2.

Description

Title of the invention: VACUUM SEALER SUITABLE FOR CONTINUOUS OPERATION technical field

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

[0002] BACKGROUND

[0003] A conventional vacuum sealer is a small kitchen appliance that removes air from the vacuum-sealed bag using a small, integrated vacuum pump and an air extraction chamber. Once the vacuum is created, the opening of the bag is melted and solidified to form a sealing strip that seals the bag's opening. The sealing element comprises a mounting base located on the main body, a horizontally arranged heating wire attached to the top of the mounting base, and a heating wire covering the top of the bag. Throughout the vacuum and heat-sealing process, the sealing strip installed on the top cover constantly presses against the insulating layer of the sealing element and maintains pressure, making 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 attach a heat dissipation device for the sealing element. The sealing element cools extremely slowly, such that the temperature of the heating wire gradually increases during continuous operation. The disadvantages are therefore 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 operating continuously for a long period of time.

[0006] Secondly, if the temperature of the heating wire is too high, the user risks accidentally burning themselves.

[0007] Thirdly, 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 heat-fusible sealing strip formed during the heat-sealing step will also cause deformation of the bag opening due to excessive heating time. The formed heat-fusible sealing strip will also become thinner and deformed, which will greatly facilitate air leakage and significantly reduce the sealing effect.

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

[0010] SUMMARY

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

[0012] To achieve the aforementioned objective, the present invention relates to a vacuum sealer capable of continuous operation, comprising: a body, a sealing element, and a covering mechanism connected to the body; a control circuit housed within the body; an air suction pump; an air supply pump; and an exhaust reservoir defined within the body, located next to the sealing element and configured to draw air from a vacuum packaging bag. An exhaust interface of the air suction pump communicates with the exhaust reservoir via a first air hose. The control circuit is electrically connected to the air suction pump, the air supply pump, and the sealing element. The sealing element and the covering mechanism movably engage with each other to close the exhaust reservoir before vacuuming.During a heat-sealing process, an opening of the vacuum-sealed packaging bag is pressed by the sealing element. The sealing mechanism includes an inflatable pressure band with a defined inflatable cavity, and an exhaust interface from the air supply pump communicates with the inflatable pressure band via a second air hose. Once the sealing element makes contact with the sealing mechanism, the inflatable pressure band remains deflated at a predetermined distance from the sealing element. During the heat-sealing process, the inflatable pressure band is inflated to expand a flexible wall of the band and to flexibly butt against the sealing element.

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

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

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

[0016] In the defined operating mode or in the operating mode without heat sealing, the inflatable pressure band and the sealing element are relatively separated to avoid a slow rate of temperature reduction of the sealing element, and the vacuum sealer is able to operate continuously.

[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 part of the insulation seat, and at least one insulating layer covers the heating element; a lower part of the inflatable pressure band is a flexible wall made of flexible silicone, whereby when the inflatable pressure band butts up against the sealing element, the flexible wall of the inflatable pressure band is stopped to make deformable contact with the upper part of the sealing element and to cover the heating wire with at least one insulating layer; wherein, in any working process other than the heat-sealing process, a defined distance is produced between the lower part of the flexible wall of the inflatable pressure band and the upper part of the heating element.

[0018] Preferably, the inflatable pressure band has a receiving groove defined on a central part of its lower part and configured to receive the heating element which is covered by at least one insulating layer, in which the receiving groove extends along a length of the inflatable pressure band, two butting parts being respectively formed next to two sides of the receiving groove and configured to come into contact with the insulation seat.

[0019] Preferably, the cover comprises a defined receiving chamber therein, multiple spaced separating sheets extending in a single piece from a length of the inflatable pressure band and situated above the receiving chamber, and a defining trench situated below the receiving chamber and passing through the lower part of the cover; the inflatable pressure band is flat and is received in the receiving chamber of the cover, in which the multiple spaced separating sheets abut against 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 element; when the pressure band When inflated, the inflatable part extends under the lower part of the lid so as to come against the sealing element.

[0020] Preferably, the cover further comprises a contact foot extending from its lower part and received in a through orifice in the upper part of the body, the body further comprises a control switch received inside it and coupling with the contact foot by contact or by detection, 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 part of the flexible wall of the inflatable pressure band and the upper part of the heating element is between 0.2 cm and 1 cm.

[0021] Preferably, the cover further comprises two retaining devices extending over it, 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, in which 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, in which the two retaining devices are respectively locked onto the cover, a first retaining device is locked onto the first end of the inflatable pressure band and a second retaining device is locked onto 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 part 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 part 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 part 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] With reference 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 element 14 and a covering mechanism which are connected to 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 reservoir 16 defined in the body 1, located next to the sealing element 14 and configured to draw air from a vacuum packaging bag, an exhaust interface of the air suction pump 11 being in communication with the exhaust reservoir 16 via a first air hose, the control circuit 15 being electrically connected to the air suction pump 11, the air supply pump 12 and the sealing element 14. sealing 14,The sealing element 14 and the cover mechanism movably contact each other to close the exhaust reservoir 16 before vacuuming. During a heat-sealing process, an opening of the vacuum packaging bag is pressed by the sealing element. The cover mechanism includes a lid 2, a rear end of the lid 2 being rotatably connected to a rear end of an upper portion of the body 1. The body 1 further includes a sealing work area 13 formed on a front end of its upper portion and configured to receive the sealing element 14, and two sides of the sealing element 14 extending respectively towards two sides of the sealing work area 13. The lid 2 includes an inflatable pressure band 21 disposed on a front end of its lower portion.

[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 part of the insulation seat 17, and the at least one insulating layer 18 covering the heating element 33. The heating element 33 comprises respectively a heating wire extending from an upper part of the sealing element 14, a lower part of the inflatable pressure band 21 is a flexible wall made of flexible silicone. When the inflatable pressure band 21 comes against the sealing element 14, the flexible wall of the inflatable pressure band 21 is stopped to come into deformable contact with the upper part of the sealing element and to cover the heating wire with at least one insulating layer 33, which improves a heat-sealing effect and reduces heat loss and sealing time.

[0030] During the heat-sealing process, the inflatable pressure band 21 comes into contact with and covers the heating element 33. 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 band 21 and the upper part of the heating element 33 is between 0.2 cm and 1 cm. Preferably, the distance The defined thickness is between 0.3 cm and 0.5 cm. In any work process other than the heat-sealing process, the inflatable pressure band 21 does not come into contact with the sealing element 14 and the heating element 33.

[0031] The cover 2 includes 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 hose 26, the second air hose 26 extending into the cover 2 from the body 1 via a coupling port of a rotating shaft of the body 1. Once the sealing element 14 has come into contact with the covering mechanism, the inflatable pressure band 21 is not inflated and remains at a predetermined distance from the sealing element 14.During the heat-sealing process, the inflatable pressure band 21 is inflated to extend its flexible wall and to movably abut against the sealing element 14, such that the lower part of the inflatable pressure band 21 comes into coupled contact with the upper part of the sealing element 14. In any working process other than the heat-sealing process, the inflatable pressure band 21 is not inflated to retract into a receiving chamber, thus producing the defined distance between the lower part of the inflatable pressure band 21 and the upper part of the heating element 33.

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

[0033] The inflatable pressure band 21 has a receiving groove 27 defined on a central portion of its lower part and configured to receive the heating element 33, which is covered by at least one insulating layer 18. The receiving groove 27 extends along a length of the inflatable pressure band 21. Two butting portions 28 are formed next to two sides of the receiving groove 27 and configured to contact the insulation seat 17. When the inflatable pressure band 21 butts up against the sealing element 14, the pressure between the inflatable pressure band 21 and the heating element 33 is equal to the 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 opening 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. The pressure and heated temperature of the heat-sealing zone at the opening of the vacuum packaging bag are stably balanced. Preferably, the heat-sealing effect and the heated temperature of the heat-sealing zone at the opening of the vacuum packaging bag are at the same level, which improves the 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 towards two sides of a lower part of the insulation seat 17 and are electrically connected to two electrode connections 34 and to the control circuit 15, thus supplying power to the heating element 33.

[0035] The cover 2 comprises the receiving chamber defined therein, multiple spaced separating sheets 22 extending in one piece 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 part of the cover 2. The inflatable pressure band 21 is flat and is received in the receiving chamber of the cover 2, the multiple spaced separating sheets 22 abutting against an upper part of the inflatable pressure band 21. When the inflatable pressure band 21 is deflated, the lower part of the inflatable pressure band 21 retracts into or above the defining trench 23 so as to maintain the predetermined distance of the inflatable pressure band 21 from the sealing element 14.When the inflatable pressure band 21 is inflated, it extends under the lower part of the cover 2 so as to come against the sealing element 14. Thus, the inflatable pressure band 21 is inflated by the air supply pump 12 to extend and come against the sealing element 14. The inflatable pressure band 21 communicates with an external environment via two pressure relief tubes 4 to be deflated in order to retract into the definition trench 23.

[0036] Consequently, the inflatable pressure band 21 is rapidly and stably extendable and retractable using the air supply pump 12 and the air suction pump 11 with less power, thus reducing energy consumption. Preferably, the shape of the inflatable pressure band 21 is limited to a predetermined shape by the defining groove 23. After deflating the inflatable pressure band 21, it retracts rapidly into the defining groove 23 to accelerate the airflow velocity around the sealing element 14, thereby rapidly decreasing the temperature.

[0037] The cover 2 further includes a contact foot 24 extending from its lower part and received in a through-hole 19 in the upper part of the body 1. The body 1 further includes a control switch 10 received inside it and coupling with the contact foot 24 by contact or by detection, the control circuit 15 being 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. The inflatable pressure band 21 is not over-inflated so as to extend and retract from the definition trench 23 in a programmatically controlled manner or by means of the control switch 10.

[0038] The cover 2 further includes two retaining devices 29 extending thereon, the inflatable pressure band 21 includes 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 including 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 retaining devices 29 being respectively locked onto the cover 2 by means of two screws, a first retaining device 29 being locked onto the first end of the inflatable pressure band 21, and a second retaining device 29 being locked onto the second end of the inflatable pressure band 21.The body 1 further includes 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 release parts 31 moving with them and coming 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 which surrounds it, and the cover 2 includes 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 includes two locking rods 5 extending from its lower part and received in two connection ports 8 of the upper part of the body 1, two ends of the sealing working area 13 corresponding to the two connection ports 8, and the two release buttons 3 including 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 ports 8, and the locking rods 5 are located on two sides of the lower part of the cover 2, such that the two locking rods 5 are locked with the positioning parts 32 via the two connection ports 8.

[0040] The body 1 further includes 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 were presented for the purpose of disclosure, modifications to the disclosed embodiments of the invention and to other embodiments thereof may be made by a person skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1.

2. Demands Vacuum sealer suitable for continuous operation, characterized in that it comprises: a body (1), a sealing element (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 element (14) and configured to suction air from a vacuum packaging bag, in which 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 element (14),in which the sealing element (14) and the covering mechanism come into movably contact with each other to close the exhaust reservoir (16) before vacuum sealing; during a heat-sealing process, an opening of the vacuum packaging bag is pressed by the sealing element; in which the cover mechanism includes 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); in which, once the sealing element (14) has come into contact with the covering mechanism, the inflatable pressure band (21) is not inflated and remains at a predetermined distance from the sealing element (14); and, during the heat-sealing process, the inflatable pressure band (21) is inflated to extend a flexible wall of the inflatable pressure band (21) and to come into movable contact with the sealing element (14). A 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 comprising a sealing working area (13) formed on a front end of its upper part and configured to receive the sealing element (14), and two sides of the sealing element (14) extend respectively towards two sides of the sealing work area (13); the cover (2) includes the inflatable pressure band (21) disposed on a front end of its lower part, and the exhaust tank (16) is defined behind the sealing work area (13).

3. 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 come into movable contact with the sealing element (14); in any working process other than the heat sealing process, the inflatable pressure band (21) is not inflated to retract, and a defined distance between a lower part of the inflatable pressure band (21) and an upper part of a heating element (33) is produced.

4. 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), in which the heating element (33) extends from an upper part of the insulation seat (17), and the at least one insulating layer (18) covers the heating element (33); a lower part of the inflatable pressure band (21) is a flexible wall made of flexible silicone, when the inflatable pressure band (21) comes against the sealing element (14), the flexible wall of the inflatable pressure band (21) is stopped to come into deformable contact with the upper part of the sealing element and to cover the heating wire with the at least one insulating layer (33);in which, in any work process other than the heat-sealing process, a defined distance is produced between the lower part of the flexible wall of the inflatable pressure band (21) and the upper part of the heating element (33).

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

6. Vacuum sealer according to claim 5, characterized in that the lid (2) comprises a receiving chamber defined therein, multiple spaced separating sheets (22) extending in one piece from a length of the inflatable pressure strip (21) and situated above the receiving chamber, and a defining trench (23) situated below the receiving chamber and passing through the lower part of the lid (2);The inflatable pressure band (21) is flat and is received in the receiving chamber of the cover (2), in which the multiple spaced separating sheets (22) abut against an upper part of the inflatable pressure band (21); when the inflatable pressure band (21) is deflated, the lower part of the inflatable pressure band (21) retracts into or above the defining trench (23) so as to maintain the predetermined distance of the inflatable pressure band (21) from the sealing element (14); when the inflatable pressure band (21) is inflated, it extends under the lower part of the cover (2) so as to abut against the sealing element (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 part and received in a through-hole (19) in the upper part of the body (1), the body (1) further comprises a control switch (10) received inside it and coupling with the contact foot (24) by contact or by sensing, 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 defined distance between the lower part of the flexible wall of the inflatable pressure band (21) and the upper part of the heating element (33) is between 0.2 cm and 1 cm.

8. Vacuum sealer according to claim 5, characterized in that the lid (2) further comprises two retaining devices (29) extending over it, the inflatable pressure band (21) includes 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, in which the rotation interface (20) includes 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), in which the two retaining devices (29) are respectively locked onto the cover (2), a first retaining device (29) is locked onto the first end of the inflatable pressure band (21) and a second retaining device (29) is locked onto the second end of the inflatable pressure band (21).

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