Systems and methods for sealing plastic enclosures - Patents.com

Abstract

A method and apparatus for sealing a plastic enclosure is provided. The apparatus includes a handle including elements pivotally coupled to each other at a first end. The apparatus also includes a pair of spaced-apart heating elements disposed along an inner surface of the elements and connected to a power source, with the longitudinal axes of the heating elements oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elements. A plastic material including first and second plastic layers is disposed at an interface between the second elements. The heating elements are configured to melt the plastic material at the interface to form a pair of spaced-apart seals between the first and second plastic layers.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present application relates to a system and method for sealing a plastic enclosure. (CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application No. 16 / 803,847, filed February 27, 2020, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 812,372, filed March 1, 2019, the entire contents of both of which are incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth herein under 35 U.S.C. §§ 119(e) and 120. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventional packaging is available for the temporary storage of condiments, snack foods, personal products, etc. For example, plastic containers (e.g., Tupperware®) are commercially available for the temporary storage of such products, as are conventional bags (e.g., Ziploc®) for the temporary storage of such products. Summary of the Invention

[0003] A technique is provided for sealing plastic enclosures that can be used to transport a variety of products, including condiments, snack foods, and personal products. The inventors have noted that conventional heat sealers have a single heating element on the top and bottom elements of the sealer that seal a relatively wide seal. The inventors of the present invention have recognized that these conventional heat sealers have drawbacks, such as limitations in sealing or resealing plastic enclosures (e.g., after the contents of the enclosure have been consumed) despite a large amount of empty space within the enclosure. Conventional heat sealers also have limitations on how the heating element heats (e.g., either always on or always on when the sealer is closed). As such, conventional heat sealers frequently overheat (e.g., because they are always on when plugged into an outlet). Furthermore, conventional heat sealers are limited in that they always have heating elements on the top and bottom of the device. Furthermore, conventional heat sealers have size limitations (e.g., they are relatively bulky), limiting their use. Specifically, conventional heat sealers are not portable (e.g., not handheld sized) and are instead heavy / bulky, limiting their use (e.g., for use on surfaces that support a heavy / bulky sealer). Additionally, conventional heat sealers are always on (or always on when the sealer is closed) and do not provide any indication to the user once a seal has been formed in the plastic material, requiring the user to guess when to open the sealing element to remove the plastic material.

[0004] Therefore, the inventors of the present invention have developed an improved system for sealing plastic enclosures that addresses the above-mentioned shortcomings. To address the shortcomings of the limited ability to seal / reseal plastic enclosures with empty spaces, in one embodiment, the inventors have developed an improved heat sealer that can reseal a plastic enclosure (e.g., a bag of potato chips) after removing a portion of the contents (e.g., a portion of chips that has been consumed) and then cut away the excess plastic material that is no longer needed to enclose the remaining contents. This has the advantage that the user can not only form a plastic enclosure for the contents (e.g., a food item such as potato chips), but can subsequently reseal and cut away the excess plastic enclosure after a portion of the contents has been removed / consumed. To address the shortcomings of conventional sealers having limited means to heat the heating element (e.g., always on, or always on when the sealer is closed), in one embodiment, the inventors have developed an improved heat sealer that features one or more controls (e.g., a lock to lock the sealing element in a closed position and / or a switch that is manually pressed to activate heating of the heating element) to provide more control over the sealing of the plastic enclosure. Additionally, in another embodiment, the inventors have developed an improved heat sealer that automatically deactivates heating of the heating element if the temperature of the heating element exceeds a temperature threshold. (See 1-6 herein to generally describe how the shortcomings are addressed.) This has the advantage of providing a safety feature not present in conventional heat sealers (e.g., preventing overheating of the heating element).

[0005] Further, to overcome the drawback of conventional heat sealers with heating elements on the top and bottom elements of the sealer, in another embodiment, the inventors have developed an improved heat sealer that can be operated with heating elements on only one of the top and bottom elements of the sealer, thereby saving energy and / or manufacturing costs. Further, to overcome the drawback of the bulkiness of conventional heat sealers, in one embodiment, the inventors have developed an improved heat sealer that is portable / handheld (e.g., weighs below a certain weight threshold for portability / handheld) and / or features one or more flat surfaces so that the heat sealer can be used on a flat surface (e.g., a table) if desired. Thus, the improved heat sealer not only provides the functionality of portability / handheld, but also provides flexibility in that it can be used on a flat surface (e.g., a table). Further, to address the drawback of conventional sealers that they cannot indicate to the user that a seal has been formed in the plastic material, in one embodiment, the inventors have developed an improved heat sealer that provides an indicator (e.g., a light) to indicate to the user that a seal has been formed in the plastic material. This has the advantage that it simplifies operation of the heat sealer and eliminates the need for the user to guess when a seal will be formed in the plastic material.

[0006] In a first embodiment, an apparatus for sealing an enclosure of a plastic material is provided. The apparatus includes a pair of elements pivotally coupled to each other at a first end of the elements. The apparatus further includes a pair of spaced apart heating elements disposed along an inner surface of at least one of the elements and connected to a power source, the longitudinal axes of the heating elements being oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elements. The pair of spaced apart heating elements melts the plastic material including the first and second plastic layers at the interface between the pair of elements to form a seal between the first and second plastic layers.

[0007] In a second embodiment, an apparatus for sealing an enclosure of a plastic material is provided. The apparatus includes a pair of elements pivotally coupled to each other at a first end of the elements. The apparatus further includes a pair of spaced apart heating elements disposed along an inner surface of one of the elements and connected to a power source. The apparatus further includes a cutting element disposed on the inner surface of one of the elements and configured to move relative to the inner surface of the elements to cut the plastic material along an interface adjacent the seal. The pair of spaced apart heating elements is configured to melt the plastic material including the first and second plastic layers at the interface between the pair of elements to form a pair of spaced apart seals between the first and second plastic layers.

[0008] In a third embodiment, a method for sealing an enclosure of a plastic material is provided. The method includes disposing a plastic material including a first plastic layer and a second plastic layer at a contact surface between a pair of elements in a first direction. The method further includes pivoting the pair of elements from an open position to a closed position and increasing the temperature of a pair of spaced apart heating elements at the contact surface to melt the first plastic layer and the second plastic layer. The method further includes forming a first pair of spaced apart seals between the first plastic layer and the second plastic layer based on the melting of the first plastic layer and the second plastic layer. The method further includes filling the enclosure of the plastic material with contents through an opening in the plastic material and disposing a plastic material including the first plastic layer and the second plastic layer at a contact surface in a first direction. The method further includes pivoting the pair of elements from an open position to a closed position and increasing the temperature of a heating element at the contact surface to melt the first plastic layer and the second plastic layer. The method further includes forming a second pair of spaced apart seals between the first plastic layer and the second plastic layer based on melting the first plastic layer and the second plastic layer, forming an enclosure of plastic material between the first seal and the second seal.

[0009] Further aspects, features, and advantages will be readily apparent from the following detailed description, which merely illustrates a number of specific embodiments and implementations, including the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention. Also, other embodiments may have other different features and advantages, and its several details may be modified in various obvious respects without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are illustrative in nature and should not be regarded as restrictive.

[0010] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings, embodiments are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, and like reference numbers refer to similar elements. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a system for sealing a plastic material enclosure in an open position, according to one embodiment.

[0012] [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example taken along line 1B-1B of FIG. 1A, according to one embodiment.

[0013] [Figure 1C] 1B is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a first element of the system of FIG. 1A, according to one embodiment.

[0014] [Figure 1D] 1B is a perspective end view illustrating an example of a first element of the system of FIG. 1A, according to one embodiment.

[0015] [Figure 1E] FIG. 1B is a top view illustrating an example of a second element of the system of FIG. 1A, according to one embodiment.

[0016] [Figure 1F] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a system for sealing a plastic material enclosure in an open position, according to one embodiment.

[0017] [Figure 1G] FIG. 1C is a side view illustrating an example of a second element of the system of FIG. 1F, according to one embodiment.

[0018] [Figure 1H] FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating an example pair of second elements of different dimensions, according to one embodiment.

[0019] [Figure 2A] FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a bracket mounted on a flat surface, according to one embodiment.

[0020] [Figure 2B] 2B is a side view illustrating an example of the system of FIG. 1A mounted on the bracket of FIG. 2A, according to one embodiment.

[0021] [Figure 2C] 2B is an exploded view of the system of FIG. 1A and the example bracket of FIG. 2A, according to one embodiment.

[0022] [Figure 2D] 2A is a perspective view illustrating an example of the system of FIG. 1A and the bracket of FIG. 2A mounted on a flat surface, according to one embodiment.

[0023] [Figure 2E] FIG. 2B is a perspective view illustrating an example of the system of FIG. 1A mounted on the bracket of FIG. 2A in an open position, according to one embodiment.

[0024] [Figure 2F] FIG. 2F is a side view illustrating an example of multiple reels of plastic material used in the system of FIG. 2E, according to one embodiment.

[0025] [Figure 2G] 2F is a top view illustrating an example of straw material and a number of capsules formed within the straw material using the system of FIG. 2E, according to one embodiment.

[0026] [Figure 2H] FIG. 2F is a perspective view illustrating an example of multiple reels of plastic material for use in the system of FIG. 2E, according to one embodiment.

[0027] [Figure 3A] FIG. 5B is a block diagram illustrating an example of a perspective view of a seal formed in a plastic material by the system of FIG. 5A, according to one embodiment.

[0028] [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is a block diagram illustrating an example of a perspective view of the seal of FIG. 3A, according to one embodiment.

[0029] [Figure 3C] FIG. 5B is a block diagram illustrating an example of a perspective view of a second seal formed in a plastic material by the system of FIG. 5A, according to one embodiment.

[0030] [Figure 3D] 3D is a perspective view illustrating an example of using the system to form the second seal of FIG. 3C in a plastic material, according to one embodiment.

[0031] [Figure 3E] FIG. 3D is a perspective view illustrating an example of using the system to form the second seal of FIG. 3C, according to one embodiment.

[0032] [Figure 3F] FIG. 2 is a top view illustrating an example of a plastic material enclosure including a first seal and a second seal, according to one embodiment.

[0033] [Figure 3G] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a top view of a plastic material enclosure including an internal seal between a first seal and a second seal, according to one embodiment.

[0034] [Figure 3H]FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a top view of a plastic material enclosure after removing the contents and resealing the enclosure to remove excess plastic material, according to one embodiment. [Figure 3I] FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a top view of a plastic material enclosure after removing the contents and resealing the enclosure to remove excess plastic material, according to one embodiment. [Figure 3J] FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a top view of a plastic material enclosure after removing the contents and resealing the enclosure to remove excess plastic material, according to one embodiment.

[0035] [Figure 4] 1 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method for sealing an enclosure of a plastic material, according to one embodiment.

[0036] [Figure 5A] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a system for sealing a plastic material enclosure in a closed position, according to one embodiment.

[0037] [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is a perspective view illustrating an example of the system of FIG. 5A in an open position, according to one embodiment.

[0038] [Figure 5C] FIG. 5C is a perspective view illustrating an example of the system of FIG. 5B with a cutting element slid from a first end to a second end of a slot in one of the elements, according to one embodiment.

[0039] [Figure 5D] FIG. 5B is a side view illustrating an example of the system of FIG. 5A on a horizontal surface, according to one embodiment.

[0040] [Figure 5E] FIG. 5B is a side view illustrating an example of the system of FIG. 5A in an open position, according to one embodiment.

[0041] [Figure 5F] FIG. 5B is a top perspective view illustrating an example of the system of FIG. 5A in an open position, according to one embodiment.

[0042] [Figure 5G] FIG. 5B is a top perspective view illustrating an example of the system of FIG. 5A in a closed position, according to one embodiment.

[0043] [Figure 5H] FIG. 5B is a block diagram illustrating an example of electrical connections between a heating element and a power source in the system of FIG. 5A, according to one embodiment.

[0044] [Figure 6A] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an example of a system for sealing a plastic material enclosure in an open position, according to one embodiment.

[0045] [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is a side view illustrating an example of the system of FIG. 6A in a closed position, according to one embodiment.

[0046] [Figure 6C] 6B is a plan view illustrating an example of an internal surface of an element of the system of FIG. 6A, according to one embodiment.

[0047] [Figure 6D] FIG. 6B is a top view illustrating an example of the system of FIG. 6A, according to one embodiment.

[0048] [Figure 7A-7B] FIG. 5B is a perspective view illustrating an example of forming a seal in a plastic material using the system of FIG. 5A, according to one embodiment.

[0049] [Figure 7C-7D] 5B is a side view illustrating an example of forming a seal in a plastic material using the system of FIG. 5A, according to one embodiment.

[0050] [Figure 7E]FIG. 5B is a perspective view illustrating an example of forming a second seal in a plastic material using the system of FIG. 5A, according to one embodiment. [Figure 7F] FIG. 5B is a perspective view illustrating an example of forming a second seal in a plastic material using the system of FIG. 5A, according to one embodiment.

[0051] [Figure 7G] FIG. 5B is a perspective view illustrating an example of forming an internal seal in a plastic material using the system of FIG. 5A, according to one embodiment.

[0052] [Figure 8A] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a system for sealing a plastic material enclosure in an open position, according to one embodiment.

[0053] [Figure 8B] FIG. 8B is a side view illustrating an example of the system of FIG. 8A in a closed position, according to one embodiment.

[0054] [Figure 8C] FIG. 8C is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example taken along line 8C-8C of FIG. 8B, according to one embodiment.

[0055] [Figure 8D] FIG. 8B is a side view illustrating an example of the system of FIG. 8A in an open position, according to one embodiment.

[0056] [Figure 8E] FIG. 8B is a perspective view illustrating an example of the system of FIG. 8A in an open position, according to one embodiment.

[0057] [Figure 8F] FIG. 8B is a side view illustrating an example of the system of FIG. 8A in a closed position, according to one embodiment.

[0058] [Figure 8G] FIG. 8F is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the system of FIG. 8F in a closed position, according to one embodiment.

[0059] [Figure 8H] FIG. 8F is a top view illustrating an example of the system of FIG. 8F, according to one embodiment.

[0060] [Figure 9A] 1A-1C are plan views illustrating examples of inner surfaces of elements of a system for sealing a plastic material enclosure, according to one embodiment.

[0061] [Figure 9B] FIG. 9B illustrates an example of a heating element of the system of FIG. 9A, according to one embodiment.

[0062] [Figure 9C] 9B is a side perspective view showing example elements of the system of FIG. 9A according to one embodiment.

[0063] [Figure 9D] 9D illustrates an example of a button and cutting element of the system of FIG. 9C, according to one embodiment.

[0064] [Figure 9E] FIG. 9D is a top perspective view illustrating an example of the system of FIG. 9C, according to one embodiment. [Figure 9F] FIG. 9D is a top perspective view illustrating an example of the system of FIG. 9C, according to one embodiment. [Figure 9G] FIG. 9D is a top perspective view illustrating an example of the system of FIG. 9C, according to one embodiment.

[0065] [Figure 9H] FIG. 9C is a block diagram illustrating an example of electrical connections between heating elements and power sources in the systems of FIGS. 9E-9G.

[0066] [Figure 10A] FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating an example of a plastic material enclosure including a pair of spaced apart first seals and a pair of spaced apart second seals, according to one embodiment.

[0067] [Figure 10B]FIG. 2 is a front plan view illustrating an example of a plastic material enclosure including a spaced apart first pair of seals and a spaced apart second pair of seals, according to one embodiment.

[0068] [Figure 10C] FIG. 2 is a front plan view illustrating an example of a plastic material enclosure including a spaced apart first pair of seals and a spaced apart second pair of seals, according to one embodiment.

[0069] [Figure 10D] FIG. 10D illustrates an example of the spacing of FIG. 10C with liquid after squeezing the liquid in the enclosure, according to one embodiment.

[0070] [Figure 10E] FIG. 1 is a front plan view illustrating an example of a plastic material enclosure including pairs of spaced apart interior seals to form multiple interior enclosures within the enclosure, according to one embodiment.

[0071] [Figure 10F] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a top view of a plastic material enclosure including a spaced apart interior seal between a first seal and a second seal, according to one embodiment.

[0072] [Figure 10G] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a top view of a plastic material enclosure including spaced apart seals along a first width of the enclosure and spaced apart seals along a second width of the enclosure, according to one embodiment.

[0073] [Figure 11A] 1A-1C illustrate examples of various views of a system for sealing a plastic material enclosure, according to one embodiment. [Figure 11B] 1A-1C illustrate examples of various views of a system for sealing a plastic material enclosure, according to one embodiment. [Figure 11C]1A-1C illustrate examples of various views of a system for sealing a plastic material enclosure, according to one embodiment. [Figure 11D] 1A-1C illustrate examples of various views of a system for sealing a plastic material enclosure, according to one embodiment. [Figure 11E] 1A-1C illustrate examples of various views of a system for sealing a plastic material enclosure, according to one embodiment. [Figure 11F] 1A-1C illustrate examples of various views of a system for sealing a plastic material enclosure, according to one embodiment. [Figure 11G] 1A-1C illustrate examples of various views of a system for sealing a plastic material enclosure, according to one embodiment.

[0074] [Figure 11H] 11B-11C show examples of various views of the system of FIG. 11A used to seal contents within an enclosure, according to one embodiment. [Figure 11I] 11B-11C show examples of various views of the system of FIG. 11A used to seal contents within an enclosure, according to one embodiment. [Figure 11J] 11B-11C show examples of various views of the system of FIG. 11A used to seal contents within an enclosure, according to one embodiment. [Figure 11K] 11B-11C show examples of various views of the system of FIG. 11A used to seal contents within an enclosure, according to one embodiment. [Figure 11L] 11B-11C show examples of various views of the system of FIG. 11A used to seal contents within an enclosure, according to one embodiment. [Figure 11M] 11B-11C show examples of various views of the system of FIG. 11A used to seal contents within an enclosure, according to one embodiment.

[0075] [Figure 12A]1A-1C illustrate examples of various views of a system for sealing a plastic material enclosure, according to one embodiment. [Figure 12B] 1A-1C illustrate examples of various views of a system for sealing a plastic material enclosure, according to one embodiment. [Figure 12C] 1A-1C illustrate examples of various views of a system for sealing a plastic material enclosure, according to one embodiment. [Figure 12D] 1A-1C illustrate examples of various views of a system for sealing a plastic material enclosure, according to one embodiment. [Figure 12E] 1A-1C illustrate examples of various views of a system for sealing a plastic material enclosure, according to one embodiment. [Figure 12F] 1A-1C illustrate examples of various views of a system for sealing a plastic material enclosure, according to one embodiment. [Figure 12G] 1A-1C illustrate examples of various views of a system for sealing a plastic material enclosure, according to one embodiment. [Figure 12H] 1A-1C illustrate examples of various views of a system for sealing a plastic material enclosure, according to one embodiment. [Figure 12I] 1A-1C illustrate examples of various views of a system for sealing a plastic material enclosure, according to one embodiment. [Figure 12J] 1A-1C illustrate examples of various views of a system for sealing a plastic material enclosure, according to one embodiment. [Figure 12K] 1A-1C illustrate examples of various views of a system for sealing a plastic material enclosure, according to one embodiment. [Figure 12L] 1A-1C illustrate examples of various views of a system for sealing a plastic material enclosure, according to one embodiment.

[0076] [Figure 13A]1A-1C illustrate examples of various views of a system for sealing a plastic material enclosure, according to one embodiment. [Figure 13B] 1A-1C illustrate examples of various views of a system for sealing a plastic material enclosure, according to one embodiment. [Figure 13C] 1A-1C illustrate examples of various views of a system for sealing a plastic material enclosure, according to one embodiment. [Figure 13D] 1A-1C illustrate examples of various views of a system for sealing a plastic material enclosure, according to one embodiment. [Figure 13E] 1A-1C illustrate examples of various views of a system for sealing a plastic material enclosure, according to one embodiment. [Figure 13F] 1A-1C illustrate examples of various views of a system for sealing a plastic material enclosure, according to one embodiment. [Figure 13G] 1A-1C illustrate examples of various views of a system for sealing a plastic material enclosure, according to one embodiment. [Figure 13H] 1A-1C illustrate examples of various views of a system for sealing a plastic material enclosure, according to one embodiment. [Figure 13I] 1A-1C illustrate examples of various views of a system for sealing a plastic material enclosure, according to one embodiment.

[0077] [Figure 13J] 13B-13C show examples of various views of the system of FIG. 13A used to seal contents within an enclosure, according to one embodiment. [Figure 13K] 13B-13C show examples of various views of the system of FIG. 13A used to seal contents within an enclosure, according to one embodiment. [Figure 13L] 13B-13C show examples of various views of the system of FIG. 13A used to seal contents within an enclosure, according to one embodiment. [Figure 13M]13B-13C show examples of various views of the system of FIG. 13A used to seal contents within an enclosure, according to one embodiment. [Figure 13N] 13B-13C show examples of various views of the system of FIG. 13A used to seal contents within an enclosure, according to one embodiment. [Figure 13O] 13B-13C show examples of various views of the system of FIG. 13A used to seal contents within an enclosure, according to one embodiment.

[0078] [Figure 13P] 13B-13C show examples of various views of the system of FIG. 13A with a retaining buckle to assist in vacuum sealing the contents within the enclosure, according to one embodiment. [Figure 13Q] 13B-13C show examples of various views of the system of FIG. 13A with a retaining buckle to assist in vacuum sealing the contents within the enclosure, according to one embodiment. [Figure 13R] 13B-13C show examples of various views of the system of FIG. 13A with a retaining buckle to assist in vacuum sealing the contents within the enclosure, according to one embodiment.

[0079] [Figure 14A] 13B-13C show examples of various views of the system of FIG. 13A used to seal the contents within a bottle enclosure, according to one embodiment. [Figure 14B] 13B-13C show examples of various views of the system of FIG. 13A used to seal the contents within a bottle enclosure, according to one embodiment. [Figure 14C] 13B-13C show examples of various views of the system of FIG. 13A used to seal the contents within a bottle enclosure, according to one embodiment. [Figure 14D] 13B-13C show examples of various views of the system of FIG. 13A used to seal the contents within a bottle enclosure, according to one embodiment. [Figure 14E]13B-13C show examples of various views of the system of FIG. 13A used to seal the contents within a bottle enclosure, according to one embodiment. [Figure 14F] 13B-13C show examples of various views of the system of FIG. 13A used to seal the contents within a bottle enclosure, according to one embodiment.

[0080] [Figure 15A] 13B-13C show examples of various views of the system of FIG. 13A used to seal contents within a container enclosure, according to one embodiment. [Figure 15B] 13B-13C show examples of various views of the system of FIG. 13A used to seal contents within a container enclosure, according to one embodiment. [Figure 15C] 13B-13C show examples of various views of the system of FIG. 13A used to seal contents within a container enclosure, according to one embodiment. [Figure 15D] 13B-13C show examples of various views of the system of FIG. 13A used to seal contents within a container enclosure, according to one embodiment. [Figure 15E] 13B-13C show examples of various views of the system of FIG. 13A used to seal contents within a container enclosure, according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0081] A method and apparatus for sealing a plastic material enclosure is described. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention.

[0082] Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters indicating broad ranges are approximations, the numerical values ​​set forth in the specific non-limiting examples are reported as precisely as possible. However, any numerical value inherently contains a certain degree of error necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in the respective testing measurements at the time of this writing. Moreover, unless otherwise clear from the context, numerical values ​​indicated herein have an implied precision given by the least significant digit. Thus, a value of 1.1 implies a value of 1.05 to 1.15. The term "about" is used to indicate a broader range centered on a given value, and unless otherwise clear from the context, a broad range around the least significant digit such as "about 1.1" implies a range of 1.0 to 1.2. When the least significant digit is unknown, the term "about" implies a factor of 2, e.g., "about X" implies a value in the range of 0.5X to 2X, e.g., about 100 implies a value in the range of 50 to 200. Moreover, all ranges disclosed herein should be understood to include any and all subranges contained therein. For example, the range "less than 10" may include any and all subranges from a minimum value of 0 to a maximum value of 10 (inclusive), i.e., any and all subranges with a minimum value of 0 or greater and a maximum value of 10 or less, such as 1 to 4. Also, the term "orthogonal" is used to indicate an angle between two directions in the range of 90°±10° or in the range of 90°±20°. Also, the term "parallel" is used to indicate an angle between two directions in the range of 0°±10° or in the range of 0°±20°.

[0083] Some embodiments of the invention are described below in the context of sealing an enclosure of a plastic material. For purposes of this description, "enclosure" refers to an enclosed volume (e.g., a rectangular volume) defined by a plastic material. In other embodiments, "enclosure" refers to an enclosed volume defined by a plastic and non-plastic material, such as a Mylar material. In some embodiments, the enclosure is defined by one or more seals in the plastic material, the seals being formed between layers of the plastic material and defining one or more boundaries of the enclosure. In some embodiments, the enclosure is a plastic bag defined by one or more seals in the plastic material, including a first plastic layer and a second plastic layer. In other embodiments, the enclosure is defined as a sub-enclosure or sub-volume within a larger enclosure. For example, it is defined as an internal volume or sub-enclosure within a plastic bag formed between two internal seals, or between an internal seal and a seal at one end or side of the bag. In other embodiments, the enclosure is a capsule defined by one or more seals in the plastic material, e.g., a straw, such as a plastic straw. However, the invention is not limited in this context. In this description, "plastic material" means a material made of plastic that includes multiple layers. In some embodiments, the plastic material includes a first plastic layer and a second plastic layer sealed along opposing sides. In other embodiments, the plastic material is a plastic straw. In this description, "portable" means a device that can be carried by a person, such as a standard handbag and / or a device that can be operated while being carried by a person. In some embodiments, "portable" means that the device can be used to perform each step of the method of sealing a plastic enclosure while being carried by a person. In some embodiments, "portable" means that the maximum dimensions (e.g., length, width, height) of the device are about 6 inches to about 12 inches or less.In other embodiments, "portable" means that the device has a maximum dimension (e.g., length, width, height) of about 4 inches to about 14 inches or less. In other embodiments, "portable" means that the device weighs about 8 ounces to about 12 ounces or less. In yet other embodiments, "portable" means that the device weighs about 4 ounces to about 14 ounces or less and / or about 2 ounces to about 28 ounces or less and / or about 2 ounces to about 56 ounces or less. In yet other embodiments, "portable" means that the device does not require an external power source and thus can be powered from an internal power source (e.g., rechargeable batteries).

[0084] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an example of a system 100 for sealing a plastic material enclosure in an open position 101, according to an embodiment. In some embodiments, the system 100 is portable. In one embodiment, the system 100 is portable so that it can be carried in a handbag (e.g., a woman's handbag). The system 100 includes a handle 113 with a pair of first elements 102a, 102b pivotally coupled at one end of the elements 102a, 102b. In one embodiment, the first elements 102a, 102b are pivotally coupled to each other at a hinge 103. In one embodiment, the first elements 102a, 102b are made of a plastic material. In another embodiment, the first elements 102a, 102b are made of a heat-resistant or thermally insulating substrate material (e.g., ceramic, silicon, silicon rubber, etc.).

[0085] The system 100 also includes a pair of second elements 104a, 104b removably coupled to second ends of the first elements 102a, 102b such that the second elements 104a, 104b are coextensive with the first elements 102a, 102b, as shown in FIG. 2B. In some embodiments, the second elements 104a, 104b are made from the same material as the first elements 102a, 102b. In one embodiment, the first elements 102a, 102b and the second elements 104a, 104b are integrally connected as a pair of pivotally coupled elements at a hinge 103. FIG. 1H is a perspective view illustrating an example pair of second elements 104 of different dimensions, according to one embodiment. In some embodiments, the pair of second elements 104a, 104b has a large dimension used to seal plastic materials 136 having a larger dimension (e.g., a 6 inch wide bag), the pair of second elements 104a', 104b' has a medium dimension used to seal plastic materials 136 having a medium dimension (e.g., a 3 inch wide bag), and the pair of second elements 104a'', 104b'' has a small dimension used to seal plastic materials 136 having a small dimension (e.g., a straw).

[0086] In some embodiments, the heating element 106 is disposed along the inner surface of one of the second elements 104a, 104b. In one embodiment, the heating element 106 is disposed along the inner surface of only one of the second elements 104a, 104b, and not along the inner surface of the other second element 104a, 104b. In this embodiment, a sponge material 107 (FIG. 2E) is disposed along the inner surface of the other second element 104a. In one example embodiment, the sponge material 107 is a heat-resistant sponge-like material (e.g., silicone). In other embodiments, the heating element 106 is disposed along the inner surfaces of both second elements 104a, 104b. In some embodiments, the heating element 106 has a flat planar surface. In other embodiments, the heating element has a crimping surface that includes one or more ridges. In one embodiment, the ridges on the crimping surface form a plurality of sealing contact surfaces in the plastic material 136 over the seal. FIG. IF illustrates an example of a heating element 106' that includes a crimping surface with a plurality of ridges. In some embodiments, the crimping surface is made from a ceramic coated material. Figure 1G shows a side view of an example of the second element 104 of the system of Figure 1F, according to one embodiment. The sponge material 107 and the cutting element 111 are also depicted in Figure 1G.

[0087] The heating element 106 is connected to a power source. In some embodiments, the pair of first elements 102a, 102b includes a first connector 112 electrically connected to the power source, and the pair of second elements 104a, 104b includes a second connector 114 electrically connected to the heating element 106. In one example embodiment, the first connector 112 is a male connector and the second connector 114 is a female connector. In other embodiments, the first connector 112 is a female connector and the second connector 114 is a male connector. In still other embodiments, connectors 112, 114 other than male / female connectors can be used to electrically connect the elements 102a, 102b and the elements 104a, 104b. When the first connector 112 and the second connector 114 are connected, the heating element 116 is electrically connected to the power source.

[0088] In some embodiments, the power source is an internal power source housed within the system 100. In one embodiment, the internal power source is housed within one of the first elements 102a, 102b. FIG. 1C illustrates an example of a cross-sectional view of the first element 102b of the system 100 of FIG. 1A, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the first element 102b includes a compartment 116 that houses a power source (e.g., one or more batteries 118). In one example embodiment, two AA-rated batteries 118 are housed in the compartment 116. In other embodiments, the power source is an external power source, and one of the first elements 102a, 102b is connected to the external power source. FIG. 1D illustrates an example of a perspective end view of the first element 102a of the system 100 of FIG. 1A, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the first element 102a includes an electrical outlet (e.g., USB port 122) for connecting to an external power source. In other embodiments, the USB port 122 is used to charge an internal power source (eg, battery 118 ), and the internal power source (or an external power source) serves as the power source for the heating element 106 .

[0089] The system 100 also includes a cutting element 111 disposed along an inner surface of the second element 104a. FIG. 1E is a top view illustrating an example of the second element 104a of the system of FIG. 1A, according to one embodiment. In some embodiments, the second element 104a includes a slot 112 that slidably receives the cutting element. In these embodiments, the outer surface of the second element 104a includes a button 108 (with an optional button recess 109) slidably received in a recess 110, where the button 108 is connected to the cutting element 111 via the slot 112. In other embodiments, the recess 110 is not provided, and the button 108 is configured to slide along the outer surface of the second element 104a. When a user slides the button 108 along the recess 110, the cutting element 111 slides along the inner surface of the second element 104a.

[0090] During operation of the system 100, the first elements 102a, 102b are initially positioned in an open position 101 (FIG. 1A) with a predetermined angle between the first elements 102a, 102b. In some embodiments, the open position 101 is a default position of the first elements 102a, 102b such that the first elements 102a, 102b are in the open position 101 when no external force is applied. FIG. 2B is a side view illustrating an example of the system 100 of FIG. 1A in the open position 101. In some embodiments, the first element 102a and the second element 104a are coextensive such that they share a common longitudinal axis 135a, and the first element 102b and the second element 104b are coextensive such that they share a common longitudinal axis 135b. Additionally, in other embodiments, the pivot axis 134 of the first elements 102a, 102b (orthogonal to the plane of FIG. 2B) is approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axes 135a, 135b.

[0091] A plastic material including a first plastic layer and a second plastic layer is first placed at the interface between the second elements 104a, 104b. In some embodiments, the plastic material is placed between the heating element 106 and the sponge material 107. The pair of first elements 102a, 102b are then pivoted about the hinge 103 to move the system 100 from the open position 101 (FIG. 1A) to the closed position 103 (FIG. 1B). To facilitate the movement of the system from the open position 101 to the closed position 103, in some embodiments, the heating element 106 includes a slot 140 (FIG. 2E) that slidably receives a cutting element on an inner surface of the second element 104a. In some embodiments, in the closed position 103, the heating element 106 moves within a threshold distance of the sponge material 107. Although FIG. 2E shows the slot 140 located along the heating element 106, in other embodiments, the slot 140 is located away from the heating element 106 along the inner surface of the element 104a.

[0092] In some embodiments, the system 100 is held in the hand of a user (e.g., hands-on operation). In other embodiments, the system 100 is used without being held by a user (e.g., hands-free operation). In these embodiments, the system 100 is attached to a bracket 128, which is attached to a flat surface (e.g., a counter). FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing an example of a bracket 128 attached to a horizontal surface (e.g., a counter 132), according to one embodiment. The bracket 128 is attached to the counter 132. In one embodiment, the bracket 128 is attached to the counter 132 by a pair of suction cups 130a, 130b. Each suction cup 130 includes a base portion secured to the counter 132 and a nipple portion received by a respective opening in the bracket 128 (FIGS. 2C-2D). The bracket 128 includes a pair of mating keys 126a, 126b (FIG. 2A), and the first element 102b includes a pair of key holes sized to slidably receive the mating keys 126a, 126b in a locked position to securely attach the first elements 102a, 102b to the bracket 128. FIG. 2B shows the first elements 102a, 102b and second elements 104a, 104b securely attached to the bracket 128, and the bracket 128 securely attached to a counter 132.

[0093] 5A-5G are diagrams illustrating examples of different views of a system 100' for sealing an enclosure of a plastic material according to an embodiment. The system 100' is similar to the previously discussed system 100, except for the features discussed herein. Unlike the system 100, which includes a pair of first elements 102 and a pair of second elements 104 connected to the pair of first elements 102 using connectors 112, 114, the system 100' includes a pair of elements 105a, 105b. In one embodiment, the element 105a integrates elements 102a and 104a, and the element 105b integrates elements 102b and 104b. Furthermore, unlike the system 100, in which the slot 112 and the button 108 are located near the center of the width of the second element 104a (FIG. 1E), in one embodiment, the system 100' includes a slot 112' and a button 108 offset by a distance 188 (FIG. 6D) from the center of the width 189 of the element 105a. Thus, the cutting element 111 (located in the slot 112') is offset from the center 189 of the width of the element 105a by a spacing 188. In one embodiment, the spacing 188 is about 1 / 8 inch, or in the range of about 1 / 16 inch to about 1 / 4 inch, or in the range of about 1 / 32 inch to about 1 / 2 inch, or in the range of about 1 / 64 inch to about 1 inch. In other embodiments, the slot 112' and button 108 are centrally located along the center 189 of the width of the element 105a.

[0094] In one embodiment, the system 100′ includes a U-shaped member 170 pivotally secured to the element 105b about a pivot axis 171. In one embodiment, the U-shaped member 170 is secured to the element 105b adjacent the second end 177b of the element 105b and can pivot from a first position ( FIG. 8F ) for clamping the elements 105a, 105b together when the elements 105a, 105b are in the closed position 103 to a second position ( FIG. 5D ) for supporting the second end 177b of the element 105a on a horizontal surface 180 (e.g., a table) when the system 100′ is disposed on the horizontal surface 180.

[0095] In another embodiment, the system 100' includes a base 172 adjacent a first end 177a of the element 105 opposite a second end 177b. In one embodiment, the base 172 has an outer diameter 178 (FIG. 5D) that is greater than an outer diameter of the element 105 between the first end 177a and the second end 177b. Additionally, in one embodiment, the base 172 includes a pair of flat surfaces 173a, 173b spaced apart by a width dimension (e.g., outer diameter 178) and a pair of arcuate surfaces 175a, 175b spaced apart by a length dimension that is greater than the width dimension. In one example embodiment, the width dimension ranges from about 2 inches or about 1 inch to about 3 inches, and the length dimension ranges from about 2.5 inches or about 1.5 inches to about 2.5 inches. In some embodiments, the length dimension is approximately the same as the width dimension. In one example embodiment, the height of the U-shaped member 170 is sized based on the difference between the outer diameter 178 of the base 172 and the outer diameter of the member 105b at the pivot axis 171. In another embodiment, one or more dimensions of the base 172 (e.g., the outer diameter 178) are sized such that the system 100' can be mounted vertically on a horizontal surface 180 and the system 100' is relatively stable in the vertical direction. In some embodiments, the length of the system 100' (e.g., the length between the ends 177a, 177b) ranges from about 11.5 inches or about 9.5 inches to about 13.5 inches. In other embodiments, the length of the heating elements 106a, 106b ranges from about 6.5 inches or about 4.5 inches to about 8.5 inches. In yet other embodiments, the length of the slots 112', 140' ranges from about 6.5 inches or about 4.5 inches to about 8.5 inches.

[0096] In one embodiment, system 100' includes one or more heat settings 174 for adjusting the temperature of heating elements 106a, 106b and / or one or more electrical outlets 176 (e.g., USB ports). Heat settings 174 and / or electrical outlets 176 are advantageously located along a side of system 100' such that they are accessible when system 100' is mounted on base 172 in a vertical orientation on a horizontal surface 180.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 5D , one or more dimensions of the base 172 (e.g., outer diameter 178) and one or more dimensions of the U-shaped member 170 (e.g., height) are sized such that the pair of elements 105 is supported on a horizontal surface 180 in the closed position 101 such that the pair of elements 105 is approximately parallel to the horizontal surface 180.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 5C, in one embodiment, multiple heating elements 106a, 106b are provided along the inner surface of each element 105a, 105b. In one embodiment, the heating elements 106a, 106b include a longitudinal axis oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis 135a, 135b (FIG. 5E) of each element 105a, 105b. In one embodiment, the "longitudinal axis" of the heating elements 106a, 106b is defined as an axis aligned with the length dimension (e.g., length 143 in FIG. 2E for heating element 106) and perpendicular to the width dimension that is smaller than the length dimension of the heating elements 106a, 106b. In some embodiments, only one heating element 106 is provided along the inner surface of only one of the elements 105, such that no heating element 106 is provided along the inner surface of the other element 105. In other embodiments, multiple heating elements are provided along the inner surface of each element 105.

[0099] In one embodiment, the width of the heating elements 106a, 106b is approximately the same as the width of the elements 105a, 105b. However, in other embodiments, the width of the heating elements 106a, 106b is less than the width of the elements 105a, 105b. FIG. 6C illustrates an example of a plan view of the inner surface of the elements 105a, 105b of the system 100', according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the slot 112' that slidably receives the cutting element 111 and button 108 of the element 105a is separated from the heating element 106a by a minimum distance 186 along the inner surface of the element 105a. Similarly, the slot 140' that slidably receives the cutting element 111 as it moves along the contact surface 110 is separated from the heating element 106b by a minimum distance 186 along the inner surface of the element 105b. In one example embodiment, the minimum spacing 186 is about ⅛ inch, or in the range of about 1 / 16 inch to about ¼ inch, or in the range of about 1 / 16 inch to about ½ inch, or in the range of about 1 / 32 inch to about 1 inch. The spatial separation of the slots 112′, 140′ and the heating elements 106a, 106b is advantageously adjusted to ensure that the heat from the elements 106a, 106b does not melt the plastic material along the cut made by the cutting element 111. Thus, the minimum spacing 186 ensures that the cut made in the plastic material by the cutting element 111 is not resealed by the heat from the heating elements 106a, 106b. In other embodiments, a layer of insulating material or silicone layer 185 (FIG. 8C) is disposed within the minimum spacing 186 to provide insulation between the heating elements 106a, 106b and the cutting element 111 and further ensure that heat from the elements 106a, 106b does not melt the cut made in the plastic material by the cutting element 111. In some embodiments, the length of the slot 112' and / or slot 140' is equal to or greater than the length of the heating elements 106a and / or heating elements 106b. This advantageously ensures that the range of travel of the cutting element 111 (e.g., the length of the slot 112', 140') encompasses the maximum width of the seal made at the contact surface (e.g., the length of the heating elements 106a, 106b).

[0100] In one embodiment, the cutting element 111 of system 100' operates in a manner similar to the cutting element 111 of system 100 (e.g., slid across the contact surface 110 using the button 108 on the exterior surface of element 105a to cut the plastic material across the contact surface 110). However, embodiments of the invention include any cutting element that moves against the interior surface of element 105a or 105b to cut the plastic material along the contact surface 110. In another embodiment, element 105a or element 105b includes a spring-loaded mechanism that, upon actuation of a button operably coupled to the spring-loaded mechanism, moves the cutting mechanism 111 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 135a or 135b to cut the plastic material.

[0101] In some embodiments, the heating elements 106a, 106b are fixedly attached along the inner surface of the elements 105a, 105b. In other embodiments, one or both of the heating elements 106a, 106b are movably attached to the inner surface of the elements 105a, 105b. FIG. 6A is a side view of an example of a system 100″ for sealing a plastic material enclosure in an open position 101, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the system 100″ of FIG. 6A is similar to the system 100′, except for the features discussed herein. In one embodiment, unlike the system 100′, the heating element 106a′ is movably attached to the inner surface of the element 105a. In one embodiment, the heating element 106a′ is movably attached to the element 105a such that a recess 182 is provided between the heating element 106a′ and the inner surface of the element 105a. Additionally, one or more springs 184a, 184b are provided extending into the recess 182 and operatively coupled to the heating element 106a'. The cutting element 111 is provided such that a tip of the cutting element 111 is aligned with an inner surface of the heating element 106a' when the system 100'' is in the open position 101. When the system 100'' is moved from the open position 101 to the closed position 103 (FIG. 6B), the heating element 106a' engages the heating element 106b at the contact surface 110, which causes the heating element 106a' to move in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 135a and into the recess 182. The heating element 106a' retracts relative to the cutting element 111 such that the cutting element 111 extends beyond the inner surface of the heating element 106a' in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 135a. The tip of the cutting element 111 extends beyond the contact surface 110 of the heating elements 106a, 106b so that as the cutting element 111 slides across the contact surface 110, the cutting element 111 cuts the plastic material at the contact surface 110. This arrangement advantageously ensures that when the system 100'' is in the open position 101, the tip of the cutting element 111 does not extend beyond the inner surface of the heating element 106a' and therefore the cutting element 111 is not exposed.

[0102] FIG. 8A is a perspective view illustrating an example of a system 100″ for sealing a plastic material enclosure in an open position 101, according to one embodiment. FIG. 8B is a side view illustrating an example of the system 100″ of FIG. 8A in a closed position 103, according to one embodiment. FIG. 8C illustrates an example of a cross-sectional view along line 8C-8C of FIG. 8B, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the system 100″ of FIG. 8A is similar to the system 100″ of FIG. 6A, except for one or more features discussed herein.

[0103] In one embodiment, a silicone layer 185 (e.g., a silicone rubber layer) is provided between the heating elements 106a, 106b and the cutting element 111 in the gap 186 between the heating elements 106a, 106b and the cutting element 111. In one embodiment, the silicone layer 185 is oriented perpendicular to the heating elements 106a, 106b such that the long dimension of the silicone layer 185 is perpendicular to the long dimension of the heating elements 106a, 106b. The silicone layer 185 (e.g., rubber silicone) is advantageous in providing insulation to the cut made in the plastic material 136 by the cutting element 111 and preventing heat from the heating elements 106a, 106b from resealing the plastic material 136 along the cut. In one embodiment, the silicone layer 185 includes an extension that is fixedly received in a groove along the inner surface of the element 105b'. The silicone layer 185 is fixed within the groove on the inner surface of the element 105b' using any means (e.g., adhesive) appreciated by one of skill in the art. In one embodiment, the width of the heating element 106 along the contact surface 110 is about 1 / 4 inch, or in the range of about 1 / 8 inch to about 1 / 2 inch, or in the range of about 1 / 16 inch to about 3 / 4 inch. In one embodiment, the width of the silicon layer 185 along the contact surface 110 is about 0.04 inch (1 mm), or in the range of about 0.02 inch (0.5 mm) to about 0.08 inch (2 mm), or in the range of about 0 inch to about 0.2 inch. In yet another embodiment, the width of the silicon layer 185 is based on a percentage of the width of the heating element 106, where the percentage is less than 1. In one embodiment, the height of the silicon layer 185 is sized to adjust the spacing of the inner surfaces of the elements 105a', 105b' in the closed position 103. In one embodiment, the silicon layer 185 has a minimum spacing 187 from the heating element 106b in the element 105b. In one example embodiment, the minimum spacing 187 is about 1 Mm, or in a range from about 0.5 Mm to about 2 Mm. In other embodiments, the silicon layer 185 and / or the springs 184 are not present in the system 100''.

[0104] In one embodiment, a pair of springs 184a, 184c are aligned on opposite sides of the heating element 106a' adjacent the first end 177a and operably coupled to the heating element 106a' to accommodate the heating element 106a' moving into the recess 182 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 135a upon engagement of the heating element 106a' with the heating element 106b in the sealed position 103. Additionally, a pair of springs 184b are aligned on opposite sides of the heating element 106a' adjacent the second end 177b or at n incremental intervals between the first end 177a and the second end 177b. In one embodiment, the button 108 is operably connected to the cutting element 111 via a member 115 slidably received in the slot 112'. In one embodiment, the member 115 is oriented perpendicular to the cutting element 111.

[0105] In one embodiment, the system 100'' includes a spring 183 that is used to spring load the element 105a' at the hinge 103' (FIG. 8G). In one embodiment, when the system 100'' is in the closed position 103 and the U-shaped member 170 pivots from the first position (FIG. 8G) to the second position (FIG. 5D), the spring 183 pushes the element 105a' upwards, causing it to pivot about the hinge 103' until the system 100'' reaches the open position 101. This is advantageous in that the system 100'' automatically opens to the open position 101 without any user action. In other embodiments, the spring 183 is omitted and the user manually pivots the element 105a' from the closed position 103 to the open position 101.

[0106] As previously mentioned, the system 100' includes one or more heat settings 174 for adjusting the desired temperature of the heating elements 106a, 106b. FIG. 5H is a block diagram illustrating an example of an electrical connection between the heating elements 106a, 106b and a power source 119 (e.g., battery 118) in the system 100' of FIG. 5A, according to one embodiment. In some embodiments, the power source 119 is an electrical outlet that is connected to the system 100' via one or more electrical outlets 176 (e.g., USB ports). In one embodiment, the system 100' includes a switch 125 (e.g., a power switch) that turns the system on or off. In one embodiment, the switch 125 is not provided, and an electrical connection between the power source 119 and the system (e.g., plugging the system into an electrical outlet) serves as the switch 125 that turns the system on or off. Additionally, in one embodiment, a sensor 123 (e.g., a sensor that detects engagement of the heating elements 106a, 106b) is provided that detects when the elements 105a, 105b move from the open position 101 to the closed position 103. In one embodiment, an "open position" refers to an angle between elements 105a, 105b that is greater than an angle threshold (e.g., about 5-10 degrees) such that heating elements 106a, 106b are not activated in the open position, while a "closed position" refers to an angle between elements 105a, 105b that is less than an angle threshold such that heating elements 106a, 106b are activated. In another embodiment, an "open position" refers to an angle between elements 105a, 105b that is greater than an angle threshold, and a "closed position" refers to an angle between elements 105a, 105b that is less than an angle threshold, where the angle between elements 105a, 105b does not affect whether heating elements 106a, 106b are activated.

[0107] In one embodiment, the system 100' includes a controller 121 that receives one or more inputs from the heat setting 174, the sensor 123, and / or the switch 125. Upon receiving these inputs, the controller 121 determines whether to send a signal to the power source 119 to send power to the heating elements 106a, 106b. In one embodiment, upon receiving a signal from the switch 125 that the system 100' is turned on, the controller 121 sends the signal to the power source 119 to send power to the heating elements 106a, 106b. In this embodiment, the sensor 123 is not provided or used, and the heating elements 106a, 106b are heated continuously while the switch 125 is turned on. In one example embodiment, the switch 125 is a power switch on the exterior of the system 100'. In another embodiment, upon receiving a signal from the switch 125 and the sensor 123 that the system 100' is on and the elements 105a, 105b are in the closed position 103, the controller 121 sends the signal to the power source 119 to send power to the heating elements 106a, 106b. Thus, in this embodiment, the switch 125 must be on and the elements 105a, 105b must be in the closed position 103 in order for the heating elements 106a, 106b to heat. As discussed in other embodiments of the system below, in some embodiments the system includes a means to lock the elements 105a, 105b in the closed position (e.g., by switching the system or pressing a button so that the hooks engage the recesses). In one example embodiment, the manual switch 125 that turns on the heating elements 106a, 106b is inoperable until the system is locked in the closed position. This has the advantage of providing a safety feature not present in conventional heat sealers (e.g., the heating elements cannot be heated when the system is in the open position).

[0108] In one embodiment, selection of one of the heat settings 174 adjusts one or more temperature thresholds stored in the memory of the controller 121. In one embodiment, a temperature sensor 127 is provided that continuously measures the temperature of the heating elements 106a, 106b as the power supply 119 increases the temperature of the heating elements 106a, 106b. The temperature sensor 127 continuously transmits the measured temperature data to the controller 121, which continuously compares the received measured temperature data to a first temperature threshold stored in the memory (e.g., a high temperature threshold above which the heating elements 106a, 106b are deactivated). When the measured temperature is equal to or exceeds the first temperature threshold, the controller 121 transmits a signal to the power supply 119 to stop powering the heating elements 106a, 106b. In one example embodiment, this mode is a "sleep mode" in which the power supply 119 is unable to power the heating elements 106a, 106b until one or more conditions are met (e.g., the temperature of the heating elements 106a, 106b falls below a second temperature threshold or a low temperature threshold that is lower than the first temperature threshold stored in memory). When the measured temperature falls below the second temperature threshold (e.g., the low temperature threshold), the controller 121 sends a signal to the power supply 119 to power the heating elements 106a, 106b and / or the controller 121 sends a signal to the power supply 119 to allow the heating elements 106a, 106b to be powered (if the necessary conditions exist, e.g., a user activates the switch 125). This has the advantage of providing a safety feature not present in conventional heat sealers (e.g., where an increase in temperature of the heating elements can pose a fire risk).

[0109] In some embodiments, when the system 100' is moved to the closed position 103, the heating elements 106a, 106b receive electrical energy from the power source 119 and heat to a desired temperature (e.g., a temperature threshold based on the selected heat setting 174). In other embodiments, the heating elements 106a, 106b heat to a desired temperature based on the actuation of one or more controls (e.g., switch 125) regardless of whether the system is in the open position 101 or the closed position 103. In one embodiment, the system 100' includes one or more controls (e.g., heat setting 174) for varying the desired temperature (e.g., first and second temperature thresholds stored in the controller memory) and / or the desired time for the seal to be formed (e.g., based on the type of material). In one example embodiment, the control includes a dial for changing the desired temperature to one of a number of settings. In one example embodiment, the dial operates between 2-8 settings to change the desired temperature to any one of 2-8 different settings. In one embodiment, the desired temperature setting is adjusted based on the type of plastic material 136. In one example embodiment, an enclosure made of Mylar plastic material has a different desired temperature setting than an enclosure made of polybag plastic material. In some embodiments, the target temperature is selected based on the melting point of the plastic material. In one example embodiment, the system 100' includes one or more controls on the surface of the elements 105a, 105b to select a desired temperature (e.g., a desired low / high temperature threshold stored in the controller memory) and / or a desired time and / or material to seal. In other embodiments, the system 100' includes one or more controls for activating the heating elements 106a, 106b in the closed position 101 such that the heating elements 106a, 106b are heated only in the closed position 101 when the controls are activated. In yet other embodiments, the controller activates the heating elements 106a, 106b regardless of the position of the system 100'. The temperature of the heating elements 106 of the system 100 is controlled in a manner similar to the heating elements 106a, 106b of the system 100' discussed herein.In some embodiments, the first element 102a comprises a light emitting diode (LED) 120 (FIG. 1D) that operates in a first mode (e.g., a flashing mode or a first color) when the heating element 106 is being heated to a desired temperature and operates in a second mode different from the first mode (e.g., a static mode or a second color, a sleep mode) when the heating element 106 reaches the desired temperature.

[0110] The heating elements 106a, 106b heat to a desired temperature and melt the plastic material including the first and second plastic layers to form a seal between the first and second plastic layers within the plastic material. Figure 3A is a block diagram illustrating an example of a perspective view of a first seal 301 formed in the plastic material 136 by the system 100', according to one embodiment. In some embodiments, the plastic material 136 includes side seals 302a, 302b before heating the plastic material 136 with the heating elements 106a, 106b to form the first seal 301. In other embodiments, the plastic material 136 includes first and second plastic layers without side seals 302a, 302b, and the side seals 302a, 302b are formed by the heating elements 106a, 106b. In some embodiments, to form the seal, the plastic material 136 is exposed to the heating elements 106a, 106b at a desired temperature for a minimum period of time (e.g., about 3 seconds to about 5 seconds). In some embodiments, the minimum period of time depends on one or more parameters (e.g., thickness) of the plastic material 136. In some embodiments, after forming the first seal 301 across the heating elements 106a, 106b, the button 108 is slid along the slot 112' of the element 105a and the cutting element 111 is slid along the cut line 303a of the contact surface to cut the plastic material 136 adjacent to the first seal 301. A third seal 311 is then formed in the plastic material 136 using the heating elements 106a, 106b in a similar manner to forming the first seal 301, and the button 108 is slid along the slot 112' and the cutting element 111 is slid along the cut line 303b to form an opening 305 in the plastic enclosure 310 (e.g., a bag). The third seal 311 is formed as part of a second enclosure (eg, a second bag) separate and apart from the plastic enclosure 310 .

[0111] 3B is a block diagram illustrating an example of a perspective view of the first seal 301 of FIG. 3A after cutting the plastic material 136 from the first seal 301 with the system of FIG. 5A, according to one embodiment. The first seal 301 forms the base of the enclosure 310. An opening 305 in the enclosure 310 is provided by sliding the cutting element 111 along the cutting line 303b. Contents 308 (e.g., condiments, snacks, personal products) are inserted into the enclosure 310 of the plastic material 136 through the opening 305, as discussed in the following method. FIG. 3C is a block diagram illustrating an example of a perspective view of the second seal 304 formed in the plastic material 136 by the system 100′ of FIG. 5A, according to one embodiment. After inserting contents 308 through opening 305, opening 305 is placed at the interface between elements 105a, 105b and a second seal 304 is formed between the first and second plastic layers by heating elements 106a, 106b. An enclosure or bag 310 is then provided that includes an enclosed volume for holding contents 308, the enclosed volume being defined by first seal 301, second seal 304 and side seals 302a, 302b.

[0112] 3B is a block diagram illustrating an example of a perspective view of the first seal 301 of FIG. 3A after cutting the plastic material 136 from the first seal 301 with the system of FIG. 5A, according to one embodiment. The first seal 301 forms the base of the enclosure 310. An opening 305 in the enclosure 310 is provided by sliding the cutting element 111 along the cutting line 303b. Contents 308 (e.g., condiments, snacks, personal products) are inserted into the enclosure 310 of the plastic material 136 through the opening 305, as discussed in the following manner. FIG. 3C is a block diagram illustrating an example of a perspective view of the second seal 304 formed in the plastic material 136 by the system 100′ of FIG. 5A, according to one embodiment. After inserting contents 308 through opening 305, opening 305 is placed at the interface between elements 105a, 105b and a second seal 304 is formed between the first and second plastic layers by heating elements 106a, 106b. An enclosure or bag 310 is then provided that includes an enclosed volume that holds contents 308, the enclosed volume being defined by first seal 301, second seal 304 and side seals 302a, 302b.

[0113] In some embodiments, after forming the enclosure 310 (FIG. 3C), the user may open the enclosure 310 (e.g., break the seal 304) and remove or consume a portion of the contents 308. FIGS. 3H-3J are block diagrams illustrating an example of a top view of a plastic material enclosure after removing the contents and resealing the enclosure to remove excess plastic material, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, FIG. 3H illustrates the enclosure 310 with the second seal 304 opened to reform the opening 305. The user then removes and / or consumes a portion of the contents 308', thereby reducing the amount of contents 308' (e.g., chips in a plastic bag of potato chips). FIG. 31 illustrates how the user may want to reform the second seal 304' in a different location than the previous second seal 304 (FIG. 3C). In one embodiment, the reformed second seal 304' is positioned based on the reduced amount of contents 308' in the enclosure 310. As also shown in FIG. 3I, a quantity 312 of excess plastic material of the enclosure 310 is shown that is not necessary to form the second seal 304' and encapsulate the reduced amount of contents 308'. The inventors of the present invention have recognized that it is advantageous to provide a mechanism for removing this quantity 312 of excess plastic material so that a new enclosure is formed that encapsulates only the reduced amount of contents 308'. FIG. 3J shows an embodiment of a new enclosure 310' formed after forming the second seal 304' in the enclosure and removing the quantity 312 of excess plastic material. As will be discussed in the following embodiment, the second seal 304' is formed and the quantity 312 of excess plastic material is removed by placing the enclosure 310 in a system in a direction opposite to the way the plastic material was oriented in the system to form the original enclosure 310.

[0114] 3G is a block diagram illustrating an example of a top view of a plastic material enclosure 310' including internal seals 309a, 309b between the first seal 301 and the second seal 304, according to one embodiment. In this embodiment, after forming the first seal 301 and the opening 305, the contents 308a are inserted through the opening 305 and the internal seal 309a is formed to hold the contents 308a within the sub-enclosure of the enclosure 310'. Similarly, the contents 308b are inserted through the opening 305 and the internal seal 309b is formed to hold the contents 308b within the sub-enclosure of the enclosure 310'. Because it is not desired to cut the plastic material 136 adjacent the internal seals 309a, 309b, the cutting element 111 is not slid across the contact surfaces adjacent the internal seals 309a, 309b. After contents 308c are inserted through opening 305, a second seal 304 is formed along opening 305 using elements 105a, 105b. This arrangement has the advantage of allowing multiple subenclosures of contents 308 within one larger enclosure 310'. If a user wishes to access contents 308c (but not contents 308a or 308b), the user can either cut the subenclosure with contents 308c or cut the inner seal 309b and carry the subenclosure with contents 308c until the user wishes to access contents 308c. In one example embodiment, the user can form multiple subenclosures with contents 308 in each subenclosure for each day of the week, so that the user only needs to access the subenclosure for that particular day of the week.

[0115] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method 200 for sealing an enclosure 310 of a plastic material 136 according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the system 100, 100', 100'' is portable such that one or more steps of the method 200 can be performed while the system 100, 100', 100'' is held in one or both hands of a user. The following method 200 can be performed using any of the embodiments of the system 100, 100', 100'' described above. In step 201, the plastic material 136 is placed at the interface between the elements 105a, 105b. FIG. 2F is a block diagram illustrating an example of a side view of multiple reels 152a, 152b of plastic material 136 used in the system 100' of FIG. 5A according to one embodiment. Alternatively, the reels 152 are provided in a box 155 (FIG. 7A) and dispensed from an opening in the box 155. In one embodiment, the reels 152a, 152b hold different widths of the plastic material 136. In an example embodiment, reel 152a holds plastic material 136a of a first width (e.g., 6 inches) and reel 152b holds plastic material 136b of a second width less than the first width (e.g., 3 inches). FIG. 2H shows an embodiment in which plastic material 136a and plastic material 136b are dispensed from a box or housing that holds reels 152a, 152b. In an example embodiment, plastic material 136 includes side seals 302a, 302b as shown in FIG. 3A. In an embodiment, in step 201, plastic material 136 is dispensed from one of reels 152a, 152b or reels 152 in box 155 to the interface between elements 105a, 105b. In step 201, reels 152a, 152b are selected such that the width of plastic material 136 is equal to or less than the length 143 (FIG. 2E) of heating element 106. In some embodiments, the reels 152a, 152b are provided with a cutter 153 that is used to cut the plastic material 136 to provide a length of the plastic material 136 corresponding to the desired length of the enclosure 310. In this embodiment, step 206 may be omitted in the method 200.

[0116] In some embodiments, in step 201, the plastic material 136 is disposed on the interface of the second elements 105a, 105b such that at least a desired length 307 (FIG. 3A) of the plastic material 136 is unwound from the reel 152. FIG. 3D illustrates one embodiment of step 201 in which the plastic material 136b is disposed on the interface of the second elements 104a, 104b of the system 100. The desired length 307 corresponds to a desired length of the enclosure 310 (e.g., a bag). In one example embodiment, the desired length of the enclosure 310 ranges from about 5 inches to about 12 inches.

[0117] In some embodiments, in step 201, plastic material 136 is first transferred between elements 105a, 105b as shown in Figure 7 A. In one example embodiment, in step 201, plastic material 136 is transferred between elements 105a, 105b of Figure 7A such that the area corresponding to first seal 301 is first disposed between elements 105a, 105b.

[0118] In step 202, the heating elements 106a, 106b are pivoted from the open position 101 (FIG. 7A) to the closed position 103 (FIG. 7B) after the plastic material 136 is placed at the interface between the elements 105a, 105b. In some embodiments, in addition to pivoting the elements 105a, 105b to the closed position 103 in step 202, one or more controllers are activated. The heating elements 106a, 106b then heat up to a desired temperature, increasing the temperature at the interface of the heating elements 106a, 106b based on electrical connection to a power source. In one embodiment, the desired temperature is above the melting temperature of the plastic material 136.

[0119] Further, in step 202, a first seal 301 is formed in the plastic material 136 based on heating the contact surfaces in step 202 (FIG. 7A). In some embodiments, in step 202, the first seal 301 is formed based on the temperature of the contact surfaces reaching a desired temperature for a minimum period of time. In one example embodiment, the desired temperature ranges from about 125 degrees to about 260 degrees. In another embodiment, the minimum period of time ranges from about 3 seconds to about 5 seconds. In some embodiments, the user manually determines when the minimum period of time has elapsed and opens the elements 105a, 105b after that period of time. In other embodiments, the heating elements 106a, 106b automatically heat to the desired temperature and remain at that temperature for a minimum period of time before automatically reducing the temperature.

[0120] In one embodiment, after the first seal 301 is formed in the plastic material 136 in step 202, the cutting element 111 is slid across the interface between elements 105a, 105b along cut line 303a (FIG. 3A) to cut the plastic material 136 adjacent to the first seal 301. FIG. 3B illustrates one embodiment of the first seal 301 after step 206 has been performed, with the plastic material 136 adjacent to the first seal 301 cut across cut line 303a. FIG. 7A similarly illustrates cut line 303a with the cutting element 111 sliding to cut the plastic material 136 adjacent to the first seal 301. In one embodiment, because the cutting element 111 is laterally displaced from the heating elements 106a, 106b, the cuts along the plastic material 136 in step 202 may be advantageously displaced from the heating elements 106a, 106b to minimize the risk that heat from the heating elements 106a, 106b will melt the plastic material 136 together along the cut line 303a. Additionally, in another embodiment, the silicone layer 185 (FIG. 8C) provides insulation to the plastic material 136 during the cut along line 303a, reducing the risk of the plastic material 136 overheating and resealing along line 303a after the cut.

[0121] In step 204, a third seal 311 is formed between the first and second layers of plastic material 136 based on pivoting elements 105a, 105b from the open position 101 to the closed position 103 in a manner similar to how first seal 301 was formed in step 202. Figure 7A shows plastic material 136 disposed between elements 105a, 105b before elements 105a, 105b move to the closed position 103 (Figure 7B) to form third seal 311. Figure 3A shows third seal 311 formed in plastic material 136.

[0122] In step 206, the cutting element 111 is moved along the cutting line 303b at the contact surface 110 between the elements 105a, 105b to form an opening 305 in the enclosure 310. After step 206, an enclosure 310 is obtained that includes the first seal 310 and the opening 305 along with the side seals 302a, 302b, as shown in FIG. 3B. In one embodiment, since the third seal 311 is removed from the enclosure 310 in step 206, the third seal 311 is used to form a second enclosure after the enclosure 310. In one example embodiment, the third seal 311 forms a seal in the second enclosure similar to the seal 301 of the enclosure 310.

[0123] 3B is a block diagram illustrating an example of a perspective view of plastic material 136 after cutting element 111 is used in step 206 to cut plastic material 136 along cut line 303b adjacent seal 311. An opening 305 is provided in plastic material 136 on the side opposite first seal 301 (between the first and second plastic layers).

[0124] In step 208, contents 308 (e.g., condiments, snacks, personal products, etc.) are inserted through opening 305 in plastic material 136. In one embodiment, a desired amount of contents 308 is inserted into opening 305. In some embodiments, contents 308 are liquid contents. In other embodiments, contents 308 are solid contents.

[0125] In step 210, after performing step 208, an opening 305 in the plastic material 136 is disposed at the interface between the elements 105a, 105b. Figure 3F illustrates one embodiment of step 210, where the opening 305 in the plastic material 136 is disposed at the interface between the elements 105a, 105b. In some embodiments, step 210 is similar to step 201, except that the opening 305 is disposed at the interface between the elements 105a, 105b. Next, step 212, similar to step 202, is performed.

[0126] In step 212, a second seal 304 is formed in the plastic material 136 based on the heating of the contact surface in step 212. When step 212 is performed, an enclosure 310 (e.g., a bag) is formed between the first seal 301, the second seal 304, and the side seals 302a, 302b. FIG. 3F shows an embodiment of the enclosure 310 including the first seal 301 and the second seal 304. In other embodiments, enclosures are formed including arc-shaped enclosures or enclosures based on any polygon, in addition to rectangular enclosures. FIGS. 7E and 7F show how the system 100′ is held in a user's hand and used to form the second seal 304 as the user moves the system 100′ from the open position 101 (FIG. 7E) to the closed position 103 (FIG. 7F).

[0127] In step 213, in one embodiment, the second seal formed in step 212 has been broken and the user has removed and / or consumed a portion of the contents 308 in the enclosure 310 (FIG. 3H). In one embodiment, in step 213, the user wishes to reseal the enclosure with a reduced amount of contents 308' (FIG. 3H). In one example embodiment, the enclosure is placed on the interface of elements 105a, 105b in an orientation opposite to the orientation of the enclosure that was placed on the interface during step 20 (e.g., when the first seal 301 was formed). In one example embodiment, as shown in Figure 3I, the cutting element 111 removes the plastic material on the left side of the first seal 301 (e.g., because the enclosure was oriented toward the contact surface in a first orientation, see Figure 11I showing the plastic material oriented toward the contact surface in the first orientation), and the cutting element 111 removes the excess amount 312 of plastic material on the right side of the second seal 304' (e.g., because the enclosure is oriented toward the contact surface in a second orientation opposite the first orientation). Thus, in this example embodiment, the heating elements 106a, 106b are aligned in the area shown in Figure 3I as the second seal 304', and the cutting element 111 is aligned to cut away the amount 312 of excess plastic material shown in Figure 3I. In this example embodiment, after placing the enclosure in the opposite orientation on the contact surfaces of the elements 105a, 105b, the elements 105a, 105b are moved to a closed position and the heating elements 106a, 106b are actuated to form a second seal 304' in the plastic material. In this example embodiment, the second seal 304' forms a new enclosure around the reduced amount of contents 308', which is smaller (e.g., in volume) than the enclosure 310 of FIG. 3C. In this example embodiment, the cutting element 111 is then moved across the contact surface to cut and trim away the excess amount 312 of plastic material. This is advantageous in that it forms a more compact enclosure around the reduced amount of contents 308' and reduces the need for other accessories (e.g., tip clips) that are routinely used to reseal plastic enclosures after the contents are consumed and / or removed.

[0128] In some embodiments, the method 200 is performed to fill the enclosure 310' (e.g., a bag) with contents 308a, 308b, 308c (FIG. 3G) in each sub-enclosure within the enclosure 310' and form interior seals 309a, 309b between the first seal 301 and the second seal 304. In these embodiments, steps 208 and 212 (omitting step 210) are performed repeatedly until a desired number of sub-enclosures within the enclosure 310' are filled with contents 308a, 308b, 308c, where step 212 includes forming interior seals 309. Although FIG. 3G shows three sub-enclosures within the enclosure 310', more or less than three sub-enclosures may be formed. After the desired number of subenclosures have been formed (e.g., steps 208 and 212 are repeated a desired number of times), step 212 is performed to close the opening 305 of the enclosure 310' with the second seal 304. Additionally, although Fig. 3G shows the subenclosures and interior seal 309 to be formed in one direction and parallel to the first and second seals 301, 304, the interior seals may be omnidirectional, such as vertical interior seals orthogonal to the first and second seals 301, 304 (Fig. 7G) forming vertical subenclosures 310a, 310b, or angled interior seals forming angled subenclosures within the enclosure 310'.

[0129] In some embodiments, the method 200 is performed using a straw 136' (FIG. 2G) and a first seal 301' and a second seal 304' are formed in the straw 136' to form an enclosure (e.g., capsule 162) with the straw 136' material. In one example embodiment, the capsule 162 is filled with contents (e.g., spices) during the formation of the first seal 301' and the second seal 304'. In one embodiment, in the method 200 using the straw 136', the first heating element 106 of the first length 143 based on the width of the plastic material 136 is replaced with a second heating element 106 of the second length 143 based on the width of the straw 136', for example.

[0130] Although shown as integrated steps in a particular order for purposes of explanation in FIG. 4, in other embodiments, one or more of the steps, or portions thereof, are performed in a different order, overlap in time, performed in series or parallel, or omitted, or one or more steps are added, or the method is modified in any combined manner.

[0131] Table 1 below lists various parameters (e.g., size, content type 308, etc.) of the various portions of system 100, 100', 100'', the seals formed with system 100, 100', 100'', and the various types of plastic materials 136 used in the various designs of system 100, 100', 100'', and the various types of content 308 associated with each type of plastic material 136. The parameters in Table 1 are only one example embodiment of the parameters used in system 100, 100', 100'', and are non-limiting. In other embodiments, parameters other than those listed in Table 1 may be used to form system 100', 100', 100'', or to form the seals formed with system 100, 100', 100'',. [Table 1]

[0132] FIG. 9A illustrates an example of a plan view of an inner surface of an element of a system 100''' for sealing an enclosure of a plastic material, according to one embodiment. System 100'' is similar to system 100'' of FIG. 6C including elements 105a, 105b, except for the features discussed herein. In one embodiment, unlike elements 105a, 105b of FIG. 6C having a single heating element 106a, 106b along the inner surface of each element 105a, 105b, elements 105a', 105b' each include a pair of spaced apart heating elements. In one embodiment, the inner surface of element 105a' includes a pair of spaced apart heating elements 106a'' with a spacing 179, and the inner surface of element 105b' includes a pair of spaced apart heating elements 106b'' with a spacing 179. In some embodiments, only one of the elements 105a, 105b has a pair of heating elements spaced apart along the inner surface of the element, and the other of the elements 105a, 105b does not have a pair of heating elements spaced apart along the inner surface of the other element. In still other embodiments, only one of the elements 105a, 105b has a pair of heating elements spaced apart along the inner surface of the element, and the other of the elements 105a, 105b slidably receives the cutting element 111. In one example embodiment, the spacing 179 is about ¼ inch, or in a range from about ⅛ inch to about 1 inch. While FIG. 9A shows a pair of heating elements spaced apart along the inner surface of each element, in other embodiments, more than two heating elements spaced apart along the inner surface of each element are provided. In some embodiments, the slots 112′, 140′ are omitted, for example, when the cutting element 111 is not included.

[0133] FIG. 9B illustrates an example of heating elements 106a'', 106b'' of the system 100'' of FIG. 9A, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, heating element 106b'' is a flat planar surface and heating element 106a'' is a non-planar surface (e.g., a wire or metal link chain, etc.) configured to form a pierced seal when the heating elements 106a'' of the upper and lower elements 105a', 105b' are in a closed position. In yet another embodiment, each pair of spaced apart heating elements 106a'', 106b'' includes one flat planar surface and one non-planar surface. In one embodiment, the non-planar surface is configured to form a hole in the seal along the plastic enclosure, such that a user can manually tear along one of the pair of seals formed by the non-planar heating elements on the two elements 105a', 105b'.

[0134] FIG. 9C is a side perspective view illustrating an example of the components of the system 100''' of FIG. 9A, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the cutting element 111 is slidably attached to the top element 105a' using a button 108' that is different from the button 108 of FIG. 8A because the button 108' is along a side of the top element 105a'. The inventors of the present invention recognized that by locating the button 108' along a side of the top element 105a', additional interior volume within the top element 105a' can be advantageously used to accommodate other components of the system, such as electronics, such as a heating element, and / or wiring to the heating element. FIG. 9D illustrates an example of the button 108' and cutting element 111 of the system 100''' of FIG. 9C, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, a neck 117 connects the button 108' to the cutting element 111, and the neck 117 is slidably received within a slot 131 located along a side of the top element 105a'. In one embodiment, the button 108' and the cutting element 111 form an L-shape such that the button 108' is slidably received along the side of the top element 105a'.

[0135] 9E-9G are top perspective views illustrating an example of the system 100''' of FIG. 9C, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the system 100''' includes elements 105a', 105b' and heating elements 106a'', 106b'' spaced apart along an inner surface of each element 105a', 105b'. In another embodiment, the spaced apart heating elements 106a'', 106b'' are disposed along an inner surface of one element 105b' and not disposed on the other element 105a'. In another embodiment, the system 100' also includes one or more components for providing a vacuum seal to the plastic enclosure simultaneously with or prior to the spaced apart seal formed by the spaced apart heating elements 106a'', 106b''. Although a vacuum sealing feature is discussed with respect to the system 100''', a vacuum sealing feature may be employed in any of the systems discussed herein.

[0136] 9H is a block diagram illustrating an example of electrical connections between heating elements 106a", 106b" and a power source 119 in the system 100"' of FIGS. 9E-9G, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the system 100"' can form a vacuum seal (e.g., a pair of spaced apart heating elements 106a", 106b" after removing air from the enclosure) or can simply form a regular seal without a vacuum seal (e.g., with a pair of spaced apart heating elements 106a", 106b").

[0137] In one embodiment, to form a spaced apart seal with heating elements 106a'', 106b'', the user presses switch 125a until light source 139a flashes. This prompts the user to place plastic material between elements 105a', 105b' and close elements 105a', 105b', after which sensor 123 detects that elements 105a', 105b' are in the closed position and sends a signal to controller 121 to stop light source 139a flashing and remain lit. In yet another embodiment, a separate switch or button is provided that the user presses to activate the heating element (e.g., after ensuring that elements 105a', 105b' are closed, e.g., after ensuring that light source 139a remains lit after closing the elements). This has the advantage of providing the user with more control over the sealing process (e.g., the heating element does not automatically activate when the system is coupled with power or after the elements are moved to the closed position). In one embodiment, the controller 121 then operates in a manner similar to that described above with respect to FIG. 5H, except that the power source 119 heats the pair of spaced apart heating elements 106a'' on the top element 105a' and / or the pair of spaced apart heating elements 106b'' on the bottom element 105b'. This results in the formation of a pair of spaced apart seals 301'' (FIG. 10A) with a spacing 179 therebetween in the plastic material, which is the same as the spacing 179 between the heating elements 106a'', 106b''.

[0138] In one embodiment, to form a vacuum seal in system 100''', in one embodiment, switch 125a is pressed until light source 139b flashes. This prompts the user to place the plastic material between elements 105a', 105b' (e.g., such that an opening in the plastic material is in fluid communication with air pump 133) and close elements 105a', 105b', after which sensor 123 detects elements 105a', 105b' are in the closed position and sends a signal to controller 121 to cause light source 139b to stop flashing and remain illuminated. In one embodiment, controller 121 then sends a signal to power source 119, which then sends a signal to air pump 133 to remove air from an opening in plastic enclosure 138 that is in fluid communication with an inlet of air pump 133 and / or is located between elements 105a', 105b'. As the air pump 133 removes air from the enclosure 138, a pressure sensor 137 monitors the pressure in the enclosure 138 (or the pressure of the air drawn from the enclosure 138 by the pump 133) and when the pressure drops to a threshold level (e.g., between about 5 and 50 millibars), the pressure sensor 137 sends a signal to the controller 121 to cause the power source 119 to stop sending power to the air pump 133. In other embodiments, a second switch 125b is located in the system 100'' (e.g., at the opposite end of element 105a' as switch 125a) so that the user can manually press switch 125b to manually stop the removal of air from the enclosure. In one example embodiment, if a user is vacuum sealing an enclosure with liquid, the user orients the enclosure or bag vertically and initiates the vacuum seal using the handheld system 100'' such that, for example, the pump 133 begins to draw air from the enclosure. After visually observing that the liquid in the enclosure has begun to rise within the enclosure and / or visually confirming that air has been removed from areas of the enclosure 138 not occupied by liquid, the user can manually press switch 125b to stop pump 133 to prevent system 100''' from unintentionally continuing to remove liquid from the enclosure.In yet another embodiment, any vacuum sealing technique known to one of ordinary skill in the art may be employed in system 100''' to form the vacuum seal. In one embodiment, after removing air from the enclosure, controller 121 sends a signal to power source 119, which causes heating elements 106a'', 106b'' to heat and form spaced apart seals 301'' (FIG. 10A) along the plastic enclosure in a manner similar to that described above and associated with the seal formed with respect to FIG. 5H.

[0139] FIG. 10A is a side view of an example plastic material enclosure including a pair of spaced apart first seals 301'' and a pair of spaced apart second seals 304'', according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the contents of the enclosure are liquid. In one embodiment, system 100''' is used to form a vacuum seal along first seal 301'', the enclosure is held vertically, and handheld system 100''' is closed at the contact surface along the open top of the enclosure. In this embodiment, when the user visually observes that the liquid begins to rise after air is removed from the enclosure, the user manually presses switch 125b, after which first seal 301'' is formed along the contact surface along the top of the enclosure. In another embodiment, system 100''' is used to form first seal 301'' along the contact surface along the top of the enclosure when the user holds the enclosure vertically without a vacuum seal. In one embodiment, the spaced apart seals 301'' are formed by pairs of spaced apart heating elements 106a'', 106b'' along the inner surfaces of the elements 105a', 105b' of the system 100''. As shown in FIG. 10A, a spacing 179 is provided between the spaced apart seals 301'', the spacing 179 being the same as the spacing 179 between the spaced apart heating elements 106a'', 106b''. The inventors of the present invention have recognized that the spacing 179 can be useful to provide a visual confirmation to a user that the first seals 301'' are properly formed, since no contents (e.g., liquid) are observed in the gap between the first seals 301'' defined by the spacing 179. In one embodiment, the inner seal 301'' is the primary seal and is closest to the contents of the enclosure. The absence of contents within the spacing 179 advantageously acts as a visual confirmation that the primary seals 301'' are properly formed.

[0140] 10B illustrates an example of a front view of a plastic material enclosure including a spaced apart first pair of seals 301'' and a spaced apart second pair of seals, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the contents of the enclosure are non-perishable (e.g., vitamins), and thus in one embodiment, the first seals 301'' are formed using system 100'' without a vacuum seal.

[0141] FIG. 10C illustrates an example of a front view of a plastic material enclosure including a spaced apart first pair of seals 301″ and a spaced apart second pair of seals 304″ with a gap 179 therebetween, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, a user can test the first seal 301″ and / or the second seal 304″ by squeezing the contents (e.g., liquid) within the enclosure. As shown in FIG. 10C, the user is squeezing the contents (e.g., liquid) within the enclosure surrounded by the first seal 301″. As previously mentioned, the user can advantageously verify that the seal 301″ is properly formed by the absence of contents (e.g., liquid) within the gap defined by the gap 179. FIG. 10D illustrates an example of the gap 179 of FIG. 10C with liquid after squeezing the liquid within the enclosure, according to one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10D , after squeezing the liquid contents within the enclosure, some of the liquid has seeped through the first seal 301″ and into the gap defined by the gap 179. Advantageously, in this embodiment, visual confirmation of the presence of contents within the gap defined by the gap 179 allows a user to pick up the handheld system 100′″ and reseal the first seal 301′″, ensuring that the contents of one enclosure do not leak into an adjacent enclosure.

[0142] FIG. 10E illustrates an example of a front view of a plastic material enclosure including a pair of spaced apart interior seals 309″ to form multiple interior enclosures within the enclosure, according to one embodiment. The interior seals 309″ are similar to the interior seals 309 previously described, but have the advantage that the interior seals 309″ are spaced apart seals formed by the system 100′″, and thus provide a visual confirmation to the user that the seals have been properly confirmed between adjacent enclosures based on the absence of contents in the gaps defined by the spacing 179 between the interior seals 309″. As further illustrated in FIG. 10E, in one embodiment, some enclosures (e.g., the left side of FIG. 10E) contain non-perishable items, and thus the spaced apart interior seals 309″ and first seal 301″ formed by the system 100′″ may not include a vacuum seal. In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 10E, in one embodiment, some enclosures (e.g., on the right side of FIG. 10E) contain perishable goods (e.g., liquids), and thus the spaced apart interior seal 309'' and first seal 301'' formed by system 100'' may include vacuum seals such that air is removed from some enclosures defined by interior enclosure 309'' while air is not removed from other enclosures defined by interior enclosure 309''.

[0143] FIG. 10F is a block diagram illustrating an example of a top view of a plastic material enclosure including spaced apart interior seals 309a'', 309b'' between a first seal and a second seal, according to one embodiment. The spaced apart interior seals 309a'', 309b'' are similar to the interior seals 309a, 309b of FIG. 3G, except that the interior seals 309a'', 309b'' are spaced apart and formed by the system 100''. In yet another embodiment, the spaced apart interior seals 309a'', 309b'' can be vacuum sealed to individually package and individually vacuum seal contents 308a, 308b, 308c (e.g., individual chicken breasts). The inventors have recognized that this advantageously allows a user to manually vacuum seal the contents individually, and then the user can access each individual content 308 (e.g., one chicken breast) without having to open multiple enclosures as is common with conventional vacuum sealers.

[0144] FIG. 10G is a block diagram illustrating an example of a top view of a plastic material enclosure including spaced apart seals 301 a″ along a first width of the enclosure and spaced apart seals 301 b″ along a second width of the enclosure, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the enclosure (e.g., a bag) has a width 502 that is greater than the length of the heating elements 106 a″, 106 b″, such that the heating elements 106 a″, 106 b″ are unable to form a continuous seal across the entire width of the enclosure. In this embodiment, a handheld system 100′″ is used to form the spaced apart seals 301 a″ (e.g., without a vacuum seal) along a first portion of the width 502 of the enclosure. In this embodiment, a user can then take the system 100′″ and pivot it 180 degrees, thereby closing the elements 105 a′, 105 b′ along a second portion of the width 502 to form the spaced apart seals 301 b″. In one embodiment, if a user wishes to vacuum seal an enclosure, system 100''' is used to vacuum seal the enclosure while forming spaced apart seals 301b'', while vacuum sealing the entire enclosure. This allows the user the advantage of being able to vacuum seal the entire enclosure while simultaneously sealing only a portion of the width of the enclosure after the remainder of the enclosure has already been sealed.

[0145] 11A-11G are diagrams illustrating various example views of a system for sealing a plastic material enclosure, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the system 100'''' of FIG. 11A is similar to the system 100'''' of FIGS. 9E-9F, except for the features discussed herein. In one embodiment, the system 100'''' includes a locking mechanism 124 on an exterior surface of the top element 105a'. In one example embodiment, the locking mechanism 124 is used to lock the system 100'''' in the closed position (FIG. 11A). In one example embodiment, the locking mechanism 124 is a button that is slidable within a slot such that sliding the button within the slot causes a hook (not shown) on the interior surface of the top element 105a' to engage a latch (not shown) on the interior surface of the bottom element 105b', and the engagement of the hook and latch maintains the system 100'''' in the closed position (FIG. 11A). In one embodiment, to open the system 100''' to the open position (FIG. 11C), a button on the locking mechanism 124 is slid within a slot such that the hook disengages from the latch so that the upper element 105a' can be pivoted relative to the lower element 105b'.

[0146] In one embodiment, unlike the system 100'' of FIG. 9A, where the heating elements 106a'', 106b'' are exposed along the inner surface of the elements 105a', 105b', in the embodiment of FIG. 11C, a silicone strip 129 is placed over both heating elements 106a'', 106b'' (e.g., the heating elements 106a'', 106b'' remain spaced apart under the silicone strip 129). In one embodiment, FIG. 11F shows that the silicone strip 129 is attached to the heating element base 141 that includes the spaced apart heating elements 106a'', 106b''. Although FIG. 11C shows a silicone strip 129, in other embodiments, a strip of any material can be used, provided that the material does not melt or burn based on the temperature range of the heating elements 106a'', 106b'', and is relatively soft to enhance the double seal. The inventors have recognized that the silicone material of the strip 129 is advantageous because it is relatively soft and enhances the quality of the spaced apart seal on the plastic material.

[0147] 11H-11M are diagrams illustrating various example views of the system 100''' of FIG. 11A used to seal contents in an enclosure, according to one embodiment. In a first step, plastic material 136 is placed between elements 105a', 105b' of the system 100''' and the system 100''' is moved to a closed position (FIG. 11H). The heating elements 106a'', 106b'' form spaced apart seals 301'' (FIG. 11I) in the plastic material 136 (e.g., forming the base of the next bag to be filled) and the cutting element 111 is slid across the system 100'' to form an opening 305 in the current bag to be filled and sealed. In a next step, contents 308 (e.g., cheese) are placed through opening 305 and into the enclosure 138' (e.g., bag). The plastic material 136 is then aligned with the heating elements 106a'', 106b'' at the opening 305 and the system 100'' is moved to the closed position (FIG. 11K). The user then presses the switch 125a', activating the heating elements 106a'', 106b'' to form a spaced apart seal 301'' along the opening 305 (e.g., closing the opening 305 and sealing the enclosure 138', as shown in FIG. 11M). In some embodiments, the switch 125a' has the advantage of providing greater control over the sealing process compared to a conventional heat sealer (e.g., one in which the heating elements are activated automatically when the device is connected to power or an element of the device is moved to the closed position). This has the advantage of providing a safety feature that prevents the heating elements from being activated in an undesired manner when the system is in the open position. In one embodiment, the system 100''' is used to form the spaced apart seal 301'' and is not used to vacuum seal the enclosure 138'. In other embodiments, the system 100''' may be configured to vacuum seal the enclosure 138' (eg, by including an air pump 133).

[0148] 12A-12L are diagrams illustrating various example views of a system 100''' for sealing a plastic material enclosure, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the system 100''' of FIGS. 12A-12L is similar to the system 100''' of FIGS. 11A-11F, except for the features discussed herein. In one embodiment, the system 100''' includes indicator lights 402a, 402b, 402c on a control panel on the exterior of the top element 105a'. In one embodiment, the first indicator light 402a has a first color (e.g., red) and is illuminated when the system 100''' is connected to an external power source and the battery is actively charging (described below). In one embodiment, the second indicator light 402b has a second color (e.g., blue) and flashes when the spaced apart seal 301'' is being formed and stops flashing once the seal 301'' is formed. In one embodiment, the third indicator light 402c has a third color (e.g., green) and is illuminated when the battery is fully charged and turned on. In one embodiment, the control panel of FIG. 12B also includes a switch 125a (e.g., pressed after the system 100″ is moved to the closed position and the plastic material is placed between the heating elements 106a″, 106b″) that is pressed to initiate sealing of the plastic material and / or a switch 144 (used to open and close the system 100″″ in a manner similar to the locking mechanism 124). In one embodiment, the switch 125 and / or the switch 144 are advantageous in providing the user with greater control over the sealing process as compared to conventional sealers (e.g., where the heating elements are automatically activated when the sealer is connected to a power source and / or when the element is moved to the closed position).

[0149] In another embodiment, Figure 12E shows a cutting element 111 (e.g., a blade) that is actuated by sliding a button 108' (Figure 12D) in a slot 131. In one embodiment, Figure 12E shows that the cutting element 111 features a T-shape, with the wide base of the T-shape slidably received in a slot 112' (Figure 9A) in the lower element 105b'.

[0150] In another embodiment, FIG. 12F shows a base 172' of system 100'". In one embodiment, base 172' includes a port 145 (e.g., a USB port) for connecting to an external power source to power heating elements 106a", 106b" and / or charge a battery. In another embodiment, base 172' includes a twist lock 146 that is pivotable from a first position (FIG. 12F) in which a switch is exposed beyond base 172 and elements 105a', 105b' can be opened relative to one another, to a second position (not shown) in which twist lock 146 slides into a slot and does not extend beyond base 172', thereby allowing system 100'" to be positioned vertically on base 172' in a flat surface (e.g., for storage). In some embodiments, system 100''' comprises a flat portion configured to engage a flat surface (e.g., a table) such that system 100''' can be operated while placed on the flat surface. In another embodiment, system 100''' is portable.

[0151] 12G shows a housing that holds a rechargeable battery 146 disposed along an inner surface of the top element 105a' (e.g., adjacent the base 172' and / or defined by the inner surface of the top element 105a' between the heating element 106a'' and the base 172). In one example embodiment, the housing is removable so that the battery 146 can be replaced and / or repaired as needed (e.g., when the battery reaches the end of its life cycle).

[0152] In another embodiment, FIG. 12H features magnets 147 embedded within lower element 105b' (e.g., adjacent base 172' and / or between heating element 106b'' and base 172'). The inventors have recognized that magnets 147 located within lower element 105b can advantageously allow system 100''' to be secured to a metal surface (e.g., the surface of a refrigerator 404 as shown in FIG. 12I).

[0153] In another embodiment, FIGS. 12J-12L show a system '''' used to form spaced apart seals 301'' in plastic material 136. In one embodiment, FIG. 12J shows plastic material 136 being placed between heating elements 106a'', 106b'' after which elements 105a', 105b' are closed and switch 125a is pressed (FIG. 12K). In one example embodiment, FIG. 12K shows indicator lights 402b, 402c illuminated, indicating that heating elements 106a'', 106b'' are heated and seal 301'' is formed. After indicator light 402b stops flashing, elements 105a', 105b' are opened to expose spaced apart seals 301'' formed in plastic material 136 (FIG. 12L). In one embodiment, indicator light 402b is advantageous in simplifying the heat sealing process as compared to conventional sealers (e.g., those that do not provide an indicator to the user that a seal has been formed). In one example embodiment, the light source 402b operates based on a timer (e.g., a length of time stored in the memory of the controller such that after the length of time has elapsed, the controller sends a signal to the power source to deactivate the heating element). In one example embodiment, the memory of the controller includes different lengths of time based on one or more heat settings and / or material type (e.g., which a user can manually select using one or more settings on the system). In one embodiment, similar to the system 100'''' of FIG. 11A, the system'''' of FIG. 12A forms a spaced apart seal 301'' but does not vacuum seal the enclosure 138''. However, in other embodiments, the system 100'''' of FIG. 12A can be configured to form a vacuum seal within the enclosure 138'' (e.g., by including an air pump 133 in the system 100'').

[0154] 13A-13I are diagrams illustrating various example views of a system 100''' for sealing an enclosure of a plastic material, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the system 100''' of FIGS. 13A-13I is similar to the system 100''' of FIGS. 12A-12K, except for the features discussed herein. In one embodiment, unlike the system 100''' of FIGS. 12A-12K, the system 100''' of FIGS. 13A-13I is configured to form a vacuum seal in the enclosure 138' (in addition to the spaced apart heat seal 301''). In another embodiment, the system 100''' of FIGS. 13A-13I is also configured to form a spaced apart heat seal 301'' without a vacuum seal. In another embodiment, the system 100''' of FIGS. 13A-13I is powered by an external power source (e.g., using the cable 148 of FIG. 13A) and does not include a rechargeable battery. In another embodiment, the system 100'''' of Figs. 13A-13I is tabletop and not configured for handheld use. In another embodiment, the system 100'''' of Figs. 13A-13I is configured for handheld use. In another embodiment, the system 100'''' of Figs. 13A-13I is configured with a rechargeable battery similar to that of the system 100'''' of Figs. 12A-12K. In yet another embodiment, the system 100'''' of Fig. 13B features a relatively flat base 172'' so that the system 100'''' can be placed on a flat surface and stored to provide more work space on the surface (e.g., stored vertically as shown in Fig. 13B to provide more counter surface in a kitchen).

[0155] In one embodiment, the system 100''' of FIGS. 13A-13I features a control panel (FIG. 13C) that includes a plurality of switches 404a, 404b, 404c and a plurality of indicator lights 402a, 402b, 402c, respectively. In another embodiment, a first switch 404a and indicator light 402a (e.g., "vacuum only") are used to form a vacuum seal without a spaced apart seal 301'' (see FIGS. 14A-15H below). In one embodiment, a second switch 404b (e.g., "seal only") and indicator light 402b are used to form a spaced apart seal 301'' without forming a vacuum seal. In another embodiment, a third switch 404c and indicator light (e.g., "vacuum and seal") 402c are used to form both a spaced apart seal 301'' and a vacuum seal. In one example embodiment, the first switch 404a is used to vacuum seal a sealed container (e.g., a bottle, a plastic container with a lid, etc.) that has already been pre-sealed and therefore does not require a spaced apart seal 301''.

[0156] In one embodiment, the system 100''' of FIGS. 13A-13I includes a sealing ring, such as a rubber ring 149a (e.g., oval) that defines an opening 151 in the lower element 105b'. In one embodiment, the air pump 133 has an inlet that is in fluid communication with the opening 151 (e.g., the air intake of the air pump 133 is disposed within the opening 151). The upper element 105a' also includes a rubber ring 149b (FIG. 13E) on an inner surface of the upper element 105a' that engages with the rubber ring 149a of the lower element 105b' when the elements 105a', 105b' are closed. This is advantageous in that a seal is formed between the rubber rings 149a, 149b (e.g., when the system is closed) to seal fluid communication between the air pump 133 (e.g., with an air inlet in the opening 151) and the enclosure 138' so that the air pump 133 can draw air from the enclosure 138 (e.g., through an opening 305 in a plastic bag placed in the opening 151 prior to closing the system). In one example embodiment, when a user presses the switch 404c, the air pump 133 draws air from the opening 305 in the enclosure 138, which then forms a spaced apart seal 301'' adjacent the opening 305 after a vacuum seal (e.g., through the silicone strip 129a) by the heating elements 106a'', 106b''. These steps are illustrated in Figures 13J-13O. In one embodiment, FIGS. 13J-13L show that a seal 301″ is formed in the plastic material and a cutting element 111 is used to form an opening 305 in an enclosure 138′ (e.g., a plastic bag) to be filled. Contents 308 (e.g., cheese) are then placed into the enclosure 138′ through the opening 305. The opening 305 in the enclosure 138′ is then positioned so that it enters the opening 151 (FIG. 13N) such that the air inlet of the air pump 133 is sealed and in fluid communication with the enclosure 138′. Elements 105a′, 105b′ are then closed and then a third switch 404c (e.g., “vacuum and seal”) is pressed to cause the air pump 133 to remove air from the enclosure 138′, followed by the heating elements 106a′, 106b′ to form a spaced apart seal 301′ at the opening 305 (FIG. 13O).Elements 105a', 105b' can then be opened and the vacuum sealed enclosure 138' removed from the system.

[0157] 13P-13R show examples of various views of the system of FIG. 13A with a retaining buckle to assist in vacuum sealing the contents within the enclosure, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, one or more retaining buckles are provided adjacent the opening 151 to assist in aligning the opening 305 of the enclosure 138′ with the opening 151 of the lower element 105b′. FIG. 13P shows an example of a top perspective view in which the opening 305 of the enclosure 138′ is aligned with the opening 151. As shown in FIG. 13P, a pair of retaining buckles 157a, 157b are provided adjacent the opening 151. To position the opening 305 of the enclosure 138′ to be aligned with the opening 151 of the lower element 105b′, the opening 305 is moved until it engages the retaining buckles 157a, 157b (FIGS. 13Q and 13R). In one example embodiment, the retaining buckles 157a, 157b are attached to the bottom element 105b' and positioned over the opening 151 such that the opening 305 secured by the retaining buckles 157a, 157b is positioned over the opening 151. In another example embodiment, the present inventors have recognized that the retaining buckles 157a, 157b not only aid in the alignment of the opening 305 of the enclosure 138' in the opening 151, but also further prevent the opening 305 and the enclosure 138' from moving during the vacuum sealing process. The present inventors have observed that in conventional vacuum sealers, the enclosure moves laterally as the vacuum sealing process sucks air out of the enclosure. Thus, the present inventors have recognized that such lateral movement can lead to undesirable results (e.g., the opening 305 moves away from the opening 151, disrupting the vacuum seal, and / or the enclosure and heating element become misaligned after the vacuum process).

[0158] 14A-14F are diagrams illustrating various example views of the system 100''' of FIG. 13A used to seal contents within an enclosure defined by a bottle 502 (e.g., a wine bottle), according to one embodiment. In this embodiment, a cork, one-way valve 504 (e.g., allowing air to only escape out of the bottle 502, not into it) is inserted into the bottle opening (FIG. 14B). A plastic tube (e.g., similar to an intravenous tube) has a first end 506 connected to a pump inlet 505 (e.g., the inlet of an air pump 133) that is positioned within the opening 151. A second end 507 of the tube is then connected to an adapter 509 inserted into the one-way valve 504 cork (FIG. 14D), thereby placing the air pump 133 in fluid communication with the enclosure of the bottle 502. In one embodiment, the user then presses a first switch 404a (e.g., "vacuum only"), which causes the air pump 133 to draw air from the bottle 502 enclosure and shut off after the air is removed from the bottle 502 and / or after the pressure of the removed air falls below a threshold pressure. In one embodiment, the one-way valve 504 cork maintains a vacuum seal within the bottle 502, so no spaced apart seal 301'' is needed to vacuum seal the bottle 502. In one example embodiment, the one-way valve 504, tubing and adapter 509 are sold by various manufacturers, such as Foodsaver® of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The inventors have realized that it may be advantageous to use the air pump 133 of the system 100''' to create a vacuum seal in the bottle 502 and / or a container 511, described below, thereby reducing the need to use an additional air pump to create a vacuum seal in the bottle 502, which would be necessary if the system 100'''' was not present.

[0159] 15A-15E are diagrams illustrating various example views of the system 100''' of FIG. 13A used to seal contents within an enclosure of a container 511, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the container 511 is a plastic container with a removable lid 512. In one example embodiment, the lid 512 features a one-way valve 513 (e.g., a valve that only allows air to escape from the container 511, but does not allow air into the container 511). In one example embodiment, the one-way valve 513 is opened by bending it upwards (FIG. 15E), allowing air to enter the opening (covered by the valve 513). In this manner, the one-way valve 513 has the advantage of preventing air from entering the container 511 (e.g., during a vacuum sealing process), and only allowing air to escape from the container 511. An adapter 509' similar to the adapter 509 of FIG. 14D is connected to the adapter 509 because the adapter 509' (e.g., configured to be inserted into the one-way valve 513 of the container 511) has a larger diameter than the adapter 509 (e.g., configured to be inserted into the one-way valve 504 cork). In other embodiments, the second end 507 of the tube is directly connected to one adapter sized for the one-way valve 513 of the container 511, thus eliminating the need for multiple adapters. As shown in FIG. 15C, the adapter 509' is connected to the one-way valve 513, which forms a sealed fluid communication between the air pump 133 (e.g., the first end 506 of the tube is connected to the pump inlet 505) and the interior of the container 511. The user then presses the first switch 404a (FIG. 15C), which causes the air pump 133 to draw air from the container 511 until a vacuum seal is formed (FIG. 15D shows that the container 511 can be lifted off the ground and the lid 512 remains on the container 511, demonstrating the vacuum seal). To remove the vacuum seal, as shown in FIG. 15E, the one-way valve 513 is bent upwards, which allows air to enter the container 511 and breaks the vacuum seal.

[0160] In some embodiments, the system of Figs. 13-15 is a tabletop vacuum sealing system designed for use on a surface such as a tabletop. In one example embodiment, the system of Figs. 13-15 is not designed to be used while held in a user's hand. However, in other embodiments, the system of Figs. 13-15 is a portable vacuum sealing system (e.g., handheld, does not require an external power source, etc.). In one example embodiment, the vacuum sealing system of Figs. 13-15 is portable and includes a port (e.g., similar to USB port 145 of Fig. 12F) for recharging an internal power source (e.g., a battery) within the housing of the system. In this example embodiment, the system is portable as defined herein. In one example embodiment, the system has one or more of the following features: [Table 2] However, the system is not limited to these numerical parameters in Table 2. Additionally, in some embodiments, the values ​​of the parameters in Table 2 may vary within ±20% of the values ​​in Table 2. In yet other embodiments, the system is a portable vacuum sealed system in the sense that it includes a magnet (e.g., similar to magnet 147 of system 100'' of FIG. 12H) such that it can be attached to different surfaces using a magnet (e.g., similar to system 100'''' magnetically attached to a refrigerator in FIG. 12I).

[0161] In the above specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. However, it will be apparent that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention. The specification and drawings are therefore to be considered in an illustrative and not a restrictive sense. Throughout this specification and claims, unless the context otherwise requires, the word "comprises" and variations thereof, such as "comprises", are understood to mean the inclusion of a stated item, element or step, or a group of items, elements or steps, but not the exclusion of other items, elements or steps, or a group of items, elements or steps. Furthermore, the indefinite article "a" or "an" means to indicate one or more of the item, element or step modified by the article. As used herein, unless otherwise clear from the context, a value is "about" another value if it is within a factor of two (two times or one-half) of the other value. Although examples of ranges are given, the included ranges are contemplated in various embodiments unless otherwise clear from the context. Thus, a range from 0 to 10 includes a range from 1 to 4 in some embodiments.

Claims

1. 1. An apparatus for sealing an enclosure of plastic material, comprising: a pair of elements including a first element pivotally coupled to a second element at an axis of rotation at a first end of the element; a pair of spaced apart heating elements disposed along an inner surface of at least one element and configured to be connected to a power source, the longitudinal axes of the heating elements being oriented parallel to a longitudinal axis of the at least one element, the longitudinal axis of the at least one element being oriented perpendicular to the axis of rotation; a cutting element disposed on an inner surface of the first element of the pair of elements, the cutting element configured to move relative to the inner surface in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation to cut plastic material adjacent the pair of spaced apart heating elements and along an interface between the pair of elements, the cutting element being offset from a center of a width of the first element; Equipped with When the plastic material including a first plastic layer and a second plastic layer is placed at the interface between the pair of elements, the apparatus is configured to vacuum seal an enclosure defined by the plastic material, and the heating element is configured to increase a temperature at the interface to simultaneously form a pair of spaced apart seals at the interface of the plastic material between the first plastic layer and the second plastic layer.

2. A panel adjacent to the first end of the first element, the panel including one or more switches for controlling operation of the device; a locking mechanism adjacent a second end of the first element opposite the first end, the locking mechanism configured to lock the pair of elements together in a closed position; The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cutting element is positioned adjacent to the pair of spaced apart heating elements and on one side of the pair of spaced apart heating elements, whereby the cutting element is configured to cut the plastic material to form an opening in the plastic material.

4. The apparatus described in claim 3, wherein the cutting element is slidably received in a first slot of the first element so as to slide along the inner surface of the first element in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis, and an inner surface of a second element of the pair of elements includes a second slot for slidably receiving the cutting element along the contact surface when the plastic material is cut by the cutting element.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the second slot and the heating element are positioned along the inner surface of the second element such that the second slot is spaced a minimum distance from the heating element so that the heating element does not seal the opening formed by the cutting element.

6. Further comprising a sensor and a controller for detecting when the pair of elements is in a closed position; 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to send a signal to the controller indicating that the pair of elements is in a closed position, and upon receiving the signal from the sensor, the controller is configured to at least one of send a signal to a pump to vacuum seal the enclosure and send a signal to the pair of spaced apart heating elements to simultaneously form the pair of spaced apart seals.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the device includes a width dimension and a length dimension greater than the width dimension, the longitudinal axis of the heating element is along the length dimension and the axis of rotation is along the width dimension, and the device has a flat base along the width dimension, such that the device can be stored vertically on a flat surface by standing the device so that the base is on the flat surface.

8. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the cutting element is separated from the pair of spaced heating elements by a minimum spacing along the inner surface of the first element, the minimum spacing being adjusted so that heat from the pair of spaced heating elements does not melt the plastic material along the opening and reseal the opening.

9. A first switch that performs signal communication with the controller; a second switch in signal communication with the controller; Further equipped with wherein upon depression of the first switch, the first switch sends a signal to the controller, such that after the controller receives a signal from the first switch and a signal from the sensor, the controller sends a signal to operate a pump to vacuum seal the enclosure and does not send a signal to increase a temperature of the spaced apart heating elements such that the spaced apart seal pairs are not formed in the plastic material; 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein upon depression of the second switch, the second switch sends a signal to the controller such that after the controller receives a signal from the second switch and a signal from the sensor, the controller is configured to send a signal to operate the pump to vacuum seal the enclosure and is further configured to send a signal to increase a temperature of the spaced apart heating elements such that the pair of spaced apart seals are formed in the plastic material.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pump mounted within a housing of one of the pair of elements and in fluid communication with the interior of the enclosure, the pump configured to draw air from the interior of the enclosure to vacuum seal the enclosure.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pump including an intake port, wherein an inner surface of a first element of the pair of elements defines an opening in fluid communication with the intake port of the pump, and an opening in the plastic material is positioned adjacent to the opening defined by the inner surface of the first element, whereby the pump is configured to draw air from the enclosure through the opening in the plastic material and the opening defined by the first element.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a first sealing ring around the opening defined by the first element and a second sealing ring on the inner surface of the second element of the pair of elements, wherein the first sealing ring engages the second sealing ring when the pair of elements is moved to a closed position to seal fluid communication between the pump and the enclosure across the contact surface.

13. 1. An apparatus for sealing an enclosure of plastic material, comprising: a pair of elements, the pair including a first element pivotally coupled to a second element at an axis of rotation at a first end of the element, the longitudinal axis of the pair of elements being oriented perpendicular to the axis of rotation; a pair of spaced apart heating elements disposed along an inner surface of at least one element, the pair of spaced apart heating elements being connected to a power source to melt a plastic material comprising a first plastic layer and a second plastic layer and configured to simultaneously form a pair of spaced apart seals in the first plastic layer and the second plastic layer at an interface between the pair of elements; a cutting element disposed on an inner surface of at least one element on at least one side of the pair of spaced apart heating elements, the cutting element configured to move relative to the inner surface of the at least one element in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation to cut the plastic material to form an opening in the plastic material along the contact surface, the cutting element being offset from a center of a width of the first element; a pump having an air inlet disposed adjacent the contact surface, the pump configured to draw air through the opening in the plastic material so as to vacuum seal the enclosure defined by the plastic material; An apparatus comprising:

14. An opening defined by the inner surface of a first element of the pair of elements, wherein an intake port of the pump is in fluid communication with the opening defined by the inner surface of the first element. Further equipped with 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the opening in the plastic material is disposed adjacent to the opening defined by the inner surface of the first element, whereby the pump is in fluid communication with the enclosure through the opening defined by the first element and the opening in the plastic material.

15. A controller that performs signal communication with the heating element and the pump; a sensor for detecting when the pair of elements is in a closed position, the sensor being configured to send a signal to the controller indicating that the pair of elements is in the closed position; Further equipped with Upon receiving the signal from the sensor, the controller: sending a signal to operate the pump to draw air from the enclosure through the air inlet to vacuum seal the enclosure; and transmitting a signal to the heating element to cause the plastic material to form a pair of spaced apart heat seals in the enclosure; The apparatus of claim 14 configured to perform at least one of the following:

16. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a pressure sensor for measuring pressure within the enclosure, and wherein the pump is configured to stop drawing air from the enclosure when the measured pressure falls below a pressure threshold.

17. The device of claim 13, wherein the device is portable and operation of the device includes: placing the plastic material on the contact surface between the pair of elements while the device is held by a handle, pivoting the pair of elements from an open position to a closed position, and forming the seal.

18. A device comprising: a panel adjacent to the first end of the first element, the panel including one or more switches for controlling operation of the device; a locking mechanism adjacent a second end of the first element opposite the first end, the locking mechanism configured to lock the pair of elements together in a closed position; The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising:

19. The apparatus of claim 13, further configured to vacuum seal a second enclosure positioned outside a housing of the apparatus, the second enclosure being different from the enclosure having the opening along the contact surface, a first end of a tube being connected to the inlet of the pump and a second end of a tube being connected to the opening of the second enclosure, and the pump being configured to vacuum seal the second enclosure via the tube.

20. A method for sealing an enclosure of a plastic material, comprising the steps of: Providing an apparatus for sealing a plastic material enclosure according to claim 1; disposing the plastic material, including a first plastic layer and a second plastic layer, at an interface between a pair of elements, including a first element pivotally coupled to a second element at an axis of rotation, wherein a pair of spaced apart heating elements are disposed along at least one inner surface of the elements, and a longitudinal axis of the pair of elements is not oriented perpendicular to the axis of rotation; pivoting the pair of elements from an open position to a closed position; cutting the plastic material with a cutting element disposed on an inner surface of the first element, the cutting element being offset from a center of a width of the first element, the cutting element including moving the cutting element relative to the inner surface of the first element in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation to form an opening in the plastic material; drawing air with a pump through an opening in the plastic material at the interface to form a vacuum seal in an enclosure defined by the plastic material; simultaneously forming a pair of spaced apart seals in the opening of the plastic material with a pair of spaced apart heating elements after the vacuum seal is formed in the enclosure; A method comprising:

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