Vacuum Packaging Appliance Vertical Roll Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum packaging machines often require significant countertop space due to the inclusion of roll storage compartments, which increases their footprint and makes them less space-efficient for kitchen use.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum packaging machine design featuring a vertically disposed storage compartment above the vacuum sealing chamber, allowing for the storage and dispensing of roll material, with a cutter bar mechanism to cut and seal flexible container material, and a vacuum trough for evacuation, enabling efficient use of space while maintaining functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a roll storage compartment is included in the vacuum packaging machine, then the machine can store and dispense container material conveniently, but the footprint and countertop space required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the roll storage compartment from a horizontal configuration to a vertical configuration, utilizing the vertical dimension above the vacuum sealing chamber. This dimensional change allows the storage compartment to be stacked vertically rather than extending horizontally, thereby reducing the countertop footprint while maintaining storage and dispensing functionality.
2Area of stationary object
If the storage compartment is positioned above the vacuum sealing chamber, then the footprint is reduced, but the structural complexity and design difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the roll storage compartment with the vacuum sealing chamber by positioning them in a vertical stack configuration. The storage compartment is formed in the base directly above the vacuum sealing chamber, merging two functional elements into a compact vertical assembly rather than separate horizontal components, thus reducing overall footprint while managing structural complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the appliance into distinct functional segments: the vacuum sealing chamber at the lower level and the roll storage compartment at the upper level. This segmentation allows each component to be independently designed and positioned optimally, with the cutter bar mechanism serving as an interface between the two segments, thereby managing complexity through modular functional division.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the cutter bar mechanism is integrated into the design, then sealing and cutting functions are combined, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cutter bar mechanism serves multiple functions: it cuts the container material from the roll and also provides the sealing surface for heat sealing the container ends. This multi-functionality consolidates cutting and sealing operations into a single mechanical component, reducing the number of separate mechanisms needed while maintaining versatile functionality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design saves countertop space by integrating roll storage vertically, allowing for convenient dispensing and sealing of flexible containers, enhancing the appliance's compactness without compromising its ability to preserve food effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum motor disposed in the base, a vacuum sealing compartment formed in the base including a vacuum trough fluidly connected to the vacuum motor
Implementation Method 2
a sealing element disposed in the vacuum sealing compartment adjacent the vacuum trough
Data Source
AI summary
An appliance for dispensing, forming and vacuum packaging a container is provided including a base, a vacuum motor disposed in the base, a vacuum sealing compartment formed in the base including a vacuum trough fluidly connected to the vacuum motor, a sealing element disposed in the vacuum sealing compartment adjacent the vacuum trough, and a storage compartment formed in the base vertically disposed above the vacuum sealing compartment configured to store a roll of flexible container material. At least one section of the container material may be dispensed from the storage compartment and cut from the roll of container material and sealed on a first free end with the sealing element to form an unsealed container. The unsealed container may then be evacuated by the vacuum motor through a second free end inserted into the vacuum trough and/or sealed on the second free end with the sealing element to form a hermetically sealed container.