Heat sealing element and control of same

Abstract

A vacuum packaging appliance for heat sealing items in a vacuum packaging plastic bag is disclosed. The appliance comprises a lid adapted to define a vacuum chamber when it is moved to a closed position relative to a trough in the base of the device. Adjacent to a trough in the lower portion of the device, a heat sealing element is placed in order to seal the contents of the bag once the vacuum packaging is complete. In another embodiment, the heat sealing element is mounted on the lid of the device and comes into contact with the vacuum bag when the lid is in a closed position. The heat sealing elements are controlled by a controller that allows operator selections of seals and sealing time adjustments based on inputs from a plurality of sensors. The controller is further able to energize one or two of the heating elements based on predetermined conditions. The methods and structures described control both heating and cooling of the heat sealing elements. The vacuum pump exhaust may also be directed below the heat sealing elements in order to cool the elements. The control and placement of the heat sealing elements allows for precise feedback and temperature control of the elements and therefore ensuring proper vacuum sealing of the containers.

1 . A method for controlling a vacuum packaging appliance, said vacuum packaging appliance including a heat sealing element, a vacuum circuit, and a vacuum pump, said vacuum pump operable to evacuate gas from said vacuum circuit, said heat sealing element operable to heat seal a vacuum packaging receptacle, said method comprising: 
 coupling said vacuum packaging receptacle to said vacuum circuit;    hermetically separating said vacuum circuit from ambient;    operating said vacuum pump to obtain a desired vacuum within said vacuum packaging receptacle;    sensing an input related to control of said heat sealing element;    determining an actuation control signal for energizing said heat sealing element as a function of at least said input; and    applying said actuation control signal to said heat sealing element.    
   
   
       2 . A method for controlling a vacuum packaging appliance as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said vacuum packaging receptacle is a vacuum packaging bag having three sealed sides and one unsealed side, and said coupling includes: 
 engaging said vacuum circuit with said unsealed side of said vacuum packaging bag.    
   
   
       3 . A method for controlling a vacuum packaging appliance as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said input is related to a temperature of said heat sealing element.  
   
   
       4 . A method for controlling a vacuum packaging appliance as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said input arises from a user activated switch.  
   
   
       5 . A method for controlling a vacuum packaging appliance as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said input arises from a temperature sensor.  
   
   
       6 . A method for controlling a vacuum packaging appliance as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said input corresponds to a high liquid content mode, said actuation control signal corresponding to said high liquid content mode having a high liquid content sealing time period longer than a normal content mode sealing time period.  
   
   
       7 . A method for controlling a vacuum packaging appliance as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said vacuum circuit contains a trough for collecting liquids while operating the vacuum pump.  
   
   
       8 . A method for controlling a vacuum packaging appliance as recited in  claim 7 , wherein said input arises from a sensor monitoring a fluid level present in the trough of said vacuum circuit.  
   
   
       9 . A method for controlling a vacuum packaging appliance as recited in  claim 5 , wherein said heat sealing element is controlled in accordance with a plurality of inputs.  
   
   
       10 . A method for controlling a vacuum packaging appliance as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said vacuum pump operation is delayed until said temperature of said heat sealing element cools to a predefined temperature which tends to prevent premature sealing of said vacuum packaging receptacle.  
   
   
       11 . A method for controlling a vacuum packaging appliance as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said input is related to a time period since said heat sealing element has been actuated.  
   
   
       12 . A method for controlling a vacuum packaging appliance as recited in  claim 9 , wherein a duration and amplitude of said activation control signal may be changed.  
   
   
       13 . A method for controlling a vacuum packaging appliance as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising providing said user feedback related to operation of said heat sealing element.  
   
   
       14 . A method for controlling a vacuum packaging appliance as recited in  claim 13 , further comprising providing said user feedback related to operation of said vacuum pump.  
   
   
       15 . A method for controlling a vacuum packaging appliance as recited in  claim 14 , wherein lights on a control panel provide said user feedback relating to the operation of said heat sealing element and said vacuum pump.  
   
   
       16 . A vacuum packaging appliance for evacuating a container comprising: 
 a base defining an upper support surface adapted to receive an open end of a container;    a lid operatively associated with said base, said lid and said base defining a vacuum chamber therebetween to receive said open end of said container;    at least one gasket surrounding said vacuum chamber for directly engaging said container such that said open end of said container is operatively associated with said vacuum chamber;    a vacuum source operatively associated with said vacuum chamber for selectively evacuating said vacuum chamber and said operatively associated container;    a trough coupled to the base for receiving the open end of a container and collecting contents taken from the container while evacuating said container, wherein a heat sealing element is located adjacent to the trough in order to heat seal the evacuated container; and    a heat sealing controller that allows an operator to select a type of heat seal formed on the evacuated container.    
   
   
       17 . The vacuum packaging appliance of  claim 16  wherein said heat sealing controller controls the electrical current supplied to the heat sealing element.  
   
   
       18 . The vacuum packaging appliance of  claim 16  further comprising a control panel that allows the operator to select between 3 types of heat seals.  
   
   
       19 . The vacuum packaging appliance of  claim 18  wherein said control panel is operatively connected to the heat sealing element controller.  
   
   
       20 . The vacuum packaging appliance of  claim 18  wherein said heat sealing element controller may suspend heat sealing for a predetermined period of time in order to avoid heat seal element overheating.  
   
   
       21 . A method of controlling a vacuum packaging appliance to evacuate and seal a container comprising the acts of: 
 placing a first end of a container into a trough within a vacuum packaging appliance;    evacuating the container of gases;    selecting a type of heat seal for the container;    positioning a heat sealing element to heat seal the container; and    controlling the amount of current applied to heat sealing elements based on the selected type of seal.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the heat sealing elements are positioned in the trough of the vacuum sealing device.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the heat sealing element is positioned on a lid of the vacuum sealing device.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the heat sealing element is positioned to minimize the length of the container necessary for vacuum sealing.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 21  wherein controlling the amount of current to the heat sealing element may include waiting a predetermined period of time before supplying current to the heat sealing element in order to avoid overheating or premature sealing of the container.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 21  wherein controlling the amount of current to the heat sealing element may include controlling the current based on the temperature of the heat sealing elements or the presence of liquid within the trough.  
   
   
       27 . A vacuum packaging appliance for evacuating a container comprising: 
 a trough for receiving the open end of a container and collecting contents taken from the container while evacuating said container,    a heat sealing element located adjacent to the trough in order to heat seal the evacuated container; and    a heat sealing controller that allows an operator to select a type of heat seal formed on the evacuated container.    
   
   
       28 . The vacuum packaging appliance of  claim 27  wherein said heat sealing controller controls the power supplied to the heat sealing elements.  
   
   
       29 . The vacuum packaging appliance of  claim 28  wherein a liquid sensor is connected to said heat sealing controller.  
   
   
       30 . The vacuum packaging appliance of  claim 29  wherein a temperature sensor is connected to said heat sealing controller  
   
   
       31 . The vacuum packaging appliance of  claim 29  wherein the liquid sensor is located in the trough.  
   
   
       32 . A vacuum packaging appliance for use in evacuating vacuum packaging receptacles, said vacuum packaging appliance comprising: 
 a vacuum pump;    a vacuum circuit coupled to said vacuum pump such that actuation of said vacuum pump evacuates said vacuum circuit, said vacuum circuit intended for evacuating a vacuum packaging receptacle;    a heat sealing element arranged to hermetically seal said vacuum packaging receptacle;    a user input device enabling a user to select a mode of operation from among at least a first and a second operating mode; and    a heat sealing element controller operable to actuate said heat sealing element according to a first control profile associated with said first operating mode and a second control profile associate with said second operating mode, said heat sealing element controller responsive to said user input device.    
   
   
       33 . A vacuum packaging appliance as recited in  claim 32 , wherein said user input device includes a toggle switch configurable to at least a first position corresponding to said first operating mode and a second position corresponding to said second operating mode.  
   
   
       34 . A vacuum packaging appliance as recited in  claim 32 , wherein said heat sealing element controller includes a microprocessor.  
   
   
       35 . A vacuum packaging appliance as recited in  claim 32 , wherein said heat sealing element controller includes an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).  
   
   
       36 . A vacuum packaging appliance as recited in  claim 32 , wherein said heat sealing element controller includes a programmable logic device (PLD).  
   
   
       37 . A vacuum packaging appliance for use in evacuating a vacuum packaging receptacles, said vacuum packaging appliance comprising: 
 a vacuum pump;    a vacuum circuit coupled to said vacuum pump such that actuation of said vacuum pump evacuates said vacuum circuit, said vacuum circuit intended for evacuating a vacuum packaging receptacle;    a heat sealing element arranged to hermetically seal said vacuum packaging receptacle;    a sensor providing data related to said heat sealing element; and    a heat sealing element controller operable to actuate said heat sealing element according to a control profile that is a function of said data related to said heat sealing element.    
   
   
       38 . A vacuum packaging appliance for use in evacuating vacuum packaging receptacles as recited in  claim 37 , wherein said sensor measures a parameter related to a temperature of said heat sealing element.  
   
   
       39 . A vacuum packaging appliance for use in evacuating vacuum packaging receptacles as recited in  claim 38 , wherein said sensor measures a parameter related to a fluid level in said vacuum circuit.  
   
   
       40 . A vacuum packaging appliance for use in evacuating vacuum packaging receptacles, said vacuum packaging appliance comprising: 
 a vacuum pump;    a vacuum circuit coupled to said vacuum pump such that actuation of said vacuum pump evacuates said vacuum circuit, said vacuum circuit intended for evacuating a vacuum packaging receptacle;    a heat sealing element arranged to hermetically seal said vacuum packaging receptacle;    a control panel to allow an operator to select a type of heat seal for sealing the vacuum packaging receptacle;    a sensor providing data related to a temperature of the heat sealing element;    a sensor providing data related to an amount of liquid present in the vacuum circuit while evacuating the vacuum packaging receptacle; and    a heat sealing element controller operable to actuate said heat sealing element with a control signal; wherein the duration of the control signal is determined by the type of heat seal selected, the temperature of the heat sealing element, and the amount of liquid present.    
   
   
       41 . A heat sealing device used in a vacuum packaging appliance comprising: 
 a heat sealing element for hermetically sealing a vacuum packaging container placed in the vacuum packaging appliance;    a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the heat sealing element; and    a heat sealing element controller that controls the temperature of the heat sealing element based on a signal from the temperature sensor.    
   
   
       42 . The heat sealing device of  claim 41 , wherein the heat sealing element controller controls the amount of current applied to the heat sealing element in order to control the temperature of the heat sealing element.  
   
   
       43 . The heat sealing device of  claim 42 , wherein the heat sealing element controller increases the amount of current when the temperature of the heat sealing element is less than a predetermined temperature.  
   
   
       44 . The heat sealing device of  claim 43 , wherein the heat sealing element controller decreases the amount of current when the temperature of the heat sealing element is greater than a predetermined temperature.  
   
   
       45 . The heat sealing device of  claim 44 , wherein the heat sealing element controller maintains the heat sealing element temperature at a constant predetermined temperature.  
   
   
       46 . A vacuum packaging appliance for use in evacuating vacuum packaging receptacles, said vacuum packaging appliance comprising: 
 a vacuum pump;    a heat sealing element arranged to hermetically seal said vacuum packaging receptacle;    a temperature sensor providing data relating to a temperature of the heat sealing element; and    a heat sealing element controller operable to actuate said heat sealing element with a control signal, wherein the heat sealing element controller also directs exhaust of the vacuum pump under the heat sealing element when the temperature of the heat sealing element has exceeded a predetermined temperature.    
   
   
       47 . The vacuum packaging appliance of  claim 46 , wherein the heat sealing element controller sends a signal to open a valve when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature.  
   
   
       48 . The vacuum packaging appliance of  claim 47 , wherein the exhaust of the vacuum pump is directed through a passage below the heat sealing element.  
   
   
       49 . The vacuum packaging appliance of  claim 47 , wherein the temperature of the heat sealing element is maintained within a predetermined temperature range.  
   
   
       50 . The vacuum packaging appliance of  claim 47 , wherein the heat sealing element controller provides a signal to activate the heat sealing elements based on one or more inputs.  
   
   
       51 . The vacuum packaging appliance of  claim 50 , wherein the inputs include heat sealing element temperature, amount of liquid present in a trough, and operator selections of desired heat seals.  
   
   
       52 . A vacuum packaging appliance for use in evacuating and sealing a vacuum packaging receptacle, said vacuum packaging appliance comprising: 
 a vacuum pump for evacuating a vacuum packaging receptacle;    heat sealing elements arranged to hermetically seal said vacuum packaging receptacle; wherein the heat sealing elements comprise two wires;    a temperature sensor providing data relating to a temperature of the heat sealing elements; and    a heat sealing elements controller operable to actuate said heat sealing elements with a control signal, wherein the controller determines if one or both of the wires of the heat sealing elements are to be actuated based on a predetermined condition.    
   
   
       53 . The vacuum packaging appliance of  claim 52 , wherein the heat sealing element controller determines that only one wire is to be actuated when the predetermined condition is that a current temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature.  
   
   
       54 . The vacuum packaging appliance of  claim 52 , wherein the heat sealing element controller determines that both wires are to be actuated when the predetermined condition is that a current temperature is below a predetermined temperature.  
   
   
       55 . The vacuum packaging appliance of  claim 52 , wherein the predetermined condition is a user selected mode of operation.  
   
   
       56 . The vacuum packaging appliance of  claim 52 , wherein the heat sealing element controller determines that both wires are to be actuated when the predetermined condition is that the presence of liquid is detected.  
   
   
       57 . A method for controlling a vacuum packaging appliance for use in evacuating and sealing a vacuum packaging receptacle, comprising the acts of: 
 evacuating a vacuum packaging receptacle;    providing two heat sealing element wires to seal the vacuum packaging receptacle;    providing a heat sealing element controller operable to actuate said heat sealing element wires with a control signal, wherein the controller determines if one or both of the wires of the heat sealing elements are to be actuated based on a predetermined condition.    
   
   
       58 . A method for controlling a vacuum packaging appliance as in  claim 57 , wherein the heat sealing element controller determines that only one wire is to be actuated when the predetermined condition is that a current temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature.  
   
   
       59 . A method for controlling a vacuum packaging appliance as in  claim 57 , wherein the heat sealing element controller determines that both wires are to be actuated when the predetermined condition is that a current temperature is below a predetermined temperature.  
   
   
       60 . A method for controlling a vacuum packaging appliance as in  claim 57 , wherein the predetermined condition is a user selected mode of operation.  
   
   
       61 . A method for controlling a vacuum packaging appliance as in  claim 57 , wherein the predetermined condition is that the presence of liquid is detected.  
   
   
       62 . A method for controlling a vacuum packaging appliance having an evacuation mechanism and a sealing mechanism, the method comprising: 
 preheat energizing a sealing mechanism in order to preheat bag material disposed within the vacuum packaging appliance; and    seal energizing the sealing mechanism in order to seal the bag material disposed within the vacuum packaging appliance.    
   
   
       63 . A method as recited in  claim 62 , wherein the preheat energizing step is performed in conjunction with an evacuation step.  
   
   
       64 . A method as recited in  claim 63 , wherein the preheat energizing step brings the sealing mechanism to a lower temperature than the seal energizing step.  
   
   
       65 . A vacuum packaging appliance for use in evacuating vacuum packaging receptacles, said vacuum packaging appliance comprising: 
 a vacuum pump coupled with a vacuum chamber, said vacuum chamber arranged to receive a vacuum packaging receptacle;    a heat sealing element arranged to hermetically seal said vacuum packaging receptacle, said heat sealing element disposed inside of said vacuum chamber;    a temperature sensor providing data relating to a temperature of the heat sealing element; and    a heat sealing element controller operable to actuate said heat sealing element with a control signal, wherein the heat sealing element controller also directs exhaust of the vacuum pump under the heat sealing element when the temperature of the heat sealing element has exceeded a predetermined temperature.