Heat Sealer with Algorithm for Regulating Sealing Temperature

Abstract

A vacuum and sealing appliance comprises a heat sealing element for sealing a container during a sealing cycle. A controller controls the temperature of the heat sealing element during the sealing cycle based on a signal from a temperature sensor that senses the real-time temperature of the heat sealing element. A seal indicator light is provided which is lighted during the sealing cycle and extinguished at its completion. The signal from the controller energizes the heating element for a time to heat the sealing element to a pre-determined temperature for sealing the container and initiates a dwell time corresponding to cooling the heating element after sealing the container. Values of the real-time temperatures of the heat sealing element and values of the sealing times and the dwell times that correspond to the values of the real-time temperatures of the heat sealing element are stored in a look-up table.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sealing appliance having a controller performing a method of sealing, the method comprising the steps of:
 sensing with a sensor a first temperature of at least one heat sealing element;   determining an actuation control signal based on the first temperature for use during a sealing operation cycle, the sealing operation cycle including at least a sealing time corresponding to energizing and heating the at least one heat sealing element to a predetermined temperature for sealing a container and a dwell time corresponding to cooling of the at least one heating element after sealing the container; and   extinguishing a seal indicator light when the sealing operation cycle is complete;   whereby values of the first temperatures of the at least one sealing element and values of the sealing times and the dwell times that correspond to the values of the first temperatures are stored in a look-up table.   
     
     
         2 . The sealing appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the look-up table corresponds to values of first temperatures, sealing times and dwell times for an alternating current power source. 
     
     
         3 . The sealing appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the look-up table corresponds to values of initial temperatures, sealing times and dwell times for a direct current power source. 
     
     
         4 . The sealing appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing operation cycle includes the step of evacuating a container placed into the sealing appliance. 
     
     
         5 . The sealing appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing operation cycle is commenced when a seal button is depressed. 
     
     
         6 . The sealing appliance of  claim 1 , wherein a vacuum and sealing operation cycle is commenced when a seal and vacuum button is depressed. 
     
     
         7 . The sealing appliance of  claim 1 , the method further including the step of lighting a ready indicator light after the sealing operation has been completed and the seal indicator light has been extinguished. 
     
     
         8 . A vacuum and sealing appliance, comprising:
 a least one heat sealing element for sealing a vacuum packaging container placed in the vacuum and sealing appliance during at least one sealing cycle;   a temperature sensor for sensing a first temperature of the at least one sealing element prior to the beginning of the at least one sealing cycle;   a heat sealing element controller that controls the temperature of the at least one heat scaling element during the at least one sealing cycle based on a signal from the temperature sensor;   a seal indicator light which is lighted during the at least one sealing cycle and extinguished at the completion of the at least one sealing cycle;   wherein the signal from the controller energizes the heating element for a first time to heat the at least one heat sealing element to a pre-determined temperature for sealing the vacuum packaging container and a dwell time corresponding to cooling of the at least one heating element after sealing the vacuum packaging container, and values of the first temperatures of the at least one heat sealing element and values of the sealing times and the dwell times that correspond to the values of the first temperatures are stored in a look-up table.   
     
     
         9 . The heat sealing device of  claim 8 , wherein the look-up table corresponds to values of first temperatures, sealing times and dwell times for an alternating current power source. 
     
     
         10 . The heat sealing device of  claim 8 , wherein the look-up table corresponds to values of initial temperatures, sealing times and dwell times for a direct current power source. 
     
     
         11 . A sealing appliance including a controller performing a method of sealing, the method comprising the steps of:
 sensing with a first sensor a first temperature of at least one heat sealing element;   sensing with a second sensor a second temperature of a base of the sealing appliance;   determining whether the first temperature of the at least one heat sealing element is below a first threshold temperature and whether the second temperature of the base is below a second threshold temperature;   disabling all vacuum and sealing operation keys if both the first temperature of the at least one heat sealing element is not below the first threshold temperature and the second temperature of the base is not below a second threshold temperature and flashing a seal indicator light;   initiating a sealing operation cycle if both the first temperature of the at least one heat sealing element is below the first threshold temperature and the second temperature of the base is below a second threshold temperature and lighting the seal indicator light, the sealing operation cycle including:   determining an actuation control signal based on the sensed first temperature of the heat sealing element for use during the sealing operation cycle, the sealing operation cycle including at least a sealing time corresponding to energizing and heating the at least one heat sealing element to a pre-determined temperature for sealing a container and a dwell time corresponding to cooling of the at least one heating element after sealing the container; and   extinguishing the seal indicator light when the sealing operation cycle is complete;   whereby values of the initial temperatures of the at least one sealing element and values of the sealing times and the dwell times that correspond to the values of the initial temperatures are stored in a look-up table.   
     
     
         12 . The sealing appliance of  claim 11 , the method further including selecting the first threshold temperature to be 75° C. 
     
     
         13 . The sealing appliance of  claim 11 , the method further including selecting the second threshold temperature to be 65° C. 
     
     
         14 . The sealing appliance of  claim 11 , the method further including lighting a ready indicator light after the sealing operation has been completed and the seal indicator light has been extinguished. 
     
     
         15 . The sealing appliance of  claim 14 , wherein the ready indicator light is green when lighted. 
     
     
         16 . The sealing appliance of  claim 11 , wherein a sealing operation cycle is commenced when a seal button is depressed. 
     
     
         17 . The sealing appliance of  claim 11 , wherein a vacuum and sealing operation cycle is commenced when a seal and vacuum button is depressed. 
     
     
         18 . The sealing appliance of  claim 11 , wherein the seal indicator light flashes red when the vacuum and sealing operation keys are disabled if both the first temperature of the at least one heat sealing element is not below the first threshold temperature and the second temperature of the base is not below a second threshold temperature. 
     
     
         19 . The sealing appliance of  claim 11 , wherein the look-up table corresponds to values of first temperatures, sealing times and dwell times for an alternating current power source. 
     
     
         20 . The sealing appliance of  claim 11 , wherein the look-up table corresponds to values of first temperatures, sealing times and dwell times for a direct current power source.