US20050223682A1

US20050223682A1 - Vacuum sealer

Info

Publication number: US20050223682A1
Application number: US10/921,049
Authority: US
Inventors: Yi-Je Sung; Joon-Chol Shin
Original assignee: CSE Co Ltd
Current assignee: CSE Co Ltd
Priority date: 2004-04-08
Filing date: 2004-08-17
Publication date: 2005-10-13
Also published as: WO2005097598A1

Abstract

A vacuum sealer of the present invention includes a main body and a hood hinged to the main body. A heater is installed on the main body, and engages with a pressing member provided on the hood to heat and seal an open end of a bag. A vacuum pump is provided in the main body to be coupled to a suction nozzle communicating with the open end of the bag. Further, a straight line-shaped sealing member is provided as a predetermined position on the main body and another sealing member is provided as a position corresponding to the straight line-shaped sealing member. The sealing members define a vacuum channel to which vacuum pressure is applied by the vacuum pump, when the hood comes into contact with the main body. A control unit functions to control the heater and the vacuum pump.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a vacuum sealer, which uses a vacuum pump to exhaust air from a bag containing products, and then heats to seal an open end of the vacuum bag using a heater.
More particularly, the present invention relates to a vacuum sealer, which uses a straight line-shaped sealing member, in place of a closed loop-shaped sealing member used in a conventional vacuum sealer, thus simplifying a construction of a main body having a vacuum pump therein, without a reduction in vacuum strength, compared to the conventional vacuum sealer.
Further, the present invention relates to a vacuum sealer, which is provided with a volume reducing means of a vacuum channel serving as an evacuative chamber, thus allowing vacuum pressure to be efficiently concentrated on the vacuum channel coming into contact with an opened end of a bag.

BACKGROUND ART

Recently, vacuum sealers have been widely used in restaurants and food shops. The vacuum sealers are used to vacuum pack products, such as foodstuffs or cooked food, so as to protect the products against oxidation, thus prolonging expiration dates of the products. Further, there is a growing tendency for people to go shopping on weekends in large discount shops, in addition to increase of a nuclear family, so that foods may be stored in refrigerators for about a week. Due to such a reason, sales of household vacuum sealers have increased.
Most conventional vacuum sealers are designed so that closed loop-shaped sealing members, similar to a sealing member 121 provided on a hood 120 of a vacuum sealer shown in FIG. 2 a, are installed on both a main body and a hood.
When the hood comes into contact with the main body, a vacuum chamber to which vacuum pressure is applied by a pump is defined between the sealing members. A plurality of raised protuberances is embossed on a surface of a bag whose open end is positioned at the vacuum chamber, so that it is possible to create a vacuum in the bag.
However, in the conventional vacuum sealers having a pair of closed loop-shaped sealing members, desired vacuum strength can be obtained by only one of two closed loop-shaped sealing members. Thus, a remaining one of the two sealing members may have any shape, as long as the sealing member is suitable for sealing the open end of the bag. Assuming that the vacuum sealer is improved in consideration of the above mentioned aspects, a vacuum sealer having a simple construction can be accomplished, in addition to reducing manufacturing costs of the vacuum sealer.
Further, on the market one may obtain a vacuum sealer manufactured by the company Tillia. The conventional vacuum sealer is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,941,310 registered on Jul. 17, 1990, and entitled ^┌APPARATUS FOR VACUUM SEALING PLASTIC BAGS_┘. Referring to FIG. 8 of the document, chamber portions 34 and 40 defined by a frontal portion of a seal 39 are coupled to a suction nozzle of a pump. Thus, when the pump is operated, air in a bag is drawn through an open end of the bag, which is positioned at the chamber portions, thus creating a vacuum in the bag.
However, the chamber portions each have a length corresponding to an entire length of the open end of the bag, and a volume of each chamber portion is defined by a sealing means 35. Thus, a volume of a vacuum chamber defined by the chamber portions is large, so that it is difficult to efficiently concentrate vacuum pressure on the open end of the bag. Further, in order to create a vacuum in the bag at a high speed, a powerful pump having a large capacity is required, thus increasing the power consumption, noise, and size of the vacuum sealer.
A vacuum channel of the U.S. patent is not a partially open structure, but a completely open structure.
In order to solve the problem of the vacuum sealer having the completely open-type vacuum channel, there was proposed Korean U.M. Registration No. 0322449, which was registered on Jul. 28, 2003 and is entitled ^┌A VACUUM PACKING APPARATUS_┘. Referring to FIG. 4 of this document, a suction nozzle 11 coupled to a vacuum pump is provided at a center of a vacuum channel.
The apparatus disclosed in this document is capable of efficiently concentrating vacuum pressure on a bag, because of the suction nozzle. However, the vacuum sealer has a problem in that a user personally must open an open end of the bag, and then insert the nozzle into the opened end, so that it is inconvenient to use.
Further, conventional vacuum sealers are problematic in that liquid, such as moisture or oil, may undesirably escape from products contained in a bag, due to vacuum pressure applied to the bag during the operation of the vacuum sealer. The liquid get the vacuum sealer dirty, and flow along a suction nozzle and a connection tube into a vacuum pump, thus deteriorating pumping efficiency of the pump, and causing the pump to malfunction.
Furthermore, the conventional vacuum sealers are problematic in that, when a hood is moved relative to a main body, immediately after a vacuum is completely created in the bag, an excessive force is required to move the hood to its open position while overcoming vacuum pressure applied to a vacuum chamber. Thereby, sealing members may be dislodged from the vacuum sealer, and besides, be broken or damaged.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is proposed to solve the above problems occurring in conventional vacuum sealers.
An object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum sealer which is constructed so that a sealing member provided on a main body has a straight-line shape, thus accomplishing simple construction.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum sealer which reduces a volume of a vacuum channel defined by a sealing member, thus efficiently concentrating vacuum pressure to evacuate a bag.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum sealer, which includes a filter means mounted to a tube connecting a vacuum pump to a suction nozzle, thus preventing liquid, escaping from products contained in a bag during operation of the vacuum pump, from getting the vacuum sealer dirty.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum sealer, which is provided with a vacuum release means to release vacuum pressure from a vacuum channel in a one-touch manner, after a bag is evacuated and an open end of the bag is heat sealed, thus preventing unexpected stoppage of a vacuum pump, due to a careless touch.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum sealer, capable of creating a vacuum in various containers, using an auxiliary connector which can be universally utilized, regardless of the kind of vacuum sealer.
In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a vacuum sealer, including a main body; a hood hinged to the main body; a heater installed at a predetermined position on the main body, and engaging with a pressing member provided at a predetermined position on the hood to heat and seal an open end of a bag; a vacuum pump provided at a predetermined position in the main body to be coupled to a suction nozzle communicating with the open end of the bag; two sealing members comprising a straight line-shaped sealing member provided at a predetermined position on the main body, and a sealing member provided at a position corresponding to the straight line-shaped sealing member of the main body, the two sealing members defining a vacuum channel to which vacuum pressure is applied by the vacuum pump, when the hood comes into contact with the main body; and a control unit to control the heater and the vacuum pump.
The vacuum sealer further includes a volume reducing means to reduce a volume of the vacuum channel defined by the sealing members, thus allowing the vacuum pressure of the vacuum pump to be efficiently concentrated on a desired position.
The channel volume reducing means is the sealing member arranged at a predetermined position on the hood, the sealing member including two or more holes, with the holes communicating with each other by a slit provided along a predetermined portion of the hood.
Preferably, a liquid guide channel is provided along a predetermined portion of the main body to guide liquid escaping from the bag. More preferably, a filter means is mounted to a tube coupling the suction nozzle to the vacuum pump.
The filter means includes a housing having coupling holes to be coupled to a tube part extending from the vacuum pump and another tube part extending from the suction nozzle, and a filter installed in the housing.
The vacuum sealer further includes a vacuum release means to release a vacuum from the vacuum channel, after the bag is evacuated and heat sealed.
The vacuum release means is provided on a sidewall of the main body, and includes a control lever to open or close a vacuum release nozzle communicating the tube coupling the vacuum pump to the suction nozzle.
An auxiliary connector of the vacuum sealer further includes a sucking unit to come into contact with an upper surface of an object to be evacuated, with a check valve being positioned on the object; a tube communicating at a first end thereof with an upper portion of a body of the sucking unit; a nozzle insert unit communicating with a second end of the tube, and including an insert part to be inserted into the suction nozzle of the vacuum pump; a vacuum release means to release a vacuum from an internal path of a connector, after the object is evacuated; and a sealing means interposed between an upper surface of the suction nozzle and the nozzle insert unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Reference numerals which carry the same last two digits in the drawings, denote the elements having the same function. This is commonly applied to all elements, except special cases.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum sealer, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 a is a perspective view of the vacuum sealer, according to another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 b is a perspective view of a separable unit coupled to the vacuum sealer of FIG. 2 a;
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a vacuum sealer with a sealing member serving as a volume reducing means of a vacuum channel, according to a further embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 4 a and 4 b are perspective views of sealing members serving as the channel volume reducing means, according to two modifications of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 a is a perspective view of an adapter and a plug coupled to a tube connecting a suction nozzle to a vacuum pump of the vacuum sealer of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 b is an exploded perspective view of a filter means coupled to the adapter; and
FIGS. 6 a, 6 b, 6 c, and 6 d are views to show auxiliary connectors.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 1, a vacuum sealer V1 includes a main body 10, and a hood 20 hinged to the main body 10.
A heater 30 is provided at a predetermined position on the main body 10 to heat and seal an open end of a vacuum bag (not shown). A pressing member 31 is provided on the hood 20 at a position facing the heater 30, and comes into contact with the heater 30 to press the open end of the vacuum bag.
First, the bag is placed at a predetermined position, and the hood 20 pivots on the main body 10 to be closed. Subsequently, a vacuum pump 40 is operated in response to a pressure applied to the hood or by actuating buttons 17 a and 17 b. At this time, a vacuum channel is defined, so that vacuum pressure is applied to the vacuum channel by a suction nozzle 41 connected to the pump 40. Further, a sealing member is provided on each of the main body 10 and the hood 20 to seal the open end of the bag from the exterior. Although a single suction nozzle is shown in the drawings, but two or more suction nozzles may be arranged at an interval corresponding to the size of the opening of the bag.
As shown in FIG. 1, the sealing member provided on the main body 10 is a straight line-shaped sealing member 11, which is the first feature of this invention. Further, the sealing member provided on the hood 20 is a closed loop-shaped sealing member 21 which is embedded in a support member 23. The sealing member 11 of the main body 10 is in the same plane as an upper surface of the main body 10, while the sealing member 21 of the hood 20 is in the same plane as an upper surface of the support member 23.
The straight-line type sealing member provided on the main body 10 of the vacuum sealer V1 of FIG. 1 allows the construction of the vacuum sealer to be simplified, and reduces manufacturing costs of the vacuum sealer.
Meanwhile, the sealing member 21 of the hood 20 functions as a volume reducing means of the vacuum channel, which is the second feature of this invention. A conventional vacuum sealer has a sealing member similar to a sealing member 121 provided on a hood 120 of a vacuum sealer V2 shown in FIG. 2. In a detailed description, a support member 123 projects from the hood 120 to support the closed loop-shaped sealing member 121. Thus, a channel C is defined within the sealing member 121, with the channel C defining a space on which vacuum pressure acts, when the hood 120 comes into contact with a main body 110 and then the pump is operated.
The sealing member 21 provided on the hood 20 of FIG. 1 does not have the channel C of FIG. 2, but a space corresponding to the channel C is filled. Thus, when the bag is placed at a predetermined position and then the hood 20 comes into contact with the main body 10, a space with a very small volume corresponding to a thickness of the bag is formed, thus allowing vacuum pressure to be efficiently concentrated on the bag. Although the volume of the vacuum channel is very small, a plurality of raised protuberances is embossed on a surface of the bag, so that a vacuum can be created in the bag.
Further, the vacuum sealer V1 of FIG. 1 also includes guide members to guide the open end of the bag to an inside of the closed loop-shaped sealing member 21 provided on the hood 20, that is, to a desired place in the vacuum channel. As shown in the drawing, the guide members comprise two or more projections 15, which are arranged in a row. Further, locking depressions 25 are provided at predetermined positions on the hood 20 to receive the projections 15, when the hood comes into contact with the main body.
Moreover, a liquid guide channel 13 is provided along a predetermined portion of the main body 10 so that the liquid guide channel 13 is aligned with the suction nozzle 41 in a row, and functions to guide liquid escaping from the bag. It is preferable that the liquid guide channel 13 be downwardly inclined toward the suction nozzle 41.
The detailed shape of the liquid guide channel 13 will be more clearly understood, with reference to FIG. 2 b.
The vacuum sealer V1 of FIG. 1 is constructed so that it is inconvenient to clean or replace the liquid guide channel 13, although impurities remain in the liquid guide channel 13 of the main body 10. In order to solve the problem, the vacuum sealer may be constructed as shown in FIGS. 2 a and 2 b. That is, a separable unit S having a suction nozzle 141, a bag guide member 115, a straight line-shaped sealing member 111, and a liquid guide channel 113 is separately manufactured, and then assembled with a main body. The liquid guide channel 113 is inclined toward the suction nozzle 141, as shown by the circled portion in FIG. 2 b. Further, a seat S1 is provided at a predetermined position on the main body so that the separable unit S is seated in the seat S1.
Assuming that two suction nozzles are placed at positions corresponding to opposite ends of the open end of the bag, the liquid guide channel 113 is formed so that a central portion of the liquid guide channel is the highest, and opposite ends of the liquid guide channel adjacent to the suction nozzles are the lowest.
As shown in FIG. 1, the vacuum sealer V1 according to this invention includes a vacuum release means to release a vacuum from the vacuum channel after the bag is vacuum packed, thus allowing a user to easily open the hood 10. A filter means filters liquid escaping from products contained in the bag during an operation of the pump, thus preventing the liquid from flowing through the suction nozzle 41 into the pump. Further, when a user desires to evacuate an additional container, tube parts constituting a tube connecting the vacuum pump to the suction nozzle 41 and extending from the pump and the nozzle are exposed to a side of the main body 10, that is, a right side of the main body 10 in FIG. 1, to form cut ends A43 and A45. An adapter A1 is coupled at a first side thereof to the cut ends A43 and A45, and at a second side thereof to a connector for evacuating the container.
The adapter A1 includes a coupling protrusion 43 a inserted into the cut end A43 of the tube part T1 coupled to the pump 40, and a coupling protrusion 45 a inserted into the cut end A45 of the tube part T2 coupled to the suction nozzle 41. The adapter A1 is seated in a seating recess A2 provided at a predetermined position on the main body 10.
The adapter A1 is utilized for various purposes. First, as shown in FIG. 5 a, when the vacuum sealer V1 executes its original function of vacuum packing an object, the adapter A1 couples the suction nozzle 41 to the pump 40, so that a suction force is applied to the nozzle 41. In this case, a plug 60, having fitting pipes 61 a and 61 b to be coupled to inlet and outlet ports 43 and 45 of the adapter A1, is coupled to the adapter A1, thus allowing the inlet and outlet ports 43 and 45 to communicate with each other.
Further, as shown in FIG. 5 b, the adapter A1 may be used for the filter means, which is the third feature of this invention. The filter means functions to prevent the liquid escaping from products contained in the bag from flowing through the suction nozzle 41 into the pump 40. The filter means may be installed in the main body. However, it is preferable that the filter means be provided outside the main body, as shown in FIG. 5 b, for easy cleaning and replacement of the filter means.
Particularly, as shown in FIG. 1 and 2 a, liquid fed through the liquid guide channel 13, 113 to the nozzle 41, 141, is filtered by the filter means to prevent ingress of the liquid into the pump. The filter means 70 of FIG. 5 b includes a housing 71, a filter 75, and a lid 73. The housing 71 has coupling holes 75 a and 75 b coupled to the inlet and outlet ports 43 and 45 of the adapter A1 that are coupled to the tube parts extending from the nozzle and the pump. The filter 75 is housed in the housing 71. The lid 73 has locking projections 73 a to engage locking holes 71 a of the housing 71. As such, the filter means provided outside the vacuum sealer allows easy cleaning and replacement, in addition to reliably preventing liquid escaping from products in the vacuum bag from flowing into the vacuum pump.
Furthermore, the adapter A1 may be attached to the connector (not shown), thus creating a vacuum in an exterior container using the pump of the vacuum sealer.
Preferably, the vacuum sealer according to the present invention further includes the vacuum release means, which is the fourth feature of this invention. The vacuum release means functions to release the vacuum from the vacuum channel after the bag is evacuated and then heat sealed, thus allowing a user to easily open the hood.
In a conventional vacuum sealer, a hole is provided on a hood to communicate with a vacuum channel defined inside the hood, and the hole is opened by a valve, thus releasing the vacuum. However, such a conventional vacuum release means has a problem in that a user may carelessly touch the valve when the user presses the hood over the main body, so that the vacuum may be unexpectedly released.
In order to solve the problem, as shown in FIG. 1, a vacuum release means 50 of this invention is not provided on the hood, but provided on a sidewall of the main body 10. To release a vacuum from the vacuum channel C, a vacuum release nozzle 53 is provided on the upper surface of the main body 10 to communicate with the tube part T2 coupled to the suction nozzle 41.
The vacuum release nozzle 53 is opened or closed by a packing disc 55 provided at a predetermined position of a control lever 51. The lever 51 has on both sides thereof lugs 52 a to be fitted into corresponding insert holes 52 b of the main body 10. When the lugs 52 a are fitted into the insert holes 52 b, the lever 51 is elastically supported by a spring 51 a which is interposed between an inner surface of the lever 51 and the sidewall of the main body 10. Thus, the lever 51 normally closes the vacuum release nozzle 53.
When a user presses a press part 50 a of the lever 51 after the open end of the bag is heat sealed by the heater 30, the lever 51 pivots on the lugs 52 a to be raised by an elastic force of the spring 51 a. Thus, the packing disc 55 opens the nozzle 53, so that air sequentially passes through the vacuum release nozzle 53, the tube part T2, the suction nozzle 41, and the vacuum channel, thus releasing the vacuum from the vacuum channel. Afterwards, when the user releases his/her finger from the control lever, the control lever 51 returns to an original position thereof by a restoring force of the spring 51 a. Thereby, the packing disc 55 closes the nozzle 53 again.
The vacuum release means using such a control lever is very safe, and releases a vacuum in a one-touch manner, thus being very convenient.
As described above, the vacuum sealer V2 of FIG. 2 a is different from the vacuum sealer V1 of FIG. 1 in that the suction nozzle 141, the bag guide members 115, the straight line-shaped sealing member 111, and the liquid guide channel 113 constitute the separable unit S, and the separable unit S is detachably mounted to the main body 110.
Further, as described above, the vacuum sealer V2 is different from the vacuum sealer of FIG. 1 in that an inside surrounded by the sealing member 121 is concave, thus defining the distinct vacuum channel C. Although the vacuum channel C of the vacuum sealer V2 of FIG. 2 a has a larger volume than that of FIG. 1, the vacuum channel C of the vacuum sealer V2 has a smaller volume than that of a conventional vacuum sealer.
The channel C functions to receive the guide members 115.
A vacuum sealer V3 of FIG. 3 is different from the vacuum sealer V1 of FIG. 1 in that the vacuum sealer V3 is not provided with the liquid guide channel.
Further, a vacuum channel defined by a sealing member 221 arranged on a hood 220 of the vacuum sealer V3 of FIG. 3 has a smaller volume, compared to the vacuum channel of the vacuum sealer V2 of FIG. 2.
The sealing member 221 includes holes 221 a and 221 b for a suction nozzle 241 coupled to the pump, and one or more holes 221 c, 221 d, and 221 e to partially open the vacuum channel. Thus, the sealing member 221 functions as the channel volume reducing means, which is the second feature of this invention, and thereby, the channel forms a partially open channel.
The sealing member 221 arranged on the hood 220 is inserted into a support member 223 having the same profile as the sealing member 221 so that the sealing member 221 is in contact with an inner surface of the support member 223. Due to the sealing member 221 serving as the channel volume reducing means, the vacuum channel C is defined by the holes 221 a, 221 b, 221 c, 221 d, and 221 e of the sealing member 221, and a slit C1 which is in contact with a back surface of the sealing member 221 to communicate with the holes.
As such, the vacuum channel C with a reduced volume communicates with the suction nozzle 241 via the slit C1, so that it is possible to apply vacuum pressure to the channel C. The slit C1 is thin and elongate, with opposite ends of the slit C1 forming expanded parts for the holes 221 a and 221 b of the sealing member 221 corresponding to the suction nozzle 241.
Although the slit C1 is provided at a predetermined position on the hood 220 in the drawing, the slit C1 may be alternatively provided at a predetermined position on the sealing member 221 to couple the holes to each other. However, when the slit is provided on the sealing member 221 with compressibility, the slit may be blocked due to compression, and thereby, the vacuum pressure may not evenly act on all the holes. Thus, it is preferable that the slit C1 be provided on the hood 220, as shown in the drawing.
Although the vacuum channel C is provided only on the hood 220 in the drawing, the channel may be provided only on the main body, or on both the main body and the hood.
FIGS. 4 a and 4 b show sealing members 321A and 321B, respectively, having different shapes from that of FIG. 3. The sealing members 321A and 321B also serve as the volume reducing means of the channel C.
Referring to FIG. 4 a, the sealing member 321A includes holes 321 a and 321 b for the suction nozzle, and a plurality of holes 321 c arranged at regular intervals. Further, as shown in FIG. 4 b, the sealing member 321B includes holes 322 a and 322 b for the suction nozzle, and a longitudinal hole 322 c.
As necessary, the channel volume reducing means may comprise an additional member different from the sealing member.
The operation of the vacuum sealer V3 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 3. The bag is pushed backward after the open end of the bag is placed on the main body 210. At this time, the open end of the bag is guided by the projections 215 to be accurately aligned with the holes 221 a, 221 b, 221 c, 221 d and 221 e of the sealing member 221 arranged on the hood 220.
In the state where the plug 60 is coupled to the adapter A1 as shown in FIG. 5 a, the hood 220 is closed and an actuating switch 217 a is pressed. At this time, the pump is operated, so that a suction force is applied to the suction nozzle 241, and vacuum pressure is applied to the holes of the sealing member 221 and the slit C1 communicating with the nozzle 241. Subsequently, when the vacuum pressure is applied to the open end of bag through the holes, air is exhausted from the bag to create a vacuum in the bag. The vacuum channel C of the vacuum sealer V3 according to the present invention allows the vacuum pressure to be more efficiently concentrated on the open end of the bag and the channel C, due to the sealing member 221 serving as the volume reducing means.
A pressure sensor detects whether the bag has reached a preset vacuum level or not. When the bag has reached the preset vacuum level, a signal is transmitted from the pressure sensor to a control unit. The control unit outputs a signal to automatically stop the pump. Next, the control unit outputs a signal to operate the heater 230, so that the open end of the bag is heat sealed. Alternatively, a gauge may be provided on an exterior of the vacuum sealer so that a user visually confirms the vacuum level. When the bag has reached a preset vacuum level, the user manually turns of f a power button to stop the pump, and turns on a heater actuating button to heat and seal the open end of the bag.
Thereafter, in order to open the hood 220, the lever of the vacuum release means 250 is pressed to open the vacuum release nozzle. Thereby, a vacuum of the channel C is released, and then the bag is separated from the main body 210.
The connector which is the fifth feature of this invention will be described hereinafter.
As shown in FIG. 6 a, an auxiliary connector 80 includes a sucking unit 80A contacting an upper surface of an object to be evacuated, with a check valve being positioned on the object. The connector 80 also includes a nozzle insert unit 80C having an insert part which is inserted into the nozzle of the pump, and a tube 80B to connect the sucking unit 80A to the nozzle insert unit 80C.
As shown in the drawing, the sucking unit 80A has the shape of an upside-down dish. Preferably, an extension edge 81 a of a body 81 of the sucking unit 80A is inserted into a sealing ring 82 to allow the sucking unit 80A to be in close contact with the object to be evacuated. The sealing ring 82 includes an annular groove 82 a, so that the extension edge 81 a of the body 81 of the sucking unit 80A is inserted into the annular groove 82 a. At a center of an upper portion of the body 81 is provided a locking projection 81 b to be coupled to an end of the tube 80B. In a detailed description, an inner surface of the end of the tube 80B and an outer surface of the locking projection 81 b engage with each other using internal and external threads. The internal and external threads may be provided on the inner surface of the end of the tube 80B and the outer surface of the locking projection 81 b, and vice versa. Further, it is possible to couple the sucking unit to the tube, through various coupling methods. Furthermore, it is possible to use a reinforcing means for reinforcing a coupling, such as a locking band.
Preferably, the tube 80B may be made of a flexible material, such as synthetic resin.
Further, the nozzle insert unit 80C to be inserted into the pump nozzle 241 (see, FIG. 6 c) is coupled to the other end of the tube 80B via a locking projection 85. An inner surface of the end of the tube 80B engages with an outer surface of the locking projection 85, using internal and external threads. Similarly to a coupling of the sucking unit with the tube, it is possible to couple the tube to the nozzle insert unit through various coupling methods.
The nozzle insert unit 80C is constructed so that an insert part 84 is easily inserted into the nozzle 241 of the vacuum sealer V3 (see, FIG. 3). For easy insertion, an outer diameter of the insert part 84 must be smaller than an inner diameter of the nozzle 241.
Referring to FIG. 6 a, when the outer diameter of the insert part 84 is smaller than the inner diameter of the nozzle of the pump, and vacuum pressure is applied to an internal path of the connector by the pump, a sealing means is required to prevent air from leaking in between the insert part 84 and the nozzle. Such a sealing means is provided by a contact part 86 which radially extends from the insert part 84 acting as a central axis. Preferably, a diameter of the contact part 86 is larger than an outer diameter of the nozzle. Further, it is preferable that a gasket 87 be provided on a contact surface between the contact part 86 and an upper surface of the nozzle, thus efficiently sealing a gap between the nozzle insert unit and the nozzle.
The insert part 84 of the nozzle insert unit 80C allows the nozzle insert unit 80C to be easily coupled to nozzles with any inner diameters. Further, reliable air sealing is allowed due to the contact part 86 and the gasket 87.
When the connector 80 is connected to both the pump and an object to be evacuated, and then the pump is operated, the contact part 86, especially, the gasket 87 is compressed against the outer surface of the upper portion of the nozzle, by a suction force acting on the nozzle. Thus, during operation of the vacuum sealer, the connector 80 is undesirably removed from the nozzle.
FIG. 6 b shows a nozzle insert unit 180C having a shape different from the nozzle insert unit 80C of the connector. The nozzle insert unit 180C has a shape of a truncated cone which is wide on an upper portion thereof and narrow on a lower portion thereof, with a path 184 a being formed along a central axis of the nozzle insert unit 180C. A locking projection 185 is provided on the wide upper portion of the nozzle insert unit 180C to engage with an end of the tube using internal and external threads. An insert part 184 is provided on a lower portion of the locking projection 185.
A pointed tip is formed at an end of the insert part 184, which is opposite the locking projection 185. The insert part 184 has an inclination angle of about 83 to 86 degrees. Further, it is preferable that the insert part 184 be inserted into the nozzle, regardless of the inner diameter of the nozzle of the pump.
The insert part 184 of the nozzle insert unit 180C is shaped so that the upper portion thereof is wide and the lower portion thereof is narrow. When such an insert part is coupled to the nozzle and the pump is operated to generate a suction force, the insert part 184 is compressed against the nozzle, thus providing a seal. Thus, the insert part 184 itself serves as the sealing means. To enhance the sealing effect, ductile rubber or synthetic resin may be coated on an outer surface of the insert part 184. Alternatively, the insert part itself may be made of a ductile material.
FIG. 6 c shows the nozzle insert unit 180C of the connector coupled to the nozzle 241 of the vacuum sealer V3 (see, the portion encircled in FIG. 6 c).
As shown in FIG. 6 a to 6 d, it is preferable that a vacuum release means be provided to easily separate the connector 80 from the pumping means or separate from the connector 80 from an object, after the object is evacuated.
A pressure release switch 74 shown in FIG. 6 of Korean U.M. Registration No. 0239323, and a pressure release switch shown in FIG. 5 of Korean U.M. Registration No. 0260856 are proposed as conventional vacuum release means.
In the connector 80 of this invention, the check valve provided on the sucking unit of the connector 80 is used as the vacuum release means, thus more efficiently preventing air from leaking into the internal path of the connector 80, and being easy to manufacture, and allowing a vacuum release operation to be easily performed.
The check valve 83 is installed in a mount hole 81 c positioned between the extending edge 81 a and the locking projection 81 b of the sucking unit 80A. The check valve 83 is made of soft rubber or synthetic resin, and includes an inner disc 83 b coming into contact with an inner wall of the internal path of the connector, an outer disc 83 a coming into contact with an outer surface of the sucking unit, and a connecting part 83 c inserted into the mount hole 81 c to connect the inner and outer discs 83 b and 83 a to each other. Further, a grasp knob 83 d is provided at a predetermined position on the valve 83, so that air flows into the internal path of the connector 80 by opening the outer disc 83 a using the grasp knob 83 d.
The operation and operational effects of the connector, which is universally utilized, will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
As shown in FIG. 6 c, the pointed tip of the nozzle insert unit 180C is inserted into the nozzle 241 of the vacuum sealer V3. Next, as shown in FIG. 6 d, the sealing ring 82 of the sucking unit 80A is placed above a check valve 95 provided on a cover 93 of an object to be evacuated, that is, a container 90.
Subsequently, when the pump of the vacuum sealer V3 is operated, a suction force is transmitted through the nozzle 241. By the suction force, the nozzle insert unit 180C of the connector is forced to be in close contact with the nozzle, thus maintaining a firm coupling between the outer surface of the nozzle insert unit 180C and the inner surface of the nozzle. The suction force of the pump sequentially acts on the nozzle 241, the nozzle insert unit 180C, the tube 80B, and the sucking unit 80A, as shown in FIG. 6 d. At this time, an upper disc of the check valve 95 of the container 90 is raised to open a path 93 b. Thus, air is discharged from a body 91 of the container 90 through the nozzle 241, thus creating a vacuum in the container 90. Further, a sealing ring 93 a is provided on a contact surface between the cover 93 and the body 91 of the container 90 to efficiently seal a gap between the cover 93 and the body 91.
When the container 90 is completely evacuated, a power switch of a vacuum sealer is turned off. At this time, because the vacuum pressure acts on the internal path of the connector, it is necessary to release the vacuum pressure acting on the internal path so that the sucking unit 80A of the connector can be easily separated from the container 90 and the nozzle insert unit 180C can also be easily separated from the nozzle 241. For releasing the vacuum pressure, the outer disc 83 a is opened using the grasp knob 83 d of the check valve 83. At this time, air flows through the mount hole 81 c into the internal path of the connector, thus releasing the vacuum pressure.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described above, a vacuum sealer according to the present invention is constructed so that sealing members, especially a sealing member provided on a main body, have a straight-line shape, thus simplifying the construction of the vacuum sealer.
Further, the present invention includes a channel volume reducing means to reduce a volume of a vacuum channel which provides an evacuative space for a bag, thus allowing vacuum pressure to be more efficiently concentrated, therefore overcoming drawbacks of a vacuum sealer having a completely open-type vacuum channel and a vacuum sealer having a nozzle inserted into an open end of the bag.
The present invention includes a guide means to precisely guide the open end of the bag to the channel with the reduced volume, a liquid guide channel to guide liquid leaking from products contained in the bag during the operation of a pump, and a filter means to filter the liquid to prevent the liquid from flowing from the liquid guide channel through a suction nozzle to the pump.
Furthermore, a tube connecting the pump to the suction nozzle communicating with the open end of the bag is exposed to a side of a main body of the vacuum sealer to form cut ends, and an adapter is attached to the cut ends. In such a state, a plug is coupled to the adapter when using the original function of the vacuum sealer, and a filter means is coupled to the adapter when filtering liquid, and a vacuum release means is coupled to the adapter when releasing the vacuum, and a connector is coupled to the adapter when using the vacuum sealer to create a vacuum in an additional container. Therefore, a multi-purpose vacuum sealer is accomplished.
Moreover, a nozzle insert unit of an auxiliary connector is coupled to the nozzle of a pumping means by inserting an insert part of the nozzle insert unit into the nozzle, so that the auxiliary connector can be utilized for creating a vacuum in an object regardless of the kind of pumping means. Further, such a coupling method allows the connector of the present invention to be easily connected to the pumping means. Furthermore, the connector includes a sealing means to achieve an excellent sealing effect during the operation of the pump, and a vacuum release means to allow the sucking unit to be easily separated from the object after the object is evacuated.
Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A vacuum sealer, comprising;

a main body;

a hood hinged to the main body;

a heater installed at a predetermined position on the main body, and engaging with a pressing member provided at a predetermined position on the hood to heat and seal an open end of a bag;

a vacuum pump provided at a predetermined position in the main body to be coupled to a suction muzzle communicating with the open end of the bag;

two sealing members comprising a straight line-shaped sealing member provided at a predetermined position on the main body, and a sealing member provided as a position corresponding to the straight line-shaped sealing member of the main body, the two sealing members defining a vacuum channel to which vacuum pressure is applied by the vacuum pump, when the hood comes into contact with the main body;

and

a control unit to control the heater and the vacuum pump.

2. The vacuum sealer according to claim 1, further comprising: volume reducing means to reduce a volume of the vacuum channel defined by the sealing members, thus allowing the vacuum pressure of the vacuum pump to be efficiently concentrated on a desired position.

3. The vacuum sealer according to claim 2, wherein the channel reducing means comprises the sealing member arranged at a predetermined position on the hood, the sealing member comprising two or more holes, with the holes communication with each other by a slit provided along a predetermined portion of the hood.

4. The vacuum sealer according to claim 2, wherein the channel reducing means comprises the sealing member arranged at a predetermined position on the hood in a longitudinal hole, having a reduced volume by prominences and depressions, is provided on the sealing member.

5. The vacuum sealer according to claim 1 further comprising:

a guide member provided as a predetermined poison on the main body to guide the open end of the back to the vacuum channel.

6. The vacuum sealer according to claim 5, wherein the guide member comprises two or more projections arranged in a row, and

a locking depression is provided at a predetermined position on the hood to receive each of the projections.

7. The vacuum sealer according to claim 1, where in a liquid guide channel is provided along a predetermined portion of the mail body to guide liquid escaping from the bag.

8. The vacuum sealer according to claim 7, wherein the liquid guide channel is inclined toward the suction nozzle.

9. The vacuum sealer according to claim 7, further comprising filter means mounted to a tube that couples the suction nozzle to the vacuum pump.

10. The vacuum sealer according to claim 9, wherein the filter means comprises:

a housing comprising coupling holes to be coupled to a tube part extending from the vacuum pump and another tube part extending from the suction nozzle; and

a filter installed in the housing.

11. The vacuum sealer according to claim 10, where in the housing of the filter means is coupled to the tube parts by an adapter coupled to the tube parts exposed to a side of the main body.

12. The vacuum sealer according to claim 1, further comprising:

vacuum release means to release a vacuum from the vacuum channel, after the bag is evacuated and heat sealed.

13. The vacuum sealer according to claim 12, wherein the vacuum release is provided on a sidewall of the main body, and comprises a control lever to open or close a vacuum release nozzle communicating the tube coupling the vacuum pump to the suction nozzle.

14. The vacuum sealer according to claim 1, further comprising:

a sucking unit to come into contact with an upper surface of an object to be evacuated, with a check valve being positioned on the object;

a tube communicating at a first end thereof with an upper portion of a body of the sucking unit;

a nozzle insert unit communicating with a second end of the tube, and comprising an insert part to be inserted into the suction nozzle of the vacuum pump;

vacuum release means to release a vacuum from an internal path of a connector, after the object is evacuated; and

an auxiliary connector comprising sealing means interposed between an upper surface of the suction nozzle and the nozzle insert unit.

15. The vacuum sealer according to claim 14, wherein the insert part has an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the nozzle, and the sealing means comprises a gasket radially extending from the insert part acting as a central axis.

16. The vacuum sealer according to claim 14, wherein the insert part is shaped so that an upper portion thereof is wide and a lower portion thereof is narrow and the sealing means is the insert part.

17. The vacuum sealer according to claim 14 wherein the vacuum release means comprises a check valve including an inner disc to come into contact with an inner wall of the internal path of the connector, an outer disc to come into contact with an outer surface of the connector, and a connecting part inserted into a mount hole provided at a predetermined position on the connector to connect the inner and outer discs to each other.

18. The vacuum sealer according to claim 2 further comprising:

19. The vacuum sealer according to claim 18, wherein the guide member comprises two or more projections arranged in a row, and

20. The vacuum sealer according to claim 3 further comprising:

21. The vacuum sealer according to claim 20, wherein the guide member comprises two or more projections arranged in a row, and

22. The vacuum sealer according to claim 4 further comprising: a guide member provided as a predetermined poison on the main body to guide the open end of the back to the vacuum channel.

23. The vacuum sealer according to claim 22, wherein the guide member comprises two or more projections arranged in a row, and

24. The vacuum sealer according to claim 2, where in a liquid guide channel is provided along a predetermined portion of the mail body to guide liquid escaping from the bag.

25. The vacuum sealer according to claim 24, wherein the liquid guide channel is inclined toward the suction nozzle.

26. The vacuum sealer according to claim 24, further comprising filter means mounted to a tube that couples the suction nozzle to the vacuum pump.

27. The vacuum sealer according to claim 26, wherein the filter means comprises:

a filter installed in the housing.

28. The vacuum sealer according to claim 27, where in the housing of the filter means is coupled to the tube parts by an adapter coupled to the tube parts exposed to a side of the main body.

29. The vacuum sealer according to claim 3, where in a liquid guide channel is provided along a predetermined portion of the mail body to guide liquid escaping from the bag.

30. The vacuum sealer according to claim 29, wherein the liquid guide channel is inclined toward the suction nozzle.

31. The vacuum sealer according to claim 29, further comprising filter means mounted to a tube that couples the suction nozzle to the vacuum pump.

32. The vacuum sealer according to claim 31, wherein the filter means comprises:

a filter installed in the housing.

33. The vacuum sealer according to claim 32, wherein the filter means comprises:

a filter installed in the housing.

34. The vacuum sealer according to claim 4, where in a liquid guide channel is provided along a predetermined portion of the mail body to guide liquid escaping from the bag.

35. The vacuum sealer according to claim 34, wherein the liquid guide channel is inclined toward the suction nozzle.

36. The vacuum sealer according to claim 34, further comprising filter means mounted to a tube that couples the suction nozzle to the vacuum pump.

37. The vacuum sealer according to claim 36, wherein the filter means comprises:

a filter installed in the housing.

38. The vacuum sealer according to claim 37, wherein the filter means comprises:

a filter installed in the housing.

39. The vacuum sealer according to claim 2, further comprising:

40. The vacuum sealer according to claim 39, wherein the vacuum release is provided on a sidewall of the main body, and comprises a control lever to open or close a vacuum release nozzle communicating the tube coupling the vacuum pump to the suction nozzle.

41. The vacuum sealer according to claim 3, further comprising:

42. The vacuum sealer according to claim 41, wherein the vacuum release is provided on a sidewall of the main body, and comprises a control lever to open or close a vacuum release nozzle communicating the tube coupling the vacuum pump to the suction nozzle.

43. The vacuum sealer according to claim 4, further comprising:

44. The vacuum sealer according to claim 43, wherein the vacuum release is provided on a sidewall of the main body, and comprises a control lever to open or close a vacuum release nozzle communicating the tube coupling the vacuum pump to the suction nozzle.

45. The vacuum sealer according to claim 2, further comprising:

46. The vacuum sealer according to claim 45, wherein the insert part has an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the nozzle, and

the sealing means comprises a gasket radially extending from the insert part acting as a central axis.

47. The vacuum sealer according to claim 45, wherein the insert part is shaped so that an upper portion thereof is wide and a lower portion thereof is narrow and the sealing means is the insert part.

48. The vacuum sealer according to claim 45 wherein the vacuum release means comprises a check valve including an inner disc to come into contact with an inner wall of the internal path of the connector, an outer disc to come into contact with an outer surface of the connector, and a connecting part inserted into a mount hole provided at a predetermined position on the connector to connect the inner and outer discs to each other.

49. The vacuum sealer according to claim 3, further comprising:

50. The vacuum sealer according to claim 49, wherein the insert part has an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the nozzle, and

51. The vacuum sealer according to claim 49, wherein the insert part is shaped so that an upper portion thereof is wide and a lower portion thereof is narrow and the sealing means is the insert part.

52. The vacuum sealer according to claim 49 wherein the vacuum release means comprises a check valve including an inner disc to come into contact with an inner wall of the internal path of the connector, an outer disc to come into contact with an outer surface of the connector, and a connecting part inserted into a mount hole

provided at a predetermined position on the connector to connect the inner and outer discs to each other.

53. The vacuum sealer according to claim 4, further comprising:

54. The vacuum sealer according to claim 53, wherein the insert part has an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the nozzle, and

55. The vacuum sealer according to claim 53, wherein the insert part is shaped so that an upper portion thereof is wide and a lower portion thereof is narrow and the sealing means is the insert part.

56. The vacuum sealer according to claim 53, wherein the vacuum release means comprises a check valve including an inner disc to come into contact with an inner wall of the internal path of the connector, an outer disc to come into contact with an outer surface of the connector, and a connecting part inserted into a mount hole provided at a predetermined position on the connector to connect the inner and outer discs to each other.