Patent ID: 6725632
Filing Date: 2004-04-27
Classification: B65B,F04B

Abstract:
A vacuum sealer for sealing the contents of a lidded container that includes a vacuum pump and a vacuum chamber that receives the container with its lid loosely position thereon, said vacuum sealer additionally comprising a controller comprising:A) a valve operable between sealed and unsealed positions and including: i) a valve body having a passage therethrough to a port to the atmosphere, ii) a valve cover closing one end of the passage and including a first port for connection to said vacuum pump, a second port for connection to the vacuum chamber and a third port for connection to said vacuum switch, and iii) a slider having a sealing member thereon for moving between a first position in which said sealing member blocks the passage between said valve cover and said atmospheric port whereby said vacuum pump evacuates the vacuum chamber and a second position in which said sealing member moves to open the passage between said valve cover and said atmospheric port whereby air at atmospheric pressure is admitted to the vacuum chamber, B) a vacuum switch, C) first means for initiating operation of said vacuum sealer by moving said valve to its sealed position and by activating the vacuum pump whereby air is evacuated from the container and vacuum chamber, and D) second electrically operated means responsive to said vacuum switch for releasing said valve to return to its unsealed position whereby air enters the vacuum chamber to seal the lid against the container, said valve upon being released resetting said first means thereby to deactivate the vacuum pump.