Abstract:
An apparatus for vacuum sealing a storage bag including a base and a receptacle component for receiving an end of a storage bag. The receptacle including a vacuum chamber for accepting an open end of the bag. The receptacle is pivotally secured to the base and rotatable relative thereto between a first operating position and a second storage position. A sealing device is disposed on the receptacle for sealing the open end of the bag.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/909,971, filed on Jul. 30, 2004 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,200,974, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 60/492,035, filed on Jul. 31, 2003, and 60/492,090 filed Jul. 31, 2003, all three aforementioned applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention generally relates to vacuum packaging appliances. More particularly, the invention is directed to a vacuum packaging appliance that can be conveniently stored. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Vacuum packaging is a process for removing oxygen and other gases from containers holding food and other products that deteriorate in the presence of gases. For example, food spoilage can occur due to oxidation. Thus, vacuum packaging can extend the life of products that deteriorate in the presence of gases by removing nearly all of the gases in a sealed container in which such products are stored. 
   While vacuum packaging appliances are very useful, as with most appliances, appliance components suffer from wear and tear. For example, those movable components that are frequently handled are prone to fall into disrepair. Further, such appliances can be unwieldy and occupy a good deal of valuable counter space and/or storage space. 
   In addition, vacuum sealing appliances typically include a lid that is closed on the open end of a bag to isolate the bag end from ambient air. Such isolation is typically achieved by the use of resilient gaskets on the lid and the housing portion covered by the lid. Deforming the gaskets can take some effort for a user, who must force the lid downwardly until it is properly latched. 
   Accordingly, there is a need for vacuum packaging appliances that are configured for reduced wear and tear and for convenient storage. There is further a need for vacuum packaging appliances having a mechanism for easily securing the lid and providing adequate sealing. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an advantage of the present invention to provide a vacuum sealing appliance which is easy to store. 
   It is also an advantage of the present invention to provide a vacuum sealing appliance that can be rotated between an operating position and a storage position. 
   It is further an advantage of the present invention to provide a vacuum sealing appliance having a lid that can be selectively secured in a closed position. 
   In the efficient attainment of these and other advantages, the present invention provides an apparatus for vacuum sealing a storage bag including a base and a receptacle component for receiving an end of a storage bag. The receptacle including a vacuum chamber for accepting an open end of the bag. The receptacle is pivotally secured to the base and rotatable relative thereto between a first operating position and a second storage position. A sealing device is disposed on the receptacle for sealing the open end of the bag. 
   The present invention may also provide a receptacle that may rotate about a pivot axis which runs along the length of the base. The receptacle may extend outwardly from the base in a generally horizontal direction when the receptacle is in the first position, and extend in a generally vertical direction when the receptacle is in the second position. 
   The present invention may further provide a vacuum chamber that includes a vacuum channel adapted to communicate with a vacuum generating device for receiving an open end of the storage bag. The vacuum channel may runs along a length of the receptacle. 
   The present invention may still further provide a receptacle having a lid movable between an open and closed position, and a latch for selectively securing the lid in the closed position. The receptacle may further includes a bag storage compartment adapted to hold a roll of bag material. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation. 
       FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a lidless vacuum appliance, according to certain embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a frontal view of a lidless vacuum appliance, according to certain other embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a partial perspective view of a lidless vacuum appliance that illustrates space-saving placement of the appliance. 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of an under-cabinet or under-counter vacuum appliance in retracted storage mode. 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of an under-cabinet or under-counter vacuum appliance in an extended configuration for operation. 
       FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a vacuum appliance in an operating position. 
       FIG. 6B  is a perspective view of the vacuum appliance of  FIG. 6A  in storage position. 
       FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a vacuum appliance. 
       FIG. 7B  is a cross-sectional view of the vacuum appliance of  FIG. 7A  taken along line B-B thereof. 
       FIG. 8A  is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of a vacuum appliance. 
       FIG. 8B  is a side cross-sectional view of the vacuum appliance of  FIG. 8A  shown in the operating position taken along line C-C thereof. 
       FIG. 8C  is a side cross-sectional view of the vacuum appliance of  FIG. 8A  shown in the storage position taken along line C-C thereof. 
       FIG. 9A  is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a vacuum appliance in storage mode for a wall or cabinet. 
       FIG. 9B  is a perspective view of the vacuum appliance of  FIG. 9A  in an operating mode for a wall or cabinet. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The present invention includes a vacuum sealing appliance having improved service life. The present invention also provides a vacuum sealing appliance which can be easily stored by pivoting between a first operating position and a second storage position. 
   According to certain embodiments the vacuum appliance is designed to be lidless in order to reduce the number of movable parts and thus effectively reduce wear and tear of the appliance. Further, the lidless design described herein allows for convenient placement in the operational environment of the appliance. For example, a lidless vacuum appliance can be affixed under a counter or cabinet so as to save counter-top space as well as allow for convenient access during operational mode. When such an appliance is not is use, there is no need to find storage space for the appliance since the appliance is affixed in a location that is largely non-intrusive. 
     FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a lidless vacuum appliance, according to certain embodiments. View  100  shows a side view of cabinet or counter  102  and lidless vacuum appliance  104  and packaging bag  106 . Lidless vacuum appliance  104  is affixed under the counter  102  by brackets  124 . Lidless vacuum appliance  104  can be adapted for affixing to any supporting structure and thus may vary from implementation to implementation. For example, lidless vacuum appliance  104  can be affixed to a wall, an over-hang, or a boom that is either movable or fixed.  FIG. 1  shows the lidless vacuum appliance  104  including a slot  126 , a guide track  118 , a drip tray  110 , a vacuum chamber  122 , a sealing element  116 , bladders  112  and  114 , and motor components  108 . Bladders  112  and  114  are operationally connected to motor components  108  by connectivity components  120 . Examples of connectivity components  120  are pipes or hoses. The lidless vacuum appliance also includes the attendant circuitry and other components (not shown) for operating the vacuum and sealing processes. 
   In order to vacuum seal packaging bag  106 , packaging bag  106  is inserted in slot  126  of lidless vacuum appliance. Guide track  118  guides the mouth of packaging bag  106  into drip tray  110 . Drip tray  110  is for catching any fluids or other particles that might fall out of the bag during the vacuum packaging process. Before the vacuum packaging process begins, bladders  112  and  114  each inflate in order to clamp onto packaging bag  106  to form an air-tight seal such that air does not flow through slot  126  past the bladders into the vacuum chamber. Bladders  112  and  114  are inflated by an intake of air through connectivity components  120  caused by operation of motor components  108 . Phantom bladders  112   b  and  114   b  show the inflated position of bladders  112  and  114 . When an airtight seal is formed, the vacuum packaging process can begin by evacuating gases from the vacuum chamber  122  and from the interior of packaging bag  106 . When packaging bag  106  is sufficiently evacuated of gases, heating element  116  can be activated for forming a heat seal on packaging bag  106 . Such a heat seal prevents air from re-entering the bag. After packaging bag  106  is heat sealed, bladders  112  and  114  can be deflated to allow packaging bag  106  to be extricated from the lidless vacuuming appliance  104 . 
   According to certain embodiments, drip tray  110  can be detached from the lidless vacuuming appliance  104  conveniently through an opening on the side of the appliance as described herein with reference to  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 2  is a frontal view of a lidless vacuum appliance, according to certain other embodiments. In  FIG. 2 , a lidless vacuuming appliance  204  is affixed under a cabinet or counter  202  by one or more screws  244 .  FIG. 2  shows slot  226  through which a packaging bag can be inserted for evacuating gases from the packaging bag.  FIG. 2  also shows a cavity  211  where drip tray  210  resides in lidless vacuum appliance  204 . Drip tray  210  can be extricated from the appliance by sliding drip tray  210  out from lidless vacuum appliance  204  through opening  250 . Opening  250  is sealed airtight when drip tray  210  is completely inserted into cavity  211 . 
     FIG. 3  is a partial perspective view of a lidless vacuum appliance  304  that illustrates space-saving placement of the appliance.  FIG. 3  shows that lidless vacuum appliance  304  is affixed under a cabinet or counter  302  by attachment  344 .  FIG. 3  also shows that lidless vacuum appliance  304  includes a slot  326 , a control panel  330 , and a side opening  350  (egress) through which the drip tray in the appliance can be extricated. According to certain embodiments, the lidless vacuum appliance  304  can include a pair of openings, one on either side of the appliance  304 , either one of which can be used for extricating the drip tray. 
     FIG. 4  is a side view of an under-cabinet or under-counter vacuum appliance in retracted storage mode or position. In  FIG. 4 , lidless vacuum appliance  404  is affixed under cabinet  402  by an attachment  426 . In  FIG. 4 , lidless vacuum appliance  404  is shown in a retracted storage mode as described herein. Lidless vacuum appliance  404  includes a fixed component  406  and a movable component  408 , extension rods  410 , electrical connection  414  and vacuum hose  412 . Lidless vacuum appliance  404  can optionally include bag-roll  415  and bag-cutter  416 . Fixed component  406  houses a vacuum motor (not shown) connected to a vacuum chamber (not shown) in movable component  408  via vacuum hose  412 . Movable component  408  also houses a drip tray used for sealing a packaging bag. Vacuum hose  412  can also be used to inflate bladders in movable component  408  for sealing the vacuum chamber during an evacuation process. In  FIG. 4 , extension rods  410  are folded into a retracted position such that movable component  408  remains tucked under counter  402  and is in close proximity to fixed component  406 . 
     FIG. 5  is a side view of an under-cabinet or under-counter vacuum appliance in an extended configuration for operation. In  FIG. 5 , movable component  508  of lidless vacuum appliance  504  is extended away from fixed component  506  of lidless vacuum appliance  504 . Such an extension is made possible by unfolding extension rods  510 . Extension rods  510  can also be pivoted about joints  510   a ,  510   b  and  510   c  in order to situate movable component  508  in a suitable position for operation. In the extended position, movable component  508  is conveniently located for ease of use.  FIG. 5  also shows bag roll  512 , bag cutter  516 , electrical connection  514  and vacuum hose  513 . 
   In an alternative embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 6A-6B , the vacuum packaging apparatus provides space saving properties by rotating between a first operating position and a second stored position. Vacuum packaging apparatus  602  includes a base  604  and a receptacle  606  which is pivotable relative to the base. Pivotable receptacle  606  receives the packaging bag that is to be evacuated of gases when evacuation is desired. Stationary base  604  may include a vacuum pump (not shown), sealing mechanism (not shown) and controls (not shown) associated with the operation of the vacuum pump and sealing mechanism. Stationary base  604  may include a control panel  607  at the top frontal portion of the stationary base. Control panel  607  may include an accessory port  608  for use in removing gases from storage canisters. Control panel  607  may also include an instant seal button  610  to manually start sealing a storage bag, and a vacuum button  612  to start removing gases from storage bags or canisters. 
   The sealing function may be automatically activated when the lid of the movable receptacle component  606  is in the closed position over one end of a storage bag, which end is not in a vacuum channel of the vacuum packaging apparatus. When a storage bag is being evacuated through activation of the vacuuming function, the instant seal button  610  may be used to seal a storage bag before a complete vacuum is created in the storage bag. This feature is useful when vacuum packaging fragile items so that such items do not get crushed. In addition, control panel  607  may include indicator lights  613  to signal the start or completion of various processes such as the sealing process, vacuum process and/or machine re-programming when transitioning from one process to the next. Control panel  607  may optionally include an automatic On/Off button. The automatic On/Off button acts as a fail-safe mechanism to ensure that the heat sealing and or vacuum mechanisms are not unintentionally activated. Further, control panel  607  may optionally include a Cancel Button for canceling a given operation in progress. 
   Control panel  607  may also include sealing time adjustment knob  619  for controlling the heating element associated with the sealing mechanism. For example, the sealing time adjustment can be set to a first setting when storage bags are being sealed. The sealing time adjustment can be set to a second setting when canisters are being sealed. In the case of sealing canisters, there is no need for activating the heating element. 
   In certain embodiments, the vacuum operation for removing gases automatically starts when the lid of movable receptacle component is in the closed position. In such cases, control panel  607  may include an extended vacuum button. The extended vacuum button may be used to extend the vacuum time to ensure that the maximum amount of air is removed especially when using extra large storage canisters or bags. 
   The movable receptacle component  606  may include a compartment  617  with a lid  614 . Compartment  617  includes a vacuum chamber. The vacuum chamber includes a vacuum channel that is in communication with the vacuum pump. Further, the vacuum chamber includes one or more gaskets for statically sealing the vacuum chamber when the lid  614  is in the closed position. Compartment  617  may include a storage bag cutter  615  integrated into lid  614 . The compartment  617  may also contain a shelf mechanism for holding one or more rolls of storage bags. Furthermore, movable receptacle component  606  may include a latch  605  that automatically locks during the sealing and/or vacuuming operation. Latch  605  is released in order to pop lid  614  open. 
     FIG. 6B  is an isometric view that illustrates the pivoting vacuum packaging apparatus of  FIG. 6A  in a pivoted configuration for convenient storage. In  FIG. 6B , stationary base  604  of the vacuum packaging apparatus  602  may optionally be affixed to a wall or countertop back-splash  620 . Movable receptacle component  604  may be pivoted up (“flipped-up”) towards the wall, about a pivot axis that runs the length of stationary base  604 . 
   Movable receptacle component  606  may optionally include an x-ray style strip  609  for holding notes and recipes  618 . X-ray style strip  609  doubles as a foot when movable receptacle component  606  lies flat on the countertop surface during operation mode. The pivoted configuration as shown in  FIG. 6B  saves countertop space. Optionally, vacuum packaging apparatus  602  may include a mechanism that prevents operation of the vacuum packaging apparatus when the vacuum packaging apparatus is in the flipped-up position. 
     FIGS. 7A-7B  illustrate an alternative embodiment of a pivoting vacuum packaging apparatus  702  with a stationary base  704  and a pivotal receptacle  706  with control panel  707  on a lid  714 . Vacuum packaging apparatus  702  is similar to vacuum packaging apparatus  602  of  FIG. 6A . Thus, the description of stationary base  604 , bag-cutting unit  615 , and movable receptacle component  606  apply to stationary base  704 , bag-cutting unit  715 , and movable receptacle component  706 , respectively. Similarly, movable receptacle component  706  is operable to be rotated about a pivot axis such that it can be flipped-up over the stationary base  704  for convenient space saving storage. 
   Vacuum packaging apparatus  702  further includes a vacuum channel or trough  718  running along the length of the receptacle  706 . The front end of the bag  726  extends into the vacuum channel which is sealed by gaskets  719   a  and  719   b  surrounding the vacuum channel. The channel may be evacuated permitting air within the bag to be evacuated through the bag opening. After the bag is evacuated, the opening may be sealed by a heating strip  720  in a manner well known in the art. The receptacle  706  may also include a bag roll storage area  722  for holding a roll of bag material  724 . 
   One of the differences between vacuum packaging apparatus  602  and vacuum packaging apparatus  702  is that the control panel  707  is on lid  714  rather than on a top frontal portion of stationary base  702 . Further, accessory port  708  may be situated on an exposed lower housing  732 . 
     FIG. 8A  is an isometric view that illustrates certain embodiments of a pivoting vacuum packaging apparatus  802  with a dual bag roll shelf. Vacuum packaging apparatus  802  is similar to vacuum packaging apparatus  602  of  FIG. 6A . Thus, the description of stationary base  604 , control panel  607 , and movable receptacle component  606  apply to stationary base  804 , control panel  807 , and movable receptacle component  806 , respectively. Similarly, movable receptacle component  806  is operable to be flipped-up over the stationary base  804  ( FIG. 8C ) for convenient storage. 
   One of the differences between vacuum packaging apparatus  602  and vacuum packaging apparatus  802  is that the movable receptacle component  806  is operable to house a dual bag roll shelf  842  as shown in  FIGS. 8B and 8C . Dual roll shelf  842  can hold two rolls  844   a  and  844   b  of storage bags. Further, vacuum packaging apparatus  802  has two bag-cutting units  815   a  and  815   b  ( FIG. 8A ) since the apparatus can hold two rolls of storage bags. As shown in  FIGS. 8B and 8C  the receptacle may be rotated about an axis between a flipped-up storage position ( FIG. 8C ) and a flipped-down operating position ( FIG. 8B ). 
     FIGS. 9A and 9B  illustrate a frontal isometric view of a vacuum appliance  902  for a wall or cabinet.  FIGS. 9A and 9B  show a vacuum appliance  902  affixed to a cabinet door or to a wall  905 . Vacuum appliance  902  includes a movable receptacle component  904  and a fixed component  906 . Fixed component  906  may include a control panel  907  including similar features as those described with respect to  FIG. 6A . Receptacle component  904  may be pivoted up away from wall  905 , i.e., flipped-up, about a pivot axis that runs the length of fixed component  906 . Movable receptacle component  904  is flipped up when in operating mode as shown in  FIG. 9B .  FIG. 9A  shows vacuum appliance  902  in a storage mode. In this configuration, movable receptacle component  904  may be pivoted down against wall  905 . In other words, vacuum appliance  902  is flipped-down for convenient storage (idle storage mode). Vacuum appliance  902  can be a lidless vacuum appliance. 
   In the foregoing specification, embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to numerous specific details that may vary from implementation to implementation. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.