Liquid detection vacuum
AssigneeSunbeam Products, Inc.
InventorsDavid Owens, Chan Wing Cheuk, Poon Chi Kwong
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An appliance is provided that is able to vacuum and heat seal plastic bag members containing liquids such as sauces and soups. The appliance may take on a uniquely shaped profile to allow the liquid to sit upright within a bag during the vacuuming process. The appliance also preferably includes a pressure sensor to constantly monitor pressure inside of the bag during the vacuum and sealing process. This may help to prevent liquid from being sucked up and into the appliance.
Claims14
An appliance for vacuum sealing a bag member having a closed bottom portion and an open top portion, the appliance comprising:
- a housing including a front wall member, a rear wall member, and two side walls;
- an opening in the front wall member of the housing for receiving the open top portion of the bag member, the opening facing upwardly and outwardly from the housing;
- a vacuum chamber into which a vacuum may be created, the vacuum chamber in communication with a pressure sensor;
- a vacuum pump in communication with the vacuum chamber for drawing the vacuum in the vacuum chamber;
- and
- wherein the pressure sensor within the appliance continuously monitors pressure within the bag member, and wherein:
- the pressure sensor includes a liquid thin setting and a liquid thick setting, each of which correlate to preset pressure sensor measurements;
- when the liquid thin setting is activated and a first pressure level is reached, the vacuum pump slows down its pump speed;
- and
- when the liquid thick setting is activated and a second pressure level is reached, the vacuum pump stops, and at least one solenoid is opened to reduce pressure in the appliance.
An appliance for vacuum sealing a bag member having a closed bottom portion and an open top portion, the appliance comprising:
- a housing including a front wall member, a rear wall member, and two side walls;
- an opening in the front wall member of the housing for receiving the open top portion of the bag member;
- a vacuum chamber into which a vacuum may be created, the vacuum chamber in communication with a pressure sensor;
- a vacuum pump in communication with the vacuum chamber for drawing the vacuum in the vacuum chamber;
- and
- wherein the pressure sensor within the appliance continuously monitors pressure within the bag member, and wherein:
- the pressure sensor includes a liquid thin setting and a liquid thick setting, each of which correlate to preset pressure sensor measurements;
- when the liquid thin setting is activated and a first pressure level is reached, the vacuum pump slows down its pump speed;
- and
- when the liquid thick setting is activated and a second pressure level is reached, the vacuum pump stops, and at least one solenoid is opened to reduce pressure in the appliance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.