# US 2014/0196405 A1 · Vacuum Sealer with a Retractable Heater Bar > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0196405 A1 - Document ID: US20140196405A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/155,136 - Filed: 2014-01-14 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-14 - Assignees: Sunbeam Products, Inc. - Applicants: Sunbeam products, Inc. - Inventors: David Owens; Elif Caputa - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140196405A1 ## CPC - B65B 57/00: Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices (registering wrapping or container-forming material fed from rolls B65B41/18) - B29C 65/224: {being a resistive ribbon, a resistive band or a resistive strip} - B29C 66/1122: {Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints (B29C66/45, B29C66/472, B29C66/52272 take precedence)} - B29C 66/232: {said joint lines being multiple and parallel, i.e. the joint being formed by several parallel joint lines} - B29C 66/43121: {Closing the ends of tubular or hollow single articles, e.g. closing the ends of bags (closing tube ends B29C57/10)} - B29C 66/8161: {said pressing elements being supported or backed-up by springs or by resilient material} - B29C 66/8324: {Joining or pressing tools pivoting around one axis (scissor or lever transmission mechanisms B29C66/8221; tools self-aligning to the joining plane B29C66/8163)} - B29C 66/849: {Packaging machines} - B29C 66/861: {Hand-held tools} - B29C 66/872: {Starting or stopping procedures} - B29C 66/87443: {by withdrawing the heating tools} - B29C 66/91212: {involving measurement means being part of the welding jaws, e.g. integrated in the welding jaws} - B29C 66/91231: {of the joining tool} - B29C 66/961: {involving a feedback loop mechanism, e.g. comparison with a desired value} - B65B 31/048: {specially adapted for wrappers or bags} - B65B 51/146: {Closing bags} - B29C 65/223: {comprising several heated wires} - B29C 66/00145: {Vacuum, e.g. partial vacuum} - B29C 66/8618: {being battery operated} - B29C 66/91655: {by controlling or regulating the current intensity} - B29C 66/919: {characterised by specific temperature, heat or thermal flux values or ranges (specific electrical resistance values B29C66/81262)} - B29L 2031/7128: {Bags, sacks, sachets (tea bags B29L2031/7122; medical bags B29L2031/7148)} - B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00) - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES ## Abstract Systems (200) and methods (1300) for selectively retracting a first component of a Vacuum Packaging Appliance (“VPA”). The method comprises: causing the first component to normally be in an engaged position in which the component facilitates a formation of a heat seal along an open end of a container disposed within the VPA; detecting an existence of at least one first condition associated with the VPA; and applying a magnetic field in proximity to the component when the first condition is detected, whereby the first component is at least maintained in an unengaged position in which the first component no longer facilitates the formation of the heat seal. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for selectively retracting a first component of a Vacuum Packaging Appliance (“VPA”), comprising: causing the first component to normally be in an engaged position in which the first component facilitates a formation of a heat seal along an open end of a container disposed within the VPA; detecting an existence of at least one first condition associated with the VPA; and applying a magnetic field in proximity to the first component when the first condition is detected, whereby the first component is at least maintained in an unengaged position in which the first component no longer facilitates the formation of the heat seal. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic field is generated through a supply of current to at least one electro-magnet disposed within a base or a pivoting lid of the VPA. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the first component is formed of a ferrous material or has a ferrous material coupled thereto such that the magnetic field causes the first component to be transitioned from the engaged position to the unengaged position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the first component comprises a support structure for a heat sealing strip configured to apply heat to the open end of the container during heat sealing operations of the VPA or a bumper configured to apply pressure to the open end of the container during heat sealing operations of the VPA. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising biasing the first component into the engaged position using at least one resilient member disposed within a base of the VPA. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method according to claim 5, wherein the resilient member is a spring normally in an uncompressed state and the magnetic field causes the resilient member to transition from the uncompressed state to a compressed state. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the first condition comprises at least one of the following: a locking a lid in a closed position; expiration of a pre-defined period of time; a start of a particular iteration of vacuum and sealing operations performed by the VPA; an excessive temperature of a heat sealing element; an excess of fluid in the container or a vacuum chamber of the VPA; and an excess of liquid in a drip tray of the VPA. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising terminating the application of the magnetic field in proximity to the first component when the first condition no longer exists or a second condition is detected. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method according to claim 8, wherein the second condition comprises at least one of the following: expiration of a pre-defined period of time; a completion of a particular iteration of vacuum operations performed by the VPA; a start of a particular iteration of heat sealing operations performed by the VPA; a reduction of a temperature of a heat sealing element to at least a first threshold level; a reduction in a fluid pressure level within the container or a vacuum chamber of the VPA to at least a second threshold level; and a reduction of a liquid level in a drip tray of the VPA to at least a third threshold level. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising moving the first component into range of the magnetic field using a mechanical retraction structure. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method according to claim 10, further comprising manually actuating the mechanical retraction structure by depressing a lever of a latch mechanism configured to lock a lid of the VPA in a closed position. ### Claim 12 A Vacuum Packaging Appliance (“VPA”), comprising: a first component configured to normally be in an engaged position in which the first component facilitates a formation of a heat seal along an open end of a container disposed within the VPA; at least one sensor configured to detect an existence of at least one first condition associated with the VPA; and at least one magnet configured to apply a magnetic field in proximity to the first component when the first condition is detected, whereby the first component is at least maintained in an unengaged position in which the first component no longer facilitates the formation of the heat seal. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The system according to claim 12, wherein the magnetic field is generated through a supply of current to at least one electro-magnet disposed within a base or a pivoting lid of the VPA. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The system according to claim 12, wherein the first component is formed of a ferrous material or has a ferrous material coupled thereto such that the magnetic field causes the first component to be transitioned from the engaged position to the unengaged position. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The system according to claim 12, wherein the first component comprises a support structure for a heat sealing strip configured to apply heat to the open end of the container during heat sealing operations of the VPA or a bumper configured to apply pressure to the open end of the container during heat sealing operations of the VPA. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The system according to claim 12, further comprising a resilient member disposed within a base of the VPA and configured to bias the first component into the engaged position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The system according to claim 16, wherein the resilient member is a spring normally in an uncompressed state and the magnetic field causes the resilient member to transition from the uncompressed state to a compressed state. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The system according to claim 12, wherein the first condition comprises at least one of the following: expiration of a pre-defined period of time; a start of a particular iteration of vacuum and sealing operations performed by the VPA; an excessive temperature of a heat sealing element; an excess of fluid in the container or a vacuum chamber of the VPA; and an excess of liquid in a drip tray of the VPA. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The system according to claim 12, wherein application of the magnetic field in proximity to the first component is terminated when the first condition no longer exists or a second condition is detected. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The system according to claim 19, wherein the second condition comprises at least one of the following: expiration of a pre-defined period of time; a completion of a particular iteration of vacuum operations performed by the VPA; a start of a particular iteration of heat sealing operations performed by the VPA; a reduction of a temperature of a heat sealing element to at least a first threshold level; a reduction in a fluid pressure level within the container or a vacuum chamber of the VPA to at least a second threshold level; and a reduction of a liquid level in a drip tray of the VPA to at least a third threshold level. ### Claim 21 (depends on 12) The system according to claim 12, further comprising a mechanical retraction structure configured to move the first component into range of the magnetic field. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The system according to claim 21, further comprising a lever configured to (a) actuate the mechanical retraction structure and (b) lock a lid of the VPA in a closed position when depressed.