Vacuum Sealer with a Retractable Heater Bar

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.

We 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. 
 
     
     
         2 . 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. 
     
     
         3 . 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. 
     
     
         4 . 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. 
     
     
         5 . 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. 
     
     
         6 . 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. 
     
     
         7 . 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.   
     
     
         8 . 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. 
     
     
         9 . 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.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising moving the first component into range of the magnetic field using a mechanical retraction structure. 
     
     
         11 . 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. 
     
     
         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. 
 
     
     
         13 . 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. 
     
     
         14 . 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. 
     
     
         15 . 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. 
     
     
         16 . 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. 
     
     
         17 . 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. 
     
     
         18 . 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.   
     
     
         19 . 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. 
     
     
         20 . 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.   
     
     
         21 . The system according to  claim 12 , further comprising a mechanical retraction structure configured to move the first component into range of the magnetic field. 
     
     
         22 . 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.