The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 14, 2013
Filed:
Jan. 27, 2010
Douglas David Leclear, Benton Harbor, MI (US);
Michele E. Wilcox, Stevensville, MI (US);
John J. Vonderhaar, Saint Joseph, MI (US);
Paul B. Allard, Stevensville, MI (US);
Kelly M. Hanson, Euclid, OH (US);
Andrew Michael Tenbarge, Saint Joseph, MI (US);
Karen J. Querfurth, Coloma, MI (US);
Douglas David Leclear, Benton Harbor, MI (US);
Michele E. Wilcox, Stevensville, MI (US);
John J. Vonderhaar, Saint Joseph, MI (US);
Paul B. Allard, Stevensville, MI (US);
Kelly M. Hanson, Euclid, OH (US);
Andrew Michael Tenbarge, Saint Joseph, MI (US);
Karen J. Querfurth, Coloma, MI (US);
Whirlpool Corporation, Benton Harbor, MI (US);
Abstract
A refrigerator includes a hands-free vacuum preservation system mounted on a door of the refrigerator comprising a main body portion having a slot therein for receiving an open end of a plastic bag. Sensors within the slot detect the presence of the bag and a retaining device is actuated to punch holes in the bag and retain the bag in position for a vacuum sealing event. An intake port within the system communicates with a vacuum source to remove air from the bag, and a heat sealer seals the bag closed. In a preferred embodiment, once sensors located on the main body portion detect the presence of a consumer's hand, the retaining device releases the bag. The resultant vacuum sealed bag can be stored in a conventional manner, or by hanging the bag from hooks extending through the holes formed therein by the retaining device.