With Additional Nonbag Type Filter Patents (Class 55/372)
  • Patent number: 10806315
    Abstract: A filtered vacuum cleaner system includes a vacuum cleaner, a vacuum filter device, including a collection box with a collection cavity, a lid, a filter air intake, a filter air exhaust, inlet and outlet pipes, a handle, and a filter unit; a vacuum connection hose, and a filter hose, and optionally a vacuum handle unit, such that the vacuum filter device attaches to an air intake of the vacuum cleaner, such that the vacuum filter device filters debris from air prior to the air entering the vacuum cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Inventor: Jay D. Geyer
  • Patent number: 9149165
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner and vacuum cleaner system comprises a dirt separating and collecting system. The dirt separating and collecting system can include a filter module having a filter bag, wherein the inlet to the filter bag is helical and dirt entering the filter bag is visible to the user. Optionally, the filter bag filter module can be interchanged with a bagless filter module, which may include a conventional cyclone separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan J. Krebs, Joseph A. Fester
  • Publication number: 20150059571
    Abstract: Systems and a method for removing carbon nanotubes from a continuous reactor effluent are provided herein. The method includes flowing the continuous reactor effluent through a separation vessel, separating carbon nanotubes from the continuous reactor effluent in the separation vessel, and generating a stream including gaseous components from the continuous reactor effluent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Robert D. Denton, Dallas B. Noyes, Russell J. Koveal, JR., Terry A. Ring
  • Patent number: 8956432
    Abstract: A reusable aftermarket particulate collection member for use with an otherwise conventional floor vacuum cleaner. The collection member is formed of a size, shape and configuration as to be an aftermarket replacement for a conventional, disposable paper type vacuum filter bags used with said conventional vacuum cleaners. An open end is formed on the collection member, and the collection member is further formed of a woven and/or nonwoven fabric. Said member having a slip clamp fastener arrangement for sealing the open end during use, but for allowing said opening to permit egress of collected contents. An entry portal formed within a sidewall of said collection member is circumscribed by a rigid mounting plate adapted to allow for securement to a hose inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Retro Filters LLC
    Inventors: Robert Mark Herndon, Lucy Herndon, Ernest J. Zavoral, Sr.
  • Patent number: 8906140
    Abstract: A filtration module is provided that includes a filter member and a spacing member disposed in detached, contact engagement along a length of each member, such length extending about a longitudinal axis of a filtration module to define a concentric and detached plurality of filtration layers, and an interleaved, concentric and detached plurality of spacing layers, respectively. One or both of the plurality of spacing layers and plurality of filtration layers may provide a radially-inward directed force. The spacing member may be elastically deformed in the filtration module to apply a radially-inward directed force and a radially-outward directed force, wherein the filtration and spacing layers are retained in substantial fixed spatial relation. A retaining member may be located to engage an external side surface of the filtration module. A filtration module may be constructed by winding the filter member and spacing member about a longitudinal axis of the module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Stark, Richard Gebert, John Knotts, John Pasmore
  • Patent number: 8888881
    Abstract: A filter support cage for a baghouse filter comprises a first filter cage segment comprising elongated body portion having a top end and a bottom end, a second filter cage segment comprising a second elongated body portion having a top end and a bottom end, and a coupling member positioned between and connecting the bottom end of the first filter cage segment and the top end of the second filter cage segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventor: Per-Erik Appelo
  • Patent number: 8758465
    Abstract: A block-base bag is for vacuum cleaners. The bag includes, in the interior thereof, a diffuser made of strips of material and/or sheet materials with oblong-shaped flow openings. Such bags are distinguished by excellent dust storage capacity and extension of the useful life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Eurofilters Holding N.V.
    Inventors: Jan Schultink, Ralf Sauer
  • Patent number: 8702827
    Abstract: A flat bag for vacuum cleaners includes, in the interior thereof, at least two diffusers made of strips of material and/or sheet materials with oblong-shaped flow openings. Such flat bags are distinguished by excellent dust storage capacity and extension of the useful life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Eurofilters Holding N.V.
    Inventors: Jan Schultink, Ralf Sauer
  • Patent number: 8702828
    Abstract: A flat bag is for vacuum cleaners. The bad includes, in the interior thereof, at least one diffuser which forms an intermediate plane and is made of strips of material and/or sheet materials with oblong-shaped flow openings. Such flat bags are distinguished by excellent dust storage capacity and extension of the useful life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Eurofilters Holding N. V.
    Inventors: Jan Schultink, Ralf Sauer
  • Publication number: 20130263738
    Abstract: A high temperature filter containing a membrane, a support substrate, and a porous adhesive layer. The porous adhesive layer is adjacent the inner surface of the membrane and the inner surface of the support substrate such that the membrane and the support substrate sandwich the porous adhesive layer. The porous adhesive layer comprises an adhesive having an adhesive operating temperature of at least about 450° F. The support substrate is a woven textile, a non-woven textile, a knit textile, or a film, and has a support operating temperature of at least about 500° F.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: Yunzhang Wang, Paul J. Wesson, Kirkland W. Vogt
  • Patent number: 8470083
    Abstract: A portable handheld canister vacuum including an upper, central, and lower housing is disclosed. First and second grills can separate the housing sections. An air intake opening can direct air and dirt in a first axial direction to a dirt capturing device in the lower housing. An air propulsion device directs air in a second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction into the central housing and from there into the upper housing. An exhaust opening disposed through the upper housing and leading to the interior region of the upper housing allows air to exit the interior region of the upper housing. The exhaust can exit the upper housing in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first and second axial directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Oreck Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Victor McClearen, Ernest Matthew Chavana, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20130104736
    Abstract: A filtration module is provided that includes a filter member and a spacing member disposed in detached, contact engagement along a length of each member, such length extending about a longitudinal axis of a filtration module to define a concentric and detached plurality of filtration layers, and an interleaved, concentric and detached plurality of spacing layers, respectively. One or both of the plurality of spacing layers and plurality of filtration layers may provide a radially-inward directed force. The spacing member may be elastically deformed in the filtration module to apply a radially-inward directed force and a radially-outward directed force, wherein the filtration and spacing layers are retained in substantial fixed spatial relation. A retaining member may be located to engage an external side surface of the filtration module. A filtration module may be constructed by winding the filter member and spacing member about a longitudinal axis of the module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8430941
    Abstract: A portable dust collection air cleaner assembly is provided. A access hatch is hinged to a dust collection bin to provide ready access to the filter element. The filter element may include an outer annular flange carrying a gasket that rests upon, engagement and seals against a top panel of the dust collection bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: United Air Specialists, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis Haynam, Brad Zorb, Dave Foust
  • Publication number: 20110162335
    Abstract: A filtration assembly for use with a suction cleaning device, the filtration assembly including a housing body for housing one or more filters; and a motor driven impeller which generates suction for drawing air and any entrained material into an inlet through the one or more filters and discharging the air through an outlet; wherein the one or more filters includes a first bag filter received by the housing body, the first bag filter including a base portion and a side portion which define a cavity for holding any material that cannot pass through the first bag filter; and, wherein the side portion of the first bag filter is laterally spaced apart from a wall portion of the housing body such that a gap is formed between the side portion and the wall portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventor: Tibor FREI
  • Patent number: 7874039
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a dust tank is arranged in the lower side of the machine frame. A dust bag is sleeved by the dust tank. The top side of the dust tank is connected to a filter tank. The filter tank has an air inlet pipe at the bottom side thereof, a filter thereinside, and an air outlet at the top side thereof. The air outlet is connected to a closed chamber arranged at the other side of the machine frame via the air suction pipe. A suction blower is arranged inside the closed chamber. A motor drives the suction blower to operate and suck air to flow through the air suction pipe and go out from through-holes on the top of the closed chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Meta International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kun-Yen Lin
  • Patent number: 7744680
    Abstract: Described is a vacuum-cleaner bag which is made of an air-permeable filter material and forms a closed dust-collecting chamber, the vacuum-cleaner bag containing a material which can be whirled up under a given air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Eurofilters N.V.
    Inventors: Jan Schultink, Ralf Sauer
  • Patent number: 7708803
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatuses for removing additional aerosols and in some cases additional particulate matter from a gas stream, wherein a certain portion of such aerosols and particulate matter has already been removed using a primary aerosol and particulate collection device. In some embodiments, the invention includes a method for removing additional aerosols from a gas stream, including passing a gas stream having a plurality of aerosols through a gas duct; removing a first portion of the plurality of the aerosols using a primary aerosol collector; passing the gas steam through a screen; collecting at least a second portion of the plurality of aerosols on the screen; and cleaning a portion of the screen outside of the gas duct. The invention also provides various apparatuses for use in performing the method of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Simpson Berry, Ramsay Chang
  • Patent number: 7695537
    Abstract: A dust collector with a function of secondary collection is composed of a bottom base,an air guiding box installed above the bottom base and bored with a suction hole and a dust collecting hole at its upper and bottom surface respectively, a guiding device set inside the air guiding box, a filtering bag fixed on the guiding device, and a dust bag sealed with the lower dust collecting hole of the air guiding box. In using, dust can be drawn in by a blower to enter the air-guiding box. With a secondary filtration to prolong a service life of the filtering bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignees: San Ford Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chieh-Yuan Cheng
  • Patent number: 7695538
    Abstract: A negative pressure dust collector with a dust receiving bag comprises a ventilation hood and an exhaust device. The ventilation hood includes a motor, fan blades, and a first exit. A dust collection tank is positioned below the first exit. The exhaust device comprises a ventilation tube and a flexible tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: San Ford Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yun-Tai Cheng
  • Patent number: 7404835
    Abstract: A debris collection device with a self cleaning retention system that is designed for powered tools such as a sander. One embodiment of the system has an inflatable collection bag and a bag retention system, which further includes an integral bag adapter nozzle for retaining the collection bag to the debris exhaust of a tool such as a sander. For one embodiment of the debris collection device, the retention system can also has a tube, pipe or bracket which connects the adapter to powered tool such as a sander.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Alto U.S. Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Kramer
  • Patent number: 7300481
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for cleaning filters for dust-laden waste gases, including several filter elements (2) which are arranged vertically in a filter housing (1) and which have an upper open end (16) and a lower closed end (15) with at least one feed line (9) for the dust-laden waste gases and at least one discharge line (11) for the cleaned waste gases, in addition to a device for injecting surges of compressed air into the open end (16) of the filter elements (2). In order to reduce pressure fluctuations in the filter and to provide efficient cleaning with pulsations of compressed air in the low pressure range i.e. from approximately 0.8 to 3 bars, the filter is divided into several filter modules (1) respectively including at least one filter element (2). At least two filter modules (1) are arranged in a filter housing (10) or a filter chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Scheuch GmbH
    Inventor: Alois Scheuch
  • Patent number: 7260868
    Abstract: A simple dust collector includes a housing, a base plate horizontally separating the interior of the housing to form a motor chamber for fix a motor to rotate a fan covered by a fan cover under the base plate. A sucking passageway and a wind-exhausting hole are formed under the fan cover, and a tube joint is connected with the sucking passageway connected to a dust tube. The plurality of wind outlets are formed in a lower section of the housing and sealed by an airy cloth ring to filter dust from wind. The housing has an opening in a lower side and the opening is fitted with a dust bag for dust carried by the wind generated by the fan from the passageway and swirled by centrifugal force caused by rotation of the fan to fall and be collected in the dust bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: San Ford Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chieh yuan Cheng
  • Patent number: 6786946
    Abstract: Dust collector with an assembly of cylindrical and hexahedral bag filters for smooth recovering dust by making a direction of a discharge air flow the same with the direction of free fall of the dust naturally, wherein dirty air is drawn through an upper part of one side of a hexahedral housing having a hopper at a lower part, is guided downward directly, involved in filtering the dust therein by a plurality of cylindrical bag filters, to become a clean air, collected in the cylindrical bag filters and the hexahedral bag filters, and discharged to a lower part of the housing, while the dust is recovered by a rotary valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Gong Young Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bong Kyu Jung
  • Patent number: 6524369
    Abstract: A multi-stage particulate matter collector of the type used to collect particles from waste industrial gas. The collector can contain multiple narrow and wide zones formed by a plurality of parallel corrugated plates. Contained in the narrow zones are elongated electrodes with sharp leading and/or trailing edges. These electrodes provide a non-uniform electric field near their sharp edges leading to corona discharge. The corona discharge causes particulate matter in the gas flow to become charged. The region in narrow zones away from the sharp edges of the electrodes resembles a parallel plate capacitor with relatively uniform electric field. In this region, particles can be collected on the plates and on the electrode. Wide regions can contain barrier filters (bag filters) with conductive surfaces. The electric field is also relatively uniform in this region causing electrostatic collection on the plates and filter surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Inventor: Henry V. Krigmont
  • Publication number: 20020166449
    Abstract: The present invention is an improved vacuum collection bag for vacuum cleaners and other appliances. By employing an impermeable bag and an air-permeable particle separator together with a tight seal against a vacuum system dirt tube in place of a conventional paper bag filter, it has been determined that the vacuum cleaner bag can be reused and significantly improve the filtration performance of the vacuum system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventor: John James Scanlon
  • Patent number: 6245120
    Abstract: A portable, mountable air cleaner that is fashioned of a durable, molded plastic so as to be light weight; dimensioned to fit between typical 12 inch joists in a ceiling structure; containing a dual air filtration system; fashioned and configured so that each filter may be easily removed for cleaning; and that is capable of operation either resting on the ground or while suspended from a wall or ceiling structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: Terrence L. Stanek
  • Patent number: 6199602
    Abstract: A large drum for containing high dispersion, high air content solids for repeated filling and emptying by means of vacuum filling plants and a method for filling them. The drums consist of at least two layers, an inner layer consisting of uncoated air-permeable fabric and an outer layer being coated so as to be dust tight and provide a moisture barrier. These layers being connected to one another by means of a special seam, so that it is possible for the drum to be deaerated solely through this seam. The seam includes an air-permeable dust-retaining filter strip material disposed between the drum layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Wacker-Chemie GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Maginot, Armin Grossmann
  • Patent number: 6136055
    Abstract: A portable, mountable air cleaner that is fashioned of a durable, molded plastic so as to be light weight; dimensioned to fit between typical 12 inch joists in a ceiling structure; containing a dual air filtration system; fashioned and configured so that each filter may be easily removed for cleaning; and that is capable of operation either resting on the ground or while suspended from a wall or ceiling structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: Terrence L. Stanek
  • Patent number: 6063171
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner filter bag exposes bacteria in incoming dirty air to bactericide throughout the useful life of the bag. Fingers provided on the interior walls of the bag are impregnated with bactericide. Air flow in the bag during vacuum cleaner operation causes the fingers to stand out from the wall, intercepting particles in the dirty airstream and exposing bacteria on those particles to the bactericide. The fingers stand out from the wall, and thus kill bacteria, substantially throughout the useful life of the bag, even after a cake of dust and dirt has formed on the inner walls of the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Electrolux LLC
    Inventors: George C. Moyher, Jr., Joseph P. Urso
  • Patent number: 5948127
    Abstract: A cyclone dust collector wherein the interior of a cyclone body is divided into an upper space and a lower space by a partition member provided with a plurality of cylindrical filters, a suction port is so provided as to communicate with the lower space, a common discharge port is so provided as to communicate with the upper space, a collected dust recovery box is fixed to the lower end of the cyclone body, and a discharge blower is connected to the discharge port of the cyclone body. The dust collector is further provided with backwashing stop valves capable of opening and closing upper end portions of the filters and having backwashing nozzles, stop valve driving mechanisms adapted to open and close the stop valves, compressed air hoses connected to the backwashing nozzles of the stop valves, and backwashing electromagnetic valves for controlling the supply and cutoff of backwashing compressed air to the compressed air hoses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute
    Inventors: Susumu Minakawa, Takao Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 5797973
    Abstract: Constructions and methods are described for collecting particulate material from gas streams. In certain specifically described air filter arrangements, a first, rigid, filter construction is used in conjunction with a removable and replaceable depth media filter, to form filter media. The preferred arrangement is configured so that the removable and replaceable depth media filter can be removed and replaced, without disengaging the first filter construction from a filter assembly or housing, if desired. Some preferred configurations and materials are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Denis J. Dudrey, Brad Kahlbaugh, Erland D. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5645721
    Abstract: An energy and water conservation laundry mechanism which includes a plurality of automatic washing machines, a rinse water storage tank, plumbing which connects the storage tank to the each of the washing machines, and electrical controls which are tied into the existing control circuitry of the washing machines for selectively directing the flow of rinse water between the storage tank and the washing machines. The plumbing includes pumps and valves which enables rinse water, as stored in the storage tank, to be delivered to each washing machine at the beginning of a wash cycle and waste water from the wash cycle to be discharged into a conventional sewer line. Rinse water from each washing machine at the end of each rinse cycle, is pumped to the storage tank for reuse for subsequent wash cycles of the machines. The invention also includes a filter for the rinse water which includes a toroidal shape filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Hydrokinetics, Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Carroll, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5350513
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lightweight and durable flexible-walled adsorber vessel that may be a freestanding unit, may be hung from an overhead support frame or ceiling, may float or be submersed in a body of liquid, or otherwise be suspended during use. The flexible adsorber of the present invention utilizes an internal screen, mesh, pallet or similar means to support carbon or other porous filter media so as to permit the pressurized or unpressurized removal of undesirable vapors, liquids or solids that may be present in streams of gas or liquid. Embodiments of the flexible adsorber are capable of supporting filter media weighing a ton or more, can resist deterioration in the presence of a variety toxic chemicals and/or corrosive agents, and can serve as a shipping container before or after use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: Calgon Carbon Corporation
    Inventor: James P. Markowitz
  • Patent number: 5159738
    Abstract: A blower cover is provided so as to surround an electric driven blower. The blower cover comprises an upper blower cover and a lower blower cover. An exhaust air duct as a silencer mechanism is provided on the upper blower cover and is disposed between a blower receiving chamber and a cord receiving chamber. The exhaust air duct comprising an outer peripheral wall portion and a side wall portion. The outer peripheral wall portion has a partitioning rib and a curved guiding rib. The exhaust air duct forms a U-shaped exhaust air flow passage. An expansion chamber is disposed air flow passage. An expansion chamber is disposed at a down stream of the exhaust air duct. The exhaust air from an intake port of the exhaust air duct flows the U-shaped flow passage and is led to the expansion chamber. The suctioned air is expanded in the blower receiving chamber. The exhaust air is compressed in the exhaust air duct and is expanded again in the expansion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Sunagawa, Akira Iwao
  • Patent number: 5116594
    Abstract: Apparatus for the separation of a solid salt by-product from the product gaseous hypohalogenated acid of a reactor is disclosed which is effective to separate particles ranging in size from about 0.5 to about 50 microns. The reactor mixes an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide and a gaseous halogen to produce the hypohalogenated acid product and solid salt by-product which are discharged from the reactor into the separation apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignee: Olin Corporation
    Inventors: Garland E. Hilliard, James K. Melton, David A. Helmstetter
  • Patent number: 4917712
    Abstract: A compact pneumatic air filter system for filtering conditioned air laden with dust and reusable debris is disclosed, which has an initial filter stage for collecting reusable debris from air and separately storing it for reuse, and a secondary filter system for collecting remaining dust from air for disposal and re-releasing conditioned air to a work environment. The system utilizes alternating positive and negative air pressures to move debris and dirt to appropriate storage spaces within the system, and to move filtered air back into the work environment by migration through filter walls, thereby retaining the conditioned property of the filtered air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: Crigler Enterprises
    Inventor: Benjamin R. Crigler
  • Patent number: 4913815
    Abstract: An improved fluid filtering apparatus having an inlet, an outlet, a sealed housing, an outer bag within the housing, an inner bag generally concentric to and suspended within the outer bag, a filtering medium retained inside the outer bag and outside the inner bag and a flow path which channels the fluid radially inward through the outer bag, the filtering medium and the inner bag to a channel in a perforated tube which supports the inner bag. The apparatus is designed to permit the fluid pressure to radially compress the filtering medium to substantially increase the filtering effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: David A. Shulda Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Shulda
  • Patent number: 4894881
    Abstract: A vacuum machine for collecting hazardous materials is adapted for wet or dry applications without diminishing the storage capacity of the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1990
    Assignee: Hako Minuteman, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary E. Palmer, Rick McCleod
  • Patent number: 4838907
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner uses a special self-cleaning filter arrangement including an initial fabric filter having a relatively large mesh size with a broad open mesh ratio of 5 to 15% and a total opening area of 5 to 45 times the cross section of the inlet, which inlet faces away from the filter. The initial filter is preferably backed up by secondary filters and is arranged so that dirt collected on the filter is periodically sloughed off and dropped into a receptacle after building to a critical level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: Mello Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy J. Perry
  • Patent number: 4627858
    Abstract: In known vacuum cleaners a filter bag is arranged as a dust collector in the suction chamber through which the dust laden air stream is led. Although the major part of the dust particles are collected in the filter bag, the air stream leaving the apparatus contains a considerable portion of fine dust particles which spread in the premise being cleaned. To retain inside the vacuum cleaner also the dust particles contained in the exhaust air this air is cleaned by a filter (18) which is integrated with the filter bag (15). Exchange of a filled filter bag means that automatically also the exhaust air filter will be exchanged. Thus, there will be no decrease of the suction effect due to clogging of the exhaust air filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1986
    Assignee: Progress - Electrogeraete
    Inventor: Gernot J. M. Jacob
  • Patent number: 4617034
    Abstract: An electric cleaner incorporates an effective noise suppression arrangement for minimizing the noise generated by the exhaust from the electric air blower. The present invention provides an electric cleaner comprising an air rectifying duct installed on its external surfaces so that the exhaust from the electric air blower can smoothly and quietly pass through it, while the noise emitted by the exhaust can be significantly minimized throughout the vacuum cleaning operation even when using a compact cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuji Ikezaki, Kiyoshi Ishii
  • Patent number: 4591368
    Abstract: A built-in vacuum system which has improved vacuum drawing capability, an improved filtering system, and an improved vacuum hook-up arrangement. The built-in vacuum apparatus comprises in combination: (a) a container having therein at least one vacuum inlet port and one vacuum outlet port; (b) means for drawing a vacuum upon the vacuum inlet port, and exhausting drawn air through the vacuum outlet port; and (c) a particle filtering medium which is so disposed within the container that none of the effective filtering surface of the filtering medium contacts the container when a vacuum is drawn upon the system by the vacuum drawing means. The apparatus includes removable air-tight vacuum inlet post fittings and detachable attachments for installing one or more vacuum drawing means in the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1986
    Inventor: James L. MacDuff
  • Patent number: 4545794
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vacuum cleaner comprising a body housing an electric powered blower, a dust case being connected to and free to be detached from the body, a lid having an intake and being fitted to the dust case, which lid is free to be opened and closed, a bag-shaped filter being freely fitted to and removable from the inner surface of the lid and communicating with the intake, and a dust dumping aperture provided in the dust case and accessible by pivoting away a filter housing unit, the dust dumping aperture being used to remove the bag-shaped filter from the dust case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1985
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mamoru Himukai
  • Patent number: 4533370
    Abstract: An electric cleaner incorporates an effective noise suppression arrangement for minimizing the noise generated by the exhaust from the electric air blower. The present invention provides an electric cleaner comprising an air rectifying duct installed on its external surfaces so that the exhaust from the electric air blower can smoothly and quietly pass through it, while the noise emitted by the exhaust can be significantly minimized throughout the vacuum cleaning operation even when using a compact cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1985
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuji Ikezaki, Kiyoshi Ishii
  • Patent number: 4488883
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner bag cleaning system that provides a receptacle compartment having a removable top wall having a cylindrical cleaning member extending through it into the compartment for holding an inverted cloth vacuum bag. An exhaust fan motor unit also is positioned at the top wall and draws air through the cleaning member and through the cloth pores of the bag, thus forcing out entrapped particles of dirt and general debris caught in the bag and further drawing the air from the compartment and exhausting it to the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1984
    Inventor: Joseph T. Philp
  • Patent number: 4406678
    Abstract: A dust collector for a vacuum cleaner having a blower has an outer wall with an air-impermeable main portion bounding an inner chamber and a limited air-permeable portion, a filter accommodated in the chamber and connectable with the blower, and an additional filtering member associated with the air-permeable portion of the outer wall. The additional filtering member may be composed of an electrostatically chargeable filtering material and may be formed as a separate member or as a part of the wall of the dust collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1983
    Assignee: Vorwerk & Co Interholding GmbH
    Inventor: Horst Neugart
  • Patent number: 4350507
    Abstract: A respirable particle sampling instrument passes air with a fan through a passage having first a pre-filter thereacross to collect non-respirable airborne particles and then a main filter to collect respirable particles, the pre-filter being formed by a random fibrous network having interstices of such size and distribution as to capture a major proportion of the non-respirable particles within a prescribed range of velocity for which particle capture is predominantly by inertial impaction. The pre-filter suitably comprises porous foamed plastics material, preferably in a structure of contiguous layers having successively changing pore sizes and distribution, preferably of a polyester, and preferably having an oil coating. The pre-filter will normally have a penetration function approximating the so-called Johannesburg curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1982
    Assignee: National Research Development Corporation
    Inventors: George K. Greenough, Richard C. Brown
  • Patent number: 4229193
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner filter bag assembly is provided for protecting against atmospheric contamination upon removal of the filter bag from a vacuum cleaner. The filter bag assembly includes a primary filter bag, an airtight shield, a secondary filter bag and a tertiary filter. The shield and secondary filter bag are connected so as to define a sealed enclosure within which the primary filter bag is disposed. The primary filter bag has an inlet opening but is otherwise sealed closed. An inlet opening formed in the shield is aligned with the inlet opening of the primary filter bag so that the suction hose of the vacuum cleaner directs air with entrained particulates directly into the primary filter bag. The air which passes through the primary filter bag is next passed through the secondary filter bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1980
    Assignee: Shop-Vac Corporation
    Inventor: Jonathan Miller
  • Patent number: 4171208
    Abstract: A wet/dry vacuum apparatus is disclosed including a collection tank and a suction head. The suction head includes a base defining a tank inlet aperture, a blower intake aperture, a blower exhaust aperture, an atmospheric, intake-discharge aperture and an integrally molded valve housing. A blower is secured to the base in line with the intake aperture and includes an exhaust outlet connected to the exhaust aperture. The valve housing is opposite the blower and defines a tank opening communicating with the collection tank. A planar valve element is rotatably mounted within the housing and selectively permits communication of the blower intake with the tank for collection of debris and liquid or connection of the blower exhaust outlet with the tank to pressurize the tank and force the contents thereof out through the tank inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1979
    Assignee: Clarke-Gravely Corporation
    Inventor: Dale E. Lowder
  • Patent number: 4147522
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating particulate matter from a gas stream wherein dirty gas is moved through an electrostatic charging zone such as an electrostatic precipitator and then is moved through a filter of foraminous material such as a fabric filter of the bag type. The filter is in fluid communication with the charging zone and electrically insulated therefrom. Collected particulate material on surfaces of the charging zone or precipitator and on the filter is removed by introducing a controlled quantity of high pressure gas at predetermined times adjacent the outlet of the charging zone or precipitator and in a direction toward the inlet thereof in a manner inducing a substantial flow of the cleaned gas through the apparatus in a reverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1979
    Assignee: American Precision Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Gonas, Dennis J. Helfritch