Abstract: The invention relates to a retaining plate (2) for a vacuum cleaner filter bag, comprising a base plate in which a passage opening (3) is formed, and a sealing flap (5) for sealing the passage opening (3), wherein the sealing flap (5) is sealed via an elastic element (7; 10) in the sealed position, and wherein a cover element (9) is provided which is connected to the base plate, the sealing flap (5) and/or the elastic element (7) and partially or completely covers the elastic element (7).

Abstract: The invention relates to a retaining plate (2) for a vacuum cleaner filter bag, comprising a base plate in which a passage opening (3) is formed, and a sealing flap (5) for sealing the passage opening (3), wherein the sealing flap (5) is biased in the sealed position via an elastic element (7), wherein the elastic element (7) is arranged in front of the sealing flap (5) when viewed in the sealing direction; and wherein the elastic member (7) comprises an elastomer, or the elastic member (7) comprises a coil spring (9), wherein the coil spring (9) is at least partially enclosed by a sheath (10).

Abstract: A reliable electric vacuum cleaner is provided. An electric vacuum cleaner includes a housing, an electric blower, a battery, and a controller. The housing includes a first chamber, a second chamber, and a handle. The battery is held in the second chamber and supplies electric power for driving the electric blower. The controller controls the electric blower. A first distance from the handle to the battery is shorter than a second distance from the handle to the electric blower.

Abstract: Apparatus for a cotton sample acquisition and tracking system. The system includes a loading station in which a pair of primary sample halves are loaded in a carrier. The primary samples are identified and transported to a sub-sample station that extracts a sub-sample from the primary sample. The sub-samples are conditioned and transported to various testing stations. The primary samples are transported via a conveyor system. The sub-samples are transported through a pneumatic system. The sub-sample station advances the primary sample against a pick drum that pulls tufts from the primary sample. The tufts flow through a cotton containment system into an indexer that collects, conditions, and routes the tufts as a sub-sample. The sub-samples are staged in a carousel for continued conditioning and storage until the test equipment is ready to process the sub-sample.

Abstract: A modular design for large pulse jet fabric filters (PJFF) is divided into similar compartments, which are each “shop-fabricated” in quarter sections prior to delivery to the power plant site. The quarter sections of the compartments are modular and sized so that they can be fabricated at a shop located away from the power plant site and transported by truck over public roads to the power plant site. Once delivered to the site, the quarter sections are bolted together and seal welded to form a PJFF compartment, without requiring additional internal fabrication or welding. The assembled compartment is then lifted onto the support structure as an assembled unit and bolted and/or welded in place. The additional components of the PJFF may also be shop-fabricated offsite to further the benefits of the modular design.

Abstract: A filter element support assembly for mounting a filter element to a tube sheet includes a plurality of elongated rods; a first clamp having a through-hole; the first clamp defining a plurality of rod seats sized to receive a first end of one of the rods; a clamp rod extending through the through-hole in the first clamp; a second clamp having a through-hole; the clamp rod extending through the second clamp through-hole; the second clamp being mounted against the first clamp; the second clamp having radially projecting bumps mounted against the rods adjacent to the first clamp to hold the rods in the rod seats; a plurality of feet; each foot being secured to a second end of one of the rods; and a handle secured to an end of the clamp rod.

Abstract: A duct filter bag used in connection with a heating and air conditioning vent, the duct filter bag including a filter body constructed of a material that is air permeable yet catches particles exiting the vent, the filter body having a perimeter; an attachment assembly connected to the filter body; where the filter body is extendable outward relative to the attachment assembly to define a filter volume; the attachment assembly being adapted to attach the filter body such that the filter volume is in registry with the vent.

Abstract: An exterior duct filter retainer used in connection with a heating and air conditioning vent, the duct filter retainer including a filter body constructed of a material that is air permeable yet catches particles exiting the vent, the filter body having a an attachment assembly connected to the filter body; the attachment assembly being adapted to attach the filter body such that the filter is against and/or in registry with the vent. The filter body can be flat, and the attachment assembly can use a variety of means to attach the filter body in registry with the vent.

Abstract: A floor cleaner including a nozzle and a handle assembly pivotably mounted to the nozzle. The handle assembly including a handle, a motor housing supporting a suction source in fluid communication with the nozzle, and a bag housing defining a filter cavity. A door is removably coupled to the handle assembly and includes a retainer configured to secure a filter bag including a bag aperture to the door such that the door and the retainer are removable from the handle assembly as an assembly. The retainer includes a retainer handle positioned above the bag aperture.

Abstract: A duct filter bag used in connection with a heating and air conditioning vent, the duct filter bag including a filter body constructed of a material that is air permeable yet catches particles exiting the vent, the filter body having a perimeter; an attachment assembly connected to the filter body; where the filter body is extendable outward relative to the attachment assembly to define a filter volume; the attachment assembly being adapted to attach the filter body such that the filter volume is in registry with the vent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner filter bag comprising an inlet opening, a retaining plate, which is situated on the exterior of the bag in the vicinity of the inlet opening and can be attached to a retaining device of a vacuum cleaner in order to fix the vacuum cleaner filter bag, and a closing device situated in the vicinity of the inlet opening, which is configured in such a way that it adopts a first position when the retaining plate is not attached to the retaining device and a second position by the attachment of the retaining plate to the retaining device, wherein the inlet opening is closed in the first position of the closing device and is open in the second position of the closing device.

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.

Abstract: A filter bag and an apparatus for attaching a filter bag to a vacuum sweeper are provided. The filter bag includes a top plate and a bag portion. The top plate has a key formed thereon. The apparatus includes a sled configured to receive a portion of a filter bag having a key formed thereon. The apparatus also includes a sweeper housing. The sweeper housing is adjacent the sled. The housing has a cavity for receiving a portion of the filter bag and a lock that interconnects with the key. A method for installing the filter bag in a vacuum sweeper is also provided.

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.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally include a filter housing having a bagging ring coated to enhance a bag-to-bagging ring seal. In one embodiment, the housing assembly includes a housing having an inlet, an outlet and an access port. A bagging ring is disposed around the access port and includes a material having a property that enhances the bag-to-bagging ring seal. Examples of materials that have a property that enhance the bag-to-bagging ring seal include materials that are attracted to a plastic bag, materials that are tacky, materials that have a static attraction to a plastic bag.

Abstract: A holding plate for a vacuum cleaner bag is provided. The holding plate includes a base plate with an opening, a closing element pivotably arranged on the base plate, and a spring element having a bending angle (B) that upon pivoting of the closing element in an opening direction from a first position to a second position in which the opening is opened, in a predetermined pivoting angle range that is smaller than the corresponding opening angle (* ?) of the closing element, wherein the closing element can be brought from the second position into the first position by the restoring force of the spring element in the direction opposite to the opening direction, and wherein the spring element is located behind the locking element in the opening direction.

Abstract: A dust collecting device for a handheld power tool equipped with a dust exhaust fitting (12), in particular for an electric handheld power sander, includes a dust collecting bag (14) that has an air-permeable filter bag (15) and a reinforcing plate (16). The reinforcing plate (16) is situated in front of the filter bag (15) and has an inlet opening (17) that fits onto the dust exhaust fitting (12). A support is attached to the handheld power tool and has a filter chamber (20) for insertion of the filter bag (15) and a receiving chamber (21) situated in front of the filter chamber (20) for insertion of the reinforcing plate (16).

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally include a filter housing having a bagging ring coated to enhance a bag-to-bagging ring seal. In one embodiment, the housing assembly includes a housing having an inlet, an outlet and an access port. A bagging ring is disposed around the access port and includes a material having a property that enhances the bag-to-bagging ring seal. Examples of materials that have a property that enhance the bag-to-bagging ring seal include materials that are attracted to a plastic bag, materials that are tacky, materials that have a static attraction to a plastic bag.

Abstract: A vacuum bag (10) attachment device and method. One embodiment provides a device for attaching a vacuum bag to a suction port of a vacuum cleaner (11), wherein the vacuum cleaner has a fixation projection (22) positioned adjacent the suction port (17). The attachment device comprises a holding plate (12) having a first aperture (15) configured and adapted to be received on the suction port of the vacuum. The holding plate also has a hinged portion (18) with a second aperture (21) positioned within the hinged portion. The hinged portion is moveable between a first position in which the hinged portion does not secure the holding plate to the vacuum and a second position in which the hinged portion secures the holding plate to the vacuum. The second aperture is configured and dimensioned to be received on the projection (22) adjacent the suction port of the vacuum cleaner when the hinged portion is in the second position.

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.

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.

Abstract: A multi-layer bag assembly is used with a housing for collecting particles from air flowing through the multi-layer bag assembly. Multi-layer bag assembly includes at least two bags arranged one inside the other. Each of the bags includes an air permeable filtering material for collecting particles carried by air flowing through the material. The air permeable filtering material being may be the same or different for the at least two bags. The multi-layer bag assembly includes structure for holding the at least two bags in a wide open position. The structure may be a cooperating bag structure incorporated in the at least two bags for cooperating with the housing for selectively holding the respective bags in their respective open conditions. The structure may also be a removable collar attached to at the open portion of the at least two bags, where the removable collar is part of an integral collar of the multi-layer bag assembly.

Abstract: A filter bag includes a bag structure of filter material. A panel is adhered to the bag structure and has a fill opening. A securing tab is attached by a hinge to the panel. The panel is configured to have a mounted position in which a fill tube projects through the fill opening into the bag structure to exhaust air into the bag structure. The panel can be secured in the mounted position by the attachment tab being manually pivoted about the hinge into attachment with an attachment structure coupled to the fill tube.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner dirt containment system with a bag chamber having an open end, an outlet adapted to be in fluid communication with a vacuum fan inlet located on the vacuum cleaner housing, and a plurality of locator ribs extending from an inner wall of the bag chamber. Each locator rib has a landing adjacent an inner wall of the bag chamber, and a pin located inward of the landing and extending from the landing towards the open end of the bag chamber. A filter bag assembly is adapted to be inserted into the bag chamber, and has a flange attached to an open end of a permeable filter bag. A flange air inlet passes through the flange into the bag. The flange has openings located to be inserted over the locator rib pins, and support segments located to abut the locator rib landings. The lid is selectively attachable to the open end of the bag chamber, and includes an air inlet mounting tube that extends into the flange air inlet when the lid is attached to the open end of the bag chamber.

Abstract: A filter bag arrangement for a vacuum cleaner includes a bag body of filter material, and a stiffening element in the form of a filter mounting plate with an inlet opening of the bag therein. The vacuum cleaner includes a housing defining a chamber into which the bag may be inserted, a lid to cover the chamber, and a filling pipe stub that is insertable into the inlet opening. Plural individual mounting elements are provided at the outer edge of the stiffening element and are inserted into corresponding individual receivers of the housing so as to spatially position and fix the inlet opening of the filter bag arrangement relative to the housing of the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a holding plate (1) for a vacuum cleaner bag with a base plate (2) with an opening (3), a locking element (4) arranged on the base plate with a horizontal swing to close the opening, and a spring element (6) arranged in such a way that the bending angle (B) of the spring element with a horizontal swing of the locking element in the opening direction brings the locking element out of the first position, in which the opening (3) is sealed, into the second position, in which the opening is open, in a previously determined swing angle range that is smaller than the corresponding opening angle (x) of the locking element (4), in such a way that the locking element can be brought from the second position into the first position by the restoring force of the spring element in the direction opposite to the opening direction, and the spring element is located behind the locking element in the opening direction.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner bag includes a bottom part having a substantially rectangular base section. A projecting section is disposed proximate to at least one side of the base section. The projecting section, when folded up for the storage position, rests on the base section. Sidewall sections extend peripherally in a direction away from the bottom part to form an inside space.

Abstract: A filter bag includes a bag structure of filter material. A panel is adhered to the bag structure and has a fill opening. A securing tab is attached by a hinge to the panel. The panel is configured to have a mounted position in which a fill tube projects through the fill opening into the bag structure to exhaust air into the bag structure. The panel can be secured in the mounted position by the attachment tab being manually pivoted about the hinge into attachment with an attachment structure coupled to the fill tube.

Abstract: A filter apparatus and a vacuum cleaner incorporating the filter apparatus are disclosed. The filter apparatus has a first, fine filter assembly and a second, coarse filter assembly. The fine filter assembly includes a body defining a central aperture in which a pleated fine filter element is arranged. The periphery of aperture is surrounded by a resilient rubber sealing member. Apertures are arranged around the body portion radially outwards of the aperture and sealing member for mounting the fine filter assembly to pins on housing of the vacuum cleaner. The body is also provided with radially inwardly facing slots for engaging corresponding projections on a coarse filter assembly for removably mounting the coarse filter assembly to the fine filter assembly. The removable coarse filter assembly gives the user a choice between two stage filtration (i.e. using the fine and course filter assemblies) or single stage filtration (i.e. using the fine filter assembly only).

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a housing having a filter bag cavity. A suction generator and a bag mount are both carried on the housing. Additionally, the vacuum cleaner includes a bag caddy that is displaceable between an operating position connected to the bag mount and a bag disposal position disconnected from the bag mount.

Abstract: A removable dust collector for use in a dust compartment of a vacuum cleaner is provided and includes a holder that maintains the dust collector in an operating position, and a locking member that is placed in a locking position when the dust collector is removed. A cover of the dust compartment is prevented from closing and is placed in a release position when the dust collector is in an operating position. The locking member is maintained in its release position either by means of a filter bag inserted into a carrier or by an actuating member associated with the dust collector.

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.

Abstract: A wet/dry vacuum bag may be used to collect both wet and dry debris without destruction of the bag and without loss in performance.

Abstract: A disposable open bag for a power tool such as a Shop-Vac cleaner has a mounting plate with an opening for receiving debris from the intake of the power tool. The mounting plate is also provided with a vent opening(s), e.g., to prevent the bag from closing in on the air filter and blocking the airflow. The said bag provides a cleaner and more convenient means of collection of the debris, leaves, and particulate matters directly into the bag.

Abstract: A floor care appliance such as a vacuum cleaner is provided having an filtration bag changing assembly located in the filtration compartment. A supply of filtration material is packaged in a container in the form of a continuous tube to be fed into the filtration compartment. A sealing and cutting assembly seals the tube at the lower end after a bag is fed into the filtration compartment. Once a filtration bag is full, a new filtration bag is pulled into place with the lower end of the tube being sealed and the old filtration bag being cut from the tube by a cutter. A pair of opposing heating elements are used to seal the opposing sidewalls of the tube together to form the filtration bag. The free end of the tube is fluidly connected to the suction nozzle by a connector and a dirt duct.

Abstract: A vacuum bag mounting assembly for housing a vacuum bag within a vacuum cleaner, where the vacuum cleaner includes a vacuum intake nozzle having an outlet end portion through which sucked in dirt is delivered to the vacuum bag housing assembly, including a vacuum bag storage compartment 1, a vacuum bag collar receiver disposed within the vacuum bag storage compartment that engages a collar of the vacuum bag, and a telescopic nozzle end attached to the outlet end portion of the vacuum intake nozzle, the telescopic nozzle end being moveable along the outlet end portion towards and away from the collar of the vacuum bag. The vacuum bag mounting assembly also includes a housing cover that covers the vacuum bag storage compartment, the housing cover including a nozzle engagement member that engages the telescopic nozzle.

Abstract: A dust cover of a vacuum cleaner is installed to be separable from a dust collecting chamber so as to open/close the dust collecting chamber in which a dust bag filtering sucked dust is mounted, and has a support part to which the dust bag is mounted at its inside, thereby easily performing processes of mounting the dust bag to a vacuum cleaner and separating the dust bag from the vacuum cleaner and discarding without an external contamination.

Abstract: A vacuum bag mounting assembly for housing a vacuum bag within a vacuum cleaner, where the vacuum cleaner comprises a vacuum intake nozzle having an outlet end portion through which sucked in dirt is delivered to the vacuum bag mounting assembly, including a vacuum bag collar receiver that engages a collar of the vacuum bag, a telescopic nozzle end attached to the outlet end portion, the telescopic nozzle end being moveable along the outlet end portion towards and away from the collar of the vacuum bag, and a nozzle engagement member pivotally attached to the vacuum bag collar receiver. The nozzle engagement member is attached to the telescopic nozzle end such that pivoting of the nozzle engagement member in a first direction results in movement of the telescopic nozzle end away from the collar of the vacuum bag and pivoting of the nozzle engagement member in a second direction results in movement of the telescopic nozzle end towards the collar of the vacuum bag.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a dust collection compartment inside of which a dust bag with a reinforcing plate, which has a clip connected to the underside thereof, can be placed. The clip tapers toward the bottom in the shape of a funnel or trapezoid and is suited for insertion into a correspondingly configured fixture. The fixture has lateral guide elements that guide the reinforcing plate when pushed in. The configuration enables the dust bag to be easily inserted into the dust collection compartment without the involving the difficult placement inside a guide profile.

Abstract: An improved bag docking assembly for aligning a vacuum bag for engagement with a dirty air outlet nozzle on a vacuum cleaner, and for retaining the vacuum bag in the position of engagement. The assembly incorporates an anchor member and a mounting member. The anchor member serves to attach the bag docking assembly to the vacuum cleaner. The anchor member can be a substantially flat piece of plastic having a central opening for closely receiving the dirty air outlet nozzle on the vacuum cleaner. The central opening can have a shoulder for engaging a rim or similar protrusion formed about the perimeter of the dirty air outlet nozzle. Additionally, protrusions are located on the anchor member that align with voids in the vacuum bag collar to ensure that correct alignment of the vacuum bag has been achieved.

Abstract: A filter assembly including a filter housing defining an interior chamber with an open end, a filter disposed within the interior chamber, and a cover removably positioned over the open end to enclose the interior chamber. The filter housing defines an axially-facing sealing surface spaced from the open end. The filter includes a filter element and a flange element, with the flange element having a hook-shaped lip portion defining an axially-facing groove adapted to securely retain an O-ring seal therein. The cover includes an axially-extending sidewall portion and a laterally-extending flange portion, with the sidewall portion defining an outward taper adapted to retain an O-ring seal thereon. A clamp is used to bias the cover into sealing engagement with the open end of the filter housing. The cover in turn biases the flange element of the filter into sealing engagement with the axially-facing sealing surface of the filter housing.

Abstract: An industrial dust-collector is provided with an air blower in the bottom of the base. An air-inlet line and an air-out line are provided at the front of the air blower. A cover is provided on the top of the base, a sucking pipe is provided at the top of the cover, and both sides of the cover are respectively provided with a buckle article. A door and a pushing rod are provided at the exterior of the base. An air-guiding block is provided in the bottom of the cover, a plurality of air-guiding holes are provided in the bottom of the air-guiding block, an elastic ring is provided at the bottom of the air-guiding block to secure the top section of a dust-collecting bag and a sleeve tube, and a plurality of through holes are provided around the sleeve tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a vacuum cleaner filter bag on a vacuum cleaner fill tube includes a filter bag panel. The panel is configured to be grasped by a hand to mount the bag on the fill tube. The panel has an inner edge defining an opening for receiving the fill tube when the bag is mounted on the fill tube. The panel further has an outer edge. A first recessed section of the outer edge is sized and shaped to receive a single finger of the hand when the hand grasps the panel. The first recessed section has a first innermost location. A second recessed section of the outer edge is sized and shaped to receive the thumb of the hand when the hand grasps the panel. The second recessed section has a second innermost location. The innermost locations are spaced apart from each other along an imaginary straight line extending across the opening.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner bag mounting assembly for a stationary vacuum cleaner is described that includes a disposable bag housing that includes an open-front enclosure having a conduit connector wall; a hose connection conduit extending inwardly through the connector wall, a debris collection bag holder having a bag attachment wall and being pivotally mounted at one of the front edges of the compartment between a closed position and an open position; a spring urging the bag holder to its open position; and a door pivotally attached at a front edge of said enclosure and having an open position and a closed position, the door engaging the bag holder when moved from the open position to the closed position to move the bag holder from its open position to its closed position.

Abstract: A dust bag for vacuum cleaners including a bag shaped member of an air permeable material, adjacent to an inlet opening attachable by an adhering layer to a plate shaped member to facilitate mounting of the dust bag in an intended vacuum cleaner. The adhering layer is protected before use by a removable protective film. The adhering layer includes a number of parts joined with the bag shaped member surrounding an inlet opening, adjacently located and having an increasing distance in relation to each other from the inlet opening, each having an individual protective part of the removable protective film, preferably divided in separate segments by tear off indicates facilitating removal of individual parts of the protective film to adapt the area of resulting adhering layer to utilized plate shaped member, as well as adaption of the inlet opening by tearing off such segments together with underlying bag material.

Abstract: A holding plate for the filter bag of a vacuum cleaner has a plug-in opening for attaching a pipe socket of the vacuum cleaner. A seal for sealing the holding plate against the pipe socket of the vacuum cleaner projects into the plug-in opening. In order to lock the holding plate on the pipe socket of the vacuum cleaner, at least one projection pressing the seal against the pipe socket of the vacuum cleaner and projecting into the plug-in opening is provided on the holding plate. In this way, the holding plate is retained on the pipe socket of the vacuum cleaner in a clamped seat.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transporting a flow of air and particulates through a vacuum cleaner. The apparatus can include a manifold with two inlet ports that collect two separate streams of the flow, combine the streams, and direct the combined flow toward a filter element through a single outlet port. The flow can expand within the manifold between the inlet ports and the outlet ports to decelerate the flow. The manifold can also include a storage receptacle for storing a belt used to drive a roller brush of the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for housing a filter element of a vacuum cleaner. In one embodiment, the apparatus can include a housing body elongated along a housing axis. The housing body can include a partially porous material clamped at an upper end to an upper Support and at a lower end to a lower support. The upper and lower supports support the upper housing body relative to the vacuum cleaner. The housing body further includes an aperture for receiving a filter element and can have a generally constant cross-sectional area when intersected by a plane approximately perpendicular to the housing axis.

Abstract: A holder (10) for a vacuum cleaner dust bag which is removably arranged in the vacuum cleaner and includes a sleeve (14) on which an open end (13) of the bag (11) is received. Two or more clamping blocks (17) at least partly surround the sleeve and can be moved in a radial direction toward and away from the sleeve in order to secure the dust bag to the holder and release the dust bag from the holder.

Abstract: A process, and apparatus for practicing the process, for removing hazardous material collected on a cleanable HEPA filter in a manner which protects operating personnel from exposure to that hazardous material comprising use of a bag composed of high efficiency filter material, the bag being positioned within a vacuum container having a removable lid. The bag has an open top which extends out of the container during the cleaning operation, the container being closed by a removable lid. The system allows the lid to be removed and the bag sealed and extracted from the container without shutting off the vacuum generated flow of air.