Separable Collection Container Patents (Class 55/429)
  • Patent number: 8568521
    Abstract: Disclosed is an indoor unit having a dust storage container in which dust removed from an air filter is stored, and a dust collecting box into which the dust in the dust storage container is transferred by utilizing an effect of blown air. The dust storage container is provided with a full condition detection means for detecting a dust full condition of the dust collecting box. The full condition detection means includes an LED and a phototransistor which are opposed to each other with a storage portion interposed therebetween. After a dust transfer operation which transfers the dust from the dust storage container to the dust collecting box, an intensity of light of the LED that has passed through the storage portion is detected by the phototransistor. If the detected light intensity is equal to or less than a set value, a full condition of the dust collecting box is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiko Sakashita, Tsuyoshi Yokomizo, Yoshiharu Michitsuji, Kenji Masuda
  • Patent number: 8533903
    Abstract: A floor cleaning apparatus includes a housing having a nozzle assembly and a canister assembly. The nozzle assembly includes a suction inlet. Both a suction generator and a dirt collection assembly are carried on the housing. The dirt collection assembly includes a dirt cup, a shroud concentrically received within the dirt collection chamber defined by the dirt cup and at least one rib projecting from the shroud toward the bottom wall of the dirt cup. The rib is positioned so as to reduce air turbulence in the dirt collection chamber between an airflow guide on the shroud and the bottom wall of the dirt cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Eric E. Muhlenkamp, Joe M. Reynolds, Jeffrey T. Roney
  • Patent number: 8529654
    Abstract: An objective of the invention is to obtain a cleaning unit which allows a cleaning mechanism, such as a dust removal device, for an air filter to be easily mounted in an indoor unit of an air conditioner that has an air filter on the intake side of an indoor fan. The cleaning unit includes: a chamber casing (101) connected to a room side of an indoor main unit (10) having an indoor heat exchanger (22) and an indoor fan (21) which draws air from the room and blows the air to the indoor heat exchanger (22); an air filter (30) provided in the chamber casing (101) on an intake side of the indoor fan (21); and a dust removal device (50) configured to remove dust captured by the air filter (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Akihiko Sakashita
  • Patent number: 8529655
    Abstract: The present invention provides a dust collector structure, especially a low-cost and simplified dust collector structure, which includes a leg frame set, an air-guiding box and a driving unit. The leg frame set includes two inverted U-shaped frame rods which are integrally formed and correspond to each other. The air-guiding box is arranged across top ends of the two frame rods, and is made by correspondingly closing an upper cover and a lower cover which are formed through integral draw molding. A driving unit for driving a blowing fan is arranged at an end of the air-guiding box. An air-filtering bag and a dust-collecting bag corresponding to each other are arranged at an end opposite to the driving unit on the upper and lower covers of the air-guiding box. Thus, structural components can be greatly simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Inventor: Chun-Hsiang Wang
  • Patent number: 8491686
    Abstract: A dust collector arrangement has a dust separator supported on a frame, with a lid for the dust collection barrel is mounted onto the frame below it. The lid is supported at a fixed elevation above the surface of the shop floor to create a space or clearance between the rim of the dust collection barrel and the lid. The barrel is supported on casters, and can be rolled into place under the rim, and can be rolled out for emptying. Over-center latches positioned at intervals around the upper part of the barrel side wall, engage corresponding structure on the lid. These pull the barrel upwards against the lid and with the barrel casters lifted off the floor surface. The latch members release to lower the barrel for emptying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Oneida Air Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Witter, Jeffrey Hill, John J. Fitzsimmons
  • Patent number: 8491685
    Abstract: A dust collection arrangement employs a variable frequency drive to supply AC to its fan motor. A current sensor measures the current drawn by the motor, and this is compared with a preset value. The variable frequency drive adjusts the frequency of the AC applied to the motor to maintain the motor current at the preset level. This keeps the flow of air in the system optimal as dust producing tools are added or taken off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Oneida Air Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Witter, Jeffrey Hill
  • Patent number: 8486170
    Abstract: A filter apparatus comprises first and second filters, each having an upstream surface and a downstream surface. At least one bypass channel extends from a position upstream of the upstream surface of the first filter to a position upstream of the upstream surface of the second filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: G.B.D. Corp.
    Inventors: Wayne Ernest Conrad, Dave Petersen
  • Patent number: 8486172
    Abstract: A filter element including an end cap is provided. The end cap includes an annular seal support carrying an annular seal member and a mounting arrangement to seal and support the filter element in a filter housing. The end cap is configure to engage with a mating engagement structure of the housing to provide self alignment feature of the filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: United Air Specialists, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis Haynam, Steve Trame
  • Patent number: 8470064
    Abstract: A system for separating contaminants from an airstream, including a centrifugal fan and housing; a contaminant containment vessel mounted to an outer surface of the housing; and a diverter in the airstream downstream of the fan and within the housing, the diverter being configured to separate a portion of the airstream from a remainder of the airstream, accelerate the portion of the airstream towards the containment vessel, and thereafter guide the portion of the airstream towards the remainder of the airstream. The diverter preferably does not negatively impact the rated performance of the fan, such that a performance of the system is not measurably different than the rated performance of the fan and housing combination. The diverter may accelerate contaminants entrained in the airstream toward the containment vessel, thereby separating the contaminants from the airstream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Leseman Davis, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Byron Davis, Gary Thelen Leseman
  • Publication number: 20130152524
    Abstract: A filter arrangement may include a housing having an untreated space inlet and a clean space outlet and a filter insert configured to attached to the clean space outlet in the housing and to separate a clean space in the interior of the filter insert from an untreated space outside the filter insert. A lining part may be arranged on the filter insert at the clean space, wherein the lining part is configured to form a collection space for dirt retained by the filter wall in the vicinity of the clean space outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: MAHLE INTERNATIONAL GMBH
    Inventors: Harry Gensler, Thilo Rother, Hannes Sutschitsch, Mattias Traub, Hendrik Von Merkatz, Hans Waibel
  • Patent number: 8435318
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a dual locking structure is provided. The vacuum cleaner includes a brush assembly, a main body connected to the brush assembly, a dust bin arranged on the main body, a fastening unit to move the dust bin to a fastened or unfastened state, and a filter casing. The dust bin includes one or more first locking holes and the main body includes one or dust bin locking members to be engaged with the first locking holes so that the dust bin, in an unfastened state, is removably retained in the main body. The filter casing includes one or more filter casing locking portions and the main body includes one or more filter casing locking members to be engaged with the filter casing locking portions so that the filter casing in the unfastened state is removably retained in the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byung-Jo Lee, Jeong-Hee Cho
  • Patent number: 8409335
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a separating apparatus for separating particles from a fluid flow. Particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a domestic vacuum cleaner having such a separating apparatus for removing dust particles from a dust laden airstream. The separating apparatus includes a first cyclonic cleaning stage including at least one cyclone, and an electrostatic filter, wherein the electrostatic filter is in fluid communication with the at least one cyclone via an air passage, at least a portion of the air passage being formed longitudinally through the separating apparatus, wherein at least a portion of the first cyclonic cleaning stage, the electrostatic filter and the air passage are arranged concentrically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: James Dyson, Lucas Horne
  • Patent number: 8404034
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner and a method of controlling the vacuum cleaner are provided. The vacuum cleaner may include a main body, a dust collection device mounted in the main body, at least one compression member that compresses the dust in the dust collection device, and a driver that drives the compressing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Man Tae Hwang, Hae Seock Yang, Hoi Kil Jeong, Myung Sig Yoo, Jae Kyum Kim, Moo Hyun Ko, Kie Tak Hyun, Jong Su Choo, Young Bok Son, Kyeong Seon Jeong, Min Park, Sung Hwa Lee, Il Joong Kim, Jin Hyouk Shin, Gun Ho Ha, Jin Wook Seo, Chang Ho Yun, Jin Young Kim, Chang Hoon Lee, Yun Hee Park, Hyuk-Min Kwon, Young-Gun Min
  • Patent number: 8404012
    Abstract: An improved vehicle air filter includes a cylindrical housing having a continuous outer wall, a releasable bottom wall and an open top in communication with an interior air-delivery chamber. Circumferentially disposed about the outer wall are a plurality of conical air-intake tubes, each having an inlet opening in fluid communication with a hollow interior. The lower end of each tube is positioned immediately above a collection pan formed on the releasable bottom wall. An arcuate air conduit extends from the upper end of each tube to the air-delivery chamber. As air enters each tube, it flows along a cyclonic path to force entrained particles against the interior surface of the tube and downwardly into the collection pan. Meanwhile, the purified air flows upwardly through the air conduits and into the air-delivery chamber for distribution to the vehicle engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Inventor: Roy C. Markle
  • Patent number: 8394161
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally provides systems and methods for easily replaceable, high efficiency particulate air or HEPA-quality filtration for vacuum systems in an effective, efficient, and cost-sensitive manner. As an example, the HEPA filter cartridge could include a minimizer and connecting structures associated with an exhaust of such a HEPA filter cartridge. The surface area of the minimizer or the connecting structures could be increased or decreased to control, restrict, or otherwise maintain a predetermined, preferable, or allowable amount of backpressure subjected to the HEPA filter cartridge or other suitable performance characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Aerus LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Eide
  • Patent number: 8394162
    Abstract: A dust collector of the present invention includes a main body, a first dust container, and two lifting apparatuses. The main body includes a shell, an expandable pipe, and a lid. The expandable pipe, which is vertically expandable, is connected between the shell and the lid. The first dust container is detachably disposed on the main body and is used to be selectively covered by the lid. The two lifting apparatuses respectively include a base, a linking up mechanism, and an operating rod. The two bases are respectively fixed on two sides of an outer wall surface of the shell. The operating rod is movably disposed on the base. One end of the linking up mechanism is disposed on the operating rod, and the other end is fixed on the lid. Thereby, the lifting apparatus can horizontally lift the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Inventor: Tony Lin
  • Patent number: 8388805
    Abstract: A coarse separator (10) for a power tool (2) is used for separating, at least partially, from an air flow (L), material particles (M) produced during operation of the power tool (2) and aspirated by a suction device (8), and includes an inlet opening (48) connectable with the suction head (6) of a suction device (8) that aspirates the particles, an outlet opening (40) for letting a purified air flow (L) out, and a lamella separator arranged between the inlet opening (48) and the outlet opening (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Oliver Ohlendorf
  • Patent number: 8377160
    Abstract: A cyclonic dust collector arrangement employs a cyclone that has a conic body formed of a conic wall. An upper divider plate closes off the upper end of the conic body, with a vortex tube descending from a central passage in the divider plate. The conic body has a narrow nose at a lower end so that the upper divider plate and the lower nose define a cyclonic chamber within the conic body. The inlet conduit penetrates the conic wall below the divider plate. The fan chamber of the separator is mounted above the divider plate, and serves to induce air flow from the inlet conduit into the cyclonic chamber, and through said vortex tube into the fan chamber. The air is discharged through a final filter. This construction has reduced manufacture costs and improved dust separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Oneida Air Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Witter
  • Patent number: 8366810
    Abstract: A method for separating mixed granular material based upon dissimilar specific gravities, (such as in firearm range cleaning) thereby separating lead from backstop material. Lead falling from an airstream is airwashed by an upwardly directed second airstream. The preferred method is performed under negative pressure to control lead dust. Application to pick up and clean or recover fouled ballast rock (such as used in the rail industry). Processes and apparatus are disclosed that pick up and clean or enrich precious metal bearing ore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Inventor: Richard L. Miller
  • Patent number: 8357231
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for recovering moisture present in the atmosphere. The device comprises a collection structure with a water recovery surface which during use at least partly makes an angle with respect to the orientation of gravity. Further, the collection structure is detachably couplable to a reservoir for storing the recovered moisture. In addition, the collection structure is nestable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: P.M.M. Hoff Holding B.V.
    Inventor: Petrus Mattheus Maria Hoff
  • Patent number: 8337580
    Abstract: The present invention is a device that rapidly and effectively separates and collects debris from airflow between a debris source and a vacuum source. The device comprises a first chamber situated above and adjoining a second chamber. The first chamber functions to separate and remove the debris and the second chamber functions to collect the debris. The first chamber is circular in cross-section and comprises an upper portion and a downward and outward sloping sidewall. The upper portion has an output port connected by a first conduit to the vacuum source and the sidewall has an input port connected by a second conduit to the debris source. Air and debris are drawn into the first chamber through the input port by suction created at the output port. The debris is centrifugally forced to the sidewall whereby it is then centripetally forced downward into the second chamber through a peripheral opening between the sidewall and a barrier, while cleaned air is evacuated through the output port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Inventor: Wayne E. Manska
  • Patent number: 8308832
    Abstract: A dust separating and collecting apparatus is provided. The dust separating and collecting apparatus includes a dust bin housing a centrifugal dust separating portion therein, and an inner cover comprising a passage shifting protrusion extended to an open surface of the centrifugal dust separating portion through which dusts may be discharged, the inner cover covering an open surface of the dust bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dong-hun Yoo
  • Patent number: 8302253
    Abstract: A cyclone separation dust cup, which includes a cup body and a cyclone tube, the cyclone tube being provided with an air inlet, an ash ejection outlet, and an air exhaust outlet; and the ash ejection outlet communicates with a dust storage cavity in the cup body, the air exhaust outlet with an air outlet positioned on the cup body through an air exhaust pipe, and the dust storage cavity with the air exhaust pipe. The dust storage cavity, by communicating with the air exhaust pipe, enables part of the air current entering the cyclone tube to enter the dust storage cavity in the cup body, thus producing suction in the ash ejection outlet of the cyclone tube that can draw the dust into the dust storage cavity. This enables the impurities with a lighter weight (e.g. hair and downy floc), which cannot fall into the dust storage cavity under gravity, to be inhaled into the dust storage cavity successfully, thus greatly improving the separating and filtering effect of this cyclone separation dust cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Suzhou Kingclean Floorcare Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zugen Ni
  • Patent number: 8303677
    Abstract: An indoor unit (13) of an air conditioner (43) including: a filter member (41) for trapping dust contained in air sucked through an inlet (22); a dust removing means (42) configured to remove the dust trapped on the filter member (41) from the filter member (41); and a dust container (43) for containing the dust removed from the filter member (41) by the dust removing means (42), wherein the indoor unit (13) further includes a container lifting/lowering means (44) for lifting/lowering only the dust container (43) relative to the casing (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Morimichi Okada, Yoshiteru Nouchi, Tetsuya Morizane
  • Patent number: 8296900
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises an air flow passage extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet. A suction motor positioned in the air flow passage. A cyclone is removably mounted to the surface cleaning apparatus and positioned in the air flow path. The cyclone has a cyclone air inlet and a cyclone air outlet. The cyclone is mountable to the surface cleaning apparatus in a mounting direction. An air inlet seal is positioned in a first plane and seals the cyclone air inlet to the airflow passage. An air outlet seal is positioned in a second, non-orthogonal plane and seals the cyclone air outlet to the airflow passage. The air inlet seal and the air outlet seal are concurrently sealed by movement of the cyclone in the mounting direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: G.B.D. Corp.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 8292979
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus can include a dirt inlet, a handle, and a cyclone bin having a longitudinal axis and a sidewall extending between an openable top and an openable bottom. The surface cleaning apparatus can also include a cyclone chamber located in the cyclone bin. The cyclone chamber can have an upper wall, a fluid inlet downstream from the dirt air inlet and a fluid outlet, and the fluid outlet can be removably mounted in the upper wall. The surface cleaning apparatus can also include a dirt collection located in the cyclone bin and a fluid flow motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: G.B.D. Corp
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 8287612
    Abstract: A filter element has of a filter medium (10) folded in a zig-zag manner and designed in a tubular shape. End plates (11, 12) are arranged on the filter medium end faces. End plate (12) has a concentric opening as well as a first annular ring (14) and a second annular ring (15), and a sealing groove (16) arranged between the rings. A reinforcement plate (17) is arranged at the end plate and has an annular surface (23) extending in axial direction across folds of the filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Mann + Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Eric Gillenberg, Friedrich Kupfer, Klaus-Dieter Ruhland, Oliver Steins
  • Patent number: 8282742
    Abstract: An industrial vacuum system which is contained in a portable container having a bottom and an open end and includes an extension unit having a first end operatively connected to the portable container and a second end that is selectively extendable away from the container, a collection unit rotatively coupled to first ends of the extension unit, a transportation unit coupling the extension unit to the container, the transportation unit having one end rotatively coupled to the end of the extension unit the transportation unit including a plurality of wheel units, and a trolley guidance unit having a rail attached to the bottom of the container and engaging the wheels of the wheel unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Vector Technologies
    Inventors: Stephen B Schoenberger, Robert M Reavis
  • Patent number: 8282697
    Abstract: A dust collecting apparatus for a vacuum cleaner is provided. The dust collecting apparatus includes a dust separating chamber separating dust from dust-laden air, a dust collecting chamber storing the dust separated by the dust separating chamber, and an air discharge guide duct guiding the air discharged from the dust separating chamber to an air outlet at a lower end of the dust collecting chamber. The air discharge guide duct includes a first duct formed on a rear surface of the dust collecting apparatus so as to guide the air discharged from the dust separating chamber downwards, a second duct being coupled with the first duct and extending into the dust separating chamber, and a third duct formed in the dust separating chamber so as to connect the second duct with the air outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jang-Keun Oh
  • Patent number: 8282695
    Abstract: An air conditioner has a dust catch filter interposed between an inlet and a heat exchanger, a cleaning unit 5 for removing dust caught by the filter, and filter driver 18 for reciprocally driving the filter with respect to the cleaning unit 5. The cleaning unit 5 has a dust box 21 having a cleaning brush for removing dust caught on the surface of the filter and a filter hold plate that is attached to the dust box 21 and that holds a rear surface of the filter. The air conditioner is provided with cleaning brush driver 20 that draws the cleaning brush from the dust box 21 and brings the cleaning brush into contact with the filter during cleaning of the filter and that separates the cleaning brush from the filter and puts the cleaning brush in the dust box 21 when the filter is not cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Fujitsu General Limited
    Inventors: Makoto Shibuya, Shinji Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 8262763
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a housing, a suction fan, a dustcup, a cover and an inlet into the dustcup. The dustcup is removably secured to the housing, and includes a cup end wall, a sidewall extending from the cup end wall, and an open end opposite the cup end wall. The cover can be connected to the open end of the dustcup, and includes an air outlet in fluid communication with the suction fan, and a filter covering the air outlet and extending from the cover towards the cup end wall. The cup end wall includes a barrier positioned to be contacted by air flowing through the dustcup to thereby separate dirt particles from the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Care Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Arnold Sepke
  • Patent number: 8262762
    Abstract: Methods, techniques, and constructions are provided for use to apply an evacuation valve arrangement on an air cleaner assembly that is configured for pulse jet operation. An example evacuation valve arrangement is provided which comprises a valve member in the form of a sleeve that extends completely around a sidewall portion of an air cleaner housing of a pulse jet air cleaner. Examples are depicted in which the sidewall portion can comprise: a portion of a housing sidewall section that surrounds an installed filter cartridge, in use; a portion of an access cover; or, a drop tube secured to a portion of the housing, for example either on an access cover or on another portion of a housing. Specific features and alternatives are described. Also, methods of assembly and operation are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Olson, Gary Gillingham, Fred Wahlquist
  • Patent number: 8257457
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a separating apparatus for separating particles from a fluid flow. Particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a vacuum cleaner having such a separating apparatus for removing dust particles from a dust laden airstream. The separating apparatus includes a first cyclonic cleaning stage, a second cyclonic cleaning stage arranged downstream from the first cyclonic cleaning stage, and an elongate filter arranged downstream from the second cyclonic cleaning stage, wherein the filter is at least partially surrounded by the first cyclonic cleaning stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Lucas Horne, Matthew Robert Jupe, David Colin Worker, Guillaume Kristian Steadman
  • Patent number: 8250703
    Abstract: A utility vacuum that may be configured to employ a disposable bag or removable and reusable container for the collection of dirt and debris that are drawn into the utility vacuum. The utility vacuum may employ one or more movable legs that are movable between an extended position, which provides relatively stable operation of the utility vacuum, and a retracted position, which reduces the footprint of the utility vacuum so that it is easier to store.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Marshall, Oleksiy P. Sergyeyenko, Ray T. Smith, Damon Nawrozki, Michelle M. Baldwin, Richard P. Rosa, Andrew E. Meng
  • Publication number: 20120199006
    Abstract: A dust bin for a robotic vacuum comprises a dust bin frame having a cavity defined therein to receive debris, a filter frame disposed within the dust bin frame and defining two filter openings at opposite sides thereof, and a central impeller disposed adjacent to or under the filter frame to draw air from outside of the dust bin into the dust bin. The dust bin also comprises two air filters, one air filter being located on each side of the central impeller, each air filter being inserted into one of the filter openings, each filter having an overhang around a perimeter thereof that includes a sealing face to form a vacuum-assisted seal with the filter frame when air is drawn into the dust bin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: IROBOT CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Orrin SWETT, Mark Steven SCHNITTMAN
  • Patent number: 8211216
    Abstract: A particularly advantageous vacuum cleaner system has at least two filters and self-cleans its filters via back-flushing, without needing to stop normal operation to self-clean. Also, a self-cleaning valve assembly is provided for use in a vacuum cleaner. Also, a vacuum cleaner is provided that uses permanent, self-cleaning filters, and does not need disposable filters or filter bags, and advantageously can use inexpensive plastic bags. In another vacuum cleaner system, waste is collected in an ordinary plastic bag without any special preparation or modification of the bag being needed. Further, an inventive self-cleaning X-valve assembly cleans itself and is useable in the vacuum cleaner system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Inventor: Charles A. Castronovo
  • Patent number: 8182563
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a separating apparatus for separating particles from a fluid flow. Particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a vacuum cleaner having such a separating apparatus for removing dust particles from a dust laden airstream. The separating apparatus includes a first cyclonic cleaning stage, a second cyclonic cleaning stage arranged downstream from the first cyclonic cleaning stage, and an elongate filter arranged downstream from the second cyclonic cleaning stage, wherein the filter is at least partially surrounded by the first cyclonic cleaning stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Lucas Horne, Matthew Robert Jupe, David Colin Worker, Guillaume Kristian Steadman
  • Patent number: 8163051
    Abstract: A dust collector of a vacuum cleaner is provided. The dust collector includes a dust separation part that separates dust from air, a dust collecting body having a dust storage part that stores the dust separated by the dust separation part, and a division part that closes an inner space of the dust separation part and includes an opening through which the dust is discharged into the dust storage part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Chang Ho Yun, Gun Ho Ha, Jin Young Kim, Chang Hoon Lee, Jin Wook Seo, Hyuk Min Kwon
  • Patent number: 8152883
    Abstract: A cyclone chamber for a vacuum cleaner includes a cylindrical wall defining an internal cavity. An inlet port extends tangentially from the wall such that air entering the cavity via the inlet port causes a cyclonic flow to develop within the chamber. An exit tube extends axially from the chamber and has a flared opening presented into the chamber. A vortex shield is centered axially within the chamber adjacent to the opening and extends radially from the opening toward the wall. The vortex shield forms a barrier to prevent in the most part, large but light weight particles, carpet fibers and the like from escaping into the exit tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Prime Sourcing Limited
    Inventor: Yiu-Ming Lee
  • Patent number: 8152913
    Abstract: A dust collecting apparatus for compressing dust is provided. The dust collecting apparatus for compressing dust may include a centrifugal dust separating device having a dust outlet, a compressing device formed inside the dust receptacle, and including a compressing plate in which a dust inlet is formed, and a dust passage forming member forming a dust passage between the dust outlet and the dust inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jang-keun Oh
  • Patent number: 8152877
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus has a cyclone chamber and a dirt collection chamber exterior to the cyclone chamber. The cyclone chamber has an air inlet and an opposed end. The dirt outlet from the cyclone chamber comprises a gap at the terminal end of a cyclone chamber wall proximate the opposed end. A shroud extends inwardly into the cyclone chamber from the opposed end and is preferably tapered in the upstream direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Euro-Pro Operating LLC
    Inventor: Mason Isaac Greene
  • Patent number: 8147580
    Abstract: A lid-opening apparatus for a dust collector includes a base installed on a lid, a controller connected on the base, a cord defining a first end associated with a conduit and a second end associated with the frame, and a limiting member associated with the cord and between the first end and the second end of the cord. The controller can be rotated to a first position and a second position. While the controller is in the first position, the cord is in a loose condition, a flexible portion of the conduit is stretched, and the lid seals the container. While the controller is in the second position, the cord is in a tight condition, the flexible portion of the conduit shortens, and the lid leaves the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Meta International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chih-Peng Lin
  • Patent number: 8142551
    Abstract: A filtration apparatus comprises a casing defining an inner cavity with an upper cylindrical portion and a lower hopper portion. An inlet feeds gas and solids into the inner cavity and causes movement of the solids in a downward spiral path in the casing. A solids outlet at a bottom of the lower hopper portion outlets the solids from the casing. A gas outlet exhausts gases from the casing. An annular arrangement of ports in a wall of the lower hopper portion of the casing injects an other gas in the inner cavity. The ports are oriented to guide the other gas into following a partially vertical path into the inner cavity to disrupt the movement of the solids in the downward spiral path to allow a capture of the solid particles by the capturing solids. A gas source is connected to the arrangement of ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Inventor: Guy Prud'homme
  • Patent number: 8118917
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for recovering moisture present in the atmosphere. The device comprises a collection structure with a water recovery surface which during use at least partly makes an angle with respect to the orientation of gravity. Further, the collection structure is detachably couplable to a reservoir for storing the recovered moisture. In addition, the collection structure is nestable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: P.M.M. Hoff Holding B.V.
    Inventor: Petrus Mattheus Maria Hoff
  • Patent number: 8114203
    Abstract: A collection unit includes an exhaust conduit providing a path through which a process gas flows, a trap installed in the exhaust conduit, and a collection line connected to the trap. The trap has an inlet through which particles in the process are introduced into the trap, and the collection line penetrates a portion of the exhaust conduit to extend toward an outside region of the exhaust conduit. An apparatus including the collection unit and a method for collecting particles using the same are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ki-Su Kim, Jung-Hyeon Kim
  • Patent number: 8110025
    Abstract: A dust collector for collecting sawdust and wood chips during use of wood working tools includes a conduit or hose connected through an impeller forcing air with entrained dust and chips to an inlet ring of a single stage dust collector. A particle collector reservoir is connected on the bottom of the inlet ring and a filter element is connected on top of the inlet ring. A tapered ring wall with a central opening is provided in the inlet ring and a baffle is mounted in the central opening of the ring wall. The baffle is of a cone shape and tapers an opposite direction from the frusto-conical ring wall. The inlet opening of the inlet ring is directed to between the ring wall and the baffle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Walter Meier (Manufacturing) Inc.
    Inventor: Barry Martin Schwaiger
  • Patent number: 8100999
    Abstract: A separating apparatus for a cleaning appliance, such as a vacuum cleaner, includes a separator for separating dirt and dust from a fluid flow and a collecting chamber arranged to collect dirt and dust separated by the separator. A first catch for opening a closure member on the collecting chamber is provided, with first releasing means for releasing this catch. There is also provided a second catch for releasing the collecting chamber from the separator and second releasing means for releasing the second catch. The second releasing means is inaccessible when the first catch is engaged. A cover associated with the first releasing means obscures the second releasing means until the first catch has been released. The invention prevents the user from accidentally releasing the collecting chamber from the separator when it was the user's intention simply to empty dirt and dust from the collecting chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Giles Ashbee, James Dyson
  • Patent number: 8101001
    Abstract: A cyclone separating device of a cleaner includes an upstream cyclone separating device and a downstream cyclone separating device. The upstream separating device communicates with the downstream cyclone separating device through a gas passage. The upstream cyclone separating device has a first cyclone barrel, while the downstream cyclone separating device has at least one second cyclone barrel. The downstream cyclone separating device is lying and set above the upstream separating device. The size of the cyclone separating device of the present invention is small in radial direction. The height of the cyclone separating device which is the sum of the height of the upstream cyclone separating device plus the height of the lying downstream cyclone separating device lying down is low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Inventor: Dongqi Qian
  • Publication number: 20110297478
    Abstract: A fluid separation device (400) for separating water from a stream of compressed air, has a housing (402) defining a first volume (404) with two apertures (406, 408) therein in communication with the first volume, the first volume and the apertures being adapted to have a stream of air flowing there through, a first filter (414) contained within the first volume for separating liquid water from the air stream, and a plurality of desiccant beads contained within the first volume for separating water vapour from the air. An exhaust silencer for the fluid separation device is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: NANO-POROUS SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventors: Colin Billiet, Brian Austin
  • Patent number: 8062398
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner with a cyclone module assembly comprising a separation chamber for separating dust and debris from air, a dirt collection chamber for collecting dust and debris that is separated from the air in the cyclone separation chamber, wherein the separation chamber further includes an exhaust grill that is removable for cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventors: Ming Luo, Wing-Hei Cho