Abstract: A vacuum cleaner assembly (10) is disclosed that includes a main housing (12) having an inlet (14) and an outlet (16). A motor (17a) is disposed within the main housing (12) between the inlet (14) and the outlet (16) for providing motive force to a cooling fan (17b), a blower (17c), and a separator (22). The cooling fan (17b) is mounted within the main housing (12) above the motor (17a) to circulate cooling air around the motor (17a). The blower (17c) is mounted within the main housing (12) below the motor (17a) for drawing air into the inlet (14) and exhausting air outwardly through the outlet (16). The separator (22) is mounted below the blower (17c) for circulating the air and water bath (20) within a water bath pan (36) and providing, in combination with the water bath (20), a primary filter for filtering the air prior to exhausting the air outwardly through the outlet (16).

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided including a nozzle assembly, an agitator brush mounted for relative rotation on the nozzle assembly, a motor and fan assembly carried on the vacuum cleaner and a handle and canister assembly pivotally mounted to the nozzle assembly. The handle and canister assembly includes a cavity for holding a dust bag, a removable access door for accessing the cavity and a retention flap across the corner of the access opening for engaging and retaining the dust bag fully in the cavity when the access door is installed following dust bag replacement. Preferably, one retention flap is provided at each corner of the access opening.

Abstract: A cyclonic dirt cup assembly for a vacuum cleaner has a generally conical truncated cone positioned within a dirt cup of the vacuum cleaner. The dirt cup has a wall formed with an air inlet opening for receiving a stream of dirt-laden air within the dirt cup. The cone is pivotally connected to a frame member which is removably mounted within the dirt cup. A baffle extends outwardly from a wall of the cone and is positioned adjacent the air inlet opening of the dirt cup for directing the stream of dirt-laden air in a cyclonic manner. The baffle includes a top wall, a side wall and a bottom wall. The baffle walls, the wall of the dirt cup and a wall of the cone form an air directing compartment which receives the dirt-laden air input through the inlet opening.

Abstract: A cyclonic separation device is provided having improved pressure loss characteristics. A fluid supply conduit in flow communication with an inlet to a cyclone is located and configured to extend longitudinally through a central portion of the cyclone, whereby the sharp bending of the conduit may be reduced, thereby reducing pressure losses in the device, without unduly interfering with the cyclonic flow within the cyclone. The present invention may be adapted for use with cyclonic separation devices of all types, including single- and multi-stage cyclonic separators.

Abstract: A terminal insert for a cyclone separator for separating a material from a fluid. The terminal insert has a distinct member positioned within the cyclone separator to impinge upon at least a portion of the fluid as it rotates within the cyclone separator to destructively interfere with the rotational motion of the fluid within the cyclone separator.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a body having an inlet and an outlet and an internal path for air from the inlet to the outlet, a fan in the path, and an electric motor for driving the fan to create a flow of air along the path. The vacuum cleaner includes first and second apertured support members in the path at a position upstream of the fan for supporting a sheet of flexible filter material between them in a substantially fixed manner.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a dual filter assembly includes a filter cage, a primary filter disposed on the filter cage, and a secondary filter disposed downstream of the primary filter. A float valve between the primary filter and the secondary filter inhibits liquid from coming into contact with the secondary filter.

Abstract: A dual filter assembly for a vacuum cleaner includes an annular inner filter mountable on a filter cage of the vacuum cleaner. The inner filter has a lower end and a retaining ring is attached to the lower end. An annular outer filter is removably mounted surrounding the inner filter, with a lower end of the outer filter supported by the retaining ring.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a reduced velocity chamber with a high velocity air inlet, an electric motor, a rotary mechanism driven by the motor for creating a vacuum in the chamber, an outlet for exhausting air from the chamber, which air flows in a selected path from the air inlet, through the chamber and out the air exhaust outlet and a disposable porous sheet filter layer in the chamber for removing large solid particles from the air. The vacuum cleaner also has an improved filter, wherein the improved filter includes a layer of material to remove very fine air particles and a layer of material to remove odors from the air.

Abstract: A separator device (3) provided with a cyclone chamber (11, 79) for separating solid and/or liquid particles from a gas flow. The cyclone chamber (11, 79) has an upper wall (49) in which an outlet opening (15) is present, and a substantially rotationally symmetrical side wall (47, 81) in which an inlet opening (13) is present adjacent the upper wall (49). A discharge opening (17, 85) for the separated solid and/or liquid particles is present at a side (55, 83) of the cyclone chamber (11, 79) remote from the upper wall (49). According to the invention, a rotatable annular centrifugal unit (61, 87) is arranged in the cyclone chamber (11, 79) around the outlet opening (15) near the upper wall (49), by means of which unit a short-circuit flow running directly from the inlet opening (13) to the outlet opening (15) in the cyclone chamber (11, 79) is prevented. The efficiency of the separator device (3) is considerably improved thereby.

Abstract: Domestic vacuum cleaner with multiple cyclones arranged in cascade, in which a first tangential cyclone supplied with a flow of dust-laden air captures the coarser particles in a first container arranged below said first cyclone and discharges the air flow, partially purified, into a first internal duct coaxial with the first cyclone and housing an axial swirling device which concentrates the residual particles in a peripheral fraction of the flow, which is conveyed by a capturing ring into a second tangential cyclone, while the residual fraction of flow passes through the ring and is conveyed by a second duct, axially aligned with the first duct, to a suction unit.The captured fraction of flow conveyed into the second cyclone deposits the residual particles in a second container arranged below the second cyclone and thus purified is sucked into the second duct by the fraction of flow passing through the ring, which acts as an extractor nozzle.

Abstract: A new water filter kit for drywall dust control for capturing and controlling dust generated from sanding drywall joint compound. The inventive device includes a container. A lid portion secures to the open upper end of the container. The lid has a pair of apertures therethrough. A filtering tube is secured to one of the apertures of the lid portion and extending interiorly of the container.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a suction path at least partially submerged in a container of water is subdivided into two parts. An upper part supports a suction motor assembly, and a lower part includes a container of water engaged perimetrically by hooking means to the upper part, and a tubular jacket inside the container partially immersed in the water, so that an annular interspace is formed between respective side facing walls. The interspace forms a siphon to allow suction motor means to draw air and/or liquid from the outside. Also included is a perforated separating diaphragm submerged in the water, and a first removable funnel shaped deflector means placed in an almost suspended position inside the tubular jacket above the water level.

Abstract: An air filter for a vacuum cleaner to easily clear floors, carpets, chairs and so on includes a the main body having a motor and a deflation hole installed in a dust collector having an intake port, and a filter means provided between the dust collector and the main body, wherein the main body includes a fixing part formed in the middle of the bottom part to secure an outlet filter and having a peripheral stepped portion in a downward conic-shape to mount a fixing frame having a number of intake slit and the filter means to be installed to the fixing frame includes an activated charcoal filter, a dust removing filter and a static electricity filter to remove sludge, stink, offensive smell and gas generated from various materials in a room by means of these filters being easy to install in the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: The invention provides a filter assembly for use in a vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner includes an airflow path (18), a dirt and dust collecting device arranged in the airflow path (18), a motor or fan unit (10) for causing air to flow along the airflow path (18). A first filter (12) is arranged immediately upstream of the motor or fan unit (10) and a second filter (14) is arranged downstream of the motor or fan unit (10), wherein the first and second filters (12, 14) are connected together so as to form the single filter assembly. The connection of the filters (12, 14) encourages the user of the vacuum cleaner to regularly maintain both filters (12, 14) thus improving the performance of the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A versatile waste disposal apparatus for separating and disposing the liquid waste from vacuum cleaning of soiled carpets. The air, liquid and accumulated dirt in a mixture from a conventional vacuum cleaner are separated in one large tank, and the filtered liquid is passed on either to an integrated or non-integrated smaller tank with cutoff, air venting, and pump controls. The filtered liquid is ultimately passed on to a wastewater system so that the tanks are empty after use. The waste disposal apparatus can be integrated with a dwelling's central vacuuming system and operated on house current. The apparatus can be installed in a vehicle and powered by the vehicle's battery.

Abstract: An exhaust filter for insertion into an exhaust port of a liquid bath vacuum cleaner has an elongated, tubular inlet secured to a lower housing, which lower housing is secured within an upper housing. The upper end of the tubular inlet extends into the upper housing and is provided with a flat top portion and a series of openings between angled vanes so as to direct air flow entering the tubular inlet evenly around the circumference of the angle vanes and through a HEPA filter sealingly secured between the lower and upper housings. Air flows through the HEPA air filter and out slotted openings in opposed ends of the exhaust filter. The flow of air at one end passes by a rotary blade having an indicator element thereon, which indicates the condition of the HEPA filter, and when the exhaust filter must be replaced.

Abstract: A hard bag cleaner door is disclosed having air directing rib vanes integral with its inner surface. These vanes take the form of, alternately, angled J-shaped ribs and short straight interleaved ribs. All the ribs are stepped so that the flow passage for air moving along the interior side of the bag door diverges as more bag air is introduced to it so that it directs efficiently air flow to a lower disposed motor-fan section of an adjoining hard bag portion. In a second embodiment, an exhaust opening is formed in the hard bag cleaner door below the air directing rib vanes and is covered by a final filter and final filter door. The air moving along the interior side of the bag door is directed out the exhaust opening, through the final filter which filters small dust particles which may be present in the exhaust air and out vent openings formed in the final filter door.

Abstract: An improved water vacuum extraction machine having a modular design allowing the detergent container to be removed when the machine is used in the vacuum mode when the detergent solution is not required. The water vacuum extraction machine includes a removable water filter to allow for the hydro filtration tank to be cleaned more easily. Further, an added filter is provided downstream of the suction motor to thereby reduce the amount of particles which are released into the environment. Specifically, the machine includes an outer casing including a bottom wall and a top wall and defining a chamber therein and a recovery tank removably positioned within the chamber. The hydro filter is disposed within the recovery tank and includes an inner tube and an outer which are concentrically arranged to define an annular space therebetween.

Abstract: In order to develop a suction device for cleaning purposes having a collecting container, which includes a closable suction inlet, a suction outlet and a filter disposed therebetween and is connected to a suction unit by a suction line emanating from the suction outlet, the suction line being closable by an outlet valve and an external air supply closable by a supply valve being disposed at the side of the filter remote from the suction inlet, in such a way that it facilitates filter dedusting, it is proposed that the suction device has a valve coupling unit, which links the closing of an inlet valve associated with the suction inlet and/or the opening of the supply valve to the closing of the outlet valve.

Abstract: An apparatus for fixing a trash bag to a vacuum cleaner that prevents the trash bag from being freely moved right and left and improves an assembling productivity of the fixing apparatus is disclosed. The fixing apparatus has first and second guiding bars formed on an inner wall of the dust collecting chamber for guiding a cardboard when the cardboard of the trash bag is inserted therein. First and second supporting brackets prevent the cardboard of the trash bag from being freely moved right and left by fixing the cardboard guided by the first and the second guiding bar. A fixing member which is elastically fixed inside of the first and second brackets prevents the cardboard of the trash bag, which is fixed by the first and the second supporting brackets, from being freely moved right and left. A fixing boss integrally formed with a floor of the dust collecting chamber and protruded upward fixes the fixing member to the first and second supporting brackets.

Abstract: An accessory for a vacuum cleaner having a vacuum source (21) and an inlet tube (18) or the like entering into a chamber (15), the inlet tube communicating with a nozzle opening (11) and being normally connected to a dust container (16), the chamber having an opening which is normally covered by a lid (17). The accessory is a separate unit which is removable secured to the vacuum cleaner and includes a cyclone separator. The accessory has an inlet side (32) that can be connected to the inlet tube (18). The accessory has a liner (25) to which a container part (27) is removably secured. The container part includes a first container (45) in which particles separated by the cyclone are collected and a second container (46) operable to collect particles separated by a coarse separator.

Abstract: An induction type of vacuum assembly for use with wet and dry vacuums is described. It includes a motor chamber; a solution chamber and a lower chamber for use inside of a canister that holds water and/or cleaning solution. A central chamber is inside of a solution tank and is in fluid connection with the lower chamber through a cage so as to prevent ingress of water into the motor assembly in the even that the level of the water rises. Foam filter(s) are used in connection with the cylindrical chamber so as to collect dirt and dirty water throughout the vacuuming operation.

Abstract: In a device for separating solid or liquid particles from a stream of gas, there is an aperture of a suction pipe which is substantially directed towards the axis of an impeller. The suction pipe is surrounded by a dust collecting container. To improve phase separation, especially in a vacuum cleaner in which the dust collecting container is fitted upstream of a dust bag, there is an axial aperture in the impeller and/or a straight aperture from the dust collecting container to the impeller. This generates an air vortex in the region of the opening of the suction pipe which carries the particles outwards where they are further transported into the dust collecting container by a secondary vortex induced therein.

Abstract: The present invention is a three stage water-from-air-filter system which can be used in combination with substantially any household vacuum cleaner. The system includes a main cylindrically shaped body and a hollow cylinder within the main body. The main body and cylinder form a ring-shaped chamber. The chamber has a spherical bottom partially filled with water. The hollow cylinder is made of a large pipe and a small pipe. The large pipe has an areohydrodynamic separator. An entrance nozzle may be located on either the main body or on the small pipe. Regardless of where the nozzle is located, polluted air enters the ring-shaped chamber through the nozzle. In the chamber the air mixes with the water. The air and water mixture is centrifugally separated several times through the concentric cylinders within the filter system to ensure a high quality of cleaning.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner assembly having a separator of reduced dimensions. The separator is operated at preferably between about 20,000 rpm-30,000 rpm and includes a reduced number of slots formed therein. A labyrinth sealing plate and fan adapter are secured to an upper end of the separator to prevent water and dust and dirt particles from bypassing the separator during operation. The separator is preferably spaced from about 1.0 inch to about 6 inches above the upper surface of the liquid in a liquid reservoir of the vacuum cleaner assembly with which the separator is used. The separator, because of its reduced dimensions and weight, is able to be driven with a small conventional, and less costly and less powerful motor at a higher speed than previously designed separators without suffering breakage. The higher speed of 20,000-30,000 rpm helps to prevent the airflow through the separator from being impeded because of the reduced number of slots.

Abstract: The invention provides a shroud (10; 40) for use in apparatus incorporating a cyclonic dust separation divice for separating dirt and dust from an airflow, the shroud (10; 40) having a perforated portion (14; 44) having a multiplicity of perforations (30; 46) for allowing the airflow to pass therethrough. According to the invention, the upstream edge of each perforation (30) meets the upstream surface (28) of the shroud (10) at a sharply defined angle. The invention improves the performance of the dust separation apparatus in conjunction with which the shroud (10; 40) is utilized.

Abstract: A filtration device particularly for use with vacuum cleaners used for collection of fine particles which tend to clog porous solid filters. The device utilizes readily replaceable water as a filtration medium with air being forced into the water then released for additional multiple water contacts. The device further includes horizontal baffles with air access apertures therein which are positioned above the surface of the water, with a vacuum being applied to the area. This redirects particle laden air into filtration contact with water multiple times wherein filtration efficiency is in excess of 99%.

Abstract: A hard bag cleaner door is disclosed having air directing rib vanes integral with its inner surface. These vanes take the form of, alternately, angled J-shaped ribs and short straight interleaved ribs. All the ribs are stepped so that the flow passage for air moving along the interior side of the bag door diverges as more bag air is introduced to it so that it directs efficiently air flow to a lower disposed motor-fan section of an adjoining hard bag portion.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for separating dirt or dust from an airflow comprising a frustoconical cyclone (12) having a tangential air inlet (16) located at or adjacent the end of the cyclone (12) having the larger diameter and a cone opening (18) located at the end of the cyclone (12) having the smaller diameter is described. A collector (20) is arranged so as to surround the cone opening (18) and has a base surface (24) facing towards the cone opening (18). The distance between the cone opening (18) and the base surface (24) is between 4 and 6 mm or between 45 and 60 mm. The apparatus (10) is reduced in size without substantially affecting the separation efficiency.

Abstract: A filter retainer for a vacuum cleaner includes a filter cage having several ribs. At the bottom of the filter cage is a lip which includes a plurality of notches. A cylindrical filter having open ends is slid over the filter cage. A cap is placed at the bottom of the filter in order to hold the filter to the filter cage. The cap has a pair of ramps which engage notches on the rim of the filter cage. As the cap is rotated, the cap is pushed towards the filter so that a lip on the cap engages a bottom of the filter.

Abstract: The invention provides a shroud (10; 40) for use in apparatus incorporating cyclonic dust separation structure for separating dirt and dust from an airflow, the shroud (10; 40) including a perforated portion (14; 44) having a multiplicity of perforations (30; 46) for allowing the airflow to pass therethrough. According to invention, the perforated portion (14) has a lower edge (16) and a lip (18) depending therefrom, the lip (18) including a parallel-sided portion (34) having an inclined distal end and a step (38) formed radially inwardly of the parallel-sided portion (34) and at the proximal end thereof. The invention improves performance of the dust separation apparatus in conjunction with which the shroud (10; 40) is utilized.

Abstract: The invention provides dust separating apparatus (10) including a cyclone (14) having an outer wall (14a) and an air inlet (12), a shroud (16) and an airflow path, the airflow path being arranged so as to direct an airflow flowing, in use, in the dust separating apparatus into the cyclone (14) via the air inlet (12) and out of the cyclone through the shroud (16). The air inlet (12) of the cyclone (14) is formed by a conduit (12a) projecting into the cyclone (14) between the outer wall (14a) and the shroud (16). This allows a swivel coupling to be attached to the air inlet (12) providing greater flexibility and maneuverability of the dust separating apparatus (10).

Abstract: The invention provides a vacuum cleaner (100) including an airflow path, dirt and dust collecting device arranged in the airflow path, a motor or fan unit (110) for causing air to flow along the airflow path and also arranged therein, a first filter (112) arranged immediately upstream of the motor or fan unit (110) and a second filter (114) arranged downstream of the motor or fan unit (110), wherein the arrangement is such that, when in use the dirt and dust collecting device are made accessible or removed for emptying or replacement, both filters (112, 114) are visible to the user. This arrangement encourages the user of the vacuum cleaner to regularly maintain both filters (112, 114), thus improving the performance of the vacuum cleaner (100).

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner with a removable collection module. The module has a combined collection assembly and filter element. The collection assembly has a one-piece frame and a cover attached to an open rear end of the frame. The filter element is permanently attached to the cover on an interior side. The cover has ribs that space the filter element from a rear side of the cover and form an air flow space between the filter element and the cover. The cover is mounted on a flange of the frame with a frictional air-tight connection.

Abstract: A wet/dry vacuum cleaner in one commonly available configuration includes a canister having an interior region defining a chamber, a motor mounted on the canister, a filter mounted on the canister and disposed within the chamber, and an inlet fitting attached to the canister. The inlet fitting is positioned generally adjacent the filter which results in the flow of air or water carrying debris generally towards the filter. The present invention is directed to a deflector boot which is secured to the inlet fitting for deflecting the flow of air or water carrying debris away from the filter. The deflector boot includes a cylindrical wall having an open end at one end thereof and an end wall that encloses the opposite end of the cylindrical wall. The open end of the cylindrical wall is sized to fit snugly over the inlet fitting when attaching the boot to the fitting.

Abstract: A connector system is disclosed for providing a connection between a tubular connector having external projections and a mounting collar having a hole with internal notches, for receiving the projections and securing them upon rotation. The connector opening has a non-planar edge and the collar includes an elastic sealing diaphragm with an elongated hole. This configuration of elements cooperate to reduce full contact between the diaphragm and connector during installation, permitting less force to be used in bringing the components into full connection and also providing a spring force which facilitates removal. Also disclosed is a bag for receiving a connector portion. The bag has a continuous perforation, approximately dimensioned to correspond to the connector portion's opening. The perforation is separated by contact with the connector, so as to admit the connector into the filter bag.

Abstract: Disclosed is a carpet cleaning machine having a revolving, cylinder-shaped, double-ended carpet cleaning member powered by a gear-driven drive shaft for removing dirty material from a carpet. In the improvement, the drive shaft is coupled to the first end and an idler shaft is coupled to the second end, is spaced from the drive shaft and supports the second end for rotation. Double-ended support of the cleaning member materially reduces problems arising from cantilever shafts used in prior art machines to drive cleaning members. Another embodiment has a centrifugal separator with an air stream exit mouth and two flow guides fixed with respect to such mouth. The flow guides have differing aperture areas and a cavity is between the guides for capturing material otherwise permitted to flow downstream and prematurely clog a mesh filter.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved method of employing a wet/dry vacuum cleaner for wet material pick-up. By employing a hydrophobic and air permeable filter material, such as an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), with a tight gasket around its edge in place of a conventional wet/dry vacuum filter, it has been determined that the filter can be retained in place at all times during operation, regardless of the material being collected.

Abstract: An adaptor for a vacuum cleaner having a vacuum source (21) and an inlet tube (18) communicating with a nozzle opening (11) and ending in a chamber (15) which has an opening closed by a cover (17). A dust container (16) is normally placed in the chamber and is connected to the inlet tube. The adaptor is a separate unit (26) which, when the dust container (16) and cover (17) have been removed, can be fixed to the vacuum cleaner. The adaptor includes a cyclone separator (32) having an inlet side which is connected to the inlet tube (18) and an outlet side communicating with the inlet side of the vacuum source (21).

Abstract: An air/liquid separator is provided in a hollow, preferably transparent, removable lid on a recovery tank of a wet pickup suction cleaner. The lid has a wall therein dividing the lid into an inlet/separating chamber and an exit chamber. Liquid and dirt entrained working air enters the inlet chamber and flows horizontally across the inlet chamber over a plurality of discharge openings passing through the lid bottom plate, such that the stream of dirty liquid and air is redirected downward through the discharge openings into the recovery tank. The plurality of discharge openings in the lid bottom plate are arranged generally progressively along the stream of liquid and air entering and flowing across the inlet chamber. The discharge openings preferably increase in size moving downstream in the inlet chamber, i.e. away from the entry into the inlet chamber. The exit chamber fluidly communicates with the interior of the recovery tank through an exit opening passing through the lid bottom plate.

Abstract: An improved machine for household cleaning which has, in a box-like body, a vacuum-cleaner section composed of a fan that is coupled to an electric motor, the intake of the fan being connected to a dirt suction duct. In the vacuum-cleaner section, upstream of the fan, the discharge of the fan generates a secondary air stream, separate from a main stream that contains dirt, in at least one Venturi duct that draws water from a water container and ends in a region where the main air stream passes, so as to wet and remove the dirt contained in the main stream.

Abstract: A manually closable collar for a vacuum cleaner bag is adapted to be secured to an air bag. The collar is formed from a single blank of relatively rigid material folded to define three overlying and generally planar panels. Each of the panels defines an aperture therethrough, the apertures being initially aligned in the collar to enable the passage of air therethrough and into the air bag. The middle panel of the collar defines (i) a fixed raceway element adhesively secured to at least one of the outer panels of the collar, and (ii) a detachable slider element secured to the raceway element only by various nicks. The slider element has a first portion defining the aperture of the middle panel and a second portion which is unapertured.

Abstract: A carpet cleaning machine includes a centrifugal separator with an air stream exit mouth having a mouth area. The improvement involves two air flow guides having, respectively, first and second apertures. The area of the second aperture is less than that of the first aperture and the guides define an annular cavity between them. Such cavity "captures" dirty material that would otherwise pass downstream into a mechanical filter and prematurely clog such filter. A new, related machine nozzle and method for removing dirty material from air flowing in a carpet cleaning machine are also disclosed.

Abstract: A wet cleaning apparatus having an intake connection and at least one air outlet opening is provided. The apparatus has a blower motor and a container for cleaning liquid. The container is disposed in the immediate vicinity of the motor, either above it, next to it, or around it.

Abstract: A secondary air filter assembly that can be attached to the exhaust port of an upright vacuum cleaner is provided. The assembly includes an adapter plate that is adhered, clipped or otherwise affixed to the exhaust port, and a filter carrier that is removably attached to the base. The filter is preferably affixed as a unit to the filter carrier so that the entire filter/carrier unit can be replaced at once. The adapter base can also be used as an attachment for other accessories.

Abstract: A manually closable collar for a vacuum cleaner bag is adapted to be secured to an air bag. The collar is formed from a single blank of relatively rigid material folded to define three overlying and generally planar panels. Each of the panels defines an aperture therethrough, the apertures being initially aligned in the collar to enable the passage of air therethrough and into the air bag. The middle panel of the collar defines (i) a fixed raceway element adhesively secured to at least one of the outer panels of the collar, and (ii) a detachable slider element secured to the raceway element only by various nicks. The slider element has a first portion defining the aperture of the middle panel and a second portion which is unapertured.

Abstract: An obturation device for the disposable bag (1) of a vacuum cleaner, the bag (1) having a rigid area (1a) in the vicinity of a closable filling inlet, in order to fix the bag (1) to a frame part (13) of the vacuum cleaner, as well as a flap (5) for closing the bag (1) , the flap being displaceable by rotation between an open position and a closed position of the filling inlet in the extension plane of the rigid area (1a). The closing flap (5) is mounted in the rigid area (1a) which is provided with a profiled perforation (4a) whose shape and contour form a guiding structure (4) within which the closing flap (5) can move. Application to disposable bags for vacuum cleaners.

Abstract: A filter cleaning system for a vacuum that includes a housing that is open across its top end and is arranged to be covered by a removable lid whereon is mounted a vacuum source. The housing includes a hose port for connection to a vacuum hose, and the housing can be mounted on wheels, casters, or the like. A double filter system, that includes separate primary and secondary filters, is arranged within the housing, with the secondary filter mounted across the vacuum source inlet, and with the primary filter, that is a bag connected to the lid undersurface, for containing the secondary filter and a filter support. The filter support is a rigid fame connected at a fight angle to an end to a straight rod that extends through the lid to be manipulated by an operator to move the filter support so as to engage surfaces of both the primary and secondary filters, to vibrate and shake collected particles therefrom.

Abstract: A secondary air filter assembly that can be attached to the exhaust port of an upright vacuum cleaner is provided. The assembly includes an adapter plate that is adhered, clipped or otherwise affixed to the exhaust port, and a filter carrier that is removably attached to the base. The filter is preferably affixed as a unit to the filter carrier so that the entire filter/carrier unit can be replaced at once. The adapter base can also be used as an attachment for other accessories.