Abstract: A vacuum cleaning machine has a cannister with an inlet port and at least two outlet ports. At least two filters are disposed inside of the cannister, one in pneumatic communication through each of the outlet ports. At least two valves are disposed outside of the cannister. Each valve is in pneumatic communication between a vacuum source and an outlet port so as to permit air to be drawn by the vacuum source from the inlet port simultaneously through the filters. A controller operates the valves to switch the filters from the vacuum source to ambient air so as to permit ambient air to be sequentially intermittently drawn through corresponding valves and filters into the cannister. Preferably, the controller includes a timing mechanism for setting the delay time of the sequential valve operation and a timing mechanism for setting the intermittent time of connection of each filter to ambient air.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaning machine has a cannister with an inlet port and at least two outlet ports. At least two filters are disposed inside of the cannister, one in pneumatic communication through each of the outlet ports. At least two valves are disposed outside of the cannister. Each valve is in pneumatic communication between a vacuum source and an outlet port so as to permit air to be drawn by the vacuum source from the inlet port simultaneously through the filters. A controller operates the valves to switch the filters from the vacuum source to ambient air so as to permit ambient air to be sequentially intermittently drawn through corresponding valves and filters into the cannister. Preferably, the controller includes a timing mechanism for setting the delay time of the sequential valve operation and a timing mechanism for setting the intermittent time of connection of each filter to ambient air.

Abstract: A dual storage dust collector for a vacuum cleaner has a hopper for receiving the dust from the vacuum and a dump tank for receiving the dust from the hopper. A valve between the hopper and the dump tank is operable whether or not the vacuum is running. Thus, whenever the valve is open, dust falls from the hopper into the dump tank and, whenever the valve is closed, the dump tank can be disconnected from the hopper and emptied without interruption of the vacuuming process. In another embodiment, the dump tank can be replaced by a disposable bag filled directly from the valve.

Abstract: A valve and trigger cyclically connect a vacuum and a blower to a filter. The valve box has three openings, the first connectable to the vacuum, the second connectable to the blower and the third connectable to the filter. A gate inside the box, biased by the blower and the vacuum toward closing the first opening, is held against the bias by a trigger outside the box to close the second opening. The external trigger intervally operates to release the interior gate to close the first opening and open the second opening. The blower operates only if the trigger is operating. The gate is released once for approximately 1/12 of a cycle interval during each trigger operating interval. A plurality of valves can be combined in a system with one trigger for cyclically sequentially connecting a plurality of filters to the vacuum and the blower.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaning machine has a cannister with an inlet port and at least two outlet ports. At least two filters are disposed inside of the cannister, one in pneumatic communication through each of the outlet ports. At least two valves are disposed outside of the cannister. Each valve is in pneumatic communication between a vacuum source and an outlet port so as to permit air to be drawn by the vacuum source from the inlet port simultaneously through the filters. A controller operates the valves to switch the filters from the vacuum source to ambient air so as to permit ambient air to be sequentially intermittently drawn through corresponding valves and filters into the cannister. Preferably, the controller includes a timing mechanism for setting the delay time of the sequential valve operation and a timing mechanism for setting the intermittent time of connection of each filter to ambient air.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaning machine has a cannister with an inlet port and at least two outlet ports. At least two filters are disposed inside of the cannister, one in pneumatic communication through each of the outlet ports. At least two valves are disposed outside of the cannister. Each valve is in pneumatic communication between a vacuum source and an outlet port so as to permit air to be drawn by the vacuum source from the inlet port simultaneously through the filters. A controller operates the valves to switch the filters from the vacuum source to ambient air so as to permit ambient air to be sequentially intermittently drawn through corresponding valves and filters into the cannister. Preferably, the controller includes a timing mechanism for setting the delay time of the sequential valve operation and a timing mechanism for setting the intermittent time of connection of each filter to ambient air.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaning machine has a cannister with an inlet port and at least two outlet ports. At least two filters are disposed inside of the cannister, one in pneumatic communication through each of the outlet ports. At least two valves are disposed outside of the cannister. Each valve is in pneumatic communication between a vacuum source and an outlet port so as to permit air to be drawn by the vacuum source from the inlet port simultaneously through the filters. A controller operates the valves to switch the filters from the vacuum source to ambient air so as to permit ambient air to be sequentially intermittently drawn through corresponding valves and filters into the cannister. Preferably, the controller includes a timing mechanism for setting the delay time of the sequential valve operation and a timing mechanism for setting the intermittent time of connection of each filter to ambient air.

Abstract: A valve and trigger cyclically connect a vacuum and a blower to a filter. The valve box has three openings, the first connectable to the vacuum, the second connectable to the blower and the third connectable to the filter. A gate inside the box, biased by the blower and the vacuum toward closing the first opening, is held against the bias by a trigger outside the box to close the second opening. The external trigger intervally operates to release the interior gate to close the first opening and open the second opening. The blower operates only if the trigger is operating. The gate is released once for approximately {fraction (1/12)} of a cycle interval during each trigger operating interval. A plurality of valves can be combined in a system with one trigger for cyclically sequentially connecting a plurality of filters to the vacuum and the blower.

Abstract: A clipper for cutting an end from a cigar preparatory to smoking the cigar includes a pair of relatively slidable body sections, each of which has an opening at an outer end dimensioned to permit a finger to pass thereinto and a pair of slide rails disposed along the sides. Two opposed cutouts at the inner ends form a body hole, into which extend a pair of opposed blade edges, which each also have opposed cutouts that form a cutting hole. The body sections are slidable between an admitting position for placing the cigar end into the cutting hole and a cutting position wherein the blade cutouts obscure the cutting hole, thereby clipping the end from the cigar.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method to quickly and accurately measure the luminance and luminance distribution of a light on the surface of an object so that the position of the lamp can be adjusted relative to the projector optics to obtain the best luminance available for that object. A scanning light receiver, which produces an optical image of the object whose luminance is to be tested, is set up so that it may view a substantial portion of the surface of the object. The light receiver is connected to a analyzer and control unit ("ACU") to which it sends an electronic image representing the reflected luminance of the surface during each scan. The reflected light that is detected by the light receiver is then analyzed by the ACU to determine the luminance levels and distribution across a substantial portion of the surface by measuring the voltage of each pixel detected by the light receiver measured against the voltage produced by a black level.