Filtration Apparatus for Cleaning
A filter apparatus. The filter apparatus further comprises a filter, a canister, and a trigger, wherein the trigger permits or prevents airflow through the filter.
This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/843,159, filed on Jul. 5, 2013, incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT NOT APPLICABLE FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is directed to a filter attachment for a cleaning apparatus and, more particularly, to a HEPA filtration system that may be used in conjunction with a vacuum cleaner or sweeper machine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONFrom time to time, a person may use a vacuum or sweeper machine to clean a mess that has a bad odor, is partially or completely liquid, or has other properties that make it undesirable to store in a standard vacuum bag or canister. In order to clean this mess, the person must use a specialized machine made for a specific purpose or clean the mess by hand.
Of particular interest is the lack of a means in the art to clean, collect, or vacuum odorous insects such as “stink bugs” (insects of the families Pentatomidae and Rhopalidae, for example) without causing the insects to release a foul odor. When these insects are disturbed or damaged, they secrete a foul-smelling cyanide-based liquid which can permanently contaminate the inner workings of a machine such as a vacuum cleaner and can cause a residence or workplace to have a foul smell over time.
Vacuum cleaners containing an internal HEPA filtration system are available for purchase separately, however they are not designed to prevent odors from escaping the bag or canister and are directed to reducing dust and allergens. They are further unable to accommodate liquid messes. These teach away from the present invention because they require the person to purchase and maintain multiple machines to accomplish different purposes.
Machines which divert liquids into a canister by means of suction, often known as “wet/dry vacs” are commercially available. These teach away from the present invention because they focus their cleaning ability on non-dry debris and are often unsuitable for a high level of cleaning, for example, in a soiled residential carpet. They are further not directed at preventing odors from escaping the canister and are directed towards dust management. Notably, the high suction forces created by these machines cause substantial damage to stink bugs, increasing the smell released even as the insects are swept up.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention resides in one aspect in a filtration apparatus. The filtration apparatus has a handle, a filter, and a canister. The handle has a trigger which permits or prevents air flow through the filters. The canister collects debris prior to air filtration.
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The filtration apparatus 200 has a nozzle 700, a canister 600, and a trigger assembly 300, which form a continuous airtight pathway. As shown in
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Not shown in the Figures is a flexible hose 500, which may be of any length, that allows the filtration apparatus 200 to be hand-held and manipulated by a person without requiring the person also carry or manipulate the vacuum cleaner or sweeper machine base (not shown). In one embodiment, the flexible hose 500 is attached removably at a male hose end 520 to an outlet of the trigger assembly 330 and at a female hose end 510 to an adapter inlet 820. In another embodiment, the outlet of the trigger assembly 330 is attached removably to the adapter inlet 820. In another embodiment, the outlet of the trigger assembly 330 is attached fixedly to the adapter inlet 820.
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In one embodiment, the canister 600 can hold approximately 3 quarts of solid waste. In another embodiment, the canister 600 can hold up to 2 gallons of liquid. In another embodiment, the canister 600 is watertight. In one embodiment, the filtration apparatus 200 accommodates liquid waste by drawing it into the canister 600 in Direction B via the suction generated by the vacuum cleaner or sweeper machine. The canister 600 can be filled with dry and liquid waste up to the level of the filter 410. It is understood that canisters of different volumes and materials may be interchanged without departing from the present invention.
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It is understood that in other embodiments of the present invention the valve 340 may be moved away from the trigger outlet 330 to permit airflow in Direction C by means other than a stem and trigger, including but not limited to an automatic or computerized valve, a valve operated by other manipulation such as twisting or unscrewing, or other means.
A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.
Claims
1. A filter apparatus comprising:
- a filter;
- a canister; and
- a valve, the valve permitting or preventing airflow through the filter.
2. The filter apparatus of claim 1 wherein the valve is operated by a trigger.
3. The filter apparatus of claim 1 wherein the filter is a high efficiency particulate air filter.
4. The filter apparatus of claim 1 wherein the filter is an ultra-low penetration air filter.
5. The filter apparatus of claim 1 wherein the filter is a high-efficiency gas absorption filter.
6. The filter apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a removable canister.
7. The filter apparatus of claim 1 wherein at the canister is formed of thermoplastic polymer.
8. The filter apparatus of claim 2 wherein the trigger is spring-loaded.
9. The filter apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a universal adapter to attach to a suction-generating machine.
10. The filter apparatus of claim 8 wherein the universal adapter includes a flexible hose.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 3, 2014
Publication Date: Jan 8, 2015
Inventors: Frank Vincenzo Quarato (Apollo, PA), Stevan D. Karanovich, JR. (Monaca, PA)
Application Number: 14/323,057
International Classification: A47L 9/10 (20060101);