Separator Element Cleaning In Situ And/or Storage Or Removal Of Retained Dirt Patents (Class 15/352)
  • Patent number: 6588054
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes an upright housing section and a nozzle section. A cyclonic airflow dirt and dust separating chamber is defined in said upright housing section. A suction source pulls air and entrained dirt, dust, and other contaminants through a main suction opening formed in the underside of the nozzle and into the cyclonic airflow chamber. The cyclonic airflow chamber causes the suction airstream to travel in a cyclonic path such that the entrained contaminants are separated therefrom and deposited into a dirt container that defines the chamber. A main filter element filters residual contaminants from the suction airstream between the chamber and the suction source. The main filter element is preferably made from high-density polyethylene porous filter media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: National City Bank
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Bair, Richard C. Gibbs, Mark E. Reindle, Michael F. Wright
  • Patent number: 6588055
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes an upright housing section and a nozzle section. A cyclonic airflow dirt and dust separating chamber is defined in said upright housing section. A suction source pulls air and entrained dirt, dust, and other contaminants through a main suction opening formed in the underside of the nozzle and into the cyclonic airflow chamber The cyclonic airflow chamber causes the suction airstream to travel in a cyclonic path such that the entrained contaminants are separated therefrom and deposited into a dirt container that defines the chamber. A main filter element filters residual contaminants from the suction airstream between the chamber and the suction source. The main filter element is preferably made from high-density polyethylene porous filter media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: National City Bank
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Bair, Richard C. Gibbs, Mark E. Reindle, Michael F. Wright
  • Patent number: 6588056
    Abstract: A web trim collection system having an air pressure system to move web trim. A divert bin operable in a first position to allow the web trim to be deposited in a collection bin. The divert bin is also operable in a second position to intercept the web trim, so as to allow the collection bin to be removed from the collection system while the collection system continues to collect trim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Russell W. Holbrook, Edward M. Ifkovits, Douglas G. Long, Daniel J. Williams
  • Publication number: 20030121121
    Abstract: An electric vacuum cleaner is equipped with a dust collection unit (20) that can be detachably installed in the air passage en route from a suction unit to an electric fan of the cleaner. The dust collection unit (20) comprises a dust collecting case (21) for accumulating dust sucked in, a lid member (32) that can be opened to discharge the accumulated dust; and a lock mechanism (clamp lever) (33) for locking the lid member 32 tightly closed. The electric vacuum cleaner is further provided with a lid opening mechanism (lid opening stick (35) for forcibly opening the lid member (32) in cooperation with the lock mechanism locking the lid member. Even when the sealing pressure of the packing is high or when the accumulated dust does not weigh on the lid member because the dust is compacted on the inner wall of the dust collecting case, the lid member can be opened without difficulty to discharge the dust, without opening it by hand. Thus, the user can avoid handling unsanitary dust.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Applicant: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Nakai, Atsuo Hamada, Kazumasa Kamatani, Kazuyoshi Yoshimi, Akihiro Yoneyama
  • Patent number: 6582489
    Abstract: An improved two-stage separator uses reusable containers for collecting particles separated by each separation stage. The reusable containers are constructed such that a user empties both reusable containers by the actions required to empty just one of the reusable containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Polar Light Limited
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 6578230
    Abstract: An upright-type vacuum cleaner includes a cleaner body having a dust collecting chamber and a motor driving chamber, a suction brush, and a cyclone dust collecting device removably mounted on the dust collecting chamber. The cyclone dust collecting device includes a cover, first and second cyclone bodies for centrifuging and collecting contaminants entrained in the air, a lower door, and an outlet pipe. The second cyclone body includes a grill having a plurality of perforations formed therein to filter out small particle contaminants. The lower door is removably mounted on a lower end of the first cyclone body, and the outlet pipe discharges the clean air. The cyclone dust collecting device prevents a backflow of contaminants, thereby, collecting contaminants are more effectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Samsung Kwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyu-Chang Park, Jang-Keun Oh
  • Patent number: 6574829
    Abstract: A leaf receptacle lid attaches to a hand-held portable lawn blower/vacuum having an inlet for drawing air and leaves into the blower/vacuum and having a hose outlet for discharging the air and leaves. The lid contains a vertical chute and an overhanging horizontal lip. The chute is adapted to hold a flexible leaf receptacle and the overhanging lip is adapted to rest upon a support. The lid also contains a hinged door having an opening connected to the frame. The lid further contains a porous conduit having an inlet adapted to removably connect to the hose outlet of the blower/vacuum and having an outlet that communicates with the opening in the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Inventors: Hubert W. Marcum, Stephen M. DeVore
  • Patent number: 6569218
    Abstract: A method of using vacuum-cleaner filters includes mounting a cylindrical-shaped filter cartridge coaxially on a rotatable spindle. Then air is drawn radially through a filter material wall of the filter cartridge. Periodically, the cartridge filter on the spindle is spun to dislodge any debris entrapped in the filter material by centrifugal force. Air flow is selectively drawn or pushed radially through a filter material wall of the filter cartridge. A clutch disposed between a motor and the spindle is used to periodically spin the cartridge filter on the spindle to dislodge any debris entrapped in the filter material by centrifugal force. Preferably, a motor that can be run in either a forward direction or a reverse direction is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Inventor: David Edmond Dudley
  • Patent number: 6560816
    Abstract: A central vacuum cleaner system is mounted within the wall of a building and includes an in wall mounted enclosure. The enclosure has a front door moveable between open and closed positions, and a vacuum cleaner bag holder in the enclosure moveable between closed and open positions, so that the door engages the holder when the door is moved from the open to the closed position, thereby moving the bag holder from its open to its closed position. A conduit extends from at least one remotely located hose inlet connector to a distal end within the enclosure, with the distal end being inserted into a bag carried by the bag holder when the bag holder is moved to the closed position. A vacuum source, preferably within the enclosure, is adapted to draw air from the inlet connector into the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Vacs America, Inc.
    Inventor: Clyde W. Harrelson, II
  • Publication number: 20030084536
    Abstract: A bagless vacuum cleaner having a removable dust extraction and collection unit. The removable dust extraction and collection unit has an enclosed inlet chamber and an enclosed outlet chamber. The bottom wall of the enclosed inlet chamber is pivotally hinged such that the bottom wall can be alternatively opened and closed. When opened, accumulated dust within the inlet chamber is conveniently gravitated out of the dust extraction and collection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventor: Billy Yung
  • Patent number: 6540804
    Abstract: An air cleaner includes a fan unit (1; 1′) and a filter unit (3) that is entirely replaceable, where the fan unit (1; 1′) and the filter unit (3) are mutually connected by a quick coupling and the filter unit includes a filter and an exterior casing that defines an exterior of the air cleaner when the air cleaner is in an operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Blue Air AB
    Inventor: Johan Wennerström
  • Patent number: 6536075
    Abstract: A waste recuperating electrical apparatus (13) composed of a suction device that includes in particular an electric motor (20) and a suction turbine (22), a suction aperture (16a), and a tubular filter (1) forming a waste receptacle. The apparatus (13) further has a housing (14) arranged between the suction aperture (16a) and the suction turbine (22) with both of which it communicates on either side through ducts (16b) and the tubular filter (1) is arranged in the housing (14) such that one of its end orifices (6) is sealed and the opposite end orifice (4) is directly connected to the suction nozzle duct (16b). The filter housing has elements maintaining (3) the filter spaced from the filter (1) housing (14) inner wall so as to increase the volume around the duct enclosing the filter periphery in the suction turbine direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Jacques Bonnet, Jose Saude
  • Patent number: 6536072
    Abstract: A dirt cup latching arrangement includes a cleaner housing portion and a dirt cup mounted on the housing portion to define a mounted position. A latch assembly is pivotally mounted to the housing portion. A catch frame is pivotally mounted to the housing portion in spaced relation to the latch assembly. The latch assembly and the catch frame cooperate to selectively secure the dirt cup to the housing portion. A tool storage arrangement can include a cap pivotally mounted to the housing with the cap having an upper surface and a lower surface. At least one indentation is located on the cap upper surface and is shaped for accommodating an associated cleaning tool of the vacuum cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Charles J. Thur, Michael A. Seifried, Paul D. Stephens, Steven J. Paliobeis, Jeffrey M. Kalman
  • Patent number: 6533871
    Abstract: A carpet extractor includes a base assembly 1 including a housing 10 which selectively receives a recovery tank 22 for collecting dirty cleaning fluid. A nozzle assembly 67 is mounted to the base housing and provides a fluid flowpath 182 for dirty cleaning fluid from the floor surface to the recovery tank. The nozzle assembly is pivotable from a first position, in which the fluid flowpath communicates with the recovery tank, to a second position, in which the nozzle assembly is spaced from the recovery tank to allow the recovery tank to be removed from the base housing. A second flowpath 138 is formed on the recovery tank between the tank and a nozzle plate 136. The flowpaths have openings 218, 140, respectively, at their lower ends, which are located either side of two longitudinally spaced brushrolls 60, 62. A flap valve 474 selectively closes both flowpaths during above floor cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Terry L. Zahuranec, Brett Latimer, Robert A. Salo, Mark E. Cipolla, Wallace D. Tiller, Jr., Jeffrey M. Kalman, Craig M. Saunders
  • Patent number: 6532620
    Abstract: An upright-type vacuum cleaner includes a cleaner body, a suction brush, cyclone dust collecting apparatus, and a filter. The cyclone dust collecting apparatus is removably disposed in a dust collecting chamber in the cleaner body. The suction brush draws air and contaminants from a surface to be cleaned into the cleaner body. The cyclone dust collecting apparatus induces the air and contaminants into a vortex to separate by centrifugal force large particle contaminants from the air and to collect the contaminants. The filter further filters fine contaminants from the air that is discharged from the cyclone dust collecting apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Samsung Kwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jang-Keun Oh
  • Patent number: 6533833
    Abstract: A liquid collection vessel for an air and liquid vacuum system of the type incorporating an air vacuum unit coupled to the vessel for drawing air and liquid therein. The vessel includes a generally cylindrical housing having an upper region. An ingress nozzle is disposed in the upper region of the housing and is adapted for receiving air and liquid there through and into the housing in response to low pressure created by the vacuum unit coupled thereto. The ingress nozzle is further disposed angularly within the housing for discharging air and liquid into the housing in a descending, tangential flow pattern. An air intake manifold is likewise disposed within the housing and coupled to the air vacuum unit for drawing air out of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Mark Schmitz
  • Patent number: 6530117
    Abstract: An improved wet vacuum is described which removes floor stripping chemicals and residual water left behind from a floor stripping machine. The vacuum system is portable, battery operated and houses a storage reservoir constrained via elastic straps on a rollable base. A vacuum box is operatively mounted to a motor and include moisture reduction features which reduce moisture accumulation in and around the motor via an adapted flow path and drain channel. A single lever and rear activated squeegee mechanism which is in fluid communication with the vacuum system is selectively lowered an raised for removing floor cleaning chemicals and/or other liquids from the surface of a floor. An interior mechanical brace assembly is also featured to prevent reservoir buckling from operative vacuum pressure. A simple control module is provided for operating and monitoring power for the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Inventor: Robert A. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20030037405
    Abstract: The invention is a floor care appliance such as vacuum cleaner having several embodiments of a dirt particle separating and collecting system removably inserted and sidewardly disposed into a recess in the floor care appliance's housing. One embodiment of the dirt particle separating and collecting system includes a translucent dirt cup having an apertured wall between a dirt particle collecting chamber and a second chamber housing a primary filter. One other embodiment is a translucent bag container for housing a filtration bag. The filtration bag may or may not be disposable and may or may not have a HEPA rating. Other embodiments include utilizing a single dirt container for housing the apertured wall and primary filter combination, a filtration bag only, or a combination of a filtration bag and the apertured wall and primary filter combination. Portions of the various embodiments of the dirt collecting systems may be seen through cutaway portions of the cleaner housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventors: David W. Moine, David J. Boles, Nick M. Bosyi, Kurt D. Harsh, Jackson W. Wegelin
  • Patent number: 6521006
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner capable of efficiently separating and eliminating dust and dirt is provided. The vacuum cleaner including a body having open and closed spaces divided by a partition, a suction brush connecting port formed on the upper side of the body and interconnected with the open space, an interconnecting hole formed on the partition for interconnecting the open and closed spaces, a motor mounted in the closed space of the body for generating a suction force, and a dirt collecting unit detachably mounted in the open space of the body for centrifugally separating dirt and dust contained in the air sucked in through the suction brush connecting port by the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Samsung Kwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyu-Chang Park, Jang-Keun Oh, Jeong-Gon Song
  • Publication number: 20030024069
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes an upright housing section and a nozzle section. A cyclonic airflow dirt and dust separating chamber is defined in said upright housing section. A suction source pulls air and entrained dirt, dust, and other contaminants through a main suction opening formed in the underside of the nozzle and into the cyclonic airflow chamber. The cyclonic airflow chamber causes the suction airstream to travel in a cyclonic path such that the entrained contaminants are separated therefrom and deposited into a dirt container that defines the chamber. A main filter element filters residual contaminants from the suction airstream between the chamber and the suction source. The main filter element is preferably made from high-density polyethylene porous filter media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Bair, Richard C. Gibbs, Mark E. Reindle, Michael F. Wright
  • Publication number: 20030019074
    Abstract: A cyclone dust collecting apparatus that includes a cyclone body that has an inflow passage and a outflow passage, and is removably connected with a cleaner body; a grill body that has a connection passage for being connected with the outflow passage; a shielding member removably connected with the grill body in order to shield a lower opening of the grill body; a dust collector removably connected with a lower part of the cyclone body in order to collect dust separated in the cyclone body; and a blocking member for preventing the dust collector from being connected with the cyclone body when the shielding member is not assembled at the grill body. Also, an upright vacuum cleaner which utilizes the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Jang-keun Oh, Jung-seon Park
  • Publication number: 20030014830
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes an upright housing section and a nozzle section. A cyclonic airflow dirt and dust separating chamber is defined in said upright housing section. A suction source pulls air and entrained dirt, dust, and other contaminants through a main suction opening formed in the underside of the nozzle and into the cyclonic airflow chamber. The cyclonic airflow chamber causes the suction airstream to travel in a cyclonic path such that the entrained contaminants are separated therefrom and deposited into a dirt container that defines the chamber. A main filter element filters residual contaminants from the suction airstream between the chamber and the suction source. The main filter element is preferably made from high-density polyethylene porous filter media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Applicant: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Bair, Richard C. Gibbs, Mark E. Reindle, Michael F. Wright
  • Patent number: 6507974
    Abstract: A dust collector includes a main frame, a suction device, a hollow support member, upper and lower dust collecting bags, and a plurality of clamping plates. The suction device includes a housing formed with an inlet and outlet, and a blade unit for drawing and discharging dust-laden air into and from the housing via the inlet and outlet, respectively. Each clamping plate includes a mounting segment secured on an outer wall surface of the support member, a clamping segment that cooperates with the outer wall surface of the support member so as to clamp a mouth portion of the lower dust collecting bag therebetween, and a guide segment that guides the mouth portion of the lower dust collecting bag for insertion between the clamping segment and the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: San Ford Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mao-Nan Cheng
  • Patent number: 6508618
    Abstract: A pump has a housing defining a pump chamber and having a shaft opening. An impeller shaft extends through the shaft opening and is sized to define a gap between the impeller shaft and the shaft opening. An impeller is attached to the shaft inside the pump chamber. The impeller includes a first set of impeller blades for transporting fluid through the pump chamber and a second set of impeller blades for creating a pressure force which pushes fluid away from the shaft opening. The pump with sealless shaft prevents fluid from leaking through the gap, and therefore is particularly suited for use in a tank-type vacuum cleaner capable of collecting both dry material and fluid. The gap is used in such an application to prime the pump, thereby discharging fluid collected in the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Shop-Vac Corporation
    Inventor: Robert C. Berfield
  • Publication number: 20030005547
    Abstract: The invention relates to a removable dust collection module (5) for use with vacuum cleaners as well as a vacuum cleaner incorporating such modules and the method of detachably securing the dust collection module (5) to a vacuum cleaner housing. The dust collection module is slidably received within a vacuum cleaner and comprises a latch member (81) that can move from a first position in which it engages with the clamshell of the vacuum cleaner (1) to retain the dust collection module within the vacuum cleaner, to a second position out of engagement with the vacuum cleaner to allow the dust collection module to be removed. The latch member is displaceable from its first to second position by activation of a slidable release member (7) which is actuated by an end user so as to lock or unlock the dust collection module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Inventor: Daniel Bone
  • Patent number: 6502277
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner assembly including a vacuum cleaner housing (10) and an air filtration unit removably installed in the housing. The unit includes a coarse separator (25), a cyclone with a cyclone chamber (26), a collecting container (27), and a releasable cover plate (37). The coarse separator (25) receives dirt-laden air. Air is tangentially introduced into the cyclone chamber (26), which is downstream the coarse separator (25). The collecting chamber (27) receives particles separated from the air stream in the cyclone chamber (26). The cover plate (37) serves as a wall part for each of the coarse separator, cyclone, and collecting container whereby, after the unit (14) has been removed from the housing (10), the cover plate is removed to simultaneously reveal the coarse separator, cyclone, and collecting container to permit emptying thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
    Inventors: Stefan Petersson, Patrik Pastuhoff
  • Patent number: 6502278
    Abstract: An upright type vacuum cleaner includes a cyclone type dust collector to collect contaminants from the air that is drawn in through a suction brush. The cyclone type dust collector includes a cover, first and second cyclone receptacles, and a lower door. The first cyclone receptacle separates by centrifugal force and collects large particle contaminants. The second cyclone receptacle, disposed in the first cyclone receptacle, separates and collects minute dust and includes a grill having a plurality of fine holes, through which air from the first cyclone receptacle flows into the second cyclone receptacle. The lower door provides access to the contaminants collected in the first and second cyclone receptacles. A reverse flow prevention section is also provided to prevent a reverse flow of contaminants from the lower door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Inventors: Jang-Keun Oh, Kyu-Chang Park
  • Patent number: 6502274
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Vacs America, Inc.
    Inventor: Clyde W. Harrelson, II
  • Publication number: 20020184731
    Abstract: The invention is floor care appliance such as vacuum cleaner having two embodiments of a dirt particle separating and collecting system removably inserted into a recess in the floor care appliance's housing. One embodiment of the dirt particle separating and collecting system includes a translucent dirt cup having an apertured between two adjacent dirt particle collecting chambers and a primary filter located in one of the chambers. The other embodiment is a translucent bag container and a filtration bag. The filtration bag may or may not be disposable and may or may not have a HEPA rating. When either embodiment of the dirt particle separating and collecting system is installed in the housing, a portion of the dirt particle separating and collecting system is not visible in the area in the front of the floor care appliance. Another portion of the dirt particle separating and collecting system is visible in the area in the front of the floor care appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventors: David W. Moine, David J. Boles, Nick M. Bosyi, Kurt D. Harsh, Jackson W. Wegelin
  • Publication number: 20020178536
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a vacuum cleaner appliance comprising a box-like body (1) made up of a top part (2) and a bottom part (3). The top part (2) includes a vacuum cleaning unit (16) provided with filter (20) and the bottom part (3) comprises a space (25) for the housing of an extractable filter container (15) and an opening (11) for the intake of dusty air (13) provided in one of its side walls. The bottom part is provided with a side door (8) that is openable for the extraction of the filter container (15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventor: Guido Valentini
  • Publication number: 20020178535
    Abstract: An upright-type vacuum cleaner in which a cyclone body is connected to and separated from a cleaner body without the use of a separate tool. The upright-type vacuum cleaner has a cleaner body having a suction brush formed at a lower part, and a vacuum-generating device built therein. A cyclone unit for separating dust from the air drawn through a suction passage is connected with the suction brush, and discharges the cleaned air through a discharging passage connected with the vacuum-generating device. A dust-container is removably connected with a lower part of the cyclone unit, for collecting the separated dust by the cyclone unit. The cyclone unit has a locking handle, and a handle connection portion for removably connecting with the locking handle, formed on a corresponding place on the cleaner body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Jang-Keun Oh, Min-Jo Choi
  • Patent number: 6488731
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pleated filter made of a multi-layer filter medium, including at least one filter paper layer having area weights of 30-100 g/m2, a microfiber nonwoven fabric layer having area weights 5-120 g/m2 and a support nonwoven fabric layer made of synthetic, polymeric fibers having area weights of 10-120 g/m2. The layers of the pleated filter contain fused polymer areas by which the fabric layers are bonded to the paper layer, and by which the fabric layers are made firmer within themselves. When subject to a fractional efficiency test at an initial pressure difference of at most 180 Pa, at a boundary speed of approximately 2.62 m/s and a flow speed through the filter medium of approximately 0.13 m/s, the pleated filter is able to separate at least 90% of particles greater than 0.3 &mgr;m, at least 92% of particles greater than 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Firma Carl Freudenberg
    Inventors: Wolfram Schultheiss, Felix Herberg, Jörg Stöckler
  • Publication number: 20020174989
    Abstract: An apparatus for pointing twist drill bits includes a processing unit which has a rotary index plate on which are mounted a plurality, e.g., five, of drill bit holders which are circumferentially spaced apart at equal, e.g., 72-degree intervals, and a loading unit which has located adjacent to the index plate a rotary pedestal on which are mounted an equal number of transfer arms. Located around the periphery of the processing unit and loading unit are a plurality of processing stations and loading unit operation stations, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventor: Ichiro Katayama
  • Publication number: 20020174509
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes an upright housing section and a nozzle section. A cyclonic airflow dirt and dust separating chamber is defined in said upright housing section. A suction source pulls air and entrained dirt, dust, and other contaminants through a main suction opening formed in the underside of the nozzle and into the cyclonic airflow chamber. The cyclonic airflow chamber causes the suction airstream to travel in a cyclonic path such that the entrained contaminants are separated therefrom and deposited into a dirt container that defines the chamber. A main filter element filters residual contaminants from the suction airstream between the chamber and the suction source. The main filter element is preferably made from high-density polyethylene porous filter media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Bair, Richard C. Gibbs, Mark E. Reindle, Michael F. Wright
  • Patent number: 6484350
    Abstract: A bagless canister vacuum cleaner having a chasse, an air blower and a dust extraction and collection unit is provided. The dust extraction and collection unit has an easily removable inlet chamber and an easily removable outlet chamber. The inlet chamber is substantially cylindrical, and the outlet chamber is disposed concentrically within the upper portion of the inlet chamber. Duct work within the chasse conducts air from the air inlet and into the inlet chamber in tangential fashion, such that air swirls about the inside walls of the inlet chamber. Air within the inlet chamber is then allowed to escape from the inlet chamber into the outlet chamber via a plurality of small holes disposed in the side walls of the outlet chamber. Air within the outlet chamber is exhausted to the blower via a top wall opening in the outlet chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Shell Electric MFG. (Holdings) Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Billy Yung
  • Patent number: 6482252
    Abstract: An apparatus for filtering a dirty air stream in a vacuum cleaner to obtain a clean air stream includes subjecting the dirty air stream to a first cyclonic separation stage to obtain a partially cleaned air stream and subjecting the partially cleaned air stream to an electronic filtration stage and optionally a second cyclonic separation stage to obtain the clean air stream. The electronic filtration stage is optionally removable with a cyclonic cleaning stage from the vacuum cleaner. The electronic filtration stage is optionally an electrostatic precipitator which utilizes air flow through the vacuum cleaner to generate the voltage used by the electrostatic precipitator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Fantom Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Ernest Conrad, Helmut Gerhard Conrad
  • Publication number: 20020166199
    Abstract: A dirt collecting system for a vacuum cleaner includes a dirt cup formed with a course particle separation chamber and a fine particle separation chamber separated by an apertured wall. An inlet opening is formed in the dirt cup and communicates with the course particle separation chamber for inputting a stream of dirt laden air into the course particle separation chamber. A clean air outlet opening is formed in the fine particle separation chamber for allowing the filtered air stream to exit the dirt cup. The apertured wall includes a pre-filter for filtering coarse particles from a stream of dirt laden and depositing the coarse particles in the course particle separation chamber. A fine particle separation filter is positioned within the fine particle separation chamber and communicates with the clean air outlet opening. The fine particle separation filter separates fine particles from the air stream and deposits the fine particles within the fine particle separation chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: David J. Boles, Nick M. Bosyj, David A. Bradshaw, Charles R. Morrow, Rodney J. Svik, Kevin S. Waltz
  • Publication number: 20020166198
    Abstract: A dirt collecting system for a vacuum cleaner includes a dirt cup having a dirt collecting chamber. The dirt cup is removably inserted into the housing of a vacuum cleaner. When the dirt cup is inserted into the housing, the dirt cup is fluidly connected to the suction nozzle and a suction source. The dirt cup is provided with a pivotally connected lid and a thumb tab located on the lid. The thumb tab is used to move the lid into the open position when the dirt cup is emptied. A handle is provided on the front of the dirt cup for grasping the dirt cup during removal from the vacuum cleaner housing and during emptying.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: James A. McGilll, David M. J. Allgeier
  • Patent number: 6473933
    Abstract: Belt-mounted vacuum apparatus and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a belt-mounted vacuum apparatus includes a belt member adapted to engage about an operator's waist, a dirt receptacle attached to the belt member, and a vacuum unit attached to the belt member and spaced apart from the dirt receptacle. The vacuum unit is operatively coupled with the dirt receptacle such that an airflow created by the vacuum unit propels particulates through the intake port and into the dirt receptacle. In alternate embodiments, the vacuum unit may be spaced apart from the dirt receptacle by a small distance, or may be positioned on opposite sides of the operator. In another embodiment, an apparatus includes a belt member having a stiffened portion. The stiffened portion may, for example, comprise an outer shell. Alternately, the belt member may also include a flexible, padded layer that engages with the operator's waist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Oreck Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher M. Paterson, Paul A. Moshenrose, William G. Fish, James McCain, Charles W. Reynolds, Michael E. Embree
  • Patent number: 6470930
    Abstract: A storage and dust port device combines a body having a hollow interior and a vacuum port for vacuuming up dust particles and chips with a device for storing tool bits. The dust collection portion and the storage portion may be part of the same body or may be connected together by various means. A lid may also be provided to protect the stored tools from dust. The storage and dust port device may include a means to secure it to the work table so that the device may be used as a guide or fulcrum so as to minimize the kickback of the work piece as a result of the machining operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Inventor: Richard L. Stottmann
  • Publication number: 20020148070
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes working elements of cleaner, that is, a blower and a dust collection unit disposed in a nozzle section of which casing is composed of an upper unit and a lower unit, and having a handle coupled to the nozzle section. At least one of the working elements is supported by the upper unit and a support unit provided in the lower unit or by the lower unit and a support unit provided in the upper unit. Therefore, the cleaner can be repaired without having all screws removed, thus repaired conveniently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: Norihiro Tsuchiya, Hiroshi Mori, Tomonori Kato, Hideo Okubo, Saburo Kajikawa
  • Patent number: 6463622
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a first housing defining a cyclonic airflow chamber and a second housing defining a main suction opening that is in communication with an inlet of the cyclonic chamber. A suction source has a suction airstream inlet in communication with an outlet of the cyclonic chamber, and establishes a suction airstream that enters said main suction opening, passes through said cyclonic chamber, and passes to an outlet of said suction source. A substantial portion of particulates entrained in the suction airstream are separated therefrom when said suction airstream moves in a cyclonic fashion through the cyclonic chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Michael F. Wright, Charles J. Thur, Brett Latimer, Paul D. Stephens, Mark E. Cipolla, Craig J. Barbeck
  • Patent number: 6442791
    Abstract: The invention provides a vacuum cleaner having a dirty air inlet, a clean air outlet and dirt and dust separating apparatus lying in an air flow path therebetween, wherein the air flow path has a substantially uniform cross-sectional area between the dirty air inlet and the separating apparatus and between the separating apparatus and the clean air outlet. The uniformity of the cross-sectional area reduces frictional losses and reduces pressure drops within the cleaner. Some portions of the air flow path are preferably removable from the cleaner to allow access for maintenance and removal of blockages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Dyson Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Walter McRae Thomson, Peter David Gammack, James Dyson
  • Patent number: 6442792
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a vacuum cleaner body in which a rotating brush, a dust collecting unit and an electric blower unit are integrally attached to a suction opening casing in which a brush chamber is formed. A rodlike handle is connected to the vacuum cleaner body. The rodlike handle is formed by a hollow member, and a plurality of batteries are arranged in series in the hollow member and are covered with a heat contraction tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Sudou, Ryuji Ikeda, Susumu Sato, Shigenori Sato, Taiji Tajima, Shoji Hayashi, Sadashi Tanaka, Kazuyuki Sugimura, Fumio Jyoraku
  • Publication number: 20020108208
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes a secure handle on an upper part of a dust collecting portion. The handle may be used for transporting both the dust collection portion and the upright vacuum cleaner. The handle allows simplified construction, reduced costs, and increased user safety. An attachment mechanism provides secure double locking protection against accidental separation without simultaneous two-part operation and has a latching hook and a locking part which positively engage the dust collection portion and the vacuum cleaner body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventors: Atsuo Hamada, Kazuyoshi Yoshimi, Atsushi Okuda, Naoki Suetsugu
  • Patent number: 6428590
    Abstract: A mobile debris collection machine which has an improved filter system includes a chassis, wheels for supporting the chassis, an operator controlled debris pickup on the chassis and a debris container on the chassis. There is a vacuum system for carrying debris from the pickup to the container, with the vacuum system including a vacuum fan located above the debris container for creating an air stream that moves dust and debris from the pickup toward the container. A filter system for removing dust and debris from the airstream includes a first filter stage formed of a rotating perforated member, a second filter stage that is located downstream of the vacuum fan and includes a mesh filter bag, and a third filter stage, located downstream from the second filter stage and including a pleated panel filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Tennant Company
    Inventors: Ronald W. Lehman, Gregory J. Engel
  • Publication number: 20020092122
    Abstract: A carpet extractor includes a base assembly 1 including a housing 10 which selectively receives a recovery tank 22 for collecting dirty cleaning fluid. A nozzle assembly 67 is mounted to the base housing and provides a fluid flowpath 182 for dirty cleaning fluid from the floor surface to the recovery tank. The nozzle assembly is pivotable from a first position, in which the fluid flowpath communicates with the recovery tank, to a second position, in which the nozzle assembly is spaced from the recovery tank to allow the recovery tank to be removed from the base housing. A second flowpath 138 is formed on the recovery tank between the tank and a nozzle plate 136. The flowpaths have openings 218, 140, respectively, at their lower ends, which are located either side of two longitudinally spaced brushrolls 60, 62. A flap valve 474 selectively closes both flowpaths during above floor cleaning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventors: Terry L. Zahuranec, Brett Latimer, Robert A. Salo, Mark E. Cipolla, Wallace D. Tiller, Jeffrey M. Kalman, Craig M. Saunders
  • Publication number: 20020088081
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner base assembly includes a housing and a motor having a driveshaft. The motor is mounted in the housing and a brush is rotatably mounted in the housing in a spaced manner from the motor. An endless belt is looped over the driveshaft and the brush, and extends therebetween. A motor holding bracket is mounted to the housing. The motor holding bracket has a finger which resiliently urges the motor away from the brush, increasing a distance between the driveshaft and the brush, thereby tensioning the belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Applicant: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Robert A. Vystrcil, Steven J. Paliobeis
  • Publication number: 20020088079
    Abstract: An upright type vacuum cleaner has a separately removable dust barrel. The vacuum cleaner includes a suction brush and a cleaner body having a dust chamber, a motor driving chamber housing a motor, an air inflow path, and an air outflow path for interconnecting the upper dust chamber and the lower motor driving chamber. A cyclone body is mounted in the dust chamber, and a dust barrel removably mounted to a lower side of the cyclone body. The vacuum cleaner further includes a fine dust filtering portion removably disposed in the air outflow path. The vacuum cleaner also includes a locking/unlocking portion that detaches the dust barrel from the cyclone body. Accordingly, a user can dispose of collected contaminants and dust without having to remove the entire cyclone dust collecting apparatus, but rather by removing only the dust barrel from the dust chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Applicant: Samsung Kwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jang-Keun Oh
  • Publication number: 20020088077
    Abstract: A dirt cup latching arrangement includes a cleaner housing portion and a dirt cup mounted on the housing portion to define a mounted position. A latch assembly is pivotally mounted to the housing portion. A catch frame is pivotally mounted to the housing portion in spaced relation to the latch assembly. The latch assembly and the catch frame cooperate to selectively secure the dirt cup to the housing portion. A tool storage arrangement can include a cap pivotally mounted to the housing with the cap having an upper surface and a lower surface. At least one indentation is located on the cap upper surface and is shaped for accommodating an associated cleaning tool of the vacuum cleaner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventors: Charles J. Thur, Michael A. Seifried, Paul D. Stephens, Steven J. Paliobeis, Jeffrey M. Kalman