Gas separation – Flexible or collapsible bag type – With flow line coupling means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-13
2001-07-17
Spitzer, Robert H. (Department: 1724)
Gas separation
Flexible or collapsible bag type
With flow line coupling means
C015S347000, C015SDIG008, C055S378000, C055S507000, C055SDIG002, C055SDIG003
Reexamination Certificate
active
06261331
ABSTRACT:
This application is the national phase of international application PCT/FR98/02430 filed Nov. 13, 1998 which designated the U.S.
1. Technical Field
The invention concerns vacuum cleaner dust bags, and more particularly a device permitting connection of a dust bag to a vacuum cleaner housing.
2. Prior Art
Vacuum cleaners are generally equipped with a bag for storing waste material, at least temporarily. The bag permits a simple handling of this waste. Attachment of the bag to the interior of the vacuum cleaner is generally effected with the aid of a rigid part, an integrating part of the bag, which permits the inlet opening of the bag to be maintained in the desired position. In general, the rigid part has a substantially central opening, which permits introduction of the suction tube. A seal between the interior of the bag and the suction tube on the one hand and the exterior of the bag and the dust reservoir in which the bag is placed on the other hand is achieved. The rigid part can be introduced into channels, which maintain it in place.
There are known connection systems for vacuum cleaner bags comprising a bag support advantageously furnished with a handle permitting this support to be extracted from the housing of the vacuum cleaner, the bag comprising a rigid part permitting its connection to the support. The system for assembling the bag to the support can be constituted by a channel, as in the document EP 626150 where a means for unlocking attachment means facilitates the ejection of the bag from the support. For hygienic reasons, innovation efforts have essentially been directed to systems permitting the bag to be separated from the support without the user being in contact with the bag filled with dust. In contrast, means for connecting a new bag can be improved. It is in effect rather difficult, in certain cases, to connect the bag to its support through lack of visibility due to the presence of the envelope of the bag which partially hides the connection during assembly of the bag onto its support.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One of the objects of the invention is to overcome the drawbacks cited above by using a connection system, which is practical, reliable and simple to use.
Another object of the invention is to limit the risks of degradation of the connection part connected with the vacuum cleaner by reducing the flexure forces capable of being applied onto this connection.
Another object of the invention is to furnish, for any type of vacuum cleaner, a system for connecting a dust bag, and this, regardless of the vacuum cleaner model. It is in effect of interest to note that the useful life of a vacuum cleaner can exceed the time during which the vacuum cleaner is being marketed. Thus, the user can find himself in a situation where he no longer finds a bag adapted to his vacuum cleaner model. The present invention also permits this problem to be remedied by providing a ready-to-mount connection permitting replacement of its existing connection system by an up to date system.
The present invention does not however aim solely at obsolete vacuum cleaners since this connection system can be installed on a large variety of vacuum cleaner models.
Thus, these goals are achieved by a device for connecting a dust bag comprising a flange and a ring capable of each being fixed, in a complementary manner, one to a vacuum cleaner housing or to a removable vacuum cleaner support or to a linerboard, and the other to the dust bag via one of their two faces, said flange and ring having complementary means for mutual maintenance by their free face, as well as with at least one visual mark to facilitate their connection, characterized in that the diameter of the device is greater than twice the length of the assembled device, when the ring and the flange are arranged on one another.
This connection system thus comprises two parts, the first having to be fixed either directly or by the intermediary of a linerboard, on the housing or on a removable support of the vacuum cleaner, while the second is connected to the dust bag. The originality of the invention resides in the short length of this connection as well as in the existence of means which permit the part connected to the bag to be guided toward the part connected to the vacuum cleaner. This guiding comprises a visual guiding as well as a guiding by sliding of one part on the other after their contact.
This dimensional relation permits a reduction in the flexure forces likely to appear at the level of fastening during utilization of this connection, by a replacement of the bag, for example. The risks of deterioration of the connection are thus reduced.
Preferably, the flange (or the ring) capable of being fixed to one part of a vacuum cleaner housing, or to one part of a removable vacuum cleaner support, or to a linerboard, comprises, correspondingly, a peripheral contact crown at its opening.
This crown permits various possibilities of arrangement and of attachment of the vacuum cleaner, while offering a substantial contact surface. In effect, one of the characteristics of this crown is to present a surface area capable of being in contact with a part of a vacuum cleaner housing, or a part of a removable vacuum cleaner support, or a linerboard, greater than 8 cm
2
.
According to a first variant, the fixing means of the crown for peripheral contact with the opening of the flange (or of the ring) on the part of the vacuum cleaner housing, or on the part of the removable vacuum cleaner support, or on the linerboard, is of cementing type, permitting a simple, inexpensive and strong connection to be offered, particularly as a result of the substantial contact surface that it presents.
According to a second variant, the crown for peripheral contact with the opening of the flange (or of the ring) has a peripheral flat radial part of small thickness having two opposed free faces in order to permit its attachment by stapling of this peripheral surface on the part of the vacuum cleaner housing, or on the part of a removable vacuum cleaner support, or on the linerboard.
This second mode of attachment is strong and economical.
According to a third variant, the means for fastening the peripheral contact crown to the opening of the flange (or of the ring) comprises a tubular wall oriented substantially coaxially with the contact crown, prolonging said opening from the side opposed to the connection, said tubular wall comprising at its free end a bulge oriented from the exterior side of the wall, in such a manner as to be able to cooperate with the internal wall of a disk serving as a counter-piece when the flange (or the ring) is inserted, by the tubular wall, into the opening of the wall of the vacuum cleaner housing, or of one part of a removable vacuum cleaner support, or of a linerboard.
This arrangement, more complex than the preceding ones, has the advantage of being able to be reversible, permitting easy withdrawal of the ring or of the flange held by the counter-piece, while permitting a reliable connection.
Preferably, the ring (or the flange), capable of being fixed to the vacuum cleaner bag, comprises, correspondingly, a peripheral fastening contact prong at its opening.
This peripheral crown permits assurance of a seal between the bag and the rigid part permitting attachment of the bag upon connection.
This crown advantageously has a substantial contact surface with the vacuum cleaner bag, greater than 5 cm
2
, in order to assure a good holding of the bag, capable of being filled with waste having a total mass that can reach several kg.
According to a first variant, the fastening means of the peripheral contact crown to the opening of the ring (or of the flange) on the dust bag, is of cementing type, in order to present an attachment which is simple to use and inexpensive.
According to a second variant, the fastening means for the peripheral contact crown at the opening of the ring (or of the flange) on the dust bag, is of the ultrasonic welding type. This technique permits a strong and intimate bond between the bag and the ri
Dubos Roland
Fleurier Vincent
Morin Patrick
Browdy and Neimark
Seb S.A.
Spitzer Robert H.
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