Gas separation – Flexible or collapsible bag type – Valved – self-closing – or apparatus contained bag closing means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-21
2001-05-01
Simmons, David A. (Department: 1724)
Gas separation
Flexible or collapsible bag type
Valved, self-closing, or apparatus contained bag closing means
C055S361000, C055S369000, C055S377000, C055SDIG002
Reexamination Certificate
active
06224645
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a dust separator for a vacuum cleaner in which the bag is sealingly connected to a rigid screening plate around an opening through the plate, wherein the plate screens-off an air-flow passage through the vacuum cleaner.
2. Description of the Related Art
In conventional vacuum cleaners of the kind to which the invention refers, the air-permeable and dust-separating bag is connected permanently to the screening plate, wherewith the plate and the actual bag are both replaced at the same time when the bag is full and needs replacing.
Dust separator units that include a bag which is permanently connected to a rigid screening plate must be stocked in many different models and makes, since the air-flow passageways of different makes and models of vacuum cleaners have different designs and dimensions, therewith requiring a screening plate of corresponding design and dimensions in order for the plate to screen-off the passageway.
It is therefore obvious that such dust separator units will demand a relatively high price, owing to the fact that they must be produced in relatively small numbers. Furthermore, consumer stations are obliged to provide dust separator units of many different designs, in order to meet different consumer requirements.
This results in high manufacturing and retail costs, which means a relatively high price for individual dust separators in respect of the customer at the “end of the line”.
It is also necessary for the customer to be aware of the make, year model, etc., of his or her vacuum cleaner, if she/he is to choose the correct “dust separator bag” in the store or shop.
It is also a common occurrence that the range of dust separators kept in stock will not include one or more of the actual type of separator required by the customer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVETNTION
An object of the present invention is to reduce these drawbacks.
The inventive dust separator differs from a conventional, known dust separator in that the actual bag is in itself a unit that is separate from the aforementioned screening-off plate, in that the bag has a flange which functions to prevent the bag from being drawn through the opening in the plate in the direction of air flow, and in that the flange is collapsible, preferably manually collapsible, so as to enable the flange to be passed through the plate opening when needing to change a full bag. The main part of the bag can be threaded bottom-first through the plate opening in the direction of air flow until the flange rests against the upstream surface of the plate. The flange may have a generally annular configuration, so that its solid-ring surface will abut the plate around the plate opening and therewith establish an effective seal. If desired, a sealing agent, e.g. a plastic foam annulus or the like, may be mounted on the surface of the flange that faces towards the plate. Plate openings are, in the main, similar in different plates for different vacuum cleaner models and makes. Thus, the different plates normally have a circular opening of specific diameter.
The flange may be made collapsible, by providing the flange with a generally radial weakening or fold indication for instance, which enables the flange to be folded or bent around a line that generally or approximately constitutes a flange diameter. That side of the flange which lies distal from the plate may be provided with an adhesive and the adhesive covered with a peelable release strip. The adhesive may be disposed so as to seal the bag when the flange is collapsed around said weakening or fold indication. Naturally, the flange may include several weakenings which enable the flange to be folded, bent or wrinkled around several axes.
The flange weakenings are thus intended to enable the flange to be collapsed to a size that will enable the flange to be threaded through the plate opening, especially when the bag shall be removed from the plate when the bag is full. It will be understood, however, that the bag can also be fitted to the plate by first collapsing the flange around a fold weakening and then threading the flange through the plate opening in a direction opposite to the direction of air flow, and thereafter opening out the flange to a plane that lies parallel with and adjacent to the plane of the plate.
As before mentioned, the flange may conveniently be designed to be collapsed manually.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2237499 (1941-04-01), Osterdahl
patent: 4539027 (1985-09-01), Fornas et al.
patent: 5507859 (1996-04-01), Kaiser
patent: 964411 (1975-03-01), None
patent: 2130222 (1971-12-01), None
patent: 2352602 (1975-04-01), None
patent: 384 627 (1976-05-01), None
patent: 501 135 (1994-11-01), None
Liland Reidar
Rydin Anders
Jacobson Price Holman & Stern PLLC
Pham Minh-Chau T.
Simmons David A.
LandOfFree
Dust separator does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Dust separator, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Dust separator will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2521852