Gas separation: apparatus – With sterilizing means – Means uses chemical antimicrobial agent
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-25
2001-05-15
Lithgow, Thomas M. (Department: 1724)
Gas separation: apparatus
With sterilizing means
Means uses chemical antimicrobial agent
C096S108000, C096S134000, C096S142000, C015S344000, C015S347000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06231647
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to vacuum cleaners and, more particularly, to vacuum cleaners having a substantially enclosed suction compartment inside which there is provided a removable and substantially porous waste collector.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART
Vacuum cleaners are generally used for removing dirt, litter, rubbish, scraps or other items more generally referred to as waste matter. The waste matter removed is usually stored temporarily in a waste collector inside the vacuum cleaner but would remain in the vacuum cleaner until the waste collector is emptied. The duration of this temporary storage varies and depends on the actual use.
Because of the inherent nature of waste matter and the varieties of matter that would reside in the waste collector, it is not unusual that unpleasant smells develop and disseminate to the ambient air from the vacuum cleaner. It is also not unusual that waste matter could stay inside a vacuum cleaner for weeks or even months before a waste collector is emptied.
Where the stored waste matter comprise bacteria degradable materials or matter suitable for bacteria growth, the vacuum cleaner will quickly become a potential source of health hazards as well as unpleasant odours. The dissemination of harmful bacteria into the ambient air may be aggravated by the accelerated exhaust air-stream of the vacuum cleaner which helps to spread bacteria in confined areas.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,554,698 issued to Rennecker proposed the use of a scent dispensing arrangement for use with an upright vacuum cleaner to alleviate the unpleasant smells associated with a vacuum cleaner. This proposed arrangement, however, only provides fragrance conditioning to the downmost exhaust air stream on exit from the vacuum cleaner. Un-pleasant smells and bacteria could escape through the air-permeable dirt collecting bag adjunct to the vacuum cleaner well before they reach the exit.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,461,751 issued to Sepke proposed putting a odourising agent or pesticide containing porous“tea bag” inside the dirt collector to neutralise the unpleasant smells and as a pesticide. However, because such a conditioning “tea bag” is placed inside the dirt collector and buried among waste matter, it will be discarded everytime when the dirt collector is emptied even though the item itself is still useful. In addition, as the “tea bag” is usually buried well inside the dirt collector, only waste matter in its vicinity can be conditioned. Furthermore, because the “tea bag” is stored together with the waste matter which is usually very dirty, it could not be conveniently removed or replaced even if it is realised that the contents of the tea bag reacts undesirable with the waste matter or a different odourising agent is required to provide a satisfactory conditioning.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved vacuum cleaner with means to at least partially neutralise the unpleasant odour released from the vacuum cleaner and/or to disinfect the stored waste matter to inhibit bacteria and germ growth inside the suction compartment while alleviating problems which are known to be associated with conventional vacuum cleaners having the afore-mentioned facilities. As a minimum, it is an object of the present invention to provide the public with an useful choice.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, there is provided a vacuum cleaner having a substantially enclosed suction compartment, a removable waste collector and an airconditioning means wherein the suction compartment includes first and second apertures respectively through which waste matter enters into and filtered air exits from said compartment, the waste collector comprises a substantially porous waste holder and an aperture for receiving waste matter entering through said first aperture, the waste collector is placed in the path joining said first and second apertures inside the said suction compartment; and the air-conditioning means comprises substances for conditioning the air inside said suction compartment.
With this improved vacuum cleaner, the waste matter stored inside the suction compartment will be treated by the conditioning means so that bacteria growth can be retarded, bad odours neutralised and/or insects killed regardless whether the vacuum cleaner is in operation. Thus, preferably, the air-conditioning means comprises means for dispensing deodorising, insect-killing and/or disinfecting substances.
Preferably, the air-conditioning means includes smell absorbing substances.
Preferably, the air-conditioning means comprises a mounting fixture for removably receiving said substances.
Preferably, the air-conditioning means is placed inside said suction compartment but outside said waste collector.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vacuum cleaner having a substantially enclosed suction compartment, a removable waste collector and a pack of scented substances wherein the suction compartment includes first and second apertures respectively through which waste matter enters into and filtered air exits from said compartment, the waste collector comprises a substantially porous waste holder and an aperture for receiving waste matter entering through said first aperture, the waste collector is placed in the path joining said first and second apertures inside the said suction compartment; and the pack of scented substances disseminates fragrance inside said suction compartment and through said waste collector by convection.
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patent: 5461751 (1995-10-01), Sepke
patent: 5702507 (1997-12-01), Wang
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patent: 2686010 (1993-07-01), None
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Alix Yale & Ristas, LLP
Lithgow Thomas M.
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