Gas separation: apparatus – With gas and liquid contact apparatus – Liquid bath or reservoir for contact
Reexamination Certificate
2001-11-29
2003-01-21
Smith, Duane S. (Department: 1724)
Gas separation: apparatus
With gas and liquid contact apparatus
Liquid bath or reservoir for contact
C015S353000, C055SDIG003, C096S342000, C096S350000, C096S351000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06508867
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner having a housing, a suction unit arranged therein and a suction pipe which enters the housing and is connected to the suction side of the suction unit via a dirt collecting container and a separating device.
In vacuum cleaners, the dirt carried by the suction current is generally separated from the suction current by means of a filter and is then retained in a dirt collecting container. In many cases, such types of vacuum cleaner utilising a separating device in the form of a filter are very effective but, especially when separating extremely fine dust particles, it has been discovered that it is advantageous in many cases to perform the separation process by means of a fluid bath through which the suction current passes. However, the known devices of this type in which separation is effected in a fluid bath are of extraordinarily complicated construction and do not generally allow for the use of appliances of this type in private households.
The object of the invention is to construct a vacuum cleaner in such a manner that, on the one hand, the result of the separation process will be optimal, but one which will be of simple construction on the other so that uncomplicated appliances can be produced for private use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the invention, this object is achieved in the case of a vacuum cleaner of the type described hereinabove in that the closed dirt collecting container is adapted to be inserted into the housing and, when in the inserted position, is connected to the suction pipe in sealed manner via an intake opening and is connected to the suction side of the suction unit in sealed manner via an extraction opening, in that the dirt collecting container is partially filled with a fluid into which there enters a feed pipe that extends from the suction opening into the fluid, and in that deflector surfaces are arranged above the fluid-filling, whereby said surfaces located between the upper surface of the fluid and the extraction opening form a multiply-deflected flow path for the suction current that is being passed through the fluid.
In such a vacuum cleaner, use is made of a very specially constructed dirt collecting container which is closed on all sides and is insertable into the housing in the manner of a drawer or an insert. The suction pipe enters this dirt collecting container in such a manner that the outlet point of the suction pipe ends within a fluid-filling in the dirt collecting container so that the suction current will pass through the fluid-filling in the dirt collecting container. For the purposes of separating the fluid droplets that are drawn up thereby, there are arranged in the gaseous space above the fluid in the interior of the dust collecting container a plurality of deflector surfaces which form a multiply-deflected flow path so that the fluid droplets will be separated from the suction current which will then reach the suction unit through the extraction opening of the dirt collecting container free of dirt particles and free from fluid droplets.
After use, such a vacuum cleaner can be regenerated in the most simple of manners by extracting, and especially withdrawing, the closed dirt collecting container from the housing and then emptying it, for example through a special discharge opening, whereafter it is filled with fresh fluid, preferably water. A complex process of changing filter bags etc. is no longer necessary and, due to the completely closed construction of the dirt collecting container, the latter, together with its liquid filling, can be handled very easily since the dirt collecting container is inserted into the housing in the form of a separate unit and can be directly extracted therefrom.
The dirt collecting container may, for example, be substantially in the shape of a cuboid and may form a bucket-like vessel. For handling purposes, this vessel may be provided with a handle, for example, a swivel handle in the manner of a bucket.
It is especially advantageous if the dirt collecting container comprises a lower portion which is open at the upper end and is closed by means of a removable cover. This simplifies the processes of filling and emptying the dirt collecting container, and also the cleaning thereof.
It is advantageous hereby if the cover for the lower portion is sealed thereto by means of a seal.
In one preferred embodiment, the extraction opening is located in the cover.
Although excellent separation of the dirt particles can be achieved by means of the fluid filling alone, it is expedient if a filter is arranged in the extraction opening so as to enable the dirt particles that are drawn up by the suction current to be reliably and completely removed.
This filter may be in the form of an extractable insert.
In a preferred embodiment, provision is made for the filter to be connected via a seal to an extraction pipe leading to the suction side of the suction unit. The process of sealing the dirt collecting vessel relative to the extraction pipe is thereby effected by means of the filter.
It is expedient hereby, if the filter bridges in sealing manner a gap between the extraction pipe on the one hand and the extraction opening of the dirt collecting container on the other. One thereby obtains a method of checking as to whether the filter has been inserted correctly and is functioning properly. If the filter should fail unintentionally, leakage will occur in the vicinity of the gap and the vacuum cleaner will not work in the desired manner. The user is thus made aware of the failure of the filter.
In one advantageous embodiment, provision is made for the dirt collecting container to be slightly inclined in a downward direction relative to the direction of insertion of the dirt collecting container at least in the vicinity of the extraction opening so that a seal surrounding the extraction opening will just rest in sealing manner on a suction pipe leading to the suction side of the suction unit at the end of the insertion action. Firstly, such a design simplifies the insertion of the dirt collecting container since friction produced by the bearing surface of the seal only occurs towards the end of the insertion movement and secondly, seals that only come into contact with other parts immediately prior to the formation of the actual seal will be protected.
In a preferred embodiment, provision is made for an intake shaft to be mounted in front of the extraction opening disposed at the upper end of the dirt collecting container, said intake shaft completely covering the extraction opening and being laterally displaced relative thereto so that it is open at one side and thereby forms an inlet opening. Such an intake shaft diverts the suction current into the interior of the container and the lower face thereof forms a deflector surface at which the fluid droplets carried by the suction current are separated therefrom.
It is advantageous hereby if the intake shaft extends over the full width of the container.
Laterally projecting sealing strips, which closely abut the inner wall of the dirt collecting container, may be mounted on the open side of the intake shaft. It is thereby ensured that the suction current will have to pass through the inlet openings in the intake shaft and will not pass laterally thereby.
For preference, the lower end of the intake shaft may be flat and extend substantially parallel to the upper end of the dirt collecting container.
It is particularly expedient if the free edge at the lower end of the intake shaft supports a downwardly projecting, batten-like projection which narrows the cross-section of the flow in an abrupt manner and serves as a separating surface for the fluid droplets that have been drawn up thereby.
The intake shaft may be held on the cover on a dirt collecting container which is closed by means of a removable container.
Provision may be made for the inlet opening of the intake shaft to be sub-divided into two halves by a perpendicular partition wall, this thereby smoothing the turbulen
Haefner Kurt
Schoenewald Michael
Sorg Martin
Alfred Kaercher GmbH & Co.
Lipsitz Barry R.
McAllister Douglas M.
Smith Duane S.
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