CZ297789B6 - Adapter for vacuum cleaner dust bag, dust filtering apparatus and vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

In the present invention, there is disclosed an adapted being adapted for fitting in a vacuum cleaner through the mediation of a plate-like carrier (70), separated from a used duct bag (6) forming a standard accessory of a vacuum cleaner and used as a connecting means of the adapter with the vacuum cleaner filling tube (14), whereby said plate-like carrier (70) includes an opening (73) for substantially tight fitting onto the filling tube (14), whereby the adapter consist of a tubular member (4) comprising a first end (21) turned away from the dust bag (6) and an opposite second end (22), whereby the adapter tubular member (4) is provided at its second end (22) with a connecting means (5) to co-operate removably with a dust bag (6) linkage means (7) mounted around a filler neck (49) of the dust bag (6). Said first end (21) of the tubular member (4) comprises a flange-like expansion (24) provided with an attachment means (3) formed by an adhesive means of clips and intended for attaching with permanent and substantially tight connection around the opening (73) of the plate-like carrier (70).

Description

Adapter for vacuum cleaner dust bag, dust filtering device and vacuum cleaner

Technical field

The invention relates to the field of vacuum cleaners or, in general, to any vacuum cleaning device intended for cleaning. More particularly, it relates to means for adapting a filter for collecting dust in a vacuum cleaner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Devices known as vacuum cleaners are known in the art and are provided with a suction turbine and a hose or tube provided with a cleaning tool for dust extraction. The vacuum hose or tube is removable and has a tubular end adapted to be connected to the opening of the vacuum cleaner itself. The hose or tube and the turbine are connected through a dust filter. The opening of the vacuum cleaner to be connected to a hose or tube is in connection with this dust filter.

For example, the dust filter consists of a paper bag mounted on a plate carrier which the user places in the housing for storing the dust filter in a vacuum cleaner. The dust filter permits the passage of the turbine suction air and is provided with a flap opening allowing the inlet of dust sucked by the cleaning tool and conveyed by a vacuum cleaner hose or tube to the dust filter.

When the paper bag is full, the user must remove it and replace it with the same paper bag. Depending on the make and model of the vacuum cleaner, however, the paper bags differ from each other in the shape and fastening means of the vacuum cleaner itself.

This implies that vacuum cleaner designers often design new filter shapes, tailored to their new model. This leads to increased construction costs. In addition, vacuum cleaner designers have to handle the numerous interrelationships of dust filters and / or paper bags, and ensure their availability for customers over a considerable period of time. This implies difficulties in maintaining and maintaining their stocks. This entails difficulties for dealers who have to stock a significant amount of dust filters for each brand and model on the market. This is rarely fully assured and results in difficulties in supplying users. Finally, there is a risk for the user to buy replacement filters that are not suitable for his vacuum cleaner. This leads to unnecessary costs and difficulties.

French patent FR 1 071 345 discloses a vacuum cleaner comprising a filling tube and a housing for a dust bag. The dust bag has a filling opening provided with a coupling means for detachably engaging with a filling tube, such as a threaded ring, attached to the bag around the filling opening.

Certain models of vacuum cleaners are designed to work only when they recognize the use of certain types of filters. This is the case when the dust bag is mounted on a cardboard plate carrier. In this case, the vacuum cleaner may include a switch or blocking means to prevent its operation (start-up) when the cardboard plate carrier mounted on the dust bag is not suitably inserted. Such a measure prevents dust from sucking into the dust bag housing when the dust bag is not inserted therein.

It is known from EP-0 107 785 to provide a dust bag for a vacuum cleaner having a filling opening around which adhesive means are placed, allowing the bag to be attached to a plate carrier. This embodiment has the advantage that it makes it possible to use a dust bag with any type of vacuum cleaner, since it is sufficient to attach the bag to a suitable plate carrier on the vacuum cleaner.

However, this solution has a number of disadvantages. Replacing the dust-filled bag with a new bag requires the adhesive to break off, which contributes to wear on the surface of the cardboard plate

If the adhesive is withdrawn from the plate carrier each time the bag is changed, or a layer of adhesive remains on the plate carrier, which is irregular and thus poorly suited to ensure good tightness. As a result, this embodiment is not satisfactory.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to overcome the above disadvantages and to allow the user not to need dust filters specifically designed for the vacuum cleaner to be used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve this object, according to a first embodiment of the invention, there is provided a dust bag adapter of a vacuum cleaner, in particular a household vacuum cleaner comprising, inter alia, a dust bag storage box and a dust bag filling tube, the adapter adapted to be mounted in the vacuum cleaner by a plate carrier. separated from the used dust bag constituting a standard vacuum cleaner accessory and used as the coupling means of the adapter to the vacuum tube filler tube, the plate carrier having an opening for substantially tight fit on the filling tube, the adapter consisting of a tubular member having a first end facing away from the dust bag; a second end, wherein, according to the invention, the tubular adapter member at its other end is provided with a coupling means for removably interacting with the coupling means for The first end of the tubular member comprises a flange-like extension provided with a fastening means formed of an adhesive means or clips for fastening the flange-like extension with a permanent and substantially tight connection around the aperture of the plate carrier.

According to a second embodiment of the invention there is provided an adapter for a dust bag of a vacuum cleaner, in particular a household vacuum cleaner, comprising, inter alia, a dust bag storage box and a dust bag filling tube, the adapter adapted to be mounted on the inner wall of the storage box. an aperture for substantially tightly connecting the vacuum cleaner fill tube, the adapter comprising a tubular member having a first end facing away from the dust bag and an opposite second end, the tubular adapter member at its second end provided with coupling means for removable interaction with the coupling means a dust bag mounted around a dust bag filling opening, wherein according to the invention the first end of the tubular member comprises a flange-like extension provided with a fastening means formed by an adhesive means or clips to secure a flange-like extension with a permanent and substantially tight connection around an opening in the inner wall of the housing of the vacuum cleaner.

Thus, the user may perform the adaptation by using a suitable tubular member attachable to the respective carrier, i.e., the wall of the housing with the aperture or to the plate carrier, for example a cardboard plate, and attaching the dust bag to the vacuum cleaner. When the dust filter is full, the user can throw away the dust bag and replace it with a new bag. The connection means of the tubular member allows to reuse the same tubular member with the dust bags used subsequently. The fastening means allows to fix the tubular member to the carrier with a permanent and substantially tight connection around the hole of the carrier.

According to a further feature of the adapter according to the invention, the adhesive means is disposed at a first end of the tubular member. For example, the adhesive composition is a double-sided adhesive ring and, for example, comprises a microporous foam substrate.

According to a further feature of the adapter according to the invention, the tubular member comprises a tapering or diameter widening section and / or a length adjusting section, to allow the vacuum tube filling tube to be inserted into the tubular member.

- 2 GB 297789 B6

The invention further provides a dust filtering device for a vacuum cleaner, in particular a household vacuum cleaner, characterized in that it comprises the aforementioned dust bag matching adapter coupled to the dust bag, the adapter comprising coupling means connected to a coupling means mounted around the filling opening. dust bag.

The invention further provides a vacuum cleaner, in particular for domestic use, characterized in that it comprises the aforementioned adapter for adapting the dust bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a vacuum cleaner provided with a filter device and an adapter according to the first embodiment; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of another vacuum cleaner provided with a filter device and an adapter. Fig. 4 is an axial section of a first embodiment of a tubular adapter member according to the invention; Fig. 5 is an axial section of a second embodiment of a tubular adapter member according to the invention; Figures 6 and 7 show two schematic perspective views of an embodiment of a dust filter of a filter device according to the invention; and Fig. 8 a schematic perspective view of a prior art dustbag with a plate carrier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The tubular member 4 of the adapter according to the invention is intended to be used with a dust collection bag 6 (hereinafter a dust bag) for providing a universal filter device, adapted to most vacuum cleaners. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 to 3, the vacuum cleaner comprises, inter alia, a storage box 13 for accommodating the dust bag 6 and a filling tube 14. This filling tube 14 has a diameter and a length that varies according to the models of the vacuum cleaner. For example, it may be formed by the end of the vacuum cleaner suction hose introduced into the housing 13, or by an extension for such a suction hose or pipe, or sometimes formed by a sleeve or a suction hose insertion provided on the inner wall 1 of the storage housing 13. the air stream sucked from the suction hose head through the dust-containing turbine towards the dust bag 6. The details of the filling tube 14 in relation to the suction hose or tube are not shown in detail in the figures.

Most disposable dust filters used in vacuum cleaners are formed from a paper bag stored on a plate carrier. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a detail of a prior art dust filter comprising a bag 77 formed from paper whose one end 74 is adhered to a plate carrier 70 with a central opening 73. The plate carrier is generally formed of a relatively flexible paperboard or cardboard; is glued to a bag of folded paper. Specifically, it is adhered to the region 75 around the fill port 76 between the dashed outline and the edge of the fill port 76 to the back of the plate carrier 70, forming a traditional dust filter with the plate carrier.

The accessory according to the invention consists of a tubular member 4 having a first end 21 adapted to be substantially tightly attached by the fastening means 3 to the inner wall 1 of the vacuum cleaner housing 13 or, as will be explained below, to a plate carrier 70 separated from the dust bag 6 used. an end 22 which is provided with coupling means 5 for detachably connecting to the dust bag connection means 7 mounted around the dust bag filling opening 6. The first end 21 of the tubular member 4 preferably comprises a flange-like extension 24. The carrier formed by the inner wall 1 of the housing 13 or a plate carrier 70, has an aperture and is adapted to be substantially tightly coupled to the feed tube 14.

- 3 GB 297789 B6

In the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2, the carrier is formed as a platelet carrier 70. As noted in the introduction, many vacuum cleaners require the possibility of detecting the presence of a dust bag by depositing a platelet carrier in order to function. The plate carrier is stored in the housing 13 of the vacuum cleaner such that it provides a substantially tight connection with the filling tube 14.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the vacuum cleaner does not need a plate carrier for its operation. As shown in FIG. 3, the adapter support is formed by the inner wall 1 of the vacuum cleaner housing 13, in which an opening 23 is formed for the substantially tight connection of the vacuum cleaner filling tube 14. This is shown only very schematically in Fig. 3, where the position of the filling tube 14 is assigned to the edge of the neck of the opening 23 and the filling tube itself is not shown. Methods of substantially tightly attaching the feed tube, for example by inserting such a feed tube formed by the suction hose into the throat of the opening 23, are readily apparent to those skilled in the art of vacuum cleaners and are not discussed in detail.

The filling tube 14 may be removable from the vacuum housing 13 as shown in FIG. 2. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the filling tube 14 is rigidly connected to the vacuum housing 13. The filling tube 14 protrudes into the housing 13. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the filling tube (not shown schematically by position 14 at the edge of the opening of the opening 23) is simply inserted into the wall 1 of the housing 13 in the opening 23.

The vacuum cleaner in which the invention is used must, of course, comprise either a carrier in the form of a plate carrier 70 and a filling tube 14 firmly connected to the storage housing 13 or a carrier formed by a transverse inner wall 1 of the housing 13 and a filling tube 14 removable from the storage wall 13. The lengths and diameters of the filling tube differ from one type of vacuum cleaner.

The tubular member 4 and the dust bag 6 form a filter device according to the invention, adaptable to most types of vacuum cleaners.

In Figures 1, 2 and 3, the vacuum housing 13 is shown partially in section, and the tubular member 4 and the dust filter are also shown in partial section.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a filtering device according to the invention is placed in a storage housing 13, mounted on a plate carrier 70 which has been removed from the filter recommended by the vacuum cleaner designer. It should be noted that this arrangement allows the accompanying devices, such as a non-return valve, to be retained, in particular the original plate carrier.

Thus, after mounting, the dust filter comprises according to the invention a cardboard plate carrier 70 connected to the tubular member 4 by fastening means 3 as well as a universal dust bag 6, connected by means of fastening means 7.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the fastening means 3 is formed by an adhesive means, as shown in particular in FIGS. 1 to 3. The adhesive means is preferably disposed at the first end 21 of the tubular member 4. The user thus uses a tubular member ready for attachment to the carrier.

Preferably, the adhesive composition comprises a double-sided adhesive ring known on the market. The double-sided adhesive composition comprises a first adhesive layer used to bond the ring first with the first side onto the tubular member 4. The ring further comprises an annular substrate formed of microporous foam or moss, serving both to support the adhesive layers and to trap surface irregularities to the tubular member glued. The ring further comprises a second layer of adhesive, protected by a film or foil, retractable by the user, and intended to permanently fasten the tubular member 4 to a suitable surface of the carrier, i.e. to the wall 1 of the housing 13 or to the plate carrier 70 around the aperture 23, 73. be designed to resist the tension and / or shear exerted when connecting the tubular member to the bag in order to compensate for the level differences resulting from the tearing off of the fibers from the surface

To remove the original dust bag and to resist the suction vacuum.

These requirements are solved by a microporous foam or mossy substrate with a thickness of 2 to 5 millimeters.

According to a variant of the embodiment, the adhesive means consists of an adhesive layer.

According to another embodiment, not shown in the figures, the fastening means is formed by a suction nozzle.

According to another embodiment, also not shown in the drawings, the fastener comprises mechanical elements, such as clips or rivets, passing through the flange-like extension 24 of the tubular member 4 as well as the carrier. Advantageously, a seal may be inserted between the end 21 of the tubular member 4 and the support to ensure the tightness of the joint.

Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of a dust bag used in the filter device according to the invention. The dust bag is formed from a flexible textile material, such as a nonwoven fabric, and in particular polypropylene. The material is shaped in the form of a flat piece, shaped in the shape of a closed bag with a filling opening.

In an embodiment of the invention, the dust bag 6 is formed by joining together two sheets 40 and 41 of the above material. The planar parts have a circular shape and their periphery is formed by edges 42 or 43 joined together by welding, in particular by ultrasonic, gluing or sewing, in the regions of the edges 42, 43. One of the planar parts 40 is provided with a filling opening 49 through which air with dust sucked in vacuum cleaner, passes through a dust bag.

In a preferred embodiment, the fastener 7 of the dust bag 6 is a detachable fastener. It is preferably formed by a ring 44 with "quarter turn" threading which cooperates with the external threading of the tubular member 4 forming the detachable connecting means 5 of the tubular member.

As shown in FIG. 6, the fastener 7 of the dust bag 6 comprises a ring 44 whose inner passage 45 carries threaded sections 46 and 47 so as to form a quarter turn nut. The ring is intended to be welded, in particular by ultrasound, or to be glued around the filling opening 49 in the section 48 of the dust bag 6.

Fig. 7 shows another embodiment of a dust bag of the filter device according to the invention. The dust bag of Fig. 7 comprises planar parts in the shape of a polygon, preferably a hexagon. The filling opening 50 may be eccentrically positioned relative to the center of the panel. In the embodiment of Fig. 7, the two planar parts are glued together along the rectilinear edges, such as the edges 51, in the manner described for the edge regions 42, 43 of the bag 6 of Fig. 6.

Preferably, the material comprises two or three layers. The first layer disposed outwardly of the dust bag has been formed as described above, of a synthetic material, for example polypropylene. The second layer is made of fibrous material. Microfibre material retaining the finest dust particles is chosen. The outer layer of synthetic material is selected to provide the dust bag with the required degree of rigidity, while at the same time providing flexibility sufficient to allow the vacuum cleaner to fill the entire housing. Preferably, a third inner layer is attached to catch the coarser dust particles and prevent rapid clogging of the inner layer.

It is understood that other forms and other materials meeting the above criteria may be contemplated. In particular, the dust bag may be formed from a single planar piece, the edges of which are connected by an annular clamp. Likewise, a ring 44 may be formed directly on the periphery of the filling aperture,

Providing local curing of the nonwoven web by heating it locally, and / or adding the material.

The hexagonal shape of the sheets of Fig. 7 makes it possible to minimize cutting losses when the cut-off sheets for forming the dust bags according to the invention are taken from one or two coils. Hexagons can be cut from the rectangular strip by the edges side by side, using the material except at the edges of the strip and the cut out hole.

The connection arrangement of the two sheets forming the dust bag interacts with the flexibility of the nonwoven fabric as well as with the rotational shape of the bag, so that the bag occupies, when filled, the maximum volume available. This eliminates the disadvantage of folded filter bags, which must have a precisely calculated geometry in order to conform to the shape of the vacuum housing 13 for which they are intended.

The ring 44 forming the connection means 7 of the dust bag 6 is preferably permanently fixed to the dust bag 6, as explained by Figures 6 and 7.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic cross-section of a first embodiment of a tubular adapter member 4 according to the invention. The tubular member 4 is in the form of a hollow cylinder, the other end 22 of which has an opening 15 intended to come against the filling opening of the dust bag. The opening of the universal dust bag of the filter device according to the invention is always the same. Thus, all tubular members 4 of replacement kits according to the invention have a second end 22 intended to come against the opening of a dust bag of the same diameter. In Fig. 4 there is a tubular member 4 in an embodiment designed to "taper" the diameter of the bag opening to accommodate a smaller diameter tube 14. To this end, the first end 21 with the narrower opening is provided with an annular shoulder in a plane perpendicular to the cylinder axis of the tubular member 4 such that the inlet diameter of the opening is smaller than the diameter of the outlet 15 with respect to the dust bag. tapering section 16.

For example, the connection means 5 of the tubular member 4 is formed by a threaded groove formed on the outer surface of the second end 22 of the tubular member 4 and adapted to interact with the threading 45 of the ring 44.

FIG. 5 shows another shape of the tubular member 4, the first end 21 of which is intended to be mounted around the filling tube 14 and towards the carrier (wall 1 or plate 70) has a larger diameter than the diameter of the outlet opening 15. Thus, the tubular member 4 of FIG. 5 is of the " diameter expander " type and its enlarged diameter end 21 forms the diameter extension section 17. This situation can be caused, for example, by the fact that the filling tube 14 in the dust filter housing 13 inside the vacuum cleaner has a diameter greater than the diameter of the filling opening 49 of the dust bag 6.

For this reason, the tubular member 4 is preferably formed by two cylindrical sections. The first cylindrical section, connected to the inlet opening at the first end 21, has a shoulder of the ring flanking the widened opening so that the tubular member 4 can adapt to plate carriers or walls whose opening has a large diameter. The second cylindrical section connected to the outlet opening 15 still has the same diameter irrespective of the type of vacuum cleaner or pad carrier considered. The two cylindrical sections are connected to each other by a diameter adjustment connecting section 18.

In the same way, adapting to the lengths of the different feed tubes 14 according to vacuum cleaner models can be provided by adapters with tubular members 4 of different lengths. The formation of a connecting section 18 of corresponding length then constitutes a length adjustment section. Similarly, it is possible to adapt the lengths, although not described herein, by joining multiple tubular members together. A plurality of tubular members 4 with diameters for widening or narrowing the diameters, as well as different lengths for adapting to the lengths of the filling tubes, form a universal mounting kit or a replacement kit for the dust filter.

- 6 GB 297789 B6

The invention is used as follows. When the cardboard plate carrier is necessary for the operation of the vacuum cleaner, the user removes the original dust filter to be replaced from the vacuum storage box because it is filled with dust. Instead of being immediately ejected, the user now removes from the filter a cardboard plate carrier which, as noted, is only glued to a paper bag full of dust.

It then uses an obsolete universal dust filter mounting assembly according to the invention, which mainly comprises a plurality of tubular members. Upon release of the old dust filter, the user discards the old dust bag without its cardboard plate carrier, which places it in front of the tubular members of the assembly to select the tubular member having a length and diameter adapted to the filling tube 14 provided with the vacuum housing housing.

The tubular member 4 is mounted on a suitable surface of the obtained cardboard plate carrier, so that the openings of the sections 16, 17 of the tubular member 4 and the opening 73 of the cardboard plate carrier 70 match. The suitable area of the platelet support to which the tubular member is to be attached is necessarily the one that carried the old dust bag of the original dust filter, since any torn apart portions or asymmetry of the platelet support establish its orientation. The user remains to fit the universal dust bag 6 onto the standard opening 15 of the tubular member 4. The filter device according to the invention can now be inserted into the housing of the vacuum cleaner, which can function normally after insertion of the new filter with the plate carrier.

When the cardboard plate carrier is not necessary for the operation of the vacuum cleaner or when the bags usually used in the apparatus do not include a plate carrier, the user directly attaches the end 21 of the tubular member 4 to the wall 1 of the housing 13 around the opening 23 using the fastener 3.

Later, when the universal dust bag 6 is full of dust, it will be sufficient for the user to purchase a set of replacement universal dust bags 6 that are mounted on the tubular member 4. The tubular member 4 may still be fixed to the wall 1 or plate carrier 70. S preferably, the tubular member 4 is permanently mounted on the support. Thus, the user no longer needs to remove the tubular member 4 since it is sufficient to replace the dust bag 6, for example when it is full, and not the universal filter device including its adapter.

An entire vacuum cleaner equipped with a tubular member 4 originating from the universal dust filter kit may use the universal dust bag 6.

The invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, which are given by way of example only.

Industrial applicability

The invention finds application in the field of vacuum cleaners for cleaning.

Claims (8)

PATENT CLAIMS An adapter for a vacuum cleaner dust bag (6), in particular a household vacuum cleaner comprising, inter alia, a storage box (13) for receiving a dust bag (6) and a tube (14) for filling the dust bag (6). mounted in a vacuum cleaner by a plate carrier (70) separated from the used dust bag (6) forming a standard vacuum cleaner accessory and used as an adapter coupling to the vacuum tube filler (14), wherein the plate carrier (70) comprises a hole (73) for substantially tight fit on the filling The adapter consists of a tubular member (4) having a first end (21) facing away from the dust bag (6) and an opposite second end (22), wherein the tubular adapter member (4) is on provided at its other end (22) with coupling means (5) for removable interaction with the dust bag connecting means (7) mounted around the filling opening (49) of the dust bag (6), characterized in that the first end (21) The tubular member (4) comprises a flange-like extension (24) provided with a fastening means (3) formed of an adhesive means or clips for attaching the flange-like extension with a permanent and substantially tight connection around the aperture (73) of the plate carrier (70). Adapter for a dust bag (6) of a vacuum cleaner, in particular a household vacuum cleaner, comprising, inter alia, a storage box (13) for inserting a dust bag (6) and a tube (14) for filling the dust bag (6). for mounting on an inner wall (1) of a storage cabinet (13) in which an opening (23) is provided for substantially tightly connecting the vacuum cleaner filling tube (14), the adapter consisting of a tubular member (4) having a first end (21) facing away from the dust bag and the opposite second end (22), wherein the tubular adapter member (4) is provided at its other end (22) with coupling means (5) for removable interaction with the coupling means (7) of the dust bag (6), fitted around the filling opening (49) of the dust bag (6), characterized in that the first end (21) of the tubular member (4) comprises a flange-like extension (24) provided by means of an adhesive (3) formed by an adhesive means or clips for attaching a flange-like extension with a permanent and substantially tight connection around an opening (23) in the inner wall (1) of the housing (13) of the vacuum cleaner. Dust bag adapter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the adhesive means is disposed on the first end (21) of the tubular member (4). Dust bag adapter according to claim 3, characterized in that the adhesive means is a double-sided adhesive ring. Dust bag adapter according to claim 4, characterized in that the adhesive ring comprises a microporous foam substrate. Dust bag adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the tubular member (4) comprises a tapering section (16) or a diameter extension section (17) and / or a length adjustment section to allow insertion of the vacuum cleaner filling tube (14) into the tubular. (4). Dust filtering device for a vacuum cleaner, in particular a vacuum cleaner for domestic use, characterized in that it comprises an adapter for adapting the dust bag (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, connected to the dust bag (6), (5) coupled to a coupling means (7) mounted around the filling opening (49) of the dust bag (6). Vacuum cleaner, in particular for domestic use, characterized in that it comprises an adapter for adapting the dust bag (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.