EP1190661A2

EP1190661A2 - Automatic discharge assembly for a vacuum cleaner

Info

Publication number: EP1190661A2
Application number: EP20010402043
Authority: EP
Inventors: Alan D. Kaufman
Original assignee: Shop Vac Corp
Current assignee: Shop Vac Corp
Priority date: 2000-09-21
Filing date: 2001-07-27
Publication date: 2002-03-27
Also published as: MXPA01009456A; CA2353784A1

Abstract

An automatic discharge assembly (32) for use with vacuum cleaner (10) is disclosed. The vacuum cleaner (10) has a tank (12) defining an interior having an inlet (24) for receiving liquid material and an outlet (30) for discharging liquid materials, and a vacuum source (16,18) for selectively generating a partial vacuum in the tank interior. The automatic discharge assembly (32) comprises a valve housing (42) defining a liquid discharge path having an inlet (44) adapted for fluid communication with the tank outlet (30) and an outlet (46) for directing liquid material discharge. A pressure-responsive flapper valve (50) is pivotably connected to the valve housing (42), the flapper valve (50) being moveable between a closed position, in which the flapper valve (50) obstructs the liquid discharge path (49), and an open position, in which the flapper valve (50) allows fluid flow through the liquid discharge path (49). The flapper valve (50) moves to the closed position when vacuum is present in the tank interior, and to the open position under a mass force of the liquid material inside the tank (12) when a pressure in the tank interior is substantially the same as an atmospheric pressure outside the tank (12).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to vacuum cleaners and, more particularly, to vacuum cleaners capable of collecting liquid material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tank-type vacuum cleaners are generally known which are capable of receiving both dry materials, such as debris or dirt, and liquid materials. A motor and an air impeller are typically provided for creating a partial vacuum in the tank. A tank inlet is provided for receiving the vacuumed material and is connected to a hose for directing the vacuum pressure to the desired area.
When the tank is full, an upper vacuum assembly (which often includes the motor and air impeller) is removed and the contents are dumped out. If the vacuum cleaner is used on a liquid material, the tank, when at or near capacity, may be very heavy so that lifting the tank to pour the contents into a sink or drain is difficult. Even tilting the tank to pour the contents into a floor drain may be unwieldy when the liquid level in the tank is high.
One solution to the difficulties encountered in emptying liquid from vacuum tanks has been to provide an outlet at the bottom of the tank. The outlet is typically provided with a plug or cap which must be removed in order to allow liquid to flow through the outlet. Accordingly, a user of the vacuum cleaner must release the inlet hose, reach down to the tank outlet, and remove the cap each time the user desires to empty the tank. Such conventional tank draining procedures are overly time-consuming and difficult.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with certain aspects of the present invention, a vacuum cleaner is provided comprising a tank defining an interior having an inlet for receiving liquid material and an outlet for discharging liquid materials and a vacuum source for selectively generating a partial vacuum in the tank interior. An automatic discharge assembly is provided having a valve housing defining a liquid discharge path with an inlet adapted for fluid communication with the tank outlet and an outlet for directing liquid material discharge. A flapper valve is pivotably connected to the valve housing, the flapper valve being moveable between a closed position, in which the flapper valve obstructs the liquid discharge path, and an open position, in which the flapper valve allows fluid flow through the liquid discharge path. In operation, the flapper valve is in the closed position when vacuum is present in the tank interior and moves to the open position under a mass force of the liquid material inside the tank when a pressure in the tank interior is substantially the same as an atmospheric pressure outside the tank.
In accordance with additional aspects of the invention, an automatic discharge assembly is provided for use with vacuum cleaner having a tank defining an interior and including an inlet for receiving liquid material and an outlet for discharging liquid materials, and a vacuum source for selectively generating a partial vacuum in the tank interior. The automatic discharge assembly comprises a valve housing defining a liquid discharge path having an inlet adapted for fluid communication with the tank outlet and an outlet for directing liquid material discharge. A pressure-responsive flapper valve is pivotably connected to the valve housing, the flapper valve being moveable between a closed position, in which the flapper valve obstructs the liquid discharge path, and an open position, in which the flapper valve allows fluid flow through the liquid discharge path. The flapper valve is adapted to be in the closed position when vacuum is present in the tank interior and moves to the open position under a mass force of the liquid material inside the tank when a pressure in the tank interior is substantially the same as an atmospheric pressure outside the tank.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view, in partial cross-section, of a vacuum cleaner having attached thereto an automatic discharge assembly in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view, in cross-section, of the automatic discharge assembly of FIG. 1 with a hose adapter attached thereto.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view, in cross-section, of the automatic discharge assembly having a cap attached hose adapter.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view, in cross-section, ofan automatic discharge assembly with the hose adapter removed.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view, in cross-section, of the automatic discharge assembly illustrated in FIG. 4 with a cap attached to the assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring initially to FIG. 1 a vacuum cleaner 10 is shown having a tank 12 supporting an upper vacuum assembly, indicated generally at 14. The upper vacuum assembly 14 houses an air impeller assembly that includes a motor 16 and an air impeller 18. The impeller 18 fluidly communicates with an interior of the tank 12 to create a partial vacuum pressure inside the tank. The tank 12 is preferably supported by casters 20 and the upper vacuum assembly 14 includes a handle 22 so that the vacuum cleaner 10 may be easily moved.
The tank 12 defines an inlet 24 for receiving vacuumed material. The inlet 24 includes a hosebarb 26 sized to receive and secure an intake hose 28. When the motor 16 drives the air impeller 18 to create a partial vacuum pressure inside the tank 12, dry and liquid material drawn into the intake hose 28 is directed through the inlet 24 to collect inside the tank 12.
The tank 12 also defines an outlet 30 for emptying the tank 12. In accordance with certain aspects of the present invention, an automatic discharge assembly 32 is attached to the tank outlet 30 for selectively discharging the tank 12. As best shown in FIG. 2, the automatic discharge assembly 32 includes a collar 34 having an attachment end 36 sized to engage the tank outlet 30. In a preferred embodiment, the tank outlet 30 and collar receiving end 36 are threaded. The collar 34 defines an outlet port 38 and has a valve seat 40 positioned adjacent one end of the outlet port 38.
The automatic discharge assembly 32 further includes a valve housing 42 having an inlet 44 attached to the collar 34 and an outlet 46. The sidewall 48 connects the inlet 44 to the outlet 46 to define a discharge flow path 49 which is preferably angled downward to direct fluid as it is discharged from the tank 12. A flapper valve 50 is attached to an interior of the valve housing 42 by a hinge 52. The flapper valve 50 is moveable between open and closed positions. In the closed position, a sealing face 54 of the flapper valve 50 engages the collar valve seat 40 thereby to obstruct the outlet port 38 and prevent liquid from flowing through the tank outlet 30. In the open position, illustrated in phantom in FIGS. 2 and 3, the flapper valve 50 is rotated away from the valve seat 40 to allow liquid to pass through the flow path 49.
According to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, a hose adapter 56 is attached to the valve housing outlet 46. The hose adapter 56 has a large-diameter receiving end 58 adapted for attachment to the valve housing outlet 46, preferably by threads. The hose adapter 56 also includes a small-diameter discharge end 60 sized to engage a discharge hose 62, as best shown in FIG. 2. The discharge end 60 preferably has external threads which engage internal threads formed in a coupling 64 attached to the hose 62. As best shown in FIG. 3, a cap 66 may be attached to the discharge end 60 to close off the automatic discharge assembly 32.
In operation, when a partial vacuum pressure is present inside the tank 12, the flapper valve 50 is drawn to the closed position, in which the sealing face 54 engages the valve seat 40, to prevent fluid flow through the tank outlet 30. The flapper valve 50 will remain in the closed position even when liquid collects in the tank 12, as long as the partial vacuum pressure is present inside the tank 12.
When the motor 16 is subsequently shut off to cease operation of the air impeller 18, the pressure level inside the tank 12 nears the atmospheric pressure present outside the tank 12. As a result, a mass force of the liquid present inside the tank 12 acts against the flapper valve 50 to move the flapper valve 50 to the open position. When a hose 62 is attached to the automatic discharge assembly 32 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, liquid is allowed to discharge from the tank 12 and through the hose 62 to a discharge point such as a basin or drain. If the cap 66 is attached to the automatic discharge assembly 32, the cap 66 prevents liquid flow even when the flapper valve 50 is in the opened position.
As understood with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, it will be appreciated that the hose adapter 56 need not be attached to the automatic discharge assembly 32. The automatic discharge assembly 32 may be attached to the tank outlet 30 as shown in FIG. 4, so that liquid is discharged directly from the valve housing outlet 46. Consequently, the vacuum cleaner 10 must be positioned so that the outlet 46 is positioned over the drain or other receptacle. As shown in FIG. 5, a large cap 68 may be attached to the valve housing outlet 46 to prevent liquid flow therethrough at all times. It will be understood that the automatic discharge assembly 32 operates the same as described above without the hose adapter 56.
The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, as modifications would be obvious to those skilled in the art.

Claims

A vacuum cleaner comprising:

a tank defining an interior having an inlet forreceiving liquid material and an outlet for discharging liquid materials;

a vacuum source for selectively generating a partial vacuum in the tank interior; and

an automatic discharge assembly including a valve housing defining a liquid discharge path having an inlet adapted for fluid communication with the tank outlet and an outlet for directing liquid material discharge, and a flapper valve pivotably connected to the valve housing, the flapper valve being moveable between a closed position, in which the flapper valve obstructs the liquid discharge path, and an open position, in which the flapper valve allows fluid flow through the liquid discharge path;

wherein the flapper valve is in the closed position when vacuum is present in the tank interior, and wherein the flapper valve moves to the open position under a mass force of the liquid material inside the tank when a pressure in the tank interior is substantially the same as an atmospheric pressure outside the tank.
The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, in which the automatic discharge assembly includes a collar adapted for attachment to the tank outlet, the collar having a valve seat defining an outlet port, and wherein the housing valve inlet is attached to the collar.
The vacuum cleaner of claim 2, in which the flapper valve is positioned in the valve housing so that a sealing face of the flapper valve engages the collar valve seat when the flapper valve is in the closed position.
The vacuum cleaner of claim I, further comprising a hose adapter having a receiving end adapted for attachment to the valve housing outlet, and a discharge end.
The vacuum cleaner of claim 4, in which the hose adapter discharge end is adapted to engage a discharge hose.
The vacuum cleaner of claim 4, further comprising a removable cap attached to the hose adapter discharge end.
The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, further comprising a removable cap attached to the valve housing outlet.
An automatic discharge assembly for use with vacuum cleaner having a tank defining an interior having an inlet for receiving liquid material and an outlet for discharging liquid materials, and a vacuum source for selectively generating a partial vacuum in the tank interior, the automatic discharge assembly comprising:

a valve housing defining a liquid discharge path having an inlet adapted for fluid communication with the tank outlet and an outlet for directing liquid material discharge; and

a pressure-responsive flapper valve pivotably connected to the valve housing, the flapper valve being moveable between a closed position, in which the flapper valve obstructs the liquid discharge path, and an open position, in which the flapper valve allows fluid flow through the liquid discharge path;

wherein the flapper valve is in the closed position when vacuum is present in the tank interior, and wherein the flapper valve moves to the open position under a mass force of the liquid material inside the tank when a pressure in the tank interior is substantially the same as an atmospheric pressure outside the tank.
The automatic discharge assembly of claim 8, including a collar adapted for attachment to the tank outlet, the collar having a valve seat defining an outlet port, and wherein the housing valve inlet is attached to the collar.
The automatic discharge assembly of claim 9, in which the flapper valve is positioned in the valve housing so that a sealing face of the flapper valve engages the collar valve seat when the flapper valve is in the closed position.
The automatic discharge assembly of claim 8, further comprising a hose adapter having a receiving end adapted for attachment to the valve housing outlet, and a discharge end.
The automatic discharge assembly of claim 11, in which the hose adapter discharge end is adapted to engage a discharge hose.
The automatic discharge assembly of claim 11, further comprising a removable cap attached to the hose adapter discharge end.
The automatic discharge assembly of claim 8, further comprising a removable cap attached to the valve housing outlet.