EP3530170B1 - Supporting plate with centring device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a holding plate for a vacuum cleaner bag.

Such holding plates are known in various forms and have a passage or filling opening through which the connecting piece of a vacuum cleaner can be inserted into the vacuum cleaner bag. Such vacuum cleaner nozzles can have very different diameters. In order to be able to use a holding plate for different nozzle diameters, an elastic seal or a sealing ring is often used. Such seals are usually made of rubber or a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). They can be formed in one piece with the holding plate or as a separate component on the holding plate, under the holding plate or in the filter bag. Cardboard holding plates, in which pre-punched parts can be separated in order to adapt the hole diameter to the vacuum cleaner nozzle, are also known.

In particular, is from the DE 20 2008 004 025 a vacuum cleaner bag is known in which an elastic rubber layer is arranged between a holding plate and the vacuum cleaner bag, which is reinforced by a further rigid material layer. In the DE 20 2008 002 010 U1 a dust collection bag is immediately glued with a seal made of a polymeric material. The DE 10 2010 060 353 A1 describes a vacuum cleaner bag, comprising a flat, elastic sealing element which is arranged inside and / or outside the bag wall. From the DE 20 2004 008971 U1 a vacuum cleaner bag is known in which a flexible sealing ring is welded to the bag and the holding plate is welded to the sealing ring. The DE 10 2007 062 028 B4 describes a dust filter bag in which a layer of rubber-elastic material forms a protruding sealing ring on the inside of the filter bag.

From the EP 0 202 639 A1 is known a holding plate for a vacuum cleaner filter bag, which has elastic zones in a rigid plate material, which are realized in the form of plate cutouts. The DE 1 301 881 discloses a single-use dust bag for a vacuum cleaner with a number of tongues lying in the plane of the end wall of the dust bag, a ring made of elastic material, for example a rubber band, being attached to each tongue. From the DE 200 05 448 U1 a holding plate of a vacuum cleaner filter bag is known, in which projections are provided which protrude into an insertion opening and which, when the holding plate is attached to the vacuum cleaner nozzle, press a seal against the vacuum cleaner nozzle in order to lock the holding plate.

In the following, the relative arrangement of a holding plate to a vacuum cleaner socket accommodated in it in the case of an unfilled vacuum cleaner bag fastened in the housing of a vacuum cleaner is referred to as the “reference position”. The is in the reference position Vacuum cleaner nozzle usually centered in the filling opening, that is, in the plane in which the filling opening extends, the distance between the vacuum cleaner nozzle and the edge of the filling opening is substantially constant along the entire circumference of the vacuum cleaner nozzle. The seal closes the vacuum cleaner socket evenly around its circumference in the reference position. This means that the sealing properties of the holding plate are best in the reference position.

Depending on the arrangement of the holding plate in the space of a vacuum cleaner, it can happen that the holding plate when filling the vacuum cleaner bag with dust due to the weight of the

Suction material moves in a radial direction relative to the reference position. "Radial" here denotes directions which lie in the plane in which the filling opening extends. In contrast, the vacuum cleaner nozzle itself is not usually moved by the weight of the suction material, since it is additionally fixed in operation by the vacuum cleaner housing, which has a much greater rigidity than the holding plate.

Such a radial displacement of the holding plate leads in particular to the fact that the filling opening is displaced from the reference position relative to the vacuum cleaner socket accommodated in the holding plate. This often leads to a deformation of the seal and thus to a deterioration in the sealing properties.

The holding plate can also move in its holder when the vacuum cleaner is opened to check the fill level of the vacuum cleaner bag, which often involves removing the vacuum cleaner nozzle from the bag. This in turn leads to a radial displacement of the vacuum cleaner nozzle and filling opening relative to one another when the device is closed, and consequently to the above-described negative effects on the sealing properties.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a holding plate which enables reliable sealing.

This object is achieved by a holding plate according to claim 1. Particularly advantageous further developments can be found in the subclaims.

The holding plate comprises a sealing element and a base plate in which a passage opening is formed. The passage opening can in particular be circular. However, other shapes of the passage opening are also possible, for example it can have an oval, in particular ellipsoidal, or rectangular shape.

The holding plate can be attachable to a holding device in a vacuum cleaner housing. Alternatively, the vacuum cleaner filter bag can be pushed with the aid of the holding plate over a connection piece on the vacuum cleaner side.

The sealing element is intended to prevent or limit the escape of dust from the vacuum cleaner filter bag by sealing the area between the inner edge of the passage opening and the outside of a connecting piece of the vacuum cleaner. The sealing element can consist of rubber and / or TPE and / or the material of the vacuum cleaner filter bag. But it can also consist of any other material that has sufficient elasticity for the necessary sealing effect. The sealing element can be injection molded onto the holding plate.

The inventors of the present application have recognized that a problem with the conventional holding plates is that the seals used do not have sufficient resilience to compensate for the displacements described above. For this reason, the holding plate comprises a centering device which extends at least partially along the edge of the passage opening and comprises at least a first spring element. According to the invention, the spring element exerts a restoring force counter to the deformation when deformed in the radial direction.

If a deformation of the spring element results from a radial displacement of the passage opening relative to a vacuum cleaner socket accommodated in the holding plate, the centering device uses the restoring force to ensure that the holding plate is held in the reference position and / or returned to the reference position relative to the vacuum cleaner socket. In other words, the deformation of the spring element generates a spring force which is transmitted to the vacuum cleaner nozzle. Since this, as stated above, is fixed by the vacuum cleaner housing, the resulting counterforce acting from the vacuum cleaner nozzle on the holding plate results in a displacement of the holding plate which is opposite to the original radial displacement.

The spring element is formed from a deformed area of the holding plate, in particular the base plate.

The deformed area is deformed in a wave shape, such a deformation may include one or more waves. A wave is to be understood as an elevation and / or depression perpendicular to the main plane of extent of the holding plate. In addition, a flat area that adjoins an elevation and / or depression can also be part of the wave. The profile of such an elevation can be V-shaped or U-shaped, for example. If the deformed area contains several waves, the individual waves can have the same profile or different profiles. In the case of several waves, all waves can consist of elevations or depressions, or elevations and depressions can alternate. The individual shafts can directly adjoin one another or they can be separated from one another by undeformed regions of the holding plate.

The waves can be arranged concentrically with respect to the passage opening. Concentric means that the waves run essentially parallel to the edge of the passage opening.

On the one hand, such a deformation has the direct effect that the deformed region assumes spring properties. Furthermore, the area deformed in this way can be compressed be, and therefore allows the inclusion of vacuum cleaner nozzle with different diameters. Instead of waves, the deformed area can also comprise other structures which give the area spring properties.

The extent of the deformed area in the circumferential direction of the passage opening can increase radially outwards. For example, in the case of a circular passage opening, the spring element can be formed by the wave-shaped deformation of a circular ring sector of the holding plate, that is to say by a segment of the holding plate which, starting from the center point of the passage opening, is formed by two different radii and an annular ring lying between them. Such a design can be achieved in a simple manner that the restoring force acts perpendicular to the edge of the passage opening.

The holding plate can be designed in several pieces. The centering element can be glued or welded to the base plate.

Alternatively, the holding plate can be formed in one piece, in particular the centering device can be formed in one piece with the base plate. In this embodiment, the centering device can at least partially form the edge of the passage opening.

The holding plate can further comprise at least one second spring element. In this case, the arrangement of the spring elements can in particular be designed such that it has no rotational symmetry with respect to the passage opening. Here, an n-fold rotational symmetry of the arrangement of the spring elements with respect to the passage opening is to be understood such that the arrangement of the spring elements is converted into itself by rotation through 360 ° / n about an axis which corresponds to the central axis of the vacuum cleaner connector in the reference position can. It should be noted that a "simple" rotational symmetry is synonymous with no rotational symmetry. Such an arrangement of the spring elements can achieve a stronger spring action against a main loading direction. The main direction of loading can be, for example, the direction of gravity during the operation of the vacuum cleaner.

The spring elements can be the same size or have different sizes. In particular, they can have different dimensions in the circumferential direction of the passage opening. Furthermore, the spring elements can be spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction or separated from one another only by incisions. In other words, an undeformed area of the holding plate or a free space can lie between each two spring elements.

The centering device of the holding plate can also be designed as a diaphragm spring. Here, a diaphragm spring describes a spring that extends essentially in a main plane of expansion, the expansion in this plane (length, width) being many times greater than in a direction perpendicular to this plane (thickness). The diaphragm spring has a restoring force perpendicular to its main plane of expansion. In this way, not only can the inserted vacuum cleaner nozzle be stabilized in the radial, but also in the axial direction, i.e. with respect to displacements along its central axis. For example, the deformation of the holding plate by the weight of the dust being sucked up can also be prevented or compensated for in the case when the central axis of the vacuum cleaner nozzle runs parallel to the direction of gravity during operation.

The holding plate can comprise a thermoplastic. In particular, the centering device can consist entirely or partially of a thermoplastic. In particular, the spring elements can consist of a thermoplastic. A thermoplastic is understood to mean a thermoplastic that is not a thermoplastic elastomer. The thermoplastic can be, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), hard polyvinyl chloride (hard PVC), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) or polyactate (PLA). In one embodiment, the thermoplastic can be a recycled plastic, for example recycled PET (rPET) or recycled PP (rPP). This can improve the environmental compatibility of the holding plate.

The holding plate can be manufactured using thermoforming or deep drawing. Manufacturing by injection molding is also possible.

The invention further provides a vacuum cleaner filter bag according to claim 9, comprising a bag wall and one of the holding plates described above.

The holding plate can thus have one or more of the features described above.

The bag wall of the vacuum cleaner filter bag can comprise one or more layers of filter material, in particular one or more layers of nonwoven fabric. Vacuum cleaner filter bags with such a bag wall made of several filter material layers are for example from the EP 2 011 556 or the EP 0 960 645 known. A wide variety of plastics can be used as the material for the nonwoven layers, for example polypropylene and / or polyester. In particular, the position of the bag wall to be connected to the holding plate can be a nonwoven layer. The bag wall of the vacuum cleaner filter bag can likewise comprise or consist of recycled plastic. For example, the bag wall as in the EP 3 219 376 A1 be described.

The term nonwoven is used according to the definition according to ISO standard ISO9092: 1988 or CEM standard EN29092. In particular, the terms fiber nonwoven or nonwoven and nonwoven in the field of nonwoven manufacture are delimited from one another as follows and are also to be understood in the sense of the present invention. Fibers and / or filaments are used to produce a nonwoven. The loose or loose and still unbound fibers and / or filaments are referred to as fleece or non-woven (web). By means of a so-called nonwoven binding step, a nonwoven fabric of this type is finally produced which has sufficient strength to be wound up, for example, into rolls. In other words, a nonwoven fabric is self-supporting through the consolidation. (Details on the use of the definitions and / or methods described herein can also be found in the standard work " Nonwovens ", W. Albrecht, H. Fuchs, W. Kittelmann, Wiley-VCH, 2000 , remove.)

The bag wall can have a through opening, in particular with the through opening of the bag wall being arranged in alignment with the through opening of the base plate. An inlet opening can be formed through the passage opening in the base plate and the passage opening in the bag wall, through which the air to be cleaned can flow into the interior of the vacuum cleaner filter bag.

The vacuum cleaner filter bag can also include one or more sealing elements that complement the sealing effect of the centering device.

The sealing elements can be arranged in the bag and / or between the bag and the holding plate and / or on the holding plate.

The sealing elements can consist of rubber, and / or TPE and / or the material of the vacuum cleaner filter bag. But they can also consist of any other material that has sufficient elasticity for the necessary sealing effect.

Another example is a vacuum cleaner bag comprising a bag wall, at least one sealing element, and a holding plate. In this case, the holding plate comprises a base plate, in which a passage opening is formed, and a centering device, which runs at least partially along the edge of the passage opening and comprises at least a first spring element. When deforming in the radial direction, the spring element exerts a restoring force directed counter to the deformation.

In contrast to the vacuum cleaner bag according to claim 9, in this example the at least one sealing element is not part of the holding plate, but rather a separate component. The at least one sealing element can be arranged in the bag and / or between the bag and the holding plate.

The bag wall, the sealing element and the centering device can each have one or more of the features described above.

Figur 1a - 1c

schematisch eine herkömmliche Halteplatte mit Staubsaugerstutzen in Referenzposition in Draufsicht (a), sowie in Referenzposition (b) und bei Belastung in einer radialen Richtung (c) in Schnittansicht;

Figur 2

schematisch den Aufbau eines beispielhaften Staubsaugerfilterbeutels;

Figur 3

eine schematische Darstellung einer beispielhaften Halteplatte in Draufsicht;

Figur 4a und 4b

eine schematische Darstellung einer beispielhaften Halteplatte in Referenzposition (a) und bei Belastung in einer radialen Richtung (b) in Schnittansicht; und

Figur 5a - 5c

Profile beispielhafter Zentriervorrichtungen.

Further features of the invention are explained below using the exemplary figures. It shows:

Figure 1a - 1c

schematically shows a conventional holding plate with vacuum cleaner nozzle in the reference position in plan view (a), and in reference position (b) and when loaded in a radial direction (c) in a sectional view;

Figure 2

schematically the structure of an exemplary vacuum cleaner filter bag;

Figure 3

a schematic representation of an exemplary holding plate in plan view;

Figure 4a and 4b

a schematic representation of an exemplary holding plate in reference position (a) and when loaded in a radial direction (b) in a sectional view; and

Figures 5a - 5c

Profiles of exemplary centering devices.

Figure 1a schematically shows a conventional holding plate 1 with a passage opening 2 and a sealing element 3 attached to the holding plate 1 in plan view. A vacuum cleaner nozzle 4 is inserted into the passage opening 2.

In Figure 1b the holding plate 1 is shown with a vacuum cleaner socket 4 in the reference position in a sectional view. It can be seen that the sealing element 3 completely closes off the vacuum cleaner connector 4.

Figure 1c shows the holding plate 1 with the inserted vacuum cleaner nozzle 4 after a displacement in the radial direction, for example due to the weight of suction material accommodated in a vacuum cleaner bag, which is illustrated by the arrow pointing downward. The displacement has created a gap 5 between the sealing element 3 and the vacuum cleaner nozzle 4, through which dust can escape from the vacuum cleaner bag into the interior of the vacuum cleaner.

Figure 2 shows the schematic structure of an exemplary vacuum cleaner filter bag. The filter bag comprises a bag wall 6, a holding plate 7 and an inflow opening through which the air to be filtered flows into the filter bag. The inflow opening is formed here by a through opening 8 in the base plate of the holding plate 7 and a through opening arranged in alignment with it in the bag wall 6. The holding plate 7 is used to fix the Vacuum cleaner filter bag in a corresponding holder in a housing of a vacuum cleaner.

The bag wall 6 comprises at least one nonwoven layer, for example made of a melt-spun fine fiber spunbond (meltblown nonwoven) or a filament spunbond (spunbond).

The holding plate 7 comprises a base plate made of a thermoplastic. For example, recycled plastic material, for example recycled polypropylene (rPP) or recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET), can be used for the base plate.

Relevant international standards exist for many plastic recyclates. For example, DIN EN 15353: 2007 applies to recycled PET plastics.

The term "recycled plastic" used for the purposes of the present invention is to be understood synonymously with recycled plastic. For a conceptual definition, reference is made to the standard DIN EN 15347: 2007.

A plan view of an exemplary holding plate that is used in connection with a filter bag as in Figure 2 can be used is shown in Figure 3 shown. This shows the holding plate 7 with the passage opening 8. The base plate of the holding plate 7 is shown here schematically as a rectangle, but can have any shape that may correspond in particular to the corresponding holding device in the vacuum cleaner housing.

Furthermore shows Figure 3 a centering device 9 as part of the holding plate 7. The centering device 9 is shown here in one piece with the base plate of the holding plate 7, but it can also be a separate element which is connected to the holding plate 7, for example by gluing and / or welding. In Figure 3 the centering device runs completely around the circumference of the passage opening 8, but it can also be limited to a part of the circumference.

The centering device 9 comprises in Figure 3 four spring elements 10, 11, 12, 13, which are separated from one another by cuts 14. In other words, the in Figure 3 Embodiment shown the centering device 9 from the four spring elements 10, 11, 12, 13. The centering device 9 can also include a base plate on which the spring elements are attached, for example by gluing, screwing or welding. In this case, the spring elements can be separate elements that are spaced apart, in particular they can be spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the passage opening 8. The distances between the Spring elements can be the same size or different. The number of spring elements is not limited to four, but the centering device 9 always comprises at least one spring element.

In Figure 3 the spring elements 10, 11, 12, 13 are formed by deformed areas of the holding plate 7. The deformed areas are formed by alternating elevations and / or depressions, it being possible for additional flat areas to be arranged between the elevations and / or depressions. In particular, the sequence of deformations is repeated periodically; one period each forms a wave 15. If, for example, the deformed regions are formed by alternating elevations and depressions, one elevation and one adjacent depression each represent a wave 15.

In Figure 3 the spring elements 10, 11, 12, 13 each comprise four shafts 15. However, the spring elements can have any number of shafts 15.

In the in Figure 3 In the embodiment shown, the shafts 15 form concentric ring structures around the passage opening 8.

Figure 3 further shows that the arrangement of the spring elements 10, 11, 12, 13 has no rotational symmetry with respect to the passage opening 8. In particular, the spring element 10 is larger than the spring elements 11, 12 and 13. As a result, the spring force of the spring element 10 is also greater than that of the spring elements 11, 12 and 13. If the holding plate 7 is installed in a vacuum cleaner such that the main loading direction in the direction of Spring element 10 has, the highest restoring force is achieved in this direction. In Figure 3 this is illustrated with an arrow indicating the direction of gravity. If gravity acts in the direction of the arrow, the spring element 10 is most strongly compressed by the displacement of the holding plate 7. Since the spring element 10 also has the strongest restoring force, this ensures that the displacement in the main loading direction can be compensated for.

The arrangement of the spring elements can also have an n-fold rotational symmetry with respect to the passage opening 8, where n is an integer that is greater than 1. This is advantageous, for example, when there is no main load direction lying in the plane of the holding plate 7 during operation of the vacuum cleaner. This can be the case, in particular, if the axis of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 4 runs essentially parallel to the direction of gravity during operation.

The Figures 4a and 4b show analog to the Figures 1b and 1c is a schematic sectional view through the exemplary holding plate 7 with an inserted vacuum cleaner nozzle 4. In Figure 4a and Figure 4b a sealing element 16 can also be seen, which is attached to the inside of the holding plate 7. In particular, the sealing element 16 shown is attached to a spring element, which can be advantageous in order to save material. The sealing element 16 can also be attached to undeformed areas of the holding plate 7. Furthermore, the sealing element 16 can also completely cover the spring elements in the radial direction in plan view. This is advantageous, for example, when the spring elements are separated from one another by cuts 14. The sealing element 16 can also be attached to the outside of the holding plate 7.

The sealing element 16 can comprise or consist of a thermoplastic elastomer, for example based on polypropylene. The sealing element 16 is intended to prevent or limit the escape of dust from the vacuum cleaner filter bag by sealing the area between the inner edge of the passage opening 8 and the outside of a connecting piece of the vacuum cleaner. However, the sealing lip shown here is only optional. It is also conceivable that the bag material of the vacuum cleaner filter bag itself is used as a sealing ring, as is the case, for example, in FIG DE 102 03 460 is disclosed. The use of a sealing membrane between the holding plate 7 and the bag wall 6, as in the EP 2 044 874 disclosed is possible.

Figure 4a shows the holding plate 7 and the vacuum cleaner nozzle 4 in the reference position. It can be seen that the sealing element 16 completely closes off the vacuum cleaner nozzle 4.

In Figure 4b the holding plate 7 and the vacuum cleaner nozzle 4 can be seen under the influence of a force illustrated by the arrow, which corresponds to the force shown in FIG Figure 1c acts on the holding plate 1. Figure 4b shows that the spring element 10 opposite Figure 4a is deformed. Because of this deformation, it exerts a restoring force that is opposite to the acting force. The displacement of the plate 7 and the resulting deformation of the sealing element 16 is less than that in FIG Figure 1c illustrated case, although the acting force is the same. Therefore, no or a smaller gap is formed between the sealing element 16 and the vacuum cleaner nozzle 4. In other words, the sealing properties of the sealing element 16 are improved by the force acting in the radial direction.

In the in Figure 4b illustrated situation, the forces between the spring element and the vacuum cleaner socket 4 act indirectly via the sealing element 16. However, it is also possible for the vacuum cleaner socket 4 to be in direct contact with the spring element, and the forces act directly between these elements.

Figure 5 shows possible embodiments of the spring elements 10, 11, 12, 13 in profile. The shafts 15 can be formed, for example, by alternating U-shaped elevations and flat areas, as in FIG Figure 5a shown. Alternatively, they can be formed by alternating U-shaped elevations and U-shaped depressions, as in FIG Figure 5b shown. In this case, the entire shaft has an S profile. Figure 5c shows an embodiment in which V-shaped elevations and depressions alternate. However, it is also possible to combine U-shaped and V-shaped elevations with one another and / or flat areas. The elevations and / or depressions do not have to be pointed or round, but can be flattened at their respective ends.

It goes without saying that features mentioned in the exemplary embodiments described above are not restricted to these special combinations and are also possible in any other combinations. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the geometries shown in the figures are only examples and are also possible in any other configuration.

Claims (9)

1. Retaining plate (7) for a vacuum cleaner filter bag, comprising:

   a sealing element (16);

   a base plate in which a passage opening (8) is formed; and

   a centering device (9) which extends at least partially along the circumference of the passage opening (8),

   wherein the centering device (9) comprises at least one first spring element (10) which, when deformed in a radial direction, exerts a restoring force opposing the deformation,

   wherein the at least one spring element is formed from a deformed region of the retaining plate, and

   wherein the deformed region is wave-shaped.
2. Retaining plate according to claim 1, wherein the deformed region comprises one or more waves (15) arranged concentrically with respect to the passage opening.
3. Retaining plate according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the centering device is a diaphragm spring.
4. Retaining plate according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the centering device is formed integrally with the base plate.
5. Retaining plate according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining plate has at least one radial recess (14) in the region of the centering device.
6. Retaining plate according to any of the previous claims,
   wherein the centering device further comprises at least one second spring element (11, 12, 13);
   wherein the at least one second spring element, when deformed in the radial direction, exerts a restoring force opposing the deformation; and
   wherein the arrangement of the first (10) and second (11, 12, 13) spring elements has no rotational symmetry with respect to the passage opening.
7. Retaining plate according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a thermoplastic and/or a recycled plastic
8. Retaining plate according to claim 9, wherein the retaining plate is thermoformed, a deep-drawn part or an injection-molded part.
9. Vacuum cleaner filter bag comprising a retaining plate according to any of the preceding claims.

Images