GB2214104A

GB2214104A - Separator for vacuum cleaner

Info

Publication number: GB2214104A
Application number: GB8829392A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lars Gunnar Kilstrom; Stig Knut Jarlind; Joakim Axel Svanberg; Lars Gunnar Tuvin
Original assignee: Electrolux AB
Current assignee: Electrolux AB
Priority date: 1988-01-19
Filing date: 1988-12-16
Publication date: 1989-08-31
Also published as: SE8800158L; GB8829392D0; JPH027924A; DE3843094A1; SE8800158D0; SE460757B

Description

h 1 Device for separating heavy objects in a vacuum cleaner 22 14104 g-

The present invention relates to a device for separating heavy objects from an air current in a suction passage of a vacuum cleaner.

During vacuum cleaning it happens sometimes that objects are sucked up by mistake which should not end up in the filter bag, such as coins, pieces 6f jewellery, toys, and the like. In such case the apparatus must be switched off and the object searched for among the rest of the garbage in the bag, which is both uncomfortable and unhygienic.

The object of the present invention is to elminiate this inconvenience. This has been achieved by means of a device of the kind mentioned in the introduction which is characterized in that the suction passage is shaped such that the air current is forced to change its direction, a receptacle being provided for trapping heavy objects which due to their inertia are separated from the air current at the change of direction.

The invention will be described in more detail in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is an exploded view of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention, Fig. 2 illustrates the same device in assembled condition, Figs. 3 och 4 illustrate corresponding views of a second embodiment of the device according to the invention, Fig. 5 illustrates a longitudinal section of a third embodiment, and Fig. 6 is a plan view of a flap valve thereof.

Fig. 1 illustrates a diagrammatical, longitudinal section of a vacuum cleaner 10 having an inlet 11, a holder 12 for a dust bag, a fan assembly 13, and a cover 14. A separator for heavy objects is made as a box-shaped receptacle 15 having an inlet 16, an outlet 17, and a cover 18. A partition 19 extending across the receptacle 15 is provided between the inlet and the outlet. The receptacle has on its inlet side an attachment means 20 adapted to cooperate with the holder 12 in the vacuum cleaner and provided on its outlet side with a holder 22 similar to the holder 12 and adpated to receive a cardboard plate 23a attached to a dust bag 23.

The described device is shown assembled in Fig. 2. The dust-laden air current entering through the inlet 11 passes through the receptacle 15 on its way to the dust bag 23 and is then forced to turn upward around the partition 19 and further out through the outlet 17 to the dust bag 23. Heavy objects, if any, will then hit against the partition and drop to the bottom of the receptacle 15, which can easily be lifted out of the vacuum cleaner and emptied.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 3 and 4 the same reference numerals as in Figs. 1 and 2 have been used for corresponding parts. A tubular receptacle 25 for collecting heavy objects is provided with an attachment plate 26 having an inlet 27, and an outlet 28 facing upwards. The receptacle 25 can be inserted into the dust bag 23 and together therewith form a unit adapted to be mounted in the holder 12 of the vacuum cleaner, as shown in Fig. 4. The air flow entering through the inlet 11 of the vacuum cleaner passes through the receptacle 25 and escapes together with light particles via the outlet 28 into the dust bag, and heavy objects, if any, are separated and remain in the receptacle 25. The latter can easily be removed from the vacuum cleaner when required and the contents thereof emptied.

Fig. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which a bent suction tube 30 of a vacuum cleaner (not shown) is provided with an opening 31. The opening is situated on the top side of the tube 30 and downstream of the bend and is covered by a diaphragm 32 of rubber or similar flexible material. The diaphragm, which is shown in plan view in Fig. 6, is provided with a slot 33, which in the shown embodiment has the form of an H, and is therefore penetratable by heavy objects in that it operates as a flap valve. On top of the diaphragm is provided a receptacle 34 which on its top is provided with an opening 35 covered by a slideable cover 36 of transparent material.

The flow direction through the suction tube 30 is indicated by the arrow 37. A heavy object 38 carried by the air current strives to maintain its direction of movement and will therefore pass through the resilient diaphragm 32 and is trapped in the receptacle 34, as indicated by the arrow 39, whereas light particles accompany the air current to the dust bag. It can be seen through the transparent cover 36 if the object is valuable and should be taken care of. If this is the case, the fan motor of the vacuum cleaner is switched off and the cover is subsequently pushed aside and the object is picked up or poured out through the opening 35. On the other hand, if the object is a pebble or the like, as shown at 40, and should not be taken care of, the cover 36 is simply opened, whereby the air entering through the opening 35 carries the object back through the membrane 32 into the suction tube 30 and further to the dust bag of the vacuum cleaner.

W

Claims

C 1 a i m s

1. Device for separating heavy objects from an air current in a suction passage of a vacuum cleaner, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the suction passage is shaped such that the air current is forced to change its direction, a receptacle (15,25,34) being provided for trapping heavy objects which due to their inertia are separated from the air current at the change of direction.

2. Device according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z c d in that the receptacle (15,25) is provided with attachment means (20,26) adapted to cooperate with a holder (12) for a dust bag (23) provided in the vacuum cleaner.

3. Device according to claim 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the receptacle (15) is provided with a holder (22) for a dust bag (23).

4. Device according to claim 2, c h a r a c t c r i z e d in that the receptacle (25) is adapted to be inserted into the dust bag (23).

5. Device according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z c d in that the receptacle (34) is provided with a partition (32) located in the direction of movement of the air current before the change of direction, said partition being made of a flexible material and provided with a slor (33) in order to be penetratable by heavy objects.

6. Device according to claim 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the receptacle (34) is provided with an openable cover (36) of transparent material.

Publigh -77-- 62IC-0 rI.Si.,.110use, 66/71 Rio Holborn, LIOndcIn WC1R 4TP rumor COPies May be obtained from Tile patent OMce', n"' 0'11gon, r-l"' -"P-7). 'TIT)t8d by Multiplex Jechnlcluea ltd, St MaJ7 Cray, E.ent, Cori. 1/87