GB2260693A

GB2260693A - A vacuum cleaner and attachment therefor

Info

Publication number: GB2260693A
Application number: GB9122300A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Goran Malmberg
Original assignee: EUROP RESEARCH CORP
Current assignee: EUROP RESEARCH CORP
Priority date: 1991-10-21
Filing date: 1991-10-21
Publication date: 1993-04-28
Also published as: GB9122300D0

Abstract

An attachment for a vacuum cleaner comprises means (15, 16) for emitting radiation capable of damaging or destroying microbes, micro-organisms, mites and insects in the immediate vicinity of the attachment. The invention utilises the combination of particle absorption by suction, heating and X-ray radiation in order to reduce the number of undesirable micro-organisms in the environment. A vacuum cleaner having the features of the proposed attachment is also provided. Further, a vacuum cleaner attachment is provided comprising an elongate hose attachable to the air outlet duct of the vacuum cleaner such that, in use, air emitted from the vacuum cleaner via the outlet duct is transported away from the environment in which the vacuum cleaner is operational. <IMAGE>

Description

A VACUUM CLEANER AND ATTACHMENT THEREFOR The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner and attachment therefor.

Millions of people suffer from allergies caused by house dust mites in carpets, bed linen, etc., and even more people suffer from headaches, tiredness and skin complaints attributable to poor ventilation, not simply because the quantity of ventilated air is insufficient, but also because the air itself in many cases contains microbes which have a disturbing effect on the airways of the individual. Many of these microbes live and multiply in ventilation ducts.

Property owners and building companies are often obliged to invest large sums of money in the cleaning of both old and new properties as a result of damage caused by moisture and mould.

An object of the present invention is to provide a simple and easily operated tool which is capable of cleaning carpets and ventilation ducts, etc., and which prevents and obstructs the occurrance of moisture, mould, mites and other undesired micro-organisms.

The invention provides an attachment for a vacuum cleaner comprising means for emitting radiation capable of damaging or destroying microbes, micro-organisms, mites and insects in the immediate vicinity of the attachment. Preferably, the means for emitting radiation are arranged to emit microwaves suitable for causing heating in a body containing water particles or to emit X-rays. Advantageously, the means for emitting radiation are arranged to simultaneously emit both X-rays and microwaves suitable for causing heating in a body containing water particles.

Living cells are damaged for natural reasons if they are subjected to sufficiently strong heating or irradiation with X-rays. However, medical research, including research into tumorous illnesses, has revealed that the capacity of both healthy and diseased cells to withstand the harmful effect of X-ray radiation is reduced steeply if the cells are exposed to heat at the same time as they are irradiated with X-rays, in conjunction with which it is possible significantly to reduce the level of the X-ray dose.

The present invention utilises the combination of particle absorption by suction, heating and X-ray irradiation in order, in a simple environmentally non-hazardous fashion, to reduce the number of undesired micro-organisms in the environment in such a way that, by this means, an improved living environment is created, principally indoors, for people generally and for those with allergies in particular.

Apart from the fact that it renders the indoor climate more hygenic and a more healthy place to be, the invention can also be used out of doors, for example in order to neutrilise the larvae and eggs of insects and other pests, for instance ants, in house bases and between paving stones, and in addition can be used to a certain extent for the control of parasites such as long-horned beetles and other parasites in the walls of wooden houses.

Furthermore, the heating radiation (non-ionising) of the tool can be used in those cases in which rapid drying or heating is desired, for example in conjunction with painting and hobby activities, when any hazardous vapours can be led away via a vacuum cleaner hose.

The invention also provides a vacuum cleaner having a suction nozzle and comprising, in the vicinity of the suction nozzle, means for emitting radiation capable of damaging or destroying microbes, micro-organisms, mites and insects in the immediate vicinity of the vacuum cleaner. Preferably, the vacuum cleaner incorporates any or all of the features of the attachment as described above. This avoids the necessity of having a separate attachment for the vacuum cleaner.

A second aspect of the present invention provides an attachment for a vacuum cleaner comprising an elongate hose attachable to the air outlet duct of a vacuum cleaner such that, in use, air emitted from the vacuum cleaner via the outlet duct is transported away from the environment in which the vacuum cleaner is operational.

Preferably, the elongate hose comprises means for attaching the distal end of the hose to a window frame such that, in use, air emitted from the vacuum cleaner operational inside a building can be expelled from the hose outside the building. This arrangement prevents any dust or dirt still carried by the air expelled from the vacuum cleaner from being immediately reintroduced into the environment which is being cleaned.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein; Figure 1 illustrates a conventional vacuum cleaner having the attachment according to the present invention attached thereto; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional schematic view-of the head of the attachment of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a schematic view of a vacuum cleaner having an attachment according to a second aspect of the invention.

The invention consists of an attachment comprising a nozzle 1 which can be affixed to a conventional vacuum cleaner 7 by any convenient means. One way to attach the attachment to a conventional vacuum cleaner 7 is to connect the attachment directly to the hose 6 of the vacuum cleaner 7. The attachment has a handle member 5 by means of which the nozzle 1 can be moved over the surface to be cleaned in an appropriate manner.

The nozzle 1 incorporates a suction nozzle 14 which is connected to the vacuum cleaner suction nozzle or hose 6 when the attachment is connected to the vacuum cleaner 7. The nozzle also comprises at least one microwave tube 15 arranged to emit microwaves suitable for causing heating in a body containing water particles. This tube 15 emits a non-ionising radiation.

The nozzle 1 also comprises at least one microwave tube 16 which emits X-ray radiation of an ionising beta character. The microwave tubes 15, 16 are arranged in the nozzle 1 so as to be accommodated within radiation-restricting reflectors 17 which direct the radiation towards a restricted area of the surface to be cleaned. In addition, the X-ray tube 16 is equipped with an additional protective cover 18 which is impenetrable by the emitted X-rays in order to protect the user.

The nozzle 1 is equipped with its own power supply circuit which is independent of the vacuum cleaner 7 and consists of an electric cable 8 and a high powered transformer 9 located inside the nozzle or connected directly to the power supply. A mains power switch 10 is fitted to the handle 5 or to the vacuum cleaner hose 6 such that the mains power switch 10 must be held down at all times in order for the thermal X-ray radiation to be emitted. This reduces the risk of the radiation emitting means being allowed to operate unintentionally. In addition, the circuit includes separate selector switches 11 mounted externally on the nozzle 1 in order that the heating and X-ray functions can be selected individually or simultaneously.

In order to prevent the nozzle emitting an excessive amount of thermal radiation, and in order to prevent the nozzle being able to emit radiation freely into the air, the nozzle 1 is equipped with a number of sensors 12 for detecting movement, temperature and distance. The radiation emission is automatically interrupted if the nozzle 1 is raised into the air away from the item being treated, or if the nozzle 1 is left stationary close to a solid surface such that the continued thermal radiation emission will cause an unacceptable temperature increase. Also mounted externally on the nozzle 1 is an acoustical or optical indicator 13 which is activated when the microwave tube is functioning.

In use, the nozzle 1 is moved over the surface to be cleaned with the suction nozzle 14 and the microwave tubes 15, 16 fully operational. The microwaves emitted from the tube 15 cause any living organisms located in or on the surface being cleaned to be heated. Depending upon the organism treated in this way, the organism may be immediately destroyed. Other organisms which are not destroyed will have their resistance to X-ray radiation lowered by the initial heating. When the organism is then treated by emission of X-ray radiation by the tube 16, the organism is then either destroyed or sterilised. Any loose material or organisms are sucked into the vacuum cleaner 7 by means of the suction nozzle 14 and hose 6.

The nozzle 1 can be fitted with various accessories, for example those commonly used on bed linen and textiles 19. The nozzle can also be enhanced for professional use such that the nozzle has a greater effective output than would be safe to use in ordinary domestic situations. Furthermore, the attachment can be adapted for use in confined spaces such as ventilation ducts. In such situations, radiation is emitted evenly in all directions in order that organisms present within such a duct are destroyed.

It is envisaged that the invention may also take the form of a vacuum cleaner having the features described above integral within the apparatus. A vacuum cleaner having the features described above incorporated within a single unit therefore also falls within the scope of the invention.

Figure 3 illustrates a second aspect of the invention and shows the operation of a conventional vacuum cleaner 7 having an attachment 20 which fits in an airtight manner over the air outlet duct 21 of the vacuum cleaner 7. The attachment 20 essentially consists of an elongate hose 22 which can, if desired, be mounted on a reel 23 for convenient storage. In use, the hose 22 is attached to the vacuum cleaner 7 such that all of the air emitted from the air outlet duct 21 enters the hose 22. The distal end 22a of the hose 22 is then arranged to extend through an open window or similar opening in the boundary of the environment in which the vacuum cleaner is operational, eg. a door, air vent, etc. The air emitted from the vacuum cleaner 7 is thus prevented from being re-introduced directly into the room or other environment which is being cleaned.

It is also envisaged that the hose 22 could form an integral part of the vacuum cleaner 7.

Claims

1. An attachment for a vacuum cleaner comprising means for emitting radiation capable of damaging or destroying microbes, micro-organisms, mites and insects in the immediate vicinity of the attachment.

2. An attachment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for emitting radiation are arranged to emit microwaves suitable for causing heating in a body containing water particles.

3. An attachment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for emitting radiation are arranged to emit X-rays.

4. An attachment, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for emitting radiation are arranged to simultaneously emit both X-rays and microwaves suitable for causing heating in a body containing water particles.

5. An attachment as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the means for emitting radiation are arranged to emit p-radiation.

6. An attachment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a suction nozzle is provided in the vicinity of the means for emitting radiation, which suction nozzle is connectable to the suction nozzle of the vacuum cleaner.

7. An attachment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein means for directioning the emitted radiation are provided so that the emitted radiation may be directioned onto a particular area of the immediate vicinity of the radiation-emitting means.

8. An attachment as claimed in claim 2 or 4, wherein sensing means are provided to detect movement of the attachment, distance of the attachment from a nearby solid surface and temperature of the air in the immediate vicinity of the attachment.

9. An attachment as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein an audible or visible signal is provided which is activated during the emission of X-rays.

10. An attachment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the attachment incorporates its own power supply.

11. An attachment for a vacuum cleaner substantially as herein described with reference to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

12. A vacuum cleaner having a suction nozzle and comprising, in the vicinity of the suction nozzle, means for emitting radiation capable of damaging or destroying microbes, micro-organisms, mites and insects in the immediate vicinity of the vacuum cleaner.

13. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 12, wherein the means for emitting radiation are arranged to emit microwaves suitable for causing heating in a body containing water particles.

14. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 12, wherein the means for emitting radiation are arranged to emit X-rays.

15. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 12, wherein the means for emitting radiation are arranged to simultaneously emit both X-rays and microwaves suitable for causing heating in a body containing water particles.

16. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 14 or 15, wherein the means for emitting radiation are arranged to emit p-radiation.

17. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein means for directioning the emitted radiation are provided so that the emitted radiation may be directioned onto a particular area of the immediate vicinity of the radiation-emitting means.

18. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 13 or 15, wherein sensing means are provided to detect movement of the vacuum cleaner, distance of the vacuum cleaner from a nearby solid surface and temperature of the air in the immediate vicinity of the vacuum cleaner.

19. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 14 or 15, wherein an audible or visible signal is provided which is activated during the emission of X-rays.

20. An attachment for a vacuum cleaner comprising an elongate hose attachable to the air outlet duct of a vacuum cleaner such that, in use, air emitted from the vacuum cleaner via the outlet duct is transported away from the environment in which the vacuum cleaner is operational.

21. An attachment as claimed in claim 20, wherein the elongate hose comprises means for attaching the distal end of the hose to a window frame such that, in use, air emitted from the vacuum cleaner operational inside a building can be expelled from the hose outside the building.

22. An attachment for a vacuum cleaner substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.

23. A vacuum cleaner having an attachment as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein the means for attaching the elongate hose to the outlet duct of the vacuum cleaner are integral with the vacuum cleaner.