GB2537948A

GB2537948A - Storage container, toy collection system, toy filter and vacuum cleaner

Info

Publication number: GB2537948A
Application number: GB1512294.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gamble Robert
Original assignee: SPACE VACUUM Ltd
Current assignee: SPACE VACUUM Ltd
Priority date: 2015-05-01
Filing date: 2015-07-14
Publication date: 2016-11-02
Anticipated expiration: 2035-07-14
Also published as: GB201512294D0; GB2537948B; GB201507588D0

Abstract

A storage container 2 suitable for collecting small toys comprises a first opening 7 connected to a vacuum cleaner 6 and a second opening 8 permitting objects to enter the container. The first opening may be tapered comprising means for connecting a hose or tube 9. The second opening may comprise a nozzle 5 (optionally housed within the container when not in use and extendable out of said opening) or means for receiving a nozzle; it may also comprise an inwardly tapering inlet (351, figure 3a) extending the width of the container towards an internal channel (352, figure 3a) extending towards the end of the container opposite the inlet and curving back on itself. Optionally, the inlet is in the lower portion of the container. A mesh filter 10 may prevent objects leaving the container through the first opening; furthermore, when not in use, a first/second cap may be placed over the first/second openings respectively. The container may comprise housing 3, a removable screw fitted lid 4 and a deflection element above the second opening. A second independent claim discloses a vacuum cleaner 6 with a removable chamber for collecting objects located between a body and a tube.

Description

Storage Container, Toy Collection System, Toy Filter and Vacuum Cleaner The present invention relates to a storage container for storing toy bricks and the like, a 5 toy collection system in which the storage container is attached to a vacuum cleaner, a toy filter for collecting toy bricks and the like and a vacuum cleaner including the toy filter.

Building blocks and other small light objects commonly found in domestic io environments are time consuming to pick up and organise into storage units. This is particularly true of children's toys such as Lego® pieces, which decorate playrooms all over the world in a haphazard fashion that takes a long time to clear up. Such pieces are also prone to being lost into vacuum cleaners and subsequently discarded, when pieces have been missed during the clearing up process.

The present invention aims to address the above problem, by seeking to provide solutions that facilitate easy collection of such pieces during the vacuuming process.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a storage container for toy bricks or the like, comprising a first opening for connection to a vacuum cleaner and a second opening arranged to permit objects to enter the storage container through suction produced by a vacuum cleaner attached to the first opening. When connected to a vacuum cleaner to create suction inside the storage container, the user can rapidly vacuum up toy bricks and other objects directly into the container without the risk of -0 or the objects entering the vacuum cleaner itself. The storage container can then be tidied away and opened again for use the next time a person wishes to play with the toys.

The first opening may be arranged to be connected to a vacuum cleaner tube or hose, for example the flexible hose that is usually connected to the vacuum cleaner body. The first opening may comprise means for receiving a vacuum cleaner tube or hose. For example, the first opening may comprise a tapered portion into which an end of the vacuum cleaner hose can be fitted, so providing a suitable connection for a variety of different makes of vacuum cleaner.

The second opening may comprise means for receiving a nozzle to direct objects into the container. The nozzle may be part of the container or may be separate from it. For example, the nozzle may be housed within the container when not in use and extendable out of the second opening for use. The second opening may provide a vacuum cleaner style connector, allowing an additional flexible vacuum cleaner type hose to be connected to it.

As an alternative to a separate nozzle, the second opening may comprise an inlet at a lower portion of the container, which is for example integrally formed as part of the /o container.

The second opening may extend across the whole width of the container, or a substantial part of it, to provide a relatively large area for collection of items.

The storage container may comprise a channel within the container arranged to receive the objects entering through the second opening and to deliver the objects into the container.

The inlet may taper inwardly towards the channel.

The channel may extend towards the end of the container opposite the inlet.

The channel may curve back on itself and provide an outlet at an upper portion of the container through which collected objects are ejected into the container.

The storage container may further comprise a filter to prevent the objects from leaving the container through the first opening. The filter may comprise a mesh over the first opening. The mesh may be designed to be sufficiently coarse to allow dirt, carpet fibres and the like to leave the container through the first opening, while being sufficiently fine to prevent the desired objects from leaving the container through the first opening.

The storage container may comprise first and/or second caps for sealing the first and/or second openings when not in use.

The container may comprise a container housing and a removable lid for the housing. -3 -

The first and second openings may be in the container housing. The first opening may be in the lid.

The second opening may be at the bottom of the container and the first opening may be at the top of the container.

A toy collecting system may be provided that comprises a vacuum cleaner and a storage container as described above connected to the vacuum cleaner.

A toy filter may comprise a storage container arranged to receive a tube or hose from the vacuum cleaner at the first opening and an extension tube of the vacuum cleaner at the second opening.

The toy filter may further comprise a deflection element above the second opening for deflecting objects into the bottom of the container.

The container of the toy filter may be substantially cylindrical.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a vacuum cleaner comprising a toy filter, wherein the vacuum cleaner comprises a vacuum cleaner body for receiving dirt and a tube for delivering dirt and collected objects from a surface being cleaned to the vacuum cleaner body, wherein the toy filter comprises a chamber between the tube and the vacuum cleaner body, into which collected objects are or received, the chamber being removable from the vacuum cleaner to allow access to the collected objects.

Alternatively stated, according to embodiments of the present invention there is provided a storage unit which, when used in conjunction with a vacuum cleaner (in general via its flexible hose connection), creates a space vacuum inside that storage unit. The storage unit uses an additional flexible/retractable hose or fixed intake/opening to collect/recover blocks e.g. toy bricks. The storage unit may incorporate an internal filter to prevent blocks from entering the vacuum and a vacuum sealable lid to ensure an airtight fit that makes the space vacuum possible. The flexible/retractable hose and/or fixed intake/opening may vary in size and shape so long as the intake channels blocks through into the space vacuum in a way that assists -4 -smooth entry and deposit into the vacuum storage box. A safety valve may be added to ensure that, if the intake becomes blocked, the vacuum storage box does not implode.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference 5 to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a system 1 according a first aspect of the invention; Figure 2 is an exploded view of the system of Figure 1; Figure 3a illustrates a container for use in the system 1 according to another embodiment of the invention; /o Figure 3b is a cross-sectional view of the container of Figure 3a; Figure 4 schematically illustrates the operation of the container of Figure 3a when used as part of the system; Figure 5a illustrates a system according to another embodiment of the invention; Figure 5b is a view of the storage container for the system of Figure 5a; Figure 5c is a cross-sectional view of the storage container of Figure 5b; and Figure 5d is a cross-sectional view of a storage container according to another embodiment.

It will be understood by the skilled person that the system according to the invention is primarily intended for the collection of small toys and other similar objects, in particular toy bricks such as Lego® bricks and other Lego® components, as well as similar pieces from other manufacturers, which are left scattered on floors after a play session. To avoid unnecessary and repetitive description, such items may be variously referred to as objects to be collected, toys, toy bricks or the like throughout the or description, but it will be understood that these words are not intended to limit the types of items that can be collected.

Figure 1 shows a toy collection system 1 according a first embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 is an exploded view of the system of Figure 1.

Referring to Figures iand 2, a toy collection system 1 according to an embodiment of the invention for collecting toy bricks and the like 20 scattered on a surface comprises a container 2, for example, a storage box 3 having a lid 4, a collecting nozzle 5 and a vacuum cleaner 6. The container 2 has a first opening 7 for connecting to the vacuum cleaner 6, for example by a vacuum cleaner hose 9 and a second opening 8 for connecting to the nozzle 5. A filter 10, for example a plastic or wire mesh filter, may be -5 -disposed over the first opening 7, to prevent objects being collected from being drawn into the body of the vacuum cleaner. The filter may be designed to be fine enough to prevent desired objects from passing into the vacuum cleaner, while being coarse enough to allow dust, carpet fibres and the like to pass into the vacuum cleaner in the usual way.

The collecting nozzle 5 may be separate from the container 2 or may be retractably provided at a bottom portion of the container. Where it is separately provided, it may be provided as a push fit or a screw fit into the second opening 8. The first opening 7 is jo provided to allow a vacuum cleaner nozzle or extension tube to be push fitted into the opening. For example, the first opening 7 is tapered into the interior of the container. The container may further comprise first and second sealing caps (not shown) for sealing the first and second openings 7, 8 when these are not in use.

In operation, when the vacuum cleaner is switched on, it provides a reduced pressure inside the container 2, also referred to as a space vacuum, which allows objects 20 which are to be collected, for example toy bricks, to be drawn into the container 2. When the vacuum cleaner is switched off, the lid 4 can be removed to access the collected objects.

Figures 3a and 3b illustrate a container 32 for use in the system 1 according to another embodiment of the invention. Figure 4 schematically illustrates the operation of the container of Figure 3a when used as part of the system 1.

or Referring to Figures 3a and 3b, in another embodiment of the invention, the container 32 comprises an integral nozzle 35 at a bottom part of the container. The integral nozzle 35 comprises a flattened funnel shape, with an inlet 351 at the front of the container which extends across a substantial part of the width of the container to allow for a wide collection area for objects to be collected. The inlet 351 may be open at the bottom of the container and tapers towards a closed transport tube 352 which extends along the length of the container. At the end opposite the inlet 351, the transport tube 352 curves back on itself in an approximately C or inverted C shape as seen from the sides of the container and terminates in an outlet 353 which faces in the same direction as the inlet. In operation, as shown schematically in Figure 4, a vacuum cleaner (not shown) inserted into the first opening 37 causes objects which are under the nozzle 35 to be drawn into the transport tube 352 and ejected into the container 32 through the -6 -outlet 353, as shown by the thicker arrows. The tapering of the nozzle into the transport tube and the length of the tube has been found to provide an effective suction effect for drawing toy bricks and the like into the container. The curved portions 354 provide a smooth path for objects travelling down the transport tube to be ejected into the container.

Figures 5a to 5d illustrates a toy collection system 51 according to other embodiments of the invention. Referring to Figures 5a to 5d, the system 51 comprises a container 52 for a vacuum cleaner 56 which is intended to fit between the vacuum cleaner body 561 jo and an extension tube 562. In these embodiments, the container 52 is a relatively small container which acts as a convenient toy filter, preventing small toy components from being sucked into and lost in the body of the vacuum cleaner. The container is for example a cylindrical container with first and second openings 521, 522 for receiving the vacuum cleaner hose 563 and the extension tube 562 respectively. The second opening may be opposite the first opening 521 in the cylindrical container, as illustrated for example in Figure 5d, or may be at the end of a curved inlet portion 530. The container 52 may include a deflection portion 523 above the second opening for deflecting incoming objects downwards. It may further include a filter 524 over the first opening to prevent the toy components from passing into the vacuum cleaner body. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 5d, the container is provided in two part form, comprising a storage part 525 which can be fitted, for example, screwed onto a top lid 526. In this embodiment, the openings 521, 522 are provided in the top lid. However, other arrangements of lid and storage part are not precluded.

Various embodiments of the invention have been described above. It will be apparent to the skilled person that various modifications can be made to these embodiments while still falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. -7 -

Claims

Claims 1. A storage container for toy bricks or the like, comprising: a first opening for connection to a vacuum cleaner; a second opening arranged to permit objects to enter the storage container through suction produced by a vacuum cleaner attached to the first opening.
2. The storage container of claim 1, wherein the first opening is arranged to be connected to a vacuum cleaner tube or hose.
3. The storage container of claim 2, wherein the first opening comprises means for receiving a vacuum cleaner tube or hose.
4. The storage container of claim 2 or 3, wherein the first opening is tapered.
5. The storage container of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second opening comprises means for receiving a nozzle to direct objects into the container.
6. The storage container of claim 5, further comprising a nozzle.
7. The storage container of claim 6, wherein the nozzle is housed within the container when not in use and extendable out of the second opening for use.
8. The storage container of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second opening comprises an inlet at a lower portion of the container.
9. The storage container of claim 8, wherein the inlet extends across substantially the whole width of the container.
10. The storage container of claim 8 or 9, comprising a channel within the container arranged to receive the objects entering through the second opening and to deliver the objects into the container.
The storage container of claim 10, wherein the inlet tapers inwardly towards the 35 channel.
12. The storage container of claim 11, wherein the channel extends towards the end of the container opposite the inlet.
13. The storage container of claim 12, wherein the channel curves back on itself and provides an outlet at an upper portion of the container through which collected objects are ejected into the container.
14. The storage container of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a filter to prevent the objects from leaving the container through the first opening.
15. The storage container of claim 14, wherein the filter comprises a mesh over the first opening.
16. The storage container of claim 15, wherein the mesh is sufficiently coarse to allow dirt, carpet fibres and the like to leave the container through the first opening.
17. The storage container of any one of the preceding claims, comprising a first cap for sealing the first opening when not in use.
18. The storage container of any one of the preceding claims, comprising a second cap for sealing the second opening when not in use.
19. The storage container of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container comprises a container housing and a removable lid for the housing.zo. The storage container of claim 19, wherein the first and second openings are in the container housing.21. The storage container of claim 20, wherein the first opening is in the lid.22. The storage container of claim 20, wherein the second opening is at the bottom of the container and the first opening is at the top of the container.23. The storage container of claim 19. wherein the first and second openings are in the lid.24. The storage container of claim 23, wherein the container housing is screw fitted to the lid.25. A toy collecting system comprising a vacuum cleaner and a storage container 5 according to any one of the preceding claims connected to the vacuum cleaner.26. A toy filter comprising a storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the container is arranged to receive a tube or hose from the vacuum cleaner at the first opening and an extension tube of the vacuum cleaner at the second opening.27. The toy filter of claim 26, further comprising a deflection element above the second opening for deflecting objects into the bottom of the container.28. The toy filter of claim 26 or 27, wherein the container is substantially cylindrical.29. A vacuum cleaner comprising a toy filter, wherein the vacuum cleaner comprises a vacuum cleaner body for receiving dirt and a tube for delivering dirt and collected objects from a surface being cleaned to the vacuum cleaner body, wherein the toy filter comprises a chamber between the tube and the vacuum cleaner body, into which collected objects are received, the chamber being removable from the vacuum cleaner to allow access to the collected objects.30. A storage container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, or with reference to Figures 3a, 3b and 4 or with reference to Figures 5b and 5c or with reference to Figure 5d.AMENDMENTS TO CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWSClaims 1. A storage container for toy bricks or the like, comprising: a first opening for connection to a vacuum cleaner; and a second opening arranged to permit objects to enter the storage container through suction produced by a vacuum cleaner attached to the first opening, wherein the second opening comprises an inlet at a lower portion of the container, the storage container further comprising: a channel within the container arranged to receive the objects entering through jo the second opening and to deliver the objects into the container, wherein the channel curves back on itself and provides an outlet at an upper portion of the container through which collected objects are ejected into the container.2. The storage container of claim 1, wherein the first opening is arranged to be connected to a vacuum cleaner tube or hose.3. The storage container of claim 2, wherein the first opening comprises means for CO receiving a vacuum cleaner tube or hose.4. The storage container of claim 2 or 3, wherein the first opening is tapered. Cn5. The storage container of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the inlet extends across substantially the whole width of the container.or 6. The storage container of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inlet tapers inwardly towards the channel.7. The storage container of claim 6, wherein the channel extends towards the end of the container opposite the inlet.8. The storage container of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a filter to prevent the objects from leaving the container through the first opening.9. The storage container of claim 8, wherein the filter comprises a mesh over the first opening.10. The storage container of claim 9, wherein the mesh is sufficiently coarse to allow dirt, carpet fibres and the like to leave the container through the first opening.it. The storage container of any one of the preceding claims, comprising a first cap for sealing the first opening when not in use.12. The storage container of any one of the preceding claims, comprising a second cap for sealing the second opening when not in use.13. The storage container of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container comprises a container housing and a removable lid for the housing.14. The storage container of claim 13, wherein the first and second openings are in the container housing.CD 15. The storage container of claim 13, wherein the first opening is in the lid.CO 16. The storage container of claim 14, wherein the second opening is at the bottom CD of the container and the first opening is at the top of the container.CO 17. A toy collecting system comprising a vacuum cleaner and a storage container according to any one of the preceding claims connected to the vacuum cleaner.18. A toy filter comprising a storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the container is arranged to receive a tube or hose from the vacuum cleaner at the first opening and an extension tube of the vacuum cleaner at the second opening.19. The toy filter of claim 18, further comprising a deflection element above the second opening for deflecting objects into the bottom of the container.
20. A storage container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 3a, 3b and 4.