NZ531422A - - Google Patents

Abstract

Shut-off valve 15, typically in the form of a slide valve, separates the collection zone into a collection chamber 11 and a lower waste chute. This allows a waste bag (not shown) to have its mouth held to the vacuum cleaner body by O-ring 37. When valve 15 is opened waste material is allowed to fall under gravity into the waste bag.

Description

Patents Form # 5 53 1 422 NEW ZEALAND Patents Act 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION AFTER PROVISIONAL # : 531422 DATED : 26 February 2004 TITLE : A Vacuum Cleaner Waste Receptacle We, 1) JAMIESON, Campbell Fairfield 2) HILHORST, Stefanus Johannes Address: 1) 68 Premier Avenue, Point Chevalier, Auckland, New Zealand 2) 53 Park Road, GlenJIeld, Auckland, New Zealand Nationality: A 1) New Zealand citizen 2) New Zealand citizen do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: ! 90237NZ_Cap_2005022.i J 124_JON FEE CODE 1050 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 2 5 FEB 2005 RECEIVED TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to a vacuum cleaner waste reccptacle, and in particular, though not solely, to a vacuum cleaner waste receptacle tor use in conjunction with a central vacuum cleaning system.

BACKGROUND ART Central vacuum cleaning systems provide an alternative to the use of conventional portable vacuum cleaners. In use, a central vacuum cleaner may be installed in a building to provide a single self-contained whole-house vacuum cleaning system.

There are many advantages of using a ccntral vacuum system instead of a 10 conventional portable vacuum cleaner. In particular, the use of a central vacuum system significantly reduces the number of airborne allergens put back into the living space. This is because a conventional vacuum cleaner typically releases a lot of dust and allergens back into the air during its operation. In contrast, central vacuum systems tend to be more hygienic in this respect because their dust collection units 15 and filters are usually placed outside of the living space of a house, for example in the garage.

However, the removal of dirt from the waste container of a central vacuum system can be a cumbersome and often unhygienic task. Central vacuum systems typically have large dirt collection pails or bags so that they do not have to be emptied 20 frequently, like a portable vacuum cleaner. The consequence is that these pails or bags can hold as much as 30 kilograms of dirt and can be difficult to handle. In the case of a pail, the dirt must be tipped out and into a secondary waste receptacle, and this can release an unhygienic cloud of fine particles. Similarly, in the case of a collection bag, as the bag is disconnected and handled it is not uncommon for a large 25 amount of dust to be released from the neck of the bag which is usually coated in a thick layer of fine dust.

It is not uncommon for the waste containers in vacuum cleaners to become over-fill if they are not emptied regularly enough, and this often leads to additional problems 19023 7NZ-C APS pec 0205 when removing a waste pail or a dust collection bag. The waste that is accumulated about and above the mouth of the pail or bag can end up spilled all over the floor when the pail or bag is removed. This creates an unpleasant mess to be cleaned up and usually an accompanying cloud of unhygicnic dust.

OBJECT It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a vacuum cleaner waste receptacle for a central vacuum system which goes at least some way towards overcoming the above mentioned problems or which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

STATEMENTS OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in a vacuum cleaner waste receptacle for a vacuum cleaning system which includes a collection chamber adapted to receive waste matter collected by the vacuum cleaning system, the collection chamber having a waste inlet and a separate waste outlet 15 controlled by a shut-off valve, wherein opening the shut-off valve allows collected waste to empty from the chamber by the force of gravity.

Such a receptacle is particularly suitable for use in a central vacuum cleaning system where large quantities of waste arc collected. This is because the waste can be transferred into a bag or other receptacle for disposal with greater ease and with 20 improved hygiene. For example, a clean bag can be fitted to the waste outlet, and then the valve opened to allow the contents of the collection chambcr to discharge into the bag. The neck of the bag can then be tied and the bag removed from the waste outlet and taken away, with minimal risk of the escape of dust or other unpleasant pollutants. This eliminates the need to handle a full waste pail and to 25 invert it to empty its contents into a waste bag or rubbish bin with the resulting cloud of unpleasant dust, or the need to remove a dust collection bag which can also produce a cloud of dust as it is handled. And, even if the waste receptacle has been over filled the collected waste can be emptied out without the risk of spillage. 190237NZ-CAPSpec 0205 Preferably the valve is a slide valve. A slide valve is advantageous for a number of reasons; it can have very few moving parts, it can be relatively simple to manufacture, in the fully open position the valve member can be completely removed from the flow path of the valve, and it can be opened and closed using a simple linear 5 motion. And in addition, the valve membeT of a slide valve can be wiped clean as it slides past its own seals, which is advantageous in a dirty and dusty environment like that within a vacuum cleaner.

Preferably the waste outlet includes a waste chute. A waste chute is advantageous since a bag can easily be fitted about the chute in a manner to form a seal between 10 the two, enabling the waste to be transferred into the bag without any leakage of dust to the surroundings during the transfer.

Preferably the slide valve includes a sliding member in the form of a plate which is adapted to slide into and out of the waste chute. Such a valve is particularly effective and simple to manufacture, the plate can be a durable plastics material for example 15 which can slide easily within a slot, and when the valve is opened the valve presents little or no obstruction to the flow of the contents as they exit the collection chamber.

Preferably the slide member of the slide valve is angled from the horizontal plane, with the lowest portion of the slide at or adjaccnt to the portion of the valve which is first to open, when the receptacle is in its normal attitude of operation. This sloping 20 arrangement of the valve slide means that any heavy objects among the contents of the collection chamber will tend to find their way to the lowest point on the valve slide and will tend to exit through the valve first when the valve is opened. This is advantageous in that these heavy objects can be hard and have sharp edges, for example stones, nails or screws, and it is preferable that they exit the valve first and 25 are not dragged by the slide member against the slide valve guides and/or seals which could result in damage to the valve.

Preferably the angle of the slide member from the horizontal is within the range of 3 to 20 degrees. 190237NZ-CAI'Spec 0205 Preferably the slide valve forms the base of the collection chamber. Such an arrangement is not only simple to manufacture but it is also convenient to be able to open the entire base of the collection chamber when discharging its contents.

Preferably the valve includes a seal adapted to minimise the flow of air into the 5 collection chamber through the valve when the valve is in the closed position.

Preferably the waste outlet is located at or adjaccnt to the base of the collection chamber. This is advantageous since it allows the contents of the collection chambcr to be discharged with the assistance of the force of gravity.

Preferably the waste outlet has a similar cross sectional size and shape to that of the 10 collection chamber in the horizontal plane, when the receptacle is in its normal attitude of operation. Such a waste outlet size and shape allows the contents of the collection chamber to be discharged without undue obstruction.

Preferably the collection chamber is cylindrical in shape. Such a shape is advantageous since it allows circular air motion which is useful for cyclonic 15 separation of dirt from the air flow in the vacuum cleaning system.

Preferably the waste chute has sidewalls which are parallel to the sidewalls of the collection chamber. Such an arrangement could be formed for example by including the waste chute as a simple extension of the cylindrical sidewalls of the collcction chamber.

Preferably the sidewalls of the waste chute include an opening or slot through which the valve member is able to slide. The slot is advantageous for a number of reasons, it allows access for the valve member to enter the passage, and the edges of the slot can support and guide the valve member. Using a slot, these advantages are all achieved without the requirement for any additional hardware, guides or protrusions 25 on the inside of the waste chute, meaning that when the contents of the collection chambcr are discharged dirt is not likely to become entrapped and make it difficult to reinstall the valve member. l90237NZ-CAPSpec 0205 Preferably the outlet end of the waste chute is adapted to mate with a secondary waste receptacle, for example, adapted to allow a rubbish bag to be connected.

Preferably the receptacle further includes a means to secure a secondary waste rcccptaclc to the waste chutc, for example a rubber "O" ring which can be placed 5 over the neck of a rubbish bag to tightly secure the bag to the waste chutc and prevent dirt escaping while the contents of the collection chamber are emptied into the bag.

Optionally the exterior surface of the waste chute includes an outwardly extending protrusion adapted to help secure the secondary waste receptacle, for example the 10 outwardly extending protrusion can be an outwardly extending flange or flared portion on the exit end of the waste chute.

Preferably the vacuum cleaner waste receptacle further includes a filtration device that is adapted to block the flow of dirt particlcs from the collection chamber to the vacuum pump of the vacuum cleaning system.

Preferably the filtration device is situated in the upper regions of the collection chamber. Such a location is advantageous in that it allows the dirt to be removed Irom the collection chamber via the lower part of the chamber using gravity to assist the flow.

In a second aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in a central vacuum 20 cleaning system incorporating at least one vacuum cleaner waste receptacle substantially as specified herein.

In a third aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in a method of emptying the waste collected in a vacuum clcaner waste receptacle including the steps of; • securing a secondary waste receptaclc to a waste outlet on the vacuum cleaner waste receptacle, 190237NZ-CAPSpec 0205 • opening a valve associated with the vacuum cleaning waste receptacle to allow the waste to transfer into the secondary waste receptacle, and • removing the secondary waste receptacle from the waste outlet of the vacuum clcancr waste receptacle for disposal of the waste.

While the secondary waste rcceptacle could be a waste bin, preferably the secondary waste rcceptacle is a rubbish bag.

Preferably the method further includes a step of closing the secondary waste receptacle prior to removing it from the waste outlet of the vacuum cleaning waste receptacle. This could be carried out by tying off the neck of a rubbish bag for 10 example.

DESCRIPTION The invention may also broadly be said to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of the parts, elements or 15 features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents, such equivalents arc incorporated herein as if they were individually set forth.

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the 20 accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is a side view of a vacuum cleaner waste receptacle for a vacuum cleaning system without a removable plate installed, FIGURE 2 is a bottom plan view of the vacuum cleaner waste receptacle shown in figure 1, FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional side view BB as defined in figure 2, showing a removable plate installed, I y0237NZ-CAPSpcc 0205 FIGURE 4 is a cross sectional view AA as defined in figure 1, again with the addition of the installed removable plate, and FIGURE 5 is a top plan view of the removable plate.

With reference to Figures 1 to 4 a vacuum cleaner waste receptacle (10) is shown 5 comprising a collection chamber (11), a waste chute (13), a removable plate (15), a motor (17), a vacuum pump (19), an inlet duct (21) and a filter element (23). The receptacle (10) is suitable for use as part of a vacuum cleaning device or system, and in the configuration shown it is designed to be used in a central vacuum cleaning system. When the motor (17) is operated the vacuum pump (19) draws air out of the 10 collection chamber (11) through the filter element (23). Replacement air is drawn through the inlet duct (21) into the collection chamber (11) and this air will typically contain many types of dirt, for example dust, fibres, dead skin cells, bacteria, hairs, insects, ctc when the receptacle (10) is in use. The inlet duct (21) is angled in such a way as to promote a swirling flow within the collection chamber (11) allowing some 15 of the dirt to be separated from the airflow by cyclonic action.

The collection chamber (11) and waste chute (13) are formed from a single stainless steel tube or canister (26), made from stainless steel sheet, having a diameter of approximately 300 to 350 millimetres, and a combined length of approximately 900 millimetres. The motor (17) and the vacuum pump (19) are fitted to the top of the 20 canister (26) and an outer curved shroud (27) is used to house and cover the assembly. This curved shroud (27) is also made from stainless steel sheet and includes vent grilles (29) to allow air from the vacuum pump (19) to exit the shroud (27).

The sidewall of the canister (26) is provided with a slot (28) approximately 80 to 100 25 millimetres above the bottom lip of the waste chute (13). The slot (28) is approximately 15 to 17 millimetres wide and extends in a generally horizontal direction about hall" way around the circumference of the canister (26). The slot (28) is used to allow the removable plate (15) to enter through the sidewall of the canister (26) and provides a guide for the removable plate (15) as it enters or exits the 190237NZ-C Al'Spec 0205 canister (26) and a support for the removable plate (15) when it is installed into the canister (26). While it can be said that the slot (28) is oriented generally horizontally, it is preferred that the slot (28) is inclined at a small angle to the horizontal so that the removable plate (15) is held at a similar small angle - this is 5 explained in further detail below.

The removable plate (15) forms the base of the collection chamber (11) when it is installed as shown in figure 3. The removable plate (15) is situated immediately above the waste chute (13). The removable plate (15) can be completely removed from the receptacle (10) by withdrawing it in the direction shown by the direction 10 arrow (25). When the removable plate (15) is partially or fully removed any collected dirt in the collection chamber (11) is allowed to fall through the waste chute (13) under the force of gravity.

In figure 3 a scaling ring (22) and a seal support ring (24) are shown situated in the lower regions of the collection chamber (11). The seal support ring (24) is securely 15 attached to the internal diameter of the canister (26) forming an inwardly projecting flange and the sealing ring (22) is secured to the lower surface of the seal support ring (24). The scaling ring (22) is made from a closed cell formed rubber and presses lightly against the removable plate (15) when it is installed. The sealing ring (22) helps to prevent air leakage into the collection chambcr (11) when the receptacle (10) 20 is in use. When the vacuum pump (19) is operating the removable plate (15) is pulled upwards by the vacuum pressure creatcd in the collection chamber (11) and this draws the removable plate (15) firmly against the sealing ring (22). It can be seen in the figure that the sealing ring (22) is thicker at one end than at the other, and this tapering thickness matches the slope or incline of the removable plate (15). The 25 sealing ring (22) is fitted so that it extends downwards approximately 6 to 8 millimetres across the opening of the slot (28), and this allows the sealing ring (22) to be compressed by the removable plate (15) when the vacuum pressure in the collection chambcr (11) draws the removable plate (15) against the scaling ring (22). The sealing ring (22) extends far enough into the slot (28) so that the sealing ring 30 (22) positively contacts the removable plate (15) even when the removable plate (15) 190237N7,-CAPSpec 0205 is resting on the lower lip of the slot (28) when there is no vacuum pressure in the collection chamber (11).

The arrangement of the removable plate (15) and the sealing ring (22) is such that when the removable plate (15) is removed or reinstalled, the edge of the sealing ring 5 (22) will wipe the upper surface of the removable plate (15) clearing it of any dust or the like. This is advantageous since it is important to keep dirt and dust away from the contact surfaces between the scaling ring (22) and the removable plate (15) so that a good seal can be achieved.

In figure 3 it can be seen that the removable plate (15) is inclined at an angle of 10 approximately 6 degrees to the horizontal with the lowest point on the plate (15) situated adjacent to the part of the waste chute (13) which will open first as the removable plate (15) is withdrawn, that is, when moved in the direction of the arrow (25). This angle is to encouragc heavy objects to fall to the lowest point in the collection chamber (11) so that they will exit the chamber as soon as the removable 15 plate (15) is withdrawn, reducing the possibility that these objects will get caught between the removable plate (15) and the sealing ring (22) which could cause scouring of the removable plate (15) or damage to the sealing ring (22).

It can be seen in the figures that the lower lip of the waste chute (13) has a small flared portion (35), and situated above the flared portion is an O-ring (37). These 20 features and their uses are explained in further detail below.

With reference to both Figures 4 and 5, it can be seen the removable plate (15) is generally circular in profile, with a handle portion (30) extending to one side, and the average diameter of the removable plate (15) is close to the diameter of the waste chute (13). In closer detail it can be seen that the removable plate (15) is in fact in 25 the shape of two slightly different sized semi circular shapes which abut each other along their straight edges, the first semi circular shape (31) having a radius slightly less than that of the internal radius of the waste chute (13) and the second semi circular shape (33) having a radius slightly greater than that of the external radius of the waste chute (13). The handle (30) extends outwards from the periphery of the 190237NZ-C APSpec 0205 second semi circular shape (33), and it can be seen in figure 5 that the lines of the handle (30) and the second semi circular shape (33) have been blended somewhat for improved strength and aesthetics, l'he blended shape which effectively provides gussets each side of the handle (30) reduces the chance of the handle (30) breaking 5 off if the removable plate (15) is accidentally dropped.

The removable plate (15) can be made from a range of materials and initially the plate has been made from a 10 millimetre thick plastics plate material, which has been advantageous since it slides with relative ease against the metal edges of the slot (28).

When the collection chamber (11) becomes l ull of dirt, a bag or other receptacle can be placed under the waste chute (13). Preferably the mouth of the bag is placed over the outer diameter of the waste chute (13) and the O-ring (37) is placed over the bag to hold it and to seal it against the outer diameter of the waste chute (13). The flared portion (35) assists in retaining the bag on the outer diameter of the waste chute (13). 15 Then the removable plate (15) can be withdrawn by grasping the handle (30) and withdrawing it in the direction of the arrow (25). This allows contents of the collcction chamber (11) to fall through the waste chute (13) and into the bag or other receptacle. Then, preferably after waiting a short time to allow the dust to settle, the neck of the bag can be tied off and the O-ring (37) removed from the mouth of the 20 bag and the bag removed from the receptacle (10) to be disposed of.

This allows the rcceptacle (10) to be emptied of dirt without the need to lift or invert a waste collection pail, or to disconnect and lift out a full waste collection bag. The process of emptying the dirt from the receptacle (10) is clearly more convenient and hygienic than with previous central vacuum systems. And, no matter how full the 25 collection chamber (11) is, as long as the bag placed under the waste chute (13) is big enough, the contents can be transferred into the bag without spillage.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof. 190237NZ-CAPSpeo 0205 VARIATIONS While the vacuum cleaner waste receptacle has been described as having a canister made of stainless steel and with a diameter of 300 to 350 millimetres and a length of 900 millimetres, it is envisaged that the material and the dimensions could vary to 5 suit particular applications, for example the canister could be made of plastics or other metals, and the dimensions could be much smaller or larger, for example a larger unit for heavier duty use could be as large as 700 millimetres in diameter and 1800 millimetres in length.

Similarly, while the example described above uses a valve in the form of removable 10 plate which is adapted to slide into and out of a slot in the canister, it is envisaged that the valve could taker a number of forms, for example a pivoting slide valve or gate, or a plate or canister end fitting which is installed using clamps.

While the invention has been described with reference to a fixed receptacle for use in a central vacuum cleaning system, it is envisaged that the invention could equally be 15 applied to a portable vacuum cleaner providing similar advantages in the method of disposing of the waste collected by the vacuum cleaner.

DEFINITIONS The term "central vacuum cleaning system" used herein is intended to mean a system including a vacuum pump, a waste collector and a system of ducts which can be 20 permanently installed into a building for the purpose of facilitating vacuum cleaning of the building.

The terms "dirt" and "waste" used herein are intended to mean the waste collected by a vacuum cleaner, which may include a wide range of matter commonly found on a floor, for example dust, fibres, bacteria, pollen, crumbs, dead skin, hairs, insects, etc.

Throughout this specification the word "comprise" and variations of that word, such as "comprises" and "comprising", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps. 190237NZ-CAI'Spcc 0205

Claims (11)

1. A vacuum cleaner waste receptacle for a vacuum cleaning system which includes a collection chamber adapted to receive waste matter collected by the vacuum cleaning system, the collection chamber having a waste inlet and a separate waste outlet controlled by a shut-off valve situated in, or forming at least a part of, a base of the collection chamber, and the shut-off valve is adapted to allow collected waste to empty from the chamber by the force of gravity.

2. A vacuum cleaner waste receptacle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve is a slide valve.

3. A vacuum cleaner waste receptacle as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the waste outlet includes a waste chute.

4. A vacuum cleaner waste receptacle as claimed in any of the claims 2 or 3, wherein the slide valve includes a sliding member in the form of a plate which is adapted to slide into and out of the waste chute.

5. A vacuum cleaner waste receptacle as claimed in claim 4, wherein the slide member of the slide valve is angled from the horizontal plane, with the lowest portion of the slide at or adjacent to the portion of the valve which is first to open, when the receptacle is in its normal attitude of operation.

6. A vacuum cleaner waste receptacle as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the receptacle is adapted for permanent installation in a building.

7. A vacuum cleaner waste receptacle as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the waste outlet has a similar cross sectional size and shape to that of the collection chamber in the horizontal plane, when the receptacle is in its normal attitude of operation. it-r-i'-i- 2 Hji. 230S 190237NZ-RvsdClins Jul06 - 14-

8. A vacuum cleaner waste rcceptacle as claimed in any of the claims 3 to 7, wherein the sidewalls of the waste chute include an opening or slot through which the slide valve is able to slide.

9. A vacuum cleaner waste receptacle substantially as specified herein, with 5 reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.

10. A central vacuum cleaning system incorporating at least one vacuum cleaner waste receptacle substantially as claimed herein.

11. A method of emptying the waste collected in a central vacuum cleaning system waste receptacle including the steps of; 10 securing a secondary waste receptacle to a waste outlet on the vacuum cleaner waste receptacle, opening a valve associated with the vacuum cleaning waste receptacle to allow the waste to fall under the force of gravity into the secondary waste receptacle, and 15 removing the secondary waste receptacle from the waste outlet of the vacuum cleaner waste receptacle for disposal of the waste. PIPERS Attorneys for: Campbell Fairfield Jamieson and Peter Andre Schwarz 190237N7-RvsdClms JulOft i OPBCF- OF Nx. 2 > JUL BOB §|g cc