SK68098A3 - A vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

The vacuum cleaner consists of a tank (3) with a lid (2) which contains an electric motor (2c), centrifugal impeller (2b) and filter (2a). The motor and impeller (2c, 2b) produce a vacuum within the tank (3) and air carrying waste (12) enters through a pipe (4). An outer bag (20) is fixed within the tank (3) by the lid (2) and a second bag (20') is placed inside the outer bag. The entry pipe (4) discharges into the inner bag (20') through a seal. The inner bag (20) is resistant to humidity but permeable by air and is designed to catch dust and solids. Liquids pass through the inner bag but are collected by the outer bag which is waterproof.

Description

Technical field

The invention relates to vacuum cleaners and more particularly to vacuum cleaners used for cleaning. It is directed in particular to vacuum cleaners intended for picking up impurities of any type and possibly impurities in liquid form.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is already known to use disposable bags made of tight material in vacuum cleaners. GB-A-2 141 635 discloses a pot-type vacuum cleaner in which a tight bag is used, supported on a carrier resting on the bottom of the pot. The vacuum developed in the vacuum cleaner allows suction of dirt into the tight bag and expels filtered air through the motor, fan and filter. The design of the vacuum cleaner is designed so as to create a free space around the tight bag stored in the pot, and to circulate air around the tight bag. This air circulation inside the pot allows to balance the pressures acting outside the tight bag.

It is already known to use vacuum cleaner bags in a simple and double arrangement.

By way of example, FR-1 554 118 discloses a vacuum cleaner comprising a first dust bag of a textile material, which itself comprises an auxiliary dust cut, at least partially of a porous material. Such an arrangement allows the bag to be removed in a hygienic manner, avoiding the problems arising from the presence of dust residues when the bag is removed. However, a vacuum cleaner of this type does not allow the liquid to be sucked up, even in small quantities.

In addition, pot-type vacuum cleaners are known which allow the suction of more or less liquid. This liquid is at the bottom of the pot and the user must empty the pot and in most cases clean it after use.

Normally, a vacuum cleaner is used without the dust bag for sucking in liquids, since the bag would be severely damaged or completely destroyed by the passage of the liquid. These traditional paper-type dust bags do not withstand liquid or strongly humid environments.

The user must therefore use a vacuum cleaner according to whether he wants to vacuum solid or liquid substances. In the first case it puts a paper bag in the pot and in the second case it takes out the bag. Indeed, it is necessary to use filter bags for sucking in solids, especially suction of fine dust. The filter bag is designed to retain fine dust in the vacuum cleaner and to prevent both a fine clogging of an eventual filter located on the outlet side and the release of a large portion of the fine dust into the atmosphere. When wet or liquid substances are sucked in, their weight is usually sufficient to fall on the bottom of the vacuum tank itself. The air jets are oriented so as to promote the drop of dirt to the bottom of the container.

This type of vacuum cleaner is therefore characterized by the disadvantage that it must be configured for each type of use. If the paper bag is forgotten when the liquid is sucked in, the bag is destroyed, damaged or perforated and an unpleasant mixture of liquid and solids is found at the bottom of the pot.

Furthermore, a vacuum cleaner having two different inner reservoirs is known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,608,945. The first reservoir serves for collecting liquid substances and the second reservoir serves for collecting solid or dry substances. These tanks are completely independent and separated from each other. The first guide means or inlet allows the liquid to be directed to the first reservoir, while the second guide means allows the solids to be directed to the second reservoir. The user must choose which inlet to use depending on the substances being sucked in before operating the device. These reservoirs are therefore used gradually. However, the presence of two tanks entails greater space requirements. In addition, this type of vacuum cleaner requires the presence of two inlet openings, one for each of the receptacles, or at least one inlet, but which is provided with a deflecting means allowing the suction substances to be directed towards one or the other receptacle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above drawbacks are overcome by the invention proposing a vacuum cleaner comprising a pot (pot) for defining a first liquid impervious imposition means, at least one first guide means in fluid communication with the first impurity deposit means further comprising a suction system allowing to circulate an air stream from the guide means towards the interior of the first dirt storage means and then outwardly therefrom, the second dirt storage means of a moisture resistant type, also in conjunction with the guide means and housed within the pot wherein said second impurity deposit is of an air permeable type, but substantially impermeable to solid impurities or particles of aspirated material, wherein said second impurity The dirt eye is stored at least partially in the interior of the first dirt storage means and is held in the vacuum cleaner independently of the tight bag so that it can be removed from the vacuum cleaner itself.

Until now, filter bags have generally been made of paper or incompatible with wet garbage. It was therefore necessary to replace the bags according to the impurities to be vacuumed. According to the invention, a filter bag, which is compatible with the wet garbage, is placed inside the second tight bag. The dirt storage system thus becomes universal because there is no need to change the bag depending on the dirt being vacuumed. The fine dust is enclosed in the filter bag (except the nozzle through hole) and can be easily handled. Preferably, the liquid contaminants are collected in a tight pouch which can be easily replaced and which eliminates the need for unpleasant cleaning of the bottom of the vacuum cleaner reservoir (the vacuum liquid contaminants are generally very cuddly and cause clogging soiling at the bottom of the collecting tanks). In addition, no inlet or deflection means is required for each container, which simplifies the construction and makes it more economical.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 shows a basic diagram of the vacuum cleaner principle according to the invention, FIG. 2 is a view of a vacuum cleaner pot comprising two dirt storage means; FIG. 3 is a view of the vacuum cleaner pot of FIG. 3 with two dirt depositing means, FIG. 4 is a view of a vacuum cleaner pot with two dirt storage means prior to removal of the first dirt storage means comprising the second storage means, and FIG. 5 shows a section through a vacuum cleaner according to the invention in a preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Fig. 1 shows a basic diagram of the vacuum cleaner principle according to the invention. The vacuum cleaner shown is a pot (pot-shaped container) 3, preferably located beneath the chamber 1, comprising a suction system 2. The pot 3 is designed to receive a first plastic bag-type soil depositing means 20 for lining a garbage collection container. The first dirt storage means 20 opens to the first guide means 4 so as to allow the suction stream 12 to circulate through the guide means 4 into the interior 21 of the first dirt storage means 20 through the suction system 2. This suction system 2 consists of an electric motor 2c connected to a centrifugal wheel 2b generating a vacuum within the pot 3. At the inlet of the suction system 2, a filter 2a may be fitted to protect the suction system 2 and, in particular, the centrifugal wheel 2b if, due to malfunction, solid contaminants would accidentally be carried by the air stream 12 up to this inlet of the suction system. to the centrifugal wheel 2b at risk of damage.

Fig. 1 schematically shows the circulation of different air spaces. The intake air stream 12 thus passes through the guide means 4, is introduced into the vacuum cleaner and is then ejected therefrom by the centrifugal wheel 2b in the form of a filtered air stream 13. Another air stream 10, 11 is used as cooling air to cool the engine 2c in operation. It will be understood that the end of the guide means 4 located outside the vacuum cleaner is preferably terminated by a flexible hose, a handle or a grip, a rigid tube and a suction head or brush cleaning tool or any other known cleaning tool. It will also be appreciated that the end 4a of the guide means 4 has dimensions adapted to fit into the opening 29 (FIG. 3).

Thus, the vacuum cleaner is provided on the path of the sucked air flow 12 with guide means 4, the interior 21 of the first dirt storage means 20 and a filter 2a associated with the suction system 2, with a centrifugal wheel 2b and then with an air ejection circuit.

The pot 3 is preferably provided in its upper part with a peripheral skirt 3b, arranged, for example, towards the interior of the pot 3, to provide support for the chamber cabinet 1 when assembled with the pot 3. Thus, in the arrangement according to the invention a bag-like shape for unloading a garbage container, with dimensions preferably adapted to the size of the vacuum cleaner. When mounted in the pot 3, the first dirt storage means 20, with its upper end 22, rests on the peripheral skirt 3b with a substantially tight connection.

The first soil depositing means 20 is preferably of the tight type. Thus, a vacuum cleaner can be used to vacuum liquid or damp substances that would damage a traditional paper bag intended to suck up non-wet solid particles.

To allow the vacuum cleaner of the invention to be used with either solid (dry or wet) substances such as dust or liquid type, without particular intervention, such as replacing or withdrawing the bag or a particular attachment or option, it is used a second dirt storage means 20 '. This second dirt depositing means 20 'is of a non-airtight, i.e. non-cross-sectional, type, e.g. allows air to pass while retaining solid or dry particles and lets liquids that could be sucked through. Preferably, it is of a moisture-resistant type. Moisture-resistant type means a composition having walls made of a material or combination of materials that are not or only susceptible to deteriorating their mechanical properties when in contact with or passing through a liquid, wet substance, and which could lead to prevent or limit the passage of air due to, for example, swelling of fibers by moisture absorption, cracking or tearing of the walls. Such damage could result in the release of the content so far present in said storage means. For example, the walls of the second soil depositing means 20 'are formed of a synthetic nonwoven material such as polypropylene or a fabric. The walls of the liquid-resistant type are preferably liquid-permeable.

Preferably, the second dirt depositing means 20 'is disposed within the first dirt depositing means 20'. Thus, when the solids are sucked in, the second dirt storage means 20 'retains them. The eventually absorbed liquid passes through the second dirt storage means 20 'towards the first dirt storage means 20'.

Thus, in these dry-use cases, only the second dirt storage means 20 'is filled. When the bag is full, it can be replaced in a known manner, as shown in FIG. Third

When used only for absorbing liquid, all of the contents are poured into the first dirt storage means 20. Its contents may be removed, spilled, or the depositing means may be ejected, for example, after the second depositing means 20 'has been previously pulled out, after which the first depositing means 20 is pulled out, or the pot 3 is simply tilted to empty. Optionally, the second impurity depositing means 20 '(underfilled or underfilled) may be refitted. Because it is of a liquid-resistant type, this second storage means 20 'will not be damaged or destroyed by the liquid.

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In the case where the soil depositing means (s) 20, 20 'is at least partially filled, they can be withdrawn simultaneously, as shown, for example, in FIG. 4, when the second soil depositing means 20 'is released from its support 28 and allowed to fall to the bottom, inside the first soil depositing means 20'. Then, the first dirt storage means 20 is closed again, for example by a well-known clamp or tab, as is done, for example, with a bag in a garbage container, so that the second storage means 20 'is closed. Thus, the first depositing means 20 can be removed from the vacuum cleaner and carried into the garbage container without the risk of leakage of dry or liquid contaminants, since the first depositing means 20 is perfectly tight.

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a suction pot according to the invention. The first dirt storing means 20 is mounted in the pot 3 and is held in position at the perimeter of the pot by simply folding over the pot rim or other fastening means 30 of known type, for example an annular fastening means. The second soil depositing means 20 'is housed in the interior space 21 defined by the first soil depositing means 20'. As is also known, this storage means 20 'can be attached to the pouch support 28, which can for example be placed against the fastening means 30 or against the rim of the pot 3. It can also form an integral part of the fastening means 30. This support 28 comprises an inlet opening 29 for a dirt that coincides with the inlet 29 'of the second dirt storage means 20'.

Fig. 3 shows the same assembly, but in a situation where the second dirt depositing means 20 'is in the selected position with respect to the pot 3 or the interior 21 of the first dirt depositing means 20'.

Fig. 4 again shows the same assembly in an arrangement where the user wishes to pull both dirt storage means 20, 20 'simultaneously. The support 28 has been pulled out and is not shown in the figure.

The user will desire to pull out, for example, in the case where each storage means 20, 20 'is at least partially filled with impurities, namely liquid in the first case and solid in the second case. In order to prevent the second dirt depositing agent 20 'from contaminating the immediate environment when it is pulled out, as it could be wetted or contaminated by the contents of the first dirt depositing agent 20, it is advantageous to remove both agents simultaneously so that they can be disposed user's wishes.

According to a preferred variant of the vacuum cleaner according to the invention shown in FIG. 5, the vacuum cleaner includes means for self-spreading and inflation of the first impurity depositing means 20. The self-inflation of the dirt storage means 20 prevents the first storage means from being sucked or pressed against the inlet of the suction system 2, for example against the filter 2a, due to its poor fit.

To inflate and unfold the first dirt depositing means 20 inside the pot 3, means are used to make a pressure difference between the inner volume 21 and the space 3a lying around the first dirt depositing means 20. These means may be formed as shown in FIG. 5, the supplementary filter means 25 and the pressure channel 5. When the suction air stream 12 passes through the supplementary filter means 25, the outlet pressure of the supplementary filter means 25 is lower than the pressure on its inlet side. The pressure in the interior space 21 of the first dirt storage means 20 is higher than the pressure in the space on the outlet side of the additional filter means 25. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 allows the pressure channel 5 to transfer this lower pressure to the space 3a located outside the first dirt storage means 20. This results in inflation of the first dirt storage means 20 towards the walls of the pot 3.

Preferably, the additional filter means 25 and the filter 2a are formed from a single piece of material.

In another embodiment, the air pressure difference may be created by restricting the passage cross section for the intake air flow 12. A pressure difference of several tenths of kPa, for example 0.5, is required to inflate the first impurity deposit 20. This pressure difference can be achieved with an intake air flow 12 of 20 liters / second with a permeable filter means 2a or 25.

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The fitting of the chamber cabinet 1 on the pot 3 is carried out in a known manner by means of known fastening means in order to achieve tightness and thus to partition the free space 3a. Such a solution prevents accidental air supply, not compensated by the pressurized ducts 5. Such an accidental function could result in suction of the first dirt storage means 20 to the additional filter means 25 and blockage of the path of the suction air flow 12. The supplementary filter means 25 thus makes it possible, according to the invention, to achieve a pressure difference between the inner volume 21 and the space 3a. Thus, in the operation of the vacuum cleaner, a greater vacuum is obtained in the free space 3a than the vacuum applied in the internal space 21. The pressure difference of several tenths of kPa and preferably about 0.5 kPa between the side over and downstream of the additional filter means 25 inflating and / or deflating the first dirt storage means 20.

The enclosure 1 is preferably mounted removably and tightly on the pot 3. The supplementary filter means 25 is preferably formed of a material or materials permeable to the suction air stream 12. The materials constituting the supplementary filter means 25 are, for example, paper or sheets of cardboard or layers of cardboard or any synthetic material having filtering properties adapted to the desired filtration quality to be achieved by the supplementary filtering means and to the pressure differential required at the inlet and outlet sides of the supplementary filtering means 25.

Another advantage of using the first dirt depositing means 20 of the invention is the spatial delimitation of the sucked dirt that the solution provides to the user. The first dirt depositing means 20 can be easily released from the pot 3 without the risk that more or less of the suction dust will spread to the outside.

Thus, for example, the first dirt storage means 20 may be a plastic bag-like bag for installation in a garbage container. For example, when the user wants to remove the collected dirt from the vacuum cleaner, the first dirt storage means 20 may be closed by a clamp, tab or equivalent means, as is known for garbage container bags. Types

The OA GCCID dirt depositing means 20 'may be enclosed in the first dirt depositing means 20'.

An additional advantage of the invention is that a pot 3 is obtained which remains clean despite suction of impurities such as water or oil or any other liquid spilled on the surface to be cleaned or any wet substance. All of these impurities remain defined in the first impurity storage means 20.

The vacuum cleaner according to the invention makes it possible to use a single pot, with one tank instead of two. The dirt storage means can be stacked one on top of the other, allowing the entire available space to be used effectively at any time. It is thus possible to optimize the size of the pot.

A variant may also be envisaged in which the first soil depositing means is formed by the pot itself. This will eliminate the potential need for pouches of the liquid impermeable type, but the user will have to manually empty the pot and eventually clean it.

Claims (5)

PATENT CLAIMS A vacuum cleaner comprising a pot (3) for defining a liquid impermeable first dirt storage means (20), at least one first guide means (4) in fluid communication with the first dirt storage means (20), further comprising a suction a system (2) for circulating an air stream from the guide means (4) towards the interior space (21) of the first dirt storage means (20) and then outwardly from said space (21), and the second storage means (20) ' a dirt resistant type of dirt, also in conjunction with a guide means (4) and stored within the pot (3), said second dirt storage means (20) being of the air permeable type but substantially impermeable to solid impurities or particles sucked in material, characterized in that the second dirt depositing means (20) is at least partially embedded in the and is retained in the vacuum cleaner independently of the tight bag so that it can be removed from the vacuum cleaner itself. Vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, characterized in that the second dirt storage means (20) is permeable to liquids. Vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first dirt storage means (20) is of the airtight type. Vacuum cleaner according to at least one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first dirt depositing means (20) is made of a plastic type material. Vacuum cleaner according to at least one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the second dirt depositing means (20) is formed of a non-woven material type.