US1458720A - Vacuum-cleaning apparatus - Google Patents

Description

June 12, 1923.

J. P. MALONE VACUUM CLEANING APPARATUS.

- bined dry and wetseparating tank.

Patented June 12, 1923.

JAMES P. MALONE, OFPITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

VACUUM-CLEANING APPARATUS.

Application tiled January 25, 1922. Serial No. 531,610.

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through a cleaning apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention,

Figure 2 is a sectional view through a part of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1 showing the separating hood in deflated condition, and

Figure 8 is a detail sectional view on an enlarged scale.

The present invention relates broadly to cleaning apparatus, and more particularly to vacuum cleaning apparatus having a com- It has herctoiore been attempted rugs, carpets and the like by the use of a cleaning fluid and a vacuum cleaning apparatus for removing the fluid. Not only has considerable difficulty been experienced in making a suitable apparatus for taking care of the dirt and water. but the water has attacked the glue sizing and caused the nap to pack down. This is very objectionable, and has prevented the extensive use of such methods. By the present invention. however, these objcctionsare entirely overcome. as I have invented an apparatus for handling the dirt and water extracted.

It will be understood that thencconlpanying drawings constituting part of this spcci fication are for purposes of illustration only, and that changes may be made in the details of construction and the operation oi the parts without departing from the spirit of theinvention or the scope of nii broader claims.

In the drawings, there is illustrated a vacuum cleaning apparatus comprising a base 2 carried by castors 3 enabling it to be easily moved from place 'to place as required. Extending upwardly from the base :2 are a series of vertical supports lsecurcd at their upper ends in any desired inannerto a ring .5. Detach-ably supported within the ring 5, and resting therein entirely by gravity, is a combined dry and wet separator tank This tank is preferably constructed with its to clean downwardly sloping sides.

walls converging downwardly to a central outlet which may beclosed by aremovable closure 7 of any desired construction to per- Init cleaning of the tank. Adj aceht the closure 7 may be provided a drain 8 providing a supplemental outlet therefor which may be used at predetermined intervals.

Extending tangentially into the tank 6 intermediate the ends thereof, but preferably adjacent the upper portion is an inlet.

9. By reason of the tangential disposition of this inlet it will be apparent that the enterlng stream is given a whirling motion within the separating tank 6, thereby oaus ing the solid particles to cling to the converging walls, but'permitting the air and lighter particles to separate there-from and pass upwardly from the tank. The outlet from the tank comprises a substantially centrally positioned opening 10 formed in a bafile plate 11 preferably having all of its walls tapered downwardly. Located above the opening 10 is a second baffle 12 having This battle is adapted to deflectinto the tank 6 any heavier particles carried therefrom by th rising air currents.

Supported above the tank 6 is a casing 13 having an outlet 14: connected in any desired manner, as by a flexible hose 15 with a disintecting tank '16. This disinfecting tank is also preferably mounted in such manner that it can be easily moved from place to place. and is formedywith a submerged jet 17 adapted to discharge below a screen 18 whereby air bubbles are, effectualiy broken up during their travel through the disinfecting and filtering fluid 19. The outlet 20 from the tank 16 may lead in any desired manner to a motor or other mechanism for producing the desired air currents through the apparatus.

Positioned within the casing 1.3 is aflexible hood 21, formed of an desired material. and

having its lower edge dctachably secured 'in thence through the outlet 10 into the tank 6. When the vacuum is again established the hood will he'inflated, causing the weighted upper end to move upwardly. Movement in this direction will be limited by a. stop plate 26, forming a battle. and supported in any desired manner so as to form a tortuous path for the air attempting to pass from the casing 13 to the outlet 14 through the open ing 27. When the hood engages the plate 'ZtSit. will have imparted thereto another ar which assists in the cleaning of the hood.

If desired, the casing 13 may he formed with straps 28 adapted to cooperate with staples 29 by means of which the parts of the apparatus may he locked in position.

In operation, when the cleaning nozzle which is secured in any desired manner to the inlet 9 is placed in engagement with the rug or carpet being cleaned, the a1r flow through the hood 21 will be slightly restricted and this will result in a deflation of the hood. Each time the nozzle. is lifted the hood will be fully inflated. it will be apparent, therefore, that l have provided means for autonmtically cleaning the flexible hood during the operation oi the apparatus. If desired, the hood may be cleaned by manually cutting oil the flow or. air therethrough in any desired manner.

in cleaning. 1 first preferably subject the rug or carpet to the action of the apparatus in the usual way to remove all loose dirt therefrom. I then apply.v preferably, by means of a'largc scrubbing brush bf suitable construction, a limited amount of a cleansing fluid to a limited area or the rug or carpet, and scrub the same vigorously to loosen all grease and dirt which has become packed into the nap thereof. Immediately after this operation, and before the cleansing fluid has had an opportunity to attack the glue sizing, I withdraw all of this fluid to gather with the foreign material loosened thereby by subjecting said area to the action of the vacuum cleaning nozzle. This operation is then repeated until the entire surface has been cleaned. I have found this method to be most effective when operating on successive strips, each having awidth substantially equal to the length of the brush by which the cleansing fluid is applied and to the length of the nozzle by which the suction is applied. For example, successive strips of approximately 12" may be easily and quickly cleaned and the cleansing fluid removed before it has had an opportunity to soften the glue sizing.

By reason of the fact that the inlet 9 is tangentially arranged, Water is prevented from passing upwardly into the hood 2i, and I have found that'the arrangement of hatlles cooperates with the separating tank insuch manner that either when using it as a dry separator or a wet separator a central column of dry rising air is formed. 1

have found it to be highly essential in an apparatus of this character to provide some means for preventing the dirt from becom ing caked on the hood 21, as will be the case with such a construction as illustrated in the German. Patent No. 272384 if it were attempted to'usc such a construction with a cleansing fluid. sary to provide some means for limiting the extending movement of the hood during inflation as otherwise it rapidly becomes torn or broken.

The advantages of the present invention arise from the provision of an apparatus by means of which both a dry and a wet cleaning operation may be effectively produced for insuring the removal of all foreign material from a rug, carpet, or the like.

I claim:

1. In a vacuum cleaning apparatus, a separating tank having a tangential inlet whereby entering air is given a whirling Furthermore, it is necesmotion and a centrally located restricted outlet for said air, a battle cooperating with said outlet, a flexible hood receiving the air 'from said outlet, means for causing said hood to deflate and inflate, and means independent of the hood structure for limiting movement of the free end thereof upon deflation and inflation and thereby impart ing a cleaning jar to said hood both during deflation and inflation.

2. In a vacuum cleaning apparatus, a separating tank having downwardly sloping converging walls and a tangentially extending inlet, a downwardly sloping deflector cooperating with the upper end of said tank and provided with a centrally located restricted outlet, a baflle for said outlet, a hood for receiving the flow through said. outlet, and means independent of the hood structure for limiting movement of the free end thereof upon deflation and inflation and thereby imparting a cleaning jar to said hood both during deflation and inflation, substantially as described.

. 3. In a vacuum cleaning apparatus, a separating tank having downwardly sloping converging walls and a tangentially 83-- tending inlet, adownwardly sloping deflector cooperating with the upper end of said tank and rovided with a centrally 10- cated restricted outlet, a battle for said outlet, a flexible hood cooperating with said outlet, said hood having a weighted upper end, means cooperating with said Weighted upper end for limiting the upward movement of said hood during inflation, and'a restraining member secured to said hood for limiting the downward movement thereof during deflation, both of said means being adapted to impart jars to said hood for cleaning the same, substantially as described,

4. In a vacuum cleaning apparatus, a separatin tank, means for producing a vacuum t erein, means for delivering dirt laden air thereto, a flexible hood intermediate said means adapted to be deflated and inflated, and means independent of the hood structure for limiting movement of the free endthereof upon deflation and inflation and thereby imparting a cleaning jar to said hood both during deflation and inflation.

5. In a vacuum cleaning apparatus, a separating tank, means for producing a mediate said means adapted to be deflated v and inflated, and means for automatically imparting a jar thereto both upon inflation and deflation movements thereof, said hood having a weighted upper end for increasing the jar imparted thereto, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

JAMES P. MALONE.

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