US3421683A

US3421683A - Vacuum cleaner filter bag

Info

Publication number: US3421683A
Application number: US612879A
Authority: US
Inventors: John J Fesco
Original assignee: STUDLEY PAPER CO
Current assignee: STUDLEY PAPER CO
Priority date: 1967-01-31
Filing date: 1967-01-31
Publication date: 1969-01-14
Anticipated expiration: 1986-01-14

Description

Sheet 1 of 2 Jan. 14, 1969 J. .1. FEsco VACUUM CLEANER FILTER BAG v Filed Jan. 31, 1967 Y MT 4 a a w 0 6 3 flzzflfimzfl fi wfi a, o i i w a a, W n.

Jan. 14, 1969 J FESCQ, 3,421,683

VACUUM CLEANER FILTER BAG Filed Jan. 31, 1967 Sheet 2 of 2 h-sv.........1'-1 1-1.... III.

INVENTOR.

United States Patent York Filed Jan. 31, 1967, Ser. No. 612,879 US. Cl. 22953 Int. Cl. B65d 31/00; B65d 33/00; B01d 29/10 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention is concerned with providing a highly novel vacuum cleaner filter bag which can be manufactured on machinery designed for relatively small volume vacuum cleaner filter bags, and yet which bag during use can be adjusted to accommodate a vacuum cleaner requiring both a larger volume bag and more specially adapted bag than can be manufactured on the said machinery.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates in general to disposable type filter bags for use with vacuum cleaning devices. More particularly, this invention relates to a filter bag as above which is expansible to both a larger sized bag as well as a bag having a structure which can be adapted to specially constructed vacuum cleaner devices.

Description of the prior art Paper bag making machinery is usually designed for the manufacture of a paper bag of particular dimensions and especially particular wi-dthwise dimensions. Consequently, where it is desired to make paper bags of various widthwise dimensions and special shapes adapted to different shaped vacuum cleaning devices, different machines have to be set up to take care of the different bag sizes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, among one of the principal objects of this invention to provide a highly novel vacuum cleaner filter bag which can be manufactured on machinery designed for relatively small volume vacuum cleaner filter bags, and yet which bag during use can be adjusted to accommodate a vacuum cleaner requiring a larger volume bag as well as a bag having a structure adapted to fit into a specially shaped or constructed vacuum cleaner device.

In accordance with the present invention, there has now been provided a highly novel vacuum cleaner filter bag having an expansible widthwise capacity and an off-center aperture associated therewith to which a mounting collar is attached. The action of expanding the widthwise dimensions of the bag simultaneously exposes said off-center aperture to which said collar is attached.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The invention will be hereinafter more fully describe-d with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a blank utilized in the manufacture of an expansible, specially shaped bag pursuant to the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the initial steps in the formation of a bag bottom on a tube formed from the blank shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURES 3, 4 and 5 illustrate successive steps in forming the bag bottom;

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view of the bag tube of FIGURE 5 taken along line 6-6 in the direction of the arrows located over the reference numerals;

FIGURE 7 is a view showing the bag in its expanded condition with an off-center aperture associated therewith, with a portion of the bag wall cut away;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary view of FIGURE 7 showing a collar mounted on the said off-center aperture; and

FIGURE 9 is a side elevational view in cross-section of FIGURE 8 taken along line 9-9 in the direction of the arrows located behind the reference numerals.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the figures in detail, FIGURE 1 illustrates a blank 10 of paper sheet material substantially rectangular in conformation. As here shown, the blank 10 is provided with

fold lines

12 and 14 which extend longitudinally thereof respectively adjacent to the longitudinal

marginal edges

16 and 18 thereof. Between said longitudinal edge 16 and the opposing longitudinal edge 18 the blank is provided with eleven transverse fold lines which are spaced laterally between the shorter en-

d edges

20 and 22 of the rectangular blank, said fold lines being indicated by the

reference numerals

24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38,40, 42 and 44, respectively.

The blank is provided with a first slit 46 which extends inwardly from longitudinal edge 16 between edge 20 and fold line 24 and which terminates inwardly of fold line 12. A fold line 48 extends from the inner end of slit 46 to the intersection of fold lines 14 and 26. A second slit 50 is provided between fold lines 28 and 30' and extends inwardly from longitudinal edge 16 and terminates inwardly of fold line 12. A fold line 52 extends from the inner end of slit 50 to the intersection of fold lines 14 and 26. A third slit 54 extends inwardly from longitudinal edge 16 between

fold lines

38 and 40 and which terminates inwardly of fold line 12. A fold line 56- extends from the inner end of slit 54 to the intersection of fold lines 14 and 36.

Longitudinal edge 16 is also provided with three cutout portions (or slots) 58, 60 and 62 which extend inwardly from longitudinal edge 16 and which terminate inwardly of fold line 12 at the same termination points as

slits

46, 50 and 54. Slot 58 is situated between slit 50 and fold line 34; slot 60 is centrally located between

fold lines

34 and 38, and fold line 36 if extended upward would bisect slot 60; slot 62 is located between slit 54 and fold line 44. A fold line 64 extends from the corner 66 of slot 58 to the intersection of fold lines 14 and 36. It will be noted that the end edge 20 and the fold line 24 define a panel A; fold line 24 and fold line 26 define a panel B; fold line 26 and fold line 28 define a panel C; fold line 28 and fold line 30 define a panel D; fold line 30 and fold line 32 define a panel E; fold line 32 and fold line 34 define a panel F; fold line 34 and fold line 36 define a panel G; fold line 36 and fold line 38 define a panel H; fold line 38 and fold line 40 define a panel I; fold line 40 and fold line 42 define a panel K; fold line 42 and fold line 44 define a panel L; while fold line 44 and end edge 22 define a panel M.

FIGURE 6 illustrates in cross-section a bag tube 68 which is formed by folding the blank 10 along the various transverse fold lines 24 through 44 thereof. It will be understood that the tube 68 is formed by adhesively securing the

end edges

20 and 22 in overlapping relation, defining a front panel 70 for the bag which is formed by blank panels A, M and L. The front side panel I stands alongside the front main panel 70. The bag is provided with a rear main panel D which is stood alongside of panel F. Panels B and C define a gusset 72 between panels 70 and D. Similarly, a gusset 74 is defined by panels K and J; a gusset 76 is defined by panels H and G; and a gusset 78 is defined by panels E and and F.

Stripes of adhesive material are selectively applied to the blank 10. More specifically, and as best shown by FIGURES 1 to 4, a vertical stripe of adhesive material 80 is applied to the blank 10 along the slit 46 outwardly towards edge 20, and terminating inwardly therefrom. Similarly, another vertical stripe of adhesive material 82 is applied to the blank 10 along the slit 54, terminating at side 84 of slot 62. An L-shaped adhesive stripe 86 is applied to panel D inwardly of slit 50, terminating at the upper portion 88 of side 90 of slot 58.

The tube 68 is bottomed by displacing panels B, C, D, G, H and 70 (A, M and L) in the direction of the arrows, as shown in FIGURE 2 initially, and showing successive bottoming steps in FIGURES 3, 4 and 5, it be ing understood that the steps and operations for bottoming the tube 68 are conventional and well known in the art, and that the adhesive material is actually applied when the tube is in the condition shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, the showings of adhesive in FIGURES 1 and 2 being for purposes of clarity of illustration. For this purpose, as is well known, the gusset 72 is provided with

diagonal fold lines

100 and 102 which extend from the longitudinal fold line 12 through longitudinal fold line 14, it being noted that the gusset 76 is provided with diagonal fold lines 104 and 106 which extend similarly, as best shown in FIGURE 3.

With the gussets bent inwardly above the fold line 14, as illustrated in FIGURE 2, the tube 68 assumes the condition thereof illustrated in FIGURE 3. It will be noted that in said condition of the tube, the L-shaped adhesive stripe 86 forms a continuation of the linear adhesive stripe 108, while right triangular-shaped adhesive patch 110 is disposed between slit line 50 and fold line 12 outwardly of said linear adhesive stripe. A similar adhesive patch 112 is disposed between slit line 46' and fold line 12. Another linear adhesive stripe 114 extends in a fashion parallel to stripe 108 with right triangularshaped

adhesive patches

116 and 118 being disposed between fold line 12 and edge 58 of slot 58 and slit line 54', respectively.

In the next step, illustrated in FIGURE 4, the panels 70 and I are bent upwardly along the fold line 12. This causes panel 70 to be adhesively partially secured at the bottom end of tube 68 to the underlying

adhesive stripes

80, 108 and 112, and also causes panel I to be adhesively secured by means of stripe 82 on stripe 114, and also adhesive patch 118 securing up to fold line 106.

In the final step of the bottoming operation, panels D, E and F are bent downwardly along fold line 12 from the position thereof illustrated in FIGURE 4 to the position thereof illustrated in FIGURE 5. It will be noted that when the panels are so folded the adhesive stripe 86 adheres to panel 70 and onto adhesive stripe 108, while adhesive patch 110 adheres up to fold line 100, and also adhesive stripe 114 adheres onto itself, and adhesive patch 116 adheres up to fold line 104.

As a result of the foregoing adhesive securement at the bottomed end 122 of the tube 68, there is now defined a bag 124 having a tubular body 126 and a bottom end 122, the tubular body being open at the other end thereof. In order to seal this said end, it is sealed upon itself at adhesive stripes 128 by folding the end over twice so as to form a closed end 130 opposite the bottom end 122, as best shown in FIGURES 3 and 7. It will also be apparent from the foregoing description that none of the adhesive stripes extend into or contact the panels 70 and J at the front side of the bag, or the panels D and F at the rear side of the bag, or middle panels G and H. These unsecured panels extend into the bag bottom 122 inwardly from the fold lines 12 which now define the longitudinal marginal edges of the bag bottom, as will be apparent from FIGURE 5. These unsecured panels in essence define pleats which extend longitudinally of the front and rear surfaces of the bag and into the bottom 122. These pleats permit for the extension or expansion of the bag.

More specifically, FIGURE shows the bag 124 (frag mented) in the contracted and collapsed condition thereof with the bottom end 122 of the bag folded against the bag body 126.

FIGURE 7 illustrates the bag in the open but contracted position thereof, the bag being shown as having a generally rectangular shaped off-center aperture 132 at one end of the bag body 126, and the closed end being shown at the bottom of the bag, the gussets 74 and 78 being open or expanded. This expansion of the bag with its attendant off-center aperture 132 is accomplished simultaneously by grasping the bottom 122 at the opposite ends thereof and moving one end in the direction as indicated by the arrow in FIGURE 5, i.e., towards the said gussets. The condition of the bag in FIGURE 5 permits the bag to be stored or transported in a relatively small space. However, pursuant to the invention, it is possible to expand the bag 124 so that it can contain a large volume of contents and have an off-center aperture as well, even though it was manufactured with conventional bag machinery designed to accommodate a bag which is equal in size to that shown in FIGURE 5 in the collapsed condition.

By looking at FIGURE 6 it will be apparent just how the pleats or panels E, F, G, H, J and K being unsecured are free to expand by the pulling action in the direction of the arrow, as shown in FIGURE 5. It will also be noted by viewing FIGURE 5 that fold lines 110, 112', 116' and 118' now overlie the

original fold lines

100, 102, 104 and 106, respectively. The tab 83 was formed by slit 54 and slot 62 of the blank and is now seen in FIGURES 5 and 7 as adhered to panels G and H by adhesive stripe 82. It will be noted that tab 83 prevents the bottom 122 from being completely sealed since there is no adhesive material on its outer surface, the adhesive stripe being only at 82, the inner surface thereof. If this were not so, then obviously the bag bottom 122 could not be expanded. In effect, the bag 124 can be considered as only partially bottomed, or partially secured at the bottom.

In order to form the vacuum cleaner bag 140, the bag 124 is fitted with a collar 142 on the expanded bottom 123, said collar being adapted to be in registry with offcenter aperture 132 by having a rectangular-shaped aperture 150 of about the same size as aperture 132. The collar 142 is of conventional construction, preferably being formed of paperboard or cardboard, and as mentioned is adapted to overlie and be in registry with said aperture 132. The said collar 142 is also provided with a peak 144 which is attached to and is movable on side 146 of said collar 142, said movability being provided by a longitudinal slash approximately halfway into said side 146, so that said peak 144 can be moved down with relation to a top plan view of the said collar, and conversely also can be moved up to the same plane as it was in originally. The bag may be of the disposable type.

The vaccum cleaner bag 140 is mounted in conventional fashion in a vacuum cleaner, the collar 142 serving to support the filter bag in conventional manner. The inlet end of a vacuum cleaner conduit suitably adapted is readily insertable into the bag by inserting the conduit through the aperture 132 in registry with the collar 142. The feature of the off-center aperture 132 provides for that type of vacuum device wherein this feature is either essential or desirable such as, for example, by reasons of construction of the vacuum device, or by reason of placement of its motor, or for reasons of the like. When the conduit is so inserted, as above, then the dirt-laden air may be introduced directly into the filter bag in a conventional manner. When the air carrying the dirt is introduced, of course the bag expands to its full volume capacity, including the gusset 76 shown in FIGURES 5-9 as unex-panded.

In view of the foregoing, it will be apparent that there has been illustrated and described a highly novel expandable vacuum cleaner filter bag having an off-center aperture and collar fitted thereto, which has the outstanding advantage that it can be formed on conventional bag making machinery for making relatively narrow bags and thereafter expanded into a larger volume bag even though the machinery for forming smaller sized bags was utilized in the manufacture thereof.

It will be understood that various changes and modifications maybe made therein without, however, departing from the basic inventive concept thereof as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A vacuum cleaner filter bag formed of a blank sheet of material folded to define a front wall, a rear wall, and opposing sides, said bag being closed at one end thereof and bottomed at the other end thereof, each of said walls being interconnected with means for increasing the widthwise dimension thereof, the action of increasing said widthwise dimension thereby providing said bag simultaneously with an ex-pansible widthwise capacity and off-center access means associated therewith, said access means giving access to the interior of said bag, a mounting collar for said bag with means defining an opening in said collar, said access means and said opening means being in registry, said means for increasing the widthwise dimension comprising pleats connected with each of said walls and extending longitudinally thereof, said pleats being movable transversely of the respective walls to increase the surface thereof.

2. A vacuum cleaner filter bag according to claim 1 wherein said access means are disposed to be located over the expanded portion of said walls when said pleats are moved transversely with respect to said walls.

3. A vacuum cleaner filter bag according to claim 2 wherein said off-center access means is an aperture substantially rectangular in form.

4. A vacuum cleaner filter bag according to claim 1 wherein aid front and rear walls each comprise a main panel, said means for increasing the widthwise dimension comprising laterally extensible pleats interconnecting said main panels by one longitudinal end of each thereof, each pleat comprising a reflexed panel normally disposed between said main panels and movable into planar relation therewith to extend the width of the associated wall, the lateral extension of said pleats simultaneously exposing said off-center access means associated therewith, said access means being originally defined inside the partially bottomed portion of said bag.

5. A vacuum cleaner filter bag according ;to claim 1 wherein said opposing sides consist of a gusseted end wall as; one opposing side thereof and a plurality of gusseted end walls as the other opposing side thereof.

6. A-vacuum cleaner filter bag comprising a tube of filter sheet material, said tube having a front wall, a rear wall, and opposing sides, said tube being closed at one end thereof and bottomed at the other, each of said walls comprising a main panel, said walls having means for increasing the widthwise dimension thereof, said means for increasing comprising a plurality of laterally extensible pleats interconnecting said main panels at one longitudinal end of each thereof, each pleat comprising a refiexed panel normally disposed between said main panels and movable into planar relation therewith to extend the width of the associated panel, the lateral extension of said pleats simultaneously exposing an off-center access means associated therewith, said access means communicating to the interior of said tube, and a mounting collar for said tube with means defining an opening in said collar, said access means and said opening means being in registry, said access means being initially defined inside the bottomed end of said bag, said bottomed end being unsecured for a portion thereof so as to allow the lateral extension of said pleats and exposure of said access means.

7. A vacuum cleaner filter bag according to claim 6 wherein said access means comprises an aperture substantially rectangular in form.

8. A vacuum cleaner filter bag comprising a tube of filter sheet material, said tube having a front wall, a rear wall, and opposing sides, said opposing sides comprising a gusseted end wall as one opposing side thereof and three gusseted end walls as the other opposing side thereof, said tube being closed at one end thereof and bottomed at the other, each of said walls comprising a main panel, said walls having means for increasing the widthwise dimension thereof, said means for increasing comprising a plurality of laterally extensible pleats interconnecting said main panels at one longitudinal end of each thereof, each pleat comprising a refiexed panel normally disposed between said main panels and movable into planar relation therewith to extend the width of the associated panel, the lateral extension of said pleats simultaneously exposing an off-center access means associated therewith, said access means communicating to the interior of said tube, and a mounting collar for said tube with means defining an opening in said collar, said access means and said opening means being in registry, said access means being initially defined inside the bottomed end of said bag, said bottomed end being unsecured for a portion thereof so as to allow the lateral extension of said pleats and exposure of said access means.

DAVID M. BOCKENEK, Primary Examiner.

' U.S. Cl. X.R.