US3495386A

US3495386A - Self-closing dust bag for a vacuum cleaner

Info

Publication number: US3495386A
Authority: US
Inventors: Rodd V Bixler; Larry Eisman; John G Mcilvain Jr; Bent E Ohlson; William P Ritzau
Original assignee: Electrolux Corp
Current assignee: Electrolux Corp
Priority date: 1967-02-15
Filing date: 1967-04-21
Publication date: 1970-02-17
Anticipated expiration: 1987-02-17
Also published as: CH477199A; NL6801894A; CH483247A; US3503308A; GB1221322A; US3432997A; US3432998A; FR1554220A; US3533868A; DE1628582A1

Description

Feb. 17, 1970 R. v. BIXLER E TAL SELF-CLOSING nus'r BAG FOR A VACUUM cmmmn 2 She ets-Sheet 1 Filed April 21, 1967 IN VENTORS mgv a-fiisw E Z 60 z ,2 Z THEIR ATTORNEY Feb. 17, 1970 R. v. BIXLER L v SELF-CLOSING DUST BAG FOR A VACUUI CLEANER Filed April 21. 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS United States Patent O US. Cl. 55-367 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Disposable paper dust bags for vacuum cleaners consist of a filter bag having an end closure plate attached to the open end of the bag. The end closure plate is composed of two cardboard discs adhered together. The bag is attached to one disc having an opening therein. The outer disc, which is remote from the bag, is die cut to form a plurality of hinged flaps integral with this disc and defining a normally closed opeing therein. Sandwiched between the disc is an elastic member having a slit or opening in its center portion which cooperates with the flaps when a suction tube of a vacuum cleaner is pushed against the flaps of the outer disc; the fiaps being thereby pivoted into the bag and stretching the elastic member. When the suction tube is removed from the bag the flaps are closed by the elastic member for sealing dirt and dust within the bag.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Self-closing dust bags for vacuum cleaners are known from US. Patents 2,483,169, 2,547,805 and 2,596,808.

Dust bags for vacuum cleaners may remain in the cleaner for periods of time extending from a few hours to several weeks depending on the use of the cleaner. During this time the vacuum cleaner suction tube extends through the end closure disc and into the bag. When the tube is removed after several hours or weeks, the suction tube opening in the disc must be closed to prevent the bag contents from being spilled while the bag is being removed from the cleaner and disposed of. The end cover contributes significantly to the cost of dust bags and while the bag disclosed in the last of the above mentioned patents has been in successful use for many years it is expensive because of the latex rubber used for sealing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The primary object of this invention is to provide an inexpensive end closure for a vacuum cleaner dust bag having a plurality of flaps formed integral with the end closure disc by die cutting. The flaps are configured, hinged and associated with a small elastic member approximately /3 the area of the seal presently used so that the flaps and the elastic member are relieved of undue strain to insure proper operation. The resultant construction according to the invention provides significant economies over the prior art end closure for dust bags without sacrificing dependable operation under the conditions imposed.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of several embodiments thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a disposable paper filter bag for a vacuum cleaner having an end closure plate according to the invention.

3,495,386 Patented Feb. 17, 1970 FIG. 2 is a plan view on an enlarged scale of an end closure plate according to one embodiment of our invention in open position prior to being folded and attached to a bag as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view illustrating the operation of the end closure plate for a dust bag according to the invention with a vacuum cleaner suction tube inserted through the end closure and into the bag.

FIG. 4 is a plan view similar to FIG. 2 showing another embodiment of the invention on a reduced scale.

FIG. 5 is a partial plan view illustrating a modification of the arrangement disclosed in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a partial plan view illustrating a modification of the arrangement disclosed in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a plan view similar to FIGS. 2 and 4 of another modification according to the invention.

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 illustrate various flap configurations which may be utilized in accordance wiht the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In FIG. 1 reference numeral 10 refers to a disposable, porous paper dust collector or bag of the type used in vacuum cleaners. The bag or sack 10 is closed by a fold 11 at one end, the other end, which is provided with an opening 12, is attached to an end closure plate generally designated 13 consisting of relatively stiff cardboard or chipboard material. An opening in the end closure plate 13 is shown closed in FIG. 1 by a pair of flaps designated 14. The end closure plate 13 as seen in FIG. 1 comprises a pair of

discs

15 and 16 which may be connected by a fold line 17 (FIG. 2). The

discs

15 and 16 are folded and cemented together (as shown in FIG. 1) with a suitable adhesive prior to attaching the bag 10.

Details of the

end closure discs

15 and 16 according to the first embodiment of the invention are seen in FIG. 2. The disc 15 has a pair of flaps 14 formed therein by die cutting. The flaps are hinged at line 18 so that they separate or open along the part line 19 and pivot into the opening 30 inthe disc 16 as seen in FIG. 3. At each end of the part line 19 a tab 20 is for-med, also by die cutting the material of disc 15, and each of the tabs 20 are hinged or pivoted at line 21 independently of the flaps 14. Each flap contains a score line 22 which extends along the flap between part line 19 and hinge line 18 to allow the flaps to bend i.e. so that they will conform to the shape of the suction tube S by bending at the score line 22 (FIG. 3). The score line 22 may be inclined or curved slightly for this purpose also. The disc 16 is preferably provided with a generally cruciform opening 30 defined by the four fingers 40 which are hinged at 41, and a pair of opposed tabs 33. An elastic band 31 is attached to both the disc 16 and tabs 33 by a suitable adhesive. Additional adhesive is applied to one or both

discs

15, 16 for uniting the disc when folded on line 17 and brought together and also for adhering the other side of the band 31 to the adjacent surfaces and tabs 20 of disc 15. That is, band 31, when sandwiched between the two

discs

15 and 16, is adhered to both

discs

15 and 16 and to both

tabs

20 and 33. Since the tabs 20 are connected to disc 15 the associated hinge line 21 is offset with respect to hinge line 34 of tabs 33 so that when the tabs turn about their respective hinge lines the elastic band is not subject to an axial shear force created by relative movement of the

overlying tabs

20 and 33.

As indicated in FIG. 3 the suction tube of a vacuum cleaner pushes the flaps 14 and the tabs 33 and 20 (not seen) into the apertures 30 of the disc 16. The flaps therefore engage the elastic band 31 for the purpose of closing the flaps when the suction tube S is removed. To this end band 31 is provided with an elongated opening 32 through which the suction tu-be S will fit when the

strips

31a, 31b of the band 31 are moved apart by the flaps 14.

In FIG. 3 the fingers 40 are not shown in order to show a less complex view of the location of the elastic band and flaps when a suction tube of a vacuum cleaner is inserted through the end closure plate. Also, fingers 40 in the embodiment of FIG. 2 are not necessary for holding the

bands

31a, 31b on the flaps as explained hereinafter in connection with FIG. 4, but may be provided to prevent direct access of dirt and dust in the bag 10 passing through the end plate 13 if the flaps are permanently though slightly curved after prolonged use in a cleaner.

In order to further increase the surface area holding the band 31,

tabs

20 and 33 may be enlarged by axially extending the tabs and if desired a score line similar to score line 22 can be provided on the

tabs

20 and 33 in order that the tabs may be bent when the suction tube is inserted through the end plate.

It is noted that the adhesive applied to the discs 1 and/or 16 for securing the discs together need not be applied to the flaps 14.

The next embodiment according to the invention is illustrated in FIG. 4, which is a view similar to FIG. 2 in that an end closure is shown in an opened position prior to folding the discs 15' and 16' upon one another and securing them together with an adhesive. A feature of this embodiment resides in the incorporation of fingers 40 which are die cut from the cardboard material of disc 16, and are hinged or pivoted on a score line 41. The fingers 40 are provided to engage the elastic band 31' which is slit at 42 in order to prevent slippage of the band relative to the flaps 14'. That is, when the flaps are pushed into the opening 30 the elastic band 31" opens or parts at the slit 42 and the

band strips

31a, 31b may slide over the associated flap toward the hinge line 18" which would result in the faiiure of the flap to close under the influence of the band due to the loss of leverage i.e. when the band remains adjacent to the part lines 19' of the respective flaps the maximum closing force of the band is applied to the flap, but if the band slips to a position adjacent the score line 18' of the flaps, a minimum closing force is applied to the flap which may result in oniy partial flap closure resulting in insmficient sealing and spillage of the dust and dirt contained in the bag. A modification of the second embodiment is shown in FIG. in which two fingers 40 are shown Which are positioned to extend axially over the center portion of the flaps 14' and are hinged on a score line which is parallel with the flap hinge line 18'. Also shown in FIG. 5 is a modified form of elastic band 31" in which a fillet hole 48 is provided at each end of the slit 42 to prevent tearing.

With reference to FIG. 6, it is also contemplated to eliminate the fingers 40, 40' of the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5 on the disc 16', and in lieu of these fingers a line 45 of adhesive is applied to each flap 14 for tacking the elastic band 31' or 31" to the flaps 14'. The use of glue lines 45 have the additional advantage that the

band

31, 31 cannot snap over the edge of the flap defining the part line 19 if the band is offset or skewed with reference to the part line of the flaps.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 7 which the band 31 has an elongated opening 32 as seen in FIG. 2 and fingers are utilized for preventing the

elastic band strips

31a, 31b from sliding toward the pivot axis of the flaps 14" as explained above. To prevent the strips 31a", 31b" from slipping over the edge of a flap defining the part line 19" (as explained above with reference to glue line 45) the disc 15" is provided with a pair of opposed projections 50 which extend over the elastic strip (shown in phantom relative to disc 14") so that the apex end 51 of the projections 50 will pivot into the opening 32 in the elastic band 31 when the discs 15" and 16" are folded and adhered together and the suction tube S is inserted into the bag (FIG. 3). When the flaps 14" are forced against the band 31 (assuming the discs to be united) the projections 50 pivot at score line 18 and the apex end 51 of the projections engage in the ends of the aperture 32. As a result the

strips

31a, 31b are centered over the part line 19 or are held against the respective flap to prevent either of the strips 31a", 31b" from slipping over the part line edge of the respective flaps. In this embodiment it is noted that the elastic strip is not attached to the projections 50.

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 illustrate a number of flap configurations which may be utilized in lieu of those already shown. In FIG. 8 a plurality of four flaps are shown each of which is hinged to the disc 15" at score line 18. An elastic band 31 having fillet holes 48 is shown in phantom lines in this figure to show the relationship of the flaps and the elastic band when the

discs

15 and 16 are adhered together and also indicate that the elastic strip may be applied to disc 15 instead of disc 16. Also any of the previously disclosed elastic strip modifications may be utilized with the flaps 80. It will be noted that while the four flaps 80 define two part lines 19" the slit or aperture in the elastic band is only coplanar with one of the part lines.

The flap configuration shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is similar to that shown in FIG. 2, except that the scalloped part line 19 of FIG. 2 is replaced by an ofiset or lip 91 in one iiap 14 which extends into a correspondin recess in the opposite flap. Also the tab in this modification is not necessarily attached to the elastic band 31 as is the case in the embodiment according to FIG. 2. As seen in FIG. 9 when the suction tube is removed from the vacuum cleaner and the flaps 14 are closed by the strip 31 the band 31b of the strip 31 is caught over the lip 91 and is therefore exposed to view. However, the flaps 14" are sufiiciently closed to prevent ieakage. In FIG. 10 the lip 91' is more exaggerated and the elastic band is caught by the lip 91 as well as the ears 9?. formed in the other flap having the recess corresponding to the lip 91.

What is claimed is:

1. An end closure plate for a vacuum cleaner dust bag including a substantially flat relatively rigid first disc member, a pair of adjacent flap members disposed substantiaily centrally of and integral with said first disc member, means for pivotally securing said fiap members on said first disc member, said flaps each having an edge which cooperates with the respective edge of the other flap for defining a part line therebetween when said flaps are in a closed position substantially in the plane of said first disc member, means consisting of elastic material defining a pair of band portions, said band portions overlying said flaps for urging each of said flaps into said closed position, said elastic band portions overlying each of said flaps adjacent said part line and being substantially parallel with said part line; a second disc member connected to said first disc member, said second disc member having an opening for receiving said flaps 1n the open position thereof, said elastic band portions bemg positioned between said first and second disc; and means for maintaining said elastic band portions adacent the edges of said flaps comprising at least one pair of finger members, said finger members bein integral with said second disc and being pivotal relative to said second disc, said finger members engaging said elastic band portions in the opened position of said flaps for preventing movement of said elastic band portions away from the said edge of the associated flap.

2. An end closure plate according to claim 1 with the addition of a score line on each said flap, said score line allowing said flaps to bend and thereby conform to the shape of an object passing through the opening defined in said disc by said flaps in the open position thereof.

3. An end closure plate according to claim 1 with the addition of a filter bag connected to said second disc member.

4. An end closure piate for a vacuum cleaner dust bag including a substantially flat relatively rigid first disc member, a pair of adjacent flap members disposed substantially centrally of an integral with said first disc member for defining an opening through said first disc member, means for pivotally securing said flap members on said first disc member, said flaps each have an edge which cooperates with the respective edge of the other flap for defining a part line therebetween when said flaps are in a closed position substantially in the plane of said first disc member, means consisting of elastic material defining a pair of band portions, said band portions overlying said flaps for urging each of said flaps into said closed position, said elastic band portions overlying each of said flaps adjacent said part line and being substantially parallel with said part line; a second disc member connected to said first disc member, said second disc member having an openin for receiving said flaps in the open position thereof, said elastic band portions being positioned between said first and second discs; and means for maintaining said elastic band portions adjacent the edges of said flaps comprising a first pair of opposed tab members integral with said first disc, said tab members being pivotal relative to said first disc and normally residing in the plane thereof, said tab members extending inwardly toward the midpoint of said flaps, and means for connecting said tabs and said elastic means.

5. An end closure plate according to claim 4 with the addition of a score line on each said flap, said score line allowing said flaps to bend and thereby conform to the shape of an object passing through the opening defined in said disc by said flaps in the open position thereof.

6. An end closure according to claim 4 with the addition of a second pair of tab members integral with said second disc and pivotal relative thereto, said second pair of tab members being aligned with said first tab members and means for connecting said second pair of tab members and said elastic means.

7. An end closure plate according to claim 4 with the addition of a filter bag connected to said second disc member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,070,674 2/1937 Muentener 55-367 2,446,571 8/1948 Browne 137-525.1 2,543,556 2/1951 Senne 55-367 2,574,683 11/1951 Anderson 55-367 2,782,934 2/1957 Maysilles 137525.1 X 3,108,736 10/1963 Anderson et a1. 22962.5 3,148,696 9/1964 Hoke 137-525.1 X 3,176,450 4/1965 Weinstein 22962.5 X 3,237,846 3/1966 Brown 22962.5 3,245,428 4/1966 Klimek et al. 137-493 3,283,481 11/1966 Studley et a1. 137-525.1 X 3,383,030 5/1968 Downey 22962.5

HARRY B. THORNTON, Primary Examiner DENNIS E. TALBERT, JR., Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R.