WO1990003214A1

WO1990003214A1 - Vacuum cleaner filter bag assembly

Info

Publication number: WO1990003214A1
Application number: PCT/US1989/004159
Authority: WO
Inventors: John R. Lackner; Stanley E. Grzywna
Original assignee: The Scott Fetzer Company
Priority date: 1988-09-26
Filing date: 1989-09-25
Publication date: 1990-04-05
Also published as: AU4401389A; KR900701369A; JPH03502901A; EP0394403A1; AU626597B2; EP0394403A4

Abstract

A permanent mounting assembly for a vacuum cleaner filter bag (12) includes a plastic collar (29) stitched to the porous body of the vacuum cleaner bag (12) around the inlet opening thereof. The bag (12) is mounted on the exterior surface (23) of a projection (22) on the vacuum cleaner housing (11). The exterior surface (23) of the projection (22) is provided with an annular groove (27). An interior rib (28) on the collar (29) is positioned within the groove (27) to mechanically lock the bag on the projection (22) of the housing (11). A nonelastic tie strap (42) is positioned around the rib (28) to permanently secure the rib (28) in place and to provide a permanent fluidtight connection between the collar (29) and the projection (22) on the housing (11). The collar (29) is provided with a band (39) which is folded back to conceal the stitching (48), providing an attractive, neat appearance.

Description

VACUUM CLEANER FILTER BAG ASSEMBLY

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to vacuum cleaners and the like, and more particularly to a novel and improved filter bag structure and to a novel and improved structure for mounting such filter bag on the housing assembly of the vacuum cleaner.

Prior Art

Vacuum cleaners often provide an outer, nondisposable filter bag which is mounted on the vacuum cleaner housing assembly and which encloses a disposable filter bag. Such outer, nondisposable bags are generally provided with a zipper closed opening through which the disposable filter bags are installed and removed. Such nondisposable filters are normally not removed when the disposable inner bag is removed and replaced.

It is also known to provide nondisposable filter bags in which the dirt is collected. Such nondisposable bags are often removably mounted on the vacuum cleaner and are removed, emptied, and rein¬ stalled on the vacuum cleaner for continued use. Nondisposable filter bags are often provided with an elastic band around the entrance opening therein which fits into a groove formed in the vacuum cleaner housing assembly.

It is also known to provide a removable nondisposable filter bag with a collar or ring stitched to the filter bag body and which provides an internal rib which is positioned within a groove in the vacuum cleaner housing when the filter bag is mounted. An example of such a filter bag mounting structure is illustrated in United States Letters Patent No. 4,601,735.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a novel and improved mounting structure for mounting filter bags on a vacuum cleaner and the like. The filter bag is provided with a flexible, molded plastic collar which is mounted on a porous body of the bag around the entrance opening thereof. In the illustrated embodi¬ ment, the collar and bag proper are stitched together.

The collar is mounted on a projecting por¬ tion of the vacuum cleaner housing assembly. The projecting portion of the housing assembly and the collar are provided with an interfitting groove and rib structure which lock the collar on the projection. In the illustrated embodiment, the rib is formed on a collar and projects inwardly into a mating groove formed in the housing assembly.

A nonelastic tie strap encircles the collar around the interfitting rib and groove and produces a permanent mounting of the bag and housing assembly. The collar is provided with a flap which folds back over the stitching to conceal it from view. The resulting mounting structure provides a neat and attractive appearance. Since the illustrated embodi¬ ment is a nondisposable filter bag intended for use in combination with an interior disposable filter bag, the bag is not removed in the normal use of the vacuum cleaner, and a permanent mounting is provided.

In one illustrated embodiment, the tie strap is exteriorly mounted on the collar. In another illustrated embodiment, the collar is folded back over the tie strap and conceals both the stitching and the tie strap.

In both embodiments, a novel and improved low profile tie strap is provided to permanently mount the collar.

With this invention, a simple, low-cost mounting structure is provided which is attractive, durable, easily assembled, and satisfactory for ex¬ tended use. These and other aspects of this invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and are more fully described in the following specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a vacuum cleaner with a nondisposable filter bag mounted there¬ on in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section through the bag mounting structure illustrating the bag in its mounted position on the housing assembly of the vacuum cleaner;

FIG. 3 is a cross section, taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the mounting structure illustrating the filter bag prior to the being mounted on the vacuum cleaner housing;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal section similar to FIG. 4, but illustrating the filter bag in its mounted position on the vacuum cleaner housing and prior to the installation of the tie strap; FIG. 6 is a cross section similar to FIGS. 4 and 5, illustrating the mounted filter bag after the collar is folded back and before installation of the strap;

FIG. 7 illustrates the tie strap;

FIG. 8a is an enlarged side elevation, partially in section, of the two ends of the tie strap;

FIG. 8b is a plan view similar to FIG. 8a;

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal section similar to FIG. 2 but illustrating a second embodiment in which the collar also conceals the tie strap; and

FIG. 10 is a partial, longitudinal section of the second embodiment before the collar is folded back to conceal the stitching and tie strap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates one pre¬ ferred embodiment of this invention. In this par¬ ticular embodiment, an upright vacuum cleaner 10 provides a housing assembly 11 on which a nondis¬ posable filter bag 12 is mounted by a mounting ring assembly 13. The vacuum cleaner provides an upstand¬ ing handle 14 having a bracket 15 to support the upper end 16 of the bag 12.

In this particular embodiment, the nondis¬ posable bag 12 encloses a disposable filter bag 17 in which the dirt is entrapped during use of the vacuum cleaner. A flexible conduit 18 is provided through which the dirt-laden air passes from the housing assembly 11 to an inlet 19 in the disposable bag 17. The detachable mounting of the disposable bag 17 is disclosed and claimed in copending application Serial No. 07/208,735, filed June 17, 1988 (assigned to the assignee of the present invention) and such applica¬ tion may be referred to for a detailed disclosure of the disposable bag and its mounting.

The nondisposable filter bag 12 is provided with a lengthwise extending zipper 21 so that the nondisposable bag can be opened to allow installation and removal of the disposable bag 17.

Reference should now be made to FIGS. 2 through 7, which illustrate the structural detail of a first embodiment of the mounting of the nondisposable bag 12 on the associated portion of the housing 11. The housing 11 is provided with a projection 22 which is generally oval in shape, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Such projection provides a generally oval exterior wall 23 extending to a substantially planar wall portion 24. A cylindrical conduit portion 26 is centrally located within the wall and connects with the conduit 18. The dirt-laden air from the vacuum cleaner passes through the conduit portion 26 into the flexible conduit 18 and is then discharged into the disposable bag 17.

Immediately adjacent to the planar wall portion 24, the exterior wall 23 is formed with an annular groove 27 sized and shaped to receive an annular rib 28 on the interior of a collar 29 provided by the mounting ring assembly 13.

The collar 29 is preferably a molded plastic ring formed of, for example, flexible polyvinyl chlor¬ ide (PVC). It may be molded in an annular shape, or may be formed by extrusion, with the ends of the extrusion suitably fastened together by adhesive or other means to form the required annular or ring shape.

As molded or formed, the collar 29 has a longitudinal cross section, best illustrated in FIG. 4. The collar consists of a tapered end portion 31 extending with increasing thickness from one end 32 of the collar to a location 33. Adjacent to the location 33, the collar cross section is reduced to provide one wall 34 of a recess 36. Interior of the recess, the collar provides the rib 28 which has a generally rectangular cross section sized and shaped to fit into the groove 27 with a close fit.

On the side of the recess 36 remote from the wall 34, the collar provides an outwardly extending wall portion 37 providing the opposite wall of the recess. From the wall portion 37, the collar provides a substantially uniform thickness annular wall portion 38 extending to an offset wall portion 39 at the opposite end 41 of the collar. Intermediate the ends of the wall portion 38, the inner surface of the collar provides a shallow groove 40 to facilitate the folding back of the collar, as discussed below.

FIGS. 7, 8a and 8b illustrate a tie strap 42 which is used to permanently secure the collar on the housing 11. This tie strap is preferably molded from a nonelastic plastic material, such as nylon and the like, and provides a central band portion 43. At the ends of the central band portion 43, the tie strap provides a ratchet-type socket 44 at one end and a ratchet or serrated toothed end 46. The socket 44 and toothed end 46 are structured so that the toothed end 46 can easily be pressed into the socket, and once located within the socket a permanent connection is provided to form the tie strap 42 into a closed ring. The socket end 44 provides two side portions 44a which support two arrays of lateral strap portions 44b and 44c. The array 44b provides a plurality of similar and spaced strap portions having inclined inner surfaces to provide a toothlike structure. The array 44c also includes a plurality of similar spaced strap portions having inner wall portions which are coplanar. The two arrays 44a and 44b are spaced apart and cooperate with the side portions 44a to provide a channel for the toothed end 46. The two arrays 44b and 44c are positioned so that the lateral strap portions 46b are aligned with the spaces between the strap portions 46c and vice versa.

The toothed end 46 provides a smooth wall 46a along one side and longitudinally spaced, lateral teeth 46b along the other side. The spacing between the teeth 46b is equal to the spacing between the lateral strap portions 44b and the end of the tooth end 46 is tapered at 46c to provide a thin end which can enter between the two arrays of strap portions 44b and 44c.

As the toothed end 46 is pressed in along the channel between the strap portions 44b and 44c, the teeth cam the strap portions apart until a posi¬ tion is reached in which the strap tightly grips the collar 29 and produces a seal between the collar 29 and the projection 22 of the housing 11. The teeth 46b then interlock with the strap portions 44b to hold the strap in such position.

The toothed end 46 is provided with a pro¬ jection 49 to assist in installing the tie strap. Preferably, a pliers-like tool is used to install and tighten the strap. One jaw of the tool engages the projection and the other jaw engages the ends of the side portions 44a. When the two jaws of the tool are moved toward each other, the toothed end 46 is moved along the socket end 44 and the strap is pulled tight.

This socket structure provides a low profile which is only a little more than three times the thickness of the central band portion 43. In the illustrated embodiment, the socket is about three and one-third times the thickness of the central band portion 43; therefore, the socket is approximately three times the thickness of the central band portion. Such low profile is desirable in this mounting system.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the collar 29 is mounted on the end of the nondisposable filter bag 12 around the inlet opening 47 thereof by two rows of stitching 48. Such stitching is performed while the collar is in the as-formed condition extending along the exterior of the nondisposable bag 12 from the inlet opening 47 therein. Such stitching provides a permanent, secure connection between the bag and the collar per se. The end of the bag at the inlet open¬ ing 47 is substantially adjacent to the outwardly extending wall portion 37.

At the completion of the first step of assembly, the collar is positioned over the projection 22 of the housing assembly 11, as illustrated in FIG. 5. At this point in the assembly, the rib 28 is positioned within the groove 27. The collar is sized so that it closely fits the projection 22 and is formed of a material which is sufficiently elastic and flexible to allow it to be assembled into the illus¬ trated position of FIG. 5. The collar is then folded back as illustrated in FIG. 6, and covers and conceals the stitching 48. In such condition, the offset portion 39 extends into the groove 36 around the rib 28.

Thereafter, the tie strap 42 is positioned around offset portion -39 and around the rib 28. The toothed end 46 is inserted into the socket 44 and is pulled tight so that the strap 42 tightly encircles the collar and presses the collar into tight nonleak- ing contact with the exterior wall 23 of the projec¬ tion 22. The tie strap cooperates with the rib 28 and groove structure 27 to provide a permanent, fluid- tight, interlocking joint between the collar and the projection 22. Preferably, the tie strap 42 is in¬ stalled so that the connecting ends 44 and 46 are located in an obscure location around the periphery of the projection 22, where the connected ends are sub¬ stantially concealed. The groove 40 provides a thinned section and forms a hinge structure so that a relatively tight fold is formed when the collar is folded back to conceal the stitching 48, as illus¬ trated in FIG. 2.

Since the material forming the tie strap is nonelastic, a positive mechanical connection is pro¬ vided between the collar and the housing assembly 11, which is easily assembled, is low in cost, and pro¬ vides an attractive, durable connection. In normal use, the nondisposable bag is not removed from the cleaner, and if, for some reason, it is necessary to replace a damaged nondisposable filter bag 12, the tie strap is cut to allow the removal of the collar. In that event, a replacement nondisposable filter bag is merely reinstalled on the cleaner in the same way, utilizing the same type of tie strap 42.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a second embodi¬ ment of this invention in which the tie strap is positioned in the groove 36 before the collar is folded back upon itself. In this embodiment, the portion of the collar which is folded back conceals both the stitching and the tie strap as illustrated in FIG. 9.

In this second embodiment, the collar 29 and the tie strap 42 have the same structure as in the first embodiment; therefore, the same reference numer¬ als are used. The only difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that in the second embodiment the tie strap 42 is installed in the groove or recess 36, as illustrated in FIG. 10, before the collar is folded back.

As the last step of assembly of this second embodiment, the portion of the collar remote from the end 32 is folded back over the stitching 48 and the tie strap 42 to conceal both of them from view, as illustrated in FIG. 9. The offset portion 39 fits into the groove around the strap and the end 41 abuts the radially extending wall 34 to provide a neat and attractive appearance. The thickness of the central band portion 43 of the tie strap 42 is selected so that the tie strap, except at the connected ends, is fully contained within the recess 36. Preferably, the tie strap 42 is installed so that the connected ends 44 and 46 are located in an obscure location around the periphery of the projection 22 where the bulge created by such connection is not noticeable.

Although the preferred embodiments of this invention have been shown and described, it should be understood that various modifications and rearrange¬ ments of the parts may be resorted to without depart¬ ing from the scope of the invention as disclosed and claimed herein.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A vacuum cleaner comprising a housing assembly providing a mounting projection having an external surface for mounting a filter bag, a porous filter bag having an^' opening therein, a flexible collar secured to said bag around said opening and mounted on said external surface, said external sur¬ face and collar providing an interfitting rib and groove structure locking said collar on said external surface, and a tie strap on said collar around said interfitting rib and groove pressing them into tight sealing engagement.

2. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tie strap is formed with interfitting teeth which permanently connect in position the tie strap.

3. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 2, wherein said tie strap is formed of a substantially nonelastic flexible material.

4. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 3, wherein said tie strap provides at one end a plur¬ ality of teeth and a socket at the other end, said socket including a plurality of spaced lateral strap portions each engaging said teeth and locking the ends of said tie strap together.

5. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 4, wherein said teeth and lateral strap portions provide camming surfaces permitting insertion of said one end into said socket in one direction and prevent¬ ing relative movement therebetween in the opposite direction.

6. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 2, wherein said tie strap includes a central band portion having a first thickness, and a socket having a thickness approximately equal to three times said first thickness.

7. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 1, wherein stitching secures said collar to said bag around said opening, and a band conceals said stitch¬ ing from view.

8. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 7, wherein said band also extends around said tie strap concealing said tie strap from view.

9. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 7, wherein said band is integrally formed on said collar and is connected to the remainder of said collar along one side of said stitching and said interfitting rib and recess.

10. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 7, wherein said band is integrally formed with said collar and prior to installation on said projection extends in substantial alignment with the remainder of said collar, said band being folded back along the exterior of said remainder of said collar and forming therewith a smooth exterior extending to said fold.

11. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 10, wherein said bag provides a closable opening, and a disposable bag is installed within said filter bag through said closable opening.

12. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 10, wherein said housing assembly provides a powered fan and a discharge through which dirt-laden air passes, said discharge being connected to said dis¬ posable bag through said opening surrounded by said collar and isolated from the interior of said filter bag by said disposable bag.

13. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 1, wherein said collar is a molded plastic, flexible material having sufficient elasticity to permit it to be stretched around said projection.

14. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 1, wherein said collar provides an exterior recess in which said tie strap is located, and a tapered end extending with increasing thickness to said recess, said collar providing a band folded back along said collar encircling said recess and providing an edge projection substantially abutting and blending with said tapered end around the side thereof adjacent to said recess.

15. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 1, wherein said rib is formed on the interior of said collar and said groove is formed in said external surface.

16. A nondisposable vacuum cleaner filter bag and mounting assembly comprising a porous body having an opening therein, a flexible collar mounted on said porous body around said opening, said collar providing interfitting means operable to interfit with a mating structure on a vacuum cleaner for locking said filter bag thereon, and a nonelastic tie strap operable to extend around said interfitting means and permanently lock said collar on said vacuum cleaner.

17. A filter bag as set forth in claim 16, wherein said tie strap is formed of substantially nonelastic plastic having a toothed end and a socket end which interlock to permanently mount said tie stra .

18. A filter bag as set forth in claim 17, wherein said toothed end and socket cooperate to automatically lock said tie strap in a tightened condition when said tie strap is tightened around said collar.

19. A filter bag as set forth in claim 18, wherein said collar is stitched to the exterior of said body around said opening, and said collar pro¬ vides a band which folds back along said collar and conceals said stitching.

20. A filter bag as set forth in claim 18, wherein said collar provides a band which folds back along said collar to conceal said tie strap.

21. A filter bag as set forth in claim 20, wherein said interfitting means is a rib on the inter¬ ior of said collar, and said collar is plastic and provides a thinned hinge portion producing a relative¬ ly compact fold when said band is folded back along said collar.

22. A filter bag as set forth in claim 19, wherein said collar provides a recess around said interfitting means sized to receive said tie strap.