WO2006077040A1

WO2006077040A1 - Vacuum cleaner bag comprising means for compressing the receiving volume, and vacuum cleaner comprising a dust collecting chamber for receiving such vacuum cleaning bags

Info

Publication number: WO2006077040A1
Application number: PCT/EP2006/000183
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andre Bertram; Markus Drücker; Seyfettin Kara; Stefan Kreimeyer; Stefan Tiekötter; Dirk Wegener; Cornelius Wolf
Original assignee: Miele & Cie. Kg
Priority date: 2005-01-18
Filing date: 2006-01-11
Publication date: 2006-07-27
Also published as: DE102005002420A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner bag (4) formed from air-permeable filter material (4) and comprising an inlet (8) for the suction air to be filtered of a vacuum cleaner (1), said inlet being surrounded by a holding plate (6). The aim of the invention is to especially decrease the restriction of the suction action as the bag becomes fuller. To this end, means are used to compress the receiving volume of the bag when it is folded in the dust collecting chamber (3) of the vacuum cleaner (1), when the suction air is switched off. In order to solve the same problem in a vacuum cleaner (1) comprising a fan (12) and a dust collecting chamber (3) into which a bag (4) consisting of air-permeable filter material and comprising an inlet (8) surrounded by a holding plate (6) can be inserted, means are arranged in the dust collecting chamber (3) for the compression of the receiving volume of the bag (4) when it is folded in the dust collecting chamber (3), when the suction air is switched off.

Description

description

VACUUM CLEANER BAG WITH COMPRESSING CAPACITIES AND VACUUM CLEANER WITH A VACUUM CLEANER FOR RECEIVING SUCH VACUUM CLEANING BAGS

The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner bag with a bag formed of air-permeable filter material with an inlet opening surrounded by a holding plate for suction air to be filtered vacuum cleaner. In addition, the invention relates to a method for producing a vacuum cleaner bag, in which means which compress its receiving volume in a dust collection chamber of the vacuum cleaner state when switching off the suction compressed in the form of elastic bands are provided. The invention also relates to a vacuum cleaner with a blower and with a dust collection chamber in which a bag formed from air-permeable filter material with an inlet opening surrounded by a holding plate for suction air to be filtered can be inserted.

The suction power of vacuum cleaners has been steadily increasing in recent years. So the vacuum cleaner bags were also adapted to the suction performance in terms of their design. In addition to the known vacuum cleaner bags made of paper known from EP 0161760, for example, a vacuum cleaner bag whose filter material consists of a three-layer fiber composite, between two outer support layers high strength an inner layer of microfiber - is arranged - made of polypropylene. The two outer layers consist of a fleece - made of nylon fibers - which are welded together. These outer layers have relatively high strength both in the machine direction and across it. The vacuum cleaner bag as such is designed firmer in terms of its nature, in particular to meet the suction.

In the vacuum cleaner bags known from the prior art, it is considered disadvantageous that the bag with increasing filling level of dust, the suction effect of the vacuum cleaner is affected, as in particular on the inner wall of the bag in addition to the structure of a filter cake and the air-permeable pores in the wall of the filter material.

The invention thus presents the problem of providing a vacuum cleaner bag or a vacuum cleaner in which, in particular, the suction effect is less affected as the degree of filling of the bag increases. The invention also raises the problem of disclosing a simple method for producing such a vacuum cleaner bag.

According to the invention, this problem is solved by devices or methods having the features of the independent claims 1, 11 and 14. Advantageous embodiments and modifications of the invention will become apparent from the respective following subclaims. Due to the design of an active bag, which automatically reduces its absorption volume when the suction air is switched off in the dust collection chamber or by measures according to the invention on the vacuum cleaner, the bag is compressed or compressed in the switched-off phase of the suction device. As a result of this, the contents of the bag are also subject to compression, with the bag again assuming its increased degree of filling when the vacuum cleaner is switched on. Due to the compression-expansion process but also by re-putting the bag in the dust collecting the dust particles adhering in the pores are compressed or the filter material is released from the dust particles again, so that a higher air flow through the bag wall is made possible, which in turn a higher suction power leads. With the bag according to the invention can thus achieve a higher suction with increasing filling level, since the pores are partially released when the device is switched off by the compression of the bag.

For this purpose, the bag acts to reduce the receiving volume with elastic means whose spring force is smaller than the suction force. Due to the interaction of the restoring elasticity force of the bag on the one hand and the suction force acting on it on the other hand, there is also fluttering or hitting the filter material in the dust collecting space, so that the multi-layer nonwoven material of the vacuum cleaner bag is knocked out. According to a first embodiment, in this case the elastic means can be directly in operative connection with the filter material. For example, the filter material may be formed of multiple layers and one of the layers may be elastic.

Another embodiment of the direct action of the elastic means may also be that elastic bands are arranged on the filter material. Such a bag is very easy to manufacture.

There is also the possibility that the elastic means is formed of an elastic fabric or net, which cooperates with the filter material. The elastic fabric, mesh or elastic bands may also be attached to the inside of the bag.

However, it is preferable if the elastic fabric or mesh loosely envelops the pouch and thereby does not interfere with the flow of air. In this embodiment, the elastic fabric or mesh is also very easy to attach to the support plate.

Elastic material may also preferably be applied by spraying on the inside or outside of the bag. This should be done either partially or with an air-permeable material. In a method designed according to the invention for producing a vacuum cleaner bag, wherein elastic bands are arranged on the filter material, at least a first portion of the vacuum cleaner bag is folded onto the opposite side of the holding plate and the elastic bands are in relaxed or only slightly tensioned state on the one hand on the folded Section and on the other hand attached to other sections of the vacuum cleaner bag. By folding the bag, the elastic bands can be secured in the relaxed or slightly tensioned condition, which simplifies manufacturing. In addition, the bag has only a small footprint in this state, which simplifies its storage. Also, the insertion of the bag in the lo dust collection chamber of the vacuum cleaner is simplified. In the manufacturing method, it is expedient if at least two further sections are folded onto the side opposite the holding plate before folding the first section transversely to its folding direction. In addition, at least one elastic band should be attached to the central region of the first folded portion and to an unfolded portion. In this way, i _{5 is} ensured that the bag in the unfolded state is surrounded on all sides by elastic bands. In addition, the elastic bands are in this state on the side facing away from the plate and therefore do not interfere with the insertion into the receptacle of the vacuum cleaner.

Another possibility, in particular to obtain the suction effect with increasing filling level of the vacuum cleaner bag, is that the means can also interact with the bag indirectly. In this case, for example, means may be provided in the dust collecting space which compress the receiving volume of the bag in a state unfolded in the dust collecting space when the suction air is switched off. For this purpose, the indirect means in the dust collecting space comprise elastic means whose restoring elasticity force 2 _{5 is} less than the suction force acting on the bag. It goes without saying that spring elements, such as spring-loaded plates, for this purpose can be arranged in isolation in the dust collecting space, which make the volume reduction when the fan is switched off. It is also conceivable that elastic bands or an elastic fabric or mesh are used, which envelop the bag. These may be attached to a receptacle located in the 30 Staubsammelraum for the holding plate of the bag. The advantage would be that even conventional vacuum cleaner bags can be used, which is not yet involved a direct-acting elasticity.

Embodiments of the invention are shown purely schematically in the drawings and will be described in more detail below. In this case, identical reference numerals are used for the same parts. Show it: Figure 1 a is a sectional side view of a vacuum cleaner with a

Dust collection room, in which the vacuum cleaner bag is shown with the vacuum cleaner off;

Figure 1b is a view according to Figure 1a, in which the vacuum cleaner is turned on and the vacuum cleaner bag is expanded;

Figure 2a is a front view of a folded vacuum cleaner bag;

Figure 2b shows the rear view of the vacuum cleaner bag;

Figure 2c shows the rear view of the vacuum cleaner bag with elastic bands;

Figure 3 is a partially sectioned view of a vacuum cleaner with a dust collecting space and an elastic net applied to the bag in the

State in which the vacuum cleaner is off and the bag is compressed (Figure 3a) and in the state in which the vacuum cleaner is turned on and the vacuum cleaner bag is expanded (Figure 3b);

Figure 4 is a further, partially sectioned view with a dust collecting space and one or more bands attached to the housing for compression of the

Bag in the state in which the vacuum cleaner is off and the bag is compressed (Figure 4a) and in the state in which the vacuum cleaner is turned on and the bag is widened (Figure 4b);

Figure 5 is another illustration of an embodiment of the invention having a spring assisted plate for compressing the bag in the condition that the vacuum cleaner is off and the bag is compressed (Figure 5a) and in the condition that the vacuum cleaner is on and the vacuum cleaner bag is widened (Figure 5b).

Figures 1a and 1b show in a side view purely schematically a canister vacuum cleaner 1. This has in the front part of its housing 2 a dust collecting space 3 for insertion of vacuum cleaner bags 4. For this purpose within the dust collection space in a known manner (see, for example, DE 103 34 894 B3 ) a receptacle 5 for the holding plate 6 (see Figure 2a) of the vacuum cleaner bag 4 is arranged. The vacuum cleaner bag 4 is then closed lid 7 with its inlet opening 8 behind the intake 9 of the vacuum cleaner 1. To suction air, symbolized in the figure 1a by the arrows 10 and 11 to be able to pass through the vacuum cleaner bag 4 is in the rear of a fan 12th arranged, which is directed with its suction side to the dust collecting space 3. When the blower 12 is switched on - an actuating button 23 is provided for switching on - then the suction air flows via the intake connection through the vacuum cleaner bag 4 to the blower 12 and from there via an exhaust air filter 24 into the environment.

The vacuum cleaner bag 4 is formed from an air-permeable filter material and provided with an inlet opening for the air to be filtered, indicated in the figure 1a, b with the arrow 10th The bag corresponds to its receiving volume, as shown for example in Figure 1 b, as the dust collection chamber 3 of the vacuum cleaner 1. As is now clear from the synopsis of Figure 1a and Figure 1b, the bag is able to support volume to reduce in the dust collecting space 3 when the blower 12 is turned off, so no suction air flows through the dust collecting space 3. In this case, the bag 4 acts to reduce the receiving volume, as can be seen in Figure 1a, together with elastic means whose restoring elasticity force is smaller than the suction force of the fan 12 and compress it in this way when switching off the suction air.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 2a to c and 3a and b, it is provided according to the invention that the elastic means are directly in operative connection with the filter material. Since vacuum cleaner bags 4 are usually offered to suit a limited number of vacuum cleaner types from a manufacturer, the elasticity of the bag 4 can be adapted to the fan performance of the particular vacuum cleaner type. Figures 2a and 2b show a vacuum cleaner bag 4 according to the current state of the art in a state in which it is in its sales packaging. To produce this state, two lateral sections 13 and 14 are folded onto the rear plate 15 opposite the retaining plate 6, and then a further section 16 is also folded transversely to the folding direction of the two sections 13 and 14 onto the rear side 15 so that the bag 4 has a compact Size receives in which it can be packed to save space. By the arrows 17, 18 and 19, the convolutions are described. In this state, elastic bands 20 are now secured between the folded portion 16 and the folded portions 13 and 14 and between the folded portion 16 and the unfolded back 15, for example, by adhesive dots 21. If the bag 4 is inserted into the vacuum cleaner 1 in this state and the fan 12 is turned on, the bag 4 unfolds, since the suction force is greater than the elasticity force of the belts 20.

Figures 3a and 3b show a further embodiment of the invention, in which an elastic network structure 22, which loosely envelopes the bag 4, causes its compression. In this case, the switched-off state of the vacuum cleaner fan 12 is shown in Figure 3a, so that the elasticity force of the network 22 causes a reduction of the bag volume. The elasticity force of the network structure 22 is designed so that it is smaller than the suction force in the switched-on state of the device, which leads to the expansion of the bag 4 shown in FIG. 3b when the blower 12 is switched on. Variants are conceivable for this embodiment. In a first variant, shown in FIGS. 3 a and 3 b, the elastic network structure 22 is an integral part of the vacuum cleaner bag 4 and is attached directly to the holding plate 6. In a second variant, not shown in the figures, the

Fixing point, however, be the holding plate holder 5 of the vacuum cleaner 1, so that the network structure 22 is an integral part of the vacuum cleaner 1 and the bag 4 is inserted laterally in such a case when inserted into the network structure 22.

In other, not illustrated by drawings embodiments of a vacuum cleaner bag 4 constructed according to the invention whose elastic properties s can also be brought about by the fact that in a filter material, which is formed from a plurality of layers, the elastic means between the layers are involved. It is also conceivable that in a multilayer filter material, for example, as an elastic means an elastic fabric can be integrated, which cooperates with the filter material. Likewise, an arrangement of elastic bands, elastic fabric or a lo elastic net on the inside of the vacuum cleaner bag 4 is conceivable. Elastic material can also be applied from the inside or from the outside on the bag 4 by spraying. This should be done either partially or with an air-permeable material.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, to achieve the effect of Füllgraderhöhung the vacuum cleaner bag 4 also has the possibility that the elastic means i _{5 are} indirectly in operative connection with the bag 4. Thus, for example, a means can be arranged in the dust collecting space 3, which likewise reduces the receiving volume of the vacuum cleaner bag 4 when the suction air is switched off. The indirect means may comprise spring elements whose spring force is designed to be smaller than the suction force, so that a compression of the bag 4 can be caused from the outside.

Figures 4a and 4b show a first embodiment of this variant. In this case, elastic bands 25, one example of which is shown here, arranged such that the ends 26 of the bands are fixedly attached to the bottom plate 27, the elastic bands 25 include the vacuum cleaner bag 4 and the loose ends 28 by the user non-positively on the Recording 5 are attached. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4a

25, the fan 12 is turned off and no air is sucked through the inlet port 8. FIG. 4b shows this embodiment in the switched-on state of the blower 12. The air entering through the inlet opening flows through the air-permeable material of the bag 4. The elastic force of the elastic bands 25 is dimensioned in such a way that that

30, the vacuum cleaner bag 4 so far expands by the suction that he almost completely fills the dust collection chamber 3 of the vacuum cleaner 1.

Figures 5a and 5b show an embodiment of a vacuum cleaner 1 constructed according to the invention, in which the reduction of the bag volume is produced by the action of a movable plate 29. The holding plate 6 of the vacuum cleaner bag 4 is inserted into the 3 ₅ holding plate holder 5 of the vacuum cleaner 1. The effective force of the plate 29 is achieved by a spring 30 which extends to the partial wall 31 between the dust collecting space 3 and Blower chamber 32 is supported and whose spring force is designed so that it reduces the volume of the vacuum cleaner bag 4 in the off state of the blower 12 (Figure 5a). Air is sucked through the suction port 8 and flows through the filter material of the bag 4. The spring force of the spring 30 is designed so that the spring is compressed by the suction force acting on the movable plate 29 and the bag 4 fills the dust collecting space 3 as shown.

Claims

claims

1. Vacuum cleaner bag (4) with a bag (4) formed from air-permeable filter material with an inlet opening (8) surrounded by a holding plate (6) for suction air of a vacuum cleaner (1) to be filtered,

5 characterized by means which compress its receiving volume in a state in which it is deployed in the dust collecting space (3) of the vacuum cleaner (1) when the suction air is switched off.

2. Vacuum cleaner bag (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that

10 that the bag (4) cooperates to reduce the receiving volume with elastic means whose restoring elasticity force is smaller than the suction force acting on it.

3. Vacuum cleaner bag (4) according to claim 1 and 2, characterized in that i ₅ that the elastic means are directly in operative connection with the filter material.

4. Vacuum cleaner bag (4) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filter material is formed of a plurality of layers and one of the layers is formed elastically.

20 5. Vacuum cleaner bag (4) according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one elastic band (20) is arranged on the filter material.

6. Vacuum cleaner bag (4) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized

2 ₅ that the elastic means of an elastic fabric or network (22) is formed, which cooperates with the filter material.

7. Vacuum cleaner bag (4) according to any one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the elastic bands (20) or the elastic fabric or net (22) on the inside 30 of the bag (4) are attached.

8. Vacuum cleaner bag (4) according to claim 6, characterized in that the elastic fabric or net (22) the bag (4) wrapped loosely.

9. Vacuum cleaner bag (4) according to claim 8, 5, characterized in that the elastic fabric or net (22) on the holding plate (6) is fixed.

10. Vacuum cleaner bag (4) according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the elastic material from the inside or outside on the bag (4) is applied by spraying lo.

11. A method for producing a vacuum cleaner bag (4) according to claim 5, wherein at least one elastic band is arranged on the outside of the filter material, characterized in that at least a first portion (16) of the vacuum cleaner bag (4) on the i ₅ holding plate opposite Side (15) is folded and that the at least one elastic band (20) in the relaxed or only slightly tensioned state on the one hand to the folded portion (16) and on the other hand on further portions (13, 14, 15) of the vacuum cleaner bag (4) is attached ,

12. The method according to claim 11, 20, characterized in that at least two further sections (13, 14) are folded transversely to the folding direction of the holding plate (6) opposite side (15) before folding the first portion (16).

A method according to claim 11 or 12, 25, characterized in that at least one elastic band is attached to the central region of the first folded portion (16) and to an unfolded portion (15).

14. A vacuum cleaner (1) with a fan (12) and with a dust collecting space (3), in which a formed of air-permeable filter material bag (4) with one of a holding plate

30 (6) surrounded inlet opening (8) can be inserted for suction air to be filtered, characterized in that in the dust collection chamber (3) means are arranged which the receiving volume of the bag (4) in a in the dust collection space (3) unfolded state at shutdown compress the suction air.

15. A vacuum cleaner (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that the means in the dust collecting space (3) comprise elastic means whose restoring elasticity force is less than the suction force acting on the bag (4).

5 16. Vacuum cleaner (1) according to claims 14 and 15, characterized in that the means are formed as a spring-loaded plate (29).

17. Vacuum cleaner (1) according to claims 14 and 15, characterized in that the means are designed as elastic bands (25) which envelop the bag (4).

18. Vacuum cleaner (1) according to claims 14 and 15, characterized in that the elastic means are formed of an elastic fabric or net, which surrounds the bag (4) loosely fitting.

ι ₅ 19. Vacuum cleaner (1) according to any one of claims 17 or 18, characterized in that the elastic bands (25) or the elastic web or net at a location in the dust collecting chamber (3) receiving means (5) for the retaining plate of the bag ( 4) are attached.

JO