Sodium bicarbonate vacuum bag inserts

• US 20060278087A1
• Filed: 05/04/2006
• Published: 12/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Electrolux Home Care Products North America (AB Electrolux)
• Original Assignee: Electrolux Home Care Products North America (AB Electrolux)
• Inventors: Sepke, Arnold, Bolkan, Steven A., Ashley, Raymond F.
• Granted Patent: US 7,615,109 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 96/223
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/34 Machines for treating carpets in position by liquid, foam, or vapour, e.g. by steam
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4013 Contaminants collecting devices, i.e. hoppers, tanks or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/22 with liquid-feeding devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/04 for using the exhaust air for other purposes, e.g. for distribution of chemicals in a room, for sterilisation of the air spraying or atomising in general B05
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/122 flat
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/127 tube- or sleeve-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/14 Bags or the like; Rigid filtering receptacles; Attachment of, or closures for, bags or receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1608 Cyclonic chamber constructions
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1666 with filtering means
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/01 Deodorant compositions compositions released by contact with a liquid A61L9/05
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/014 containing sorbent material, e.g. activated carbon
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 55/02 Vacuum cleaner bags
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 55/03 Vacuum cleaner

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner bag filter with one or more filter walls forming a generally air permeable enclosure having a bag opening through it, and a flange attached to the one or more filter walls to cover the bag opening. The filter walls have a working surface area through which air can pass during use, and the flange is a relatively rigid structure having an air inlet passing into the air permeable enclosure. One or more deodorizing sheets are attached to an inner surface of the one or more filter walls. The deodorizing sheets include a first sheet layer, and sodium bicarbonate particles operatively associated with the first sheet layer. The deodorizing sheets may cover less than about 30% of the working surface area, a single deodorizing sheet may be provided, and the deodorizing sheets may be attached to the filter walls by an air impermeable adhesive that covers at least about 5% of the surface area of the deodorizing sheets. Also provided is a vacuum cleaner filter having a filter and a deodorizing sheet attached thereto by an air-impermeable adhesive.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner bag filter comprising:

one or more filter walls forming a generally air permeable enclosure having a bag opening therethrough, the one or more filter walls having a working surface area through which air can pass during use;

a flange attached to the one or more filter walls to cover the bag opening, the flange comprising a relatively rigid structure having an air inlet passing into the air permeable enclosure;

a deodorizing sheet attached to an inner surface of the one or more filter walls, the deodorizing sheet comprising;

a first sheet layer, and

a plurality of sodium bicarbonate particles operatively associated with the first sheet layer; and

wherein the deodorizing sheet covers less than about 30% of the working surface area.

2. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 1, wherein the deodorizing sheet further comprises a second sheet layer, and the plurality of sodium bicarbonate particles are generally deposited between the first sheet layer and the second sheet layer.

3. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 2, wherein the sodium bicarbonate particles are adhered to at least the first sheet layer by a hot melt adhesive.

4. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 2, wherein the sodium bicarbonate particles are non-uniformly distributed throughout the thickness of the deodorizing sheet.

5. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 2, wherein the sodium bicarbonate particles are uniformly distributed throughout the thickness of the deodorizing sheet.

6. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 2, wherein the first sheet comprises a non-woven sheet, and the second sheet comprises a scrim layer.

7. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 6, wherein the sodium bicarbonate particles and second sheet layer are adhered to the first sheet layer by a hot melt adhesive.

8. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 1, wherein the deodorizing sheet is positioned on the one or more filter walls at a location opposite the air inlet, such that air entering the air inlet impinges upon the deodorizing sheet.

9. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 8, the deodorizing sheet further comprises a second sheet layer, the second sheet layer comprising an anti-penetration barrier to help prevent incoming objects from penetrating the one or more filter walls.

10. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 1, wherein the deodorizing sheet covers less than about 25% of the working surface area.

11. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 1, wherein the deodorizing sheet covers about 4% to about 15% of the working surface area.

12. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 1, wherein the deodorizing sheet is attached to the one or more filter walls by an air-impervious adhesive that covers at least about 5% of the surface area of the deodorizing sheet.

13. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 1, further comprising an air restricting layer attached to the outer surface of the one or more filter walls and overlying the deodorizing sheet.

14. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 13, wherein the air restricting layer comprises a blocking emulsion printed on the outer surface of the one or more filter walls.

15. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 13, wherein the air restricting layer reduces airflow through the deodorant sheet by about 30% to about 90%.

16. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 13, wherein the air restricting layer reduces airflow through the deodorant sheet by about 60-70%.

17. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 1, wherein the deodorizing sheet comprises a single deodorizing sheet.

18. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 1, wherein the deodorizing sheet comprises a plurality of deodorizing sheets.

19. A vacuum cleaner bag filter comprising:

one or more filter walls forming a generally air permeable enclosure having a bag opening therethrough, the one or more filter walls having a working surface area through which air can pass during use;

a flange attached to the one or more filter walls to cover the bag opening, the flange comprising a relatively rigid structure having an air inlet passing into the air permeable enclosure;

a single deodorizing sheet attached to an inner surface of the one or more filter walls, the deodorizing sheet comprising;

a first sheet layer, and

a plurality of sodium bicarbonate particles operatively associated with the first sheet layer.

20. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 19, wherein the deodorizing sheet further comprises a second sheet layer, and the plurality of sodium bicarbonate particles are generally deposited between the first sheet layer and the second sheet layer.

21. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 20, wherein the sodium bicarbonate particles are adhered to at least the first sheet layer by a hot melt adhesive.

22. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 20, wherein the sodium bicarbonate particles are non-uniformly distributed throughout the thickness of the deodorizing sheet.

23. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 20, wherein the sodium bicarbonate particles are uniformly distributed throughout the thickness of the deodorizing sheet.

24. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 20, wherein the first sheet comprises a non-woven sheet, and the second sheet comprises a scrim layer.

25. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 24, wherein the sodium bicarbonate particles and second sheet layer are adhered to the first sheet layer by a hot melt adhesive.

26. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 19, wherein the deodorizing sheet is positioned on the one or more filter walls at a location opposite the air inlet, such that air entering the air inlet impinges upon the deodorizing sheet.

27. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 26, the deodorizing sheet further comprises a second sheet layer, the second sheet layer comprising an anti-penetration barrier to help prevent incoming objects from penetrating the one or more filter walls.

28. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 19, wherein the deodorizing sheet covers less than about 30% of the working surface area.

29. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 19, wherein the deodorizing sheet covers less than about 25% of the working surface area.

30. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 19, wherein the deodorizing sheet covers about 4% to about 15% of the working surface area.

31. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 19, wherein the deodorizing sheet is attached to the one or more filter walls by an air-impervious adhesive that covers at least about 5% of the surface area of the deodorizing sheet.

32. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 19, further comprising an air restricting layer attached to the outer surface of the one or more filter walls and overlying the deodorizing sheet.

33. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 32, wherein the air restricting layer comprises a blocking emulsion printed on the outer surface of the one or more filter walls.

34. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 32, wherein the air restricting layer reduces airflow through the deodorant sheet by about 30% to about 90%.

35. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 32, wherein the air restricting layer reduces airflow through the deodorant sheet by about 60-70%.

36. A vacuum cleaner bag filter comprising:

one or more filter walls forming a generally air permeable enclosure having a bag opening therethrough, the one or more filter walls having a working surface area through which air can pass during use;

a flange attached to the one or more filter walls to cover the bag opening, the flange comprising a relatively rigid structure having an air inlet passing into the air permeable enclosure;

one or more deodorizing sheets attached to an inner surface of the one or more filter walls, the one or more deodorizing sheets each comprising;

a first sheet layer, and

a plurality of sodium bicarbonate particles operatively associated with the first sheet layer; and

wherein the one or more deodorizing sheets are attached to the one or more filter walls by an air impermeable adhesive that covers at least about 5% of the total surface area of the one or more deodorizing sheets.

37. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 36, wherein the one or more deodorizing sheets each further comprises a second sheet layer, and the plurality of sodium bicarbonate particles are generally deposited between the first sheet layer and the second sheet layer.

38. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 37, wherein the sodium bicarbonate particles are adhered to at least the first sheet layer by a hot melt adhesive.

39. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 37, wherein the sodium bicarbonate particles are non-uniformly distributed throughout the thicknesses of the one or more deodorizing sheets.

40. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 37, wherein the sodium bicarbonate particles are uniformly distributed throughout the thicknesses of the one or more deodorizing sheets.

41. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 37, wherein the first sheet comprises a non-woven sheet, and the second sheet comprises a scrim layer.

42. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 41, wherein the sodium bicarbonate particles and second sheet layer are adhered to the first sheet layer by a hot melt adhesive.

43. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 36, wherein at least one of the one or more deodorizing sheets is positioned on the one or more filter walls at a location opposite the air inlet, such that air entering the air inlet impinges upon the at least one deodorizing sheet.

44. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 43, the at least one of the one or more deodorizing sheets further comprises a second sheet layer, the second sheet layer comprising an anti-penetration barrier to help prevent incoming objects from penetrating the one or more filter walls.

45. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 36, wherein the one or more deodorizing sheets cover less than about 30% of the working surface area.

46. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 36, wherein the one or more deodorizing sheets cover less than about 25% of the working surface area.

47. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 36, wherein the one or more deodorizing sheets cover about 4% to about 15% of the working surface area.

48. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 36, wherein the one or more deodorizing sheets are attached to the one or more filter walls by an air impermeable adhesive that covers about 5% to about 20% of the total surface area of the one or more deodorizing sheets.

49. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 36, further comprising an air restricting layer attached to the outer surface of the one or more filter walls and overlying at least one of the one or more the deodorizing sheets.

50. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 49, wherein the air restricting layer comprises a blocking emulsion printed on the outer surface of the one or more filter walls.

51. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 49, wherein the air restricting layer reduces airflow through the at least one or the one or more deodorant sheets by about 30% to about 90%.

52. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 49, wherein the air restricting layer reduces airflow through the at least one or the one or more deodorant sheets by about 60-70%.

53. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 36, wherein the one or more deodorizing sheets comprises a single deodorizing sheet.

54. The vacuum cleaner bag filter of claim 36, wherein the one or more deodorizing sheets comprises a plurality of deodorizing sheets.

55. A vacuum cleaner filter comprising:

a generally air permeable filter having an upstream filter side and a downstream filter side, the filter being adapted to fit into a vacuum cleaner such that the upstream filter side faces an incoming air stream, and downstream filter side is opposite the upstream filter side;

a deodorizing sheet attached to the filter on at least one of the upstream filter side and the downstream filter side, the deodorizing sheet comprising;

a first sheet layer, and

a plurality of sodium bicarbonate particles operatively associated with the first sheet layer; and

wherein the deodorizing sheet is attached to the filter by an air impermeable adhesive that covers more than about 5% of the total surface area of the deodorizing sheet.

56. The vacuum cleaner filter of claim 55, wherein the filter comprises a pleated filter or a foam filter.

57. The vacuum cleaner filter of claim 55, wherein the filter comprises a cylindrical filter, a frustoconical filter, a conical filter, or a flat filter.

58. The vacuum cleaner filter of claim 55, wherein the deodorizing sheet further comprises a second sheet layer, and the plurality of sodium bicarbonate particles are generally deposited between the first sheet layer and the second sheet layer.

59. The vacuum cleaner filter of claim 58, wherein the sodium bicarbonate particles are adhered to at least the first sheet layer by a hot melt adhesive.

60. The vacuum cleaner filter of claim 58, wherein the first sheet comprises a non-woven sheet, and the second sheet comprises a scrim layer.

61. The vacuum cleaner filter of claim 55, wherein the deodorizing sheet is attached to the filter by an air impermeable adhesive that covers about 5% to about 20% of the total surface area of the deodorizing sheet.

62. The vacuum cleaner filter of claim 55, wherein the deodorizing sheet is attached to the upstream filter side.

63. The vacuum cleaner filter of claim 55, wherein the deodorizing sheet is attached to the downstream filter side.

64. The vacuum cleaner filter of claim 55, wherein the filter comprises a pre-motor filter, a post-motor filter, or a cyclone chamber filter.