Vacuum Appliance Filter Assemblies and Associated Vacuum Systems

• US 20100000414A1
• Filed: 10/01/2008
• Published: 01/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Emerson Electric Company
• Original Assignee: Emerson Electric Company
• Inventors: Williams, Matthew A., Stanek, Terrence L., Young, Jeffrey L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,206,482 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 96/226
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/127 tube- or sleeve-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/18 Liquid filters
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2265/028 Snap, latch or clip connecting means
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/2414 End caps including additional functions or special forms
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/4227 Manipulating filters or filter elements, e.g. handles or extracting tools
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/521 using folded, pleated material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 55/03 Vacuum cleaner
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 55/08 Built-in vacuum cleaners

Abstract

Vacuum cleaner filters, in particular replaceable vacuum cleaner filters suitable for both dry and wet/dry type vacuum cleaners are disclosed, as well as systems incorporating the use of such filters and methods for their use. The filters include a plurality of adjacently positioned pleats arranged in a closed circumferential, cylindrically-shaped path, a top end cap having a central orifice capable of constricting a post on a vacuum filter cage, and optionally a molded end ring oppositely-spaced from the top end cap for engagement with the motor housing of a vacuum cleaner.

Claims

1. A filter for use with a wet/dry vacuum appliance, the filter comprising:

a cap portion having an opening extending therethrough;

an annular end ring; and

a filter positioned between the cap and the end ring and extending in a circumferential path that forms a closed, interior region,

wherein the opening is circumscribed by a retaining ring, and

wherein the end ring is comprised of a flexible material bonded to the filter.

2. The filter of claim 1, wherein the opening is substantially centrally located.

3. The filter of claim 1, wherein the opening is non-centrally located.

4. The filter of claim 1, wherein the opening defines an unobstructed region.

5. The filter of claim 1, wherein the cap further comprises one or more integrally formed handles.

6. The filter of claim 5, wherein the one or more integrally formed handles are located in the same plane as the top surface of the cap.

7. The filter of claim 5, wherein the one or more integrally formed handles are diametrically opposed.

8. The filter of claim 5, wherein the one or more integrally formed handles are non-diametrically opposed.

9. The filter of claim 1, wherein the cap further comprises one or more handles which are substantially perpendicular to the top surface of the cap.

10. The filter of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of support ribs integrally formed into the top face of the cap.

11. The filter of claim 1, wherein the top face is substantially planar.

12. The filter of claim 1, wherein the filter is a cylindrically-shaped, oval-shaped, conically shaped, elliptical, or rectangular-shaped filter.

13. The filter of claim 1, wherein the filter is comprised of paper, cloth, polymeric materials, fibrous materials, or HEPA-type materials.

14. The filter of claim 13, wherein the filter further comprise one or more biostatic and/or biocidal agents.

15. The filter of claim 1, wherein the flexible material is a metal, a polymeric material, or an elastomeric material.

16. The filter of claim 15, wherein the elastomeric material is a two-part polyurethane foam material having an elongation as determined by ASTM D-1564 of from about 90% to about 200%.

17. A filter for use with a wet/dry vacuum appliance, the filter comprising:

a cap having hole extending therethrough;

an annular end ring; and

a filter positioned intermediate between the cap and the end ring and extending in a circumferential path that forms a closed, interior path,

wherein the centrally located annular hole is circumscribed by a retaining structure, and

wherein the cap and the end ring are comprised of a flexible material bonded to the filter,

and wherein when the cap is in association with the wet/dry vacuum appliance, the cap seals on a plane below the top surface of the filter.

18. A filter for use with a wet/dry vacuum appliance, the filter comprising:

a cap having a centrally-located annular hole extending therethrough;

an annular end ring; and

a filter positioned between the cap and the end ring and extending in a closed, circumferential path that forms a closed, interior path,

wherein the centrally-located annular hole is circumscribed by a retaining ring, and

wherein the cap and the end ring are comprised of a flexible material bonded to the filter.

19. A filter for use with a wet/dry vacuum appliance, the filter comprising:

a cap having a centrally-located opening extending therethrough;

an annular end ring; and

a filter positioned between the cap and the end ring and extending in a circumferential path that forms a closed, interior region,

wherein the cap and the end ring are comprised of a flexible material bonded to the filter.

20. The filter of claim 19, wherein the centrally-located opening is circumscribed by a retaining ring.

21. The filter of claim 20, wherein the retaining ring is integrally formed with the cap.

22. The filter of claim 20, wherein the retaining ring is not integrally-formed with the cap.

23. A filter assembly for use with a wet/dry vacuum appliance, the filter comprising:

a cap having a centrally-located opening extending therethrough;

an annular end ring; and

a filter positioned between the cap and the end ring and extending in a circumferential path that forms a closed, interior region,

wherein the cap comprises a stem cover defining an inner region circumscribing the centrally-located opening, and

wherein both the cap and the end ring are comprised of a flexible material bonded to the filter.

24. The filter assembly of claim 23, wherein the shaped inner region further defines an inner gripping portion capable of engaging a filter cage stem.

25. A filter assembly for use with a wet/dry vacuum appliance, the filter assembly comprising:

a generally cylindrical filter comprising pleated material, the filter defining a first end; and

a mounting cap coupled to the first end of the filter, the mounting cap defining a generally cylindrical opening near the center of the mounting cap and a ring extending about the opening,

wherein the mounting cap has an elastomeric characteristic that allows the mounting cap to be deformed to take a substantially conical shape, and

wherein the ring has an elastomeric characteristic that allows the ring to be deformed such that it exerts compressive forces radially inward towards the center of the cylindrical opening.

26. A filter assembly for use in a wet/dry vacuum that includes a mounting element, the wet/dry filter assembly comprising:

filter means for filtering particulate matter collected by the wet/dry vacuum; and

elastomeric retention means for creating compressive forces tending to retain the filter assembly in a fixed position with respect to a point on the wet/dry vacuum when at least a portion of the mounting element is positioned within an opening formed in the elastomeric retention means.