FILTER ASSEMBLY

• US 20100011531A1
• Filed: 07/16/2007
• Published: 01/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited (Beeswax Holdings UK Limited)
• Original Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited (Beeswax Holdings UK Limited)
• Inventors: Liddell, Sarah Helen, Frederickson, Jacqueline Ruth, Norton, Ben Thomas
• Application Number:
  US12/375,173
• Publication Number:
  US 20100011531A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/347
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/122 flat
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2265/026 with means for avoiding false mounting
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2271/027 Radial sealings
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2275/203 Shapes flexible in their geometry, e.g. bendable, adjustable to a certain size
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2275/403 Flexible blocks
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2279/55 for cleaning appliances, e.g. suction cleaners suction cleaners comprising filters A47L9/10
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/0032 using electrostatic forces to remove particles, e.g. electret filters
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/10 Particle separators, e.g. dust precipitators, using filter plates, sheets or pads having plane surfaces

Abstract

A filter assembly for use in a cleaning appliance has filter portion and a rim surrounding the filter portion. The rim is deformable so as to be capable of sealing against a part of an appliance in which the filter assembly is located. The rim is arranged to include a locating member adapted to prevent incorrect orientation of the filter assembly in an appliance housing. The rim is flexible and capable of being manipulated and flexed by a user during a process of locating the filter assembly in an appliance.

Claims

1. A filter assembly for use in a cleaning appliance comprising a plurality of filter portions and a rim, the filter portions being held adjacent one another by the rim, wherein the rim is deformable so as to be capable of sealing against a part of an appliance in which the filter assembly is located and includes a locating member adapted to prevent incorrect orientation of the filter assembly in the appliance.

2. A filter assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the deformable rim is pliable and flexible.

3. A filter assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the locating member comprises a projection on the rim and extending outwardly therefrom.

4. A filter assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the deformable rim comprises polyurethane material.

5. A filter assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the deformable rim comprises polyurethane material with a hardness of 20 to 90 Duro Shore A Rockwell scale.

6. A filter assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the filter portions is bonded to the deformable rim.

7. A filter assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the filter assembly is washable.

8. A filter assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the rim is adapted such that the filter assembly is capable of being manipulated and squashed by a user during a cleaning process.

9. A filter assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the rim is adapted such that the filter assembly is capable of being manipulated and flexed by a user during a process of locating the filter assembly in an appliance.

10. (canceled)

11. A vacuum cleaner having an airflow path and at least one filter assembly located in the airflow path, wherein the at least one filter assembly is a filter assembly comprising a plurality of filter portions and a rim, the filter portions being held adjacent one another by the rim, characterised in that the rim is deformable so as to be capable of sealing against a part of an appliance in which the filter assembly is located and includes locating means adapted to prevent incorrect orientation of the filter assembly in the appliance.

12. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 11, comprising a housing adapted to accommodate the filter assembly wherein, in use, the deformable rim is arranged to deform against the housing and seal the filter assembly with the housing.

13. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 11 or 12, further comprising a motor for causing air to flow along the airflow path, wherein the filter assembly is positioned upstream of the motor.

14. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 11 or 12, further comprising a motor for causing air to flow along the airflow path, wherein the filter assembly is positioned downstream of the motor.