Vacuum cleaner filter bag assembly

• US 5,057,131 A
• Filed: 11/09/1990
• Issued: 10/15/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Scott Fetzer Company (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: The Scott Fetzer Company (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lackner, John R., Grzywna, Stanley E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Woo, Jay H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bushey, C. Scott
• Application Number:
  US07/612,119
• Time in Patent Office: 340 Days
• Field of Search: 15/347, 15/349, 15/350, 15/351, 55/369, 55/370, 55/371, 55/374, 55/375, 55/378, 55/473, 55/DIG. 2, 285/7, 285/9.3, 285/914, 285/921
• US Class Current: 55/369
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1427 Means for mounting or attaching bags or filtering receptacles in suction cleaners; Adapters

Abstract

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

Claims

1. An upright domestic 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 surface and collar providing an interfitting structure locking said collar on said external surface, said flexible collar and mounting projection being sized so that said structure fails to provide a tight seal without separate clamping means, and a non-elastic tie strap on said collar around said collar providing said clamping means and pressing said interfitting structure into tight sealing engagement, said strap including permanently interconnected end portions of said tie strap and thereby permanently connecting said filter bag and said mounting projection.

2. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tie strap provides at one end a plurality of teeth and a socket at the other end, said socket including a plurality of spaced lateral strap portions supported at their ends and forming teeth at the other end of said strap engaging said teeth at said one end of said strap and permanently locking the ends of said tie strap together.

3. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 2, wherein said teeth and lateral strap portions provide camming surface permitting insertion of said one end into said socket in one direction and preventing relative movement therebetween in the opposite direction.

4. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 1, 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.

5. 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 stitching from view.

6. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 5, wherein said band also extends around said tie strap concealing said tie strap from view.

7. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 5, wherein said band and collar are an integrally formed one-piece element, said band being connected to the remainder of said collar along one side of said stitching and said interfitting rib and recess.

8. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 5, 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.

9. 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.

10. 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, said rib being positioned in said groove.

11. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein the collar and mounting projection have an interfitting tongue and groove structure.

12. The vacuum cleaner of claim 11 wherein the strap is around the tongue and groove structure urging the two into tight interfitting engagement.

13. A non-disposable vacuum cleaner filter bag and mounting assembly for use in an upright domestic vacuum cleaner comprising a porous body having a first opening therein, a flexible collar mounted on said porous body around said first opening, said collar providing interfitting means operable to interfit with a mating structure on a vacuum cleaner for locking said filter bag thereon, said flexible collar being sized so that said interfitting means and said mating structure are sized to fail to provide a tight seal without separate clamping means, a non-elastic tie strap operable to extend around said interfitting means and provide said clamping means with tight sealing permanent engagement, said porous body also including a second opening and means for selectively closing and opening the second opening whereby to provide access for insertion and removal of a disposable filter bag.

14. A filter bag as set forth in claim 13, 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 strap.

15. A filter bag as set forth in claim 14, 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.

16. A filter bag as set forth in claim 15, wherein said collar is stitched to the exterior of said body around said opening, and said collar provides a band which folds back along said collar and conceals said stitching.

17. A filter bag as set forth in claim 15, wherein said collar provides a band which folds back along said collar to conceal said tie strap.

18. 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 by stitching around said opening and mounted on said external surface, said external surface and collar on providing an interfitting rib and groove structure locking said collar on said external surface, said flexible collar and mounting projection being sized so that said rib and groove structure fails to provide a tight seal without separate clamping means, a tie strap on said collar around said interfitting rib and groove providing said clamping means pressing said interfitting rib and groove into tight sealing engagement, said strap providing teeth at each end which interfit and permanently connect the ends of said tie strap and thereby permanently connect said filter bag and said mounting projection, said collar including an integrally formed band concealing said stitching from view, said band being connected to the remainder of said collar along one side of said stitching and said interfitting rib and recess.

19. 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 by stitching around said opening and mounted on said external surface, said external surface and collar providing an interfitting rib and groove structure locking said collar on said external surface, said flexible collar and mounting projection being sized so that said rib and groove structure fails to provide a tight seal without separate clamping means, a tie strap on said collar around said interfitting rib and groove providing said clamping means pressing said interfitting rib and groove into tight sealing engagement, said strap providing teeth at each end which interfit and permanently connect the ends of said tie strap and thereby permanently connect said filter bag and said mounting projection, said collar including an integrally formed band concealing said stitching from view, said band prior to installation on said projection extending in substantial alignment with the remainder of said collar, and said band being folded back along the exterior of said remainder of said collar and forming therewith a smooth exterior extending to said fold.

20. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 19, wherein said bag provides a closable opening, and a disposable bag is installed within said filter bag through said closable opening.

21. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 19, wherein said housing assembly provides a powered fan and a discharge through which dirt-laden air passes, said discharge being connected to said disposable bag through said opening surrounded by said collar and isolated from the interior of said filter bag by said disposable bag.

22. 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 by stitching around said opening and mounted on said external surface, said external surface and collar providing an interfitting rib and groove structure locking said collar on said external surface, said flexible collar and mounting projection being sized so that said rib and groove structure fails to provide a tight seal without separate clamping means, a tie strap on said collar around said interfitting rib and groove providing said clamping means pressing said interfitting rib and groove into tight sealing engagement, said strap providing teeth at each end which interfit and permanently connect the ends of said tie strap and thereby permanently connect said filter bag and said mounting projection, said collar having an exterior recess in which said tie strap is located, and said collar also having 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 size thereof adjacent to said recess.

23. 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, said flexible collar being sized so that said interfitting means and said mating structure are sized to fail to provide a tight seal without separate clamping means, a nonelastic plastic tie strap operable to extend around said interfitting means and provide said clamping means to permanently lock said collar on said vacuum cleaner with tight sealing engagement, said tie strap having a toothed end and a socket end which interlock to permanently mount said tie strap, 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, said collar being stitched to the exterior of said body around said opening, and said collar providing a band which folds back along said collar and conceals said stitching.

24. A filter bag as set forth in claim 23, wherein said collar provides a recess around said interfitting means sized to receive said tie strap.

25. 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, said flexible collar being sized so that said interfitting means and said mating structure are sized to fail to provide a tight seal without separate clamping means, a nonelastic plastic tie strap operable to extend around said interfitting means and provide said clamping means to permanently lock said collar on said vacuum cleaner with tight sealing engagement, said tie strap having a toothed end and a socket end which interlock to permanently mount said tie strap, 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, and said collar providing a band which folds back along said collar to conceal said tie strap.

26. A filter bag as set forth in claim 25, wherein said interfitting means is a rib on the interior of said collar, and said collar is plastic and provides a thinned hinge portion producing a relatively compact fold when said band is folded back along said collar.

27. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

a) a housing assembly providing a mounting projection element having an external surface for mounting a filter bag element;

b) a flexible collar element mounted on said external surface, said external surface and collar element having interfitting structure locating said collar on said external surface;

c) a porous filter bag element having an opening therein, the bag element being connected to the projection and collar elements with its opening in air flow relationship with the assembly;

d) a tie strap on said collar providing clamping means pressing at least two of said elements into a tight sealing engagement connection permanently connecting said elements; and

,

e) said collar including an integrally formed band concealing at least one element connection from view, said band being connected to the remainder of said collar along one side of said bag element adjacent to the projection and collar elements connection.

28. The vacuum cleaner of claim 27 wherein said band prior to installation on said projection extends in substantial alignment with the remainder of said collar, and said band is folded back along the exterior of said remainder of said collar and forming therewith a smooth exterior extending to said fold.

29. The vacuum cleaner of claim 28 wherein said collar has an exterior recess in which said tie strap is located, and said collar also has a tapered end extending with increasing thickness to said recess, said band encircling said recess and providing an edge projection substantially abutting and blending with said tapered end around the side thereof adjacent to said recess.

30. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 27, wherein said bag provides a closable opening, and a disposable bag is installed within said filter bag through said closable opening.

31. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 27, wherein said housing assembly provides a powered fan and a discharge through which dirt-laden air passes, said discharge being connected to a disposable bag through said opening surrounded by said collar and isolated from the interior of said filter bag by said disposable bag.

32. 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 mounting means operable to connect with a mating structure on a vacuum cleaner for connecting said filter bag thereto, a nonelastic tie strap operable to extend around said mounting means and permanently lock said collar on said vacuum cleaner with tight sealing engagement, said collar and said body having a permanent connection around said opening, and said collar providing a band which folds back along said collar and conceals said permanent connection.

33. 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 mounting means operable to connect with a mating structure on a vacuum cleaner for connecting said filter bag thereto, a nonelastic plastic tie strap operable to extend around said mounting means to permanently lock said collar on said vacuum cleaner with tight sealing engagement, and said collar providing a band which folds back along said collar to conceal said tie strap.

34. The filter bag as set forth in claim 33 wherein the mounting means is an interfitting means and wherein said interfitting means is a rib on the interior of said collar, and said collar is plastic and provides a thinned hinge portion producing a relatively compact fold when said band is folded back along said collar.

35. A filter bag as set forth in claim 33, wherein said collar provides a recess around said interfitting means sized to receive said tie strap.

36. For use in a vacuum sweeper of the type having both disposable and non-disposable filters, a filter subassembly comprising:

a) a non-disposable filter bag having an inlet opening and a recloseable access opening;

b) a tubular mounting collar in telescopic relationship with portions of the bag defining the inlet opening;

c) said bag and collar having a permanent interconnection; and

,

d) said collar including a band portion foldable over another collar portion to conceal said permanent interconnection.

37. The subassembly of claim 36 wherein the permanent interconnection comprises stitching.

38. The subassembly of claim 36 wherein the collar includes a weakened portion between the band and the interconnection to delineate the situs of a fold when the band is folded over said another collar portion.

39. A collar for use in coupling a nondisposable bag to vacuum sweeper assembly comprising:

a) an elongate, tubular flexible body having a through fluid passage;

b) the body including a mounting portion adjacent one end, the mounting portion including an inwardly projecting rib for interfit with a filter bag mounting of a sweeper assembly;

c) the collar including a locking bank receiving recess positioned to overlie the rib when the collar is in use and for receipt of an inelastic, permanently mounted, collar securement, tie strap;

d) the collar including a bank portion remote from the one end and near the other end;

e) the collar including a fold locating recess in an inner surface, the locating recess being positioned to locate a fold when the band portion is folded back to overlie other parts of the collar and project from the fold toward said one end; and

,

f) the collar including a bag securement portion for connection to an inlet end portion of a non-disposable filter bag.