Dust bin and filter for robotic vacuum cleaner

• US 7,201,786 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2003
• Issued: 04/10/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Healthy Gain Investments Limited, Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hoover Company (Whirlpool Corporation)
• Inventors: Damman, Chuck, Stephens, Ron, Wegelin, Jackson
• Primary Examiner(s): Greene; Jason M.
• Application Number:
  US10/739,314
• Publication Number:
  US 20050132680A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,208 Days
• Field of Search: 552/82, 553/01, 553/56, 553/57, 553/851, 554/18, 554/29, 554/33, 554/47, 554/62, 554/67, 554/73, 554/86, 554/87, 554/82, 554/95, 554/99, 555/03, 555/21, 55D/IG.3, 153/47, 153/50, 153/52, 153/53, 15D/IG.8
• US Class Current: 55/429
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2201/00 Robotic cleaning machines, i.e. with automatic control of the travelling movement or the cleaning operation
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/102 Dust separators cyclones A47L9/16
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/122 flat
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1409 Rigid filtering receptacles dust collecting receptacles for cyclones A47L9/1683
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/20 Means for cleaning filters
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/10 Particle separators, e.g. dust precipitators, using filter plates, sheets or pads having plane surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/52 Particle separators, e.g. dust precipitators, using filters embodying folded corrugated or wound sheet material
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/88 Replacing filter elements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 55/03 Vacuum cleaner

Abstract

A detachable dust bin for a vacuum cleaner. A container is provided with a removable sidewall which has an outlet opening which is adapted to be coupled to a source of vacuum. The container includes an inlet for connecting to a passageway which is connected to a vacuum nozzle. A duct extends vertically from the inlet within the container, and then laterally toward the removable sidewall. A filter is supported along the removable sidewall having a front surface facing the outlet of the duct, and a rear surface facing the outlet opening in the removable sidewall. Dirt laden air is drawn through the filter, duct, and vacuum nozzle. Dirt is separated from the air and collected within the container.

Claims

1. A detachable dust bin for collecting dirt from a vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising:

a container having a removable side wall for emptying the contents of said container, said container including an inlet in a bottom of the container;

a sealing connection located on an exterior of said inlet for sealing said inlet to a passageway communicating with said vacuum cleaner nozzle;

a duct including a vertical portion extending vertically from said inlet and a lateral portion extending laterally from the vertical portion towards said removable side wall; and

a filter supported along said removable side wall facing an outlet end of said lateral portion, said filter facing an opening in said side wall which communicates with a source of vacuum pressure whereby dirt laden air from said vacuum nozzle is drawn through said duct into said container.

2. The detachable dust bin according to claim 1 further comprising:

a pre-filter screen between said filter and said outlet end of said lateral portion.

3. The detachable dust bin according to claim 1 wherein said outlet end of said lateral portion has a plane which is directed at an angle to a plane of said filter.

4. The detachable dust bin according to claim 1 wherein said container has a generally rectangular cross section and includes a narrow top portion to facilitate removal from a vacuum cleaner.

5. The detachable dust bin according to claim 1 wherein said duct includes a base which connects to said inlet formed in said bottom.

6. The detachable dust bin according to claim 1 wherein said filter is detachably supported to said removable side wall.

7. The detachable dust bin according to claim 3 wherein the angle is an acute angle to said filter.

8. The detachable dust bin according to claim 1 wherein said duct includes a handle for removing said duct from said container.

9. A detachable dust bin for collecting dust from a vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising:

a container having a generally rectangular cross section, said container having a recessed bottom and a top portion of reduced width to facilitate grasping of the container, said bottom including an inlet having a seal for connecting to a passageway leading to a said vacuum cleaner nozzle, said container including a removable side wall to facilitate emptying of dirt particles collected in said container;

an outlet formed in a wall of said container for communicating with a source of vacuum;

a filter in communication with said outlet; and

a detachable duct forming a channel for conveying dirt laden air from said inlet to said filter, said duct and filter being removable through said removable sidewall for cleaning.

10. The dust bin according to claim 9 wherein said detachable duct has first and second edges which forms, with a surface of said container, said channel.

11. The dust bin according to claim 9 wherein said detachable duct includes a base which positions said duct with respect to said inlet, and has a handle for grasping said duct to remove and replace it during cleaning.

12. The dust bin according to claim 9 wherein said duct has an outlet which forms an angle with the plane of said filter.

13. The dust bin according to claim 9 wherein said filter is supported on said detachable wall.

14. A detachable dust bin for collecting dirt from a vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising:

a dust container for collecting debris, said container including an inlet in a bottom of the container;

a duct including a vertical portion extending vertically from said inlet and including a lateral portion extending laterally from the vertical portion towards a removable side wall of the container; and

a filter media supported along said removable side wall facing an outlet end of said lateral portion, said filter media having decreasing pore size from top to bottom so larger particles are trapped in a top of the media and smaller particles are trapped lower in the media.

15. The dust bin according to claim 14, wherein said filter media further comprises at least 3 layers of decreasing pore size.

16. The dust bin according to claim 15, wherein said filter media further comprises a pleated filter media.