Handheld portable devices for touchless particulate matter removal
First Claim
1. A handheld portable device for dislodging and capturing particulate matter from a surface to be cleaned, the handheld portable device comprising:
- a handle that extends in a first direction and is provided at a first end of the handheld portable device and that can be grasped by a user so that the user supports the entire handheld portable device by the handle;
a nose segment that has a width and a length that is greater than the width so that the nose segment has an elongate arrangement within the handheld portable device, the nose segment extending in a second, generally opposite direction away from the handle so that the nose segment and handle are generally parallel and offset from each other, the nose segment being provided at a second, opposing end of the handheld portable device, wherein the nose segment is interconnected with the handle such that the nose segment and handle move in unison with each other while the entire handheld portable device is being supported by the user;
a body segment disposed between the handle and the nose segment;
at least one articulating connecting element, comprising a ball joint, coupled between the body segment and the handle configured to enable articulating movement of the handle relative to the body segment;
a vacuum airflow entering the nose segment and defining a vacuum affected zone on and adjacent the surface to be cleaned; and
at least one high pressure nozzle provided at the nose segment and delivering a high pressure airflow, so that the high pressure airflow exits the nose segment and contacts the surface to be cleaned,wherein the high pressure airflow dislodges at least some of the particulate matter from the surface to be cleaned for capture by the vacuum airflow so that particulate matter is removed from the surface to be cleaned while the handheld portable device is being supported by the handle.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Handheld portable devices for dislodging and capturing particulate matter that has accumulated on various surfaces or structures are provided. The devices create opposing airflows that can intimately interface with each other during use. A vacuum airflow is drawn into the device, defining a vacuum affected zone upon the surface being cleaned. A high pressure airflow is emitted that penetrates through or passes adjacent to the opposing vacuum airflow and contacts the surface being cleaned, dislodging particulate matter therefrom. The high pressure airflow can be emitted from multiple nozzles as a series of airflow bursts that discretely contact the surface being cleaned. The configuration of each nozzle, as well as the overall arrangement and positions of all the nozzles together, are selected to impart the desired particulate matter dislodging characteristics to the device.
50 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A handheld portable device for dislodging and capturing particulate matter from a surface to be cleaned, the handheld portable device comprising:
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a handle that extends in a first direction and is provided at a first end of the handheld portable device and that can be grasped by a user so that the user supports the entire handheld portable device by the handle; a nose segment that has a width and a length that is greater than the width so that the nose segment has an elongate arrangement within the handheld portable device, the nose segment extending in a second, generally opposite direction away from the handle so that the nose segment and handle are generally parallel and offset from each other, the nose segment being provided at a second, opposing end of the handheld portable device, wherein the nose segment is interconnected with the handle such that the nose segment and handle move in unison with each other while the entire handheld portable device is being supported by the user; a body segment disposed between the handle and the nose segment; at least one articulating connecting element, comprising a ball joint, coupled between the body segment and the handle configured to enable articulating movement of the handle relative to the body segment; a vacuum airflow entering the nose segment and defining a vacuum affected zone on and adjacent the surface to be cleaned; and at least one high pressure nozzle provided at the nose segment and delivering a high pressure airflow, so that the high pressure airflow exits the nose segment and contacts the surface to be cleaned, wherein the high pressure airflow dislodges at least some of the particulate matter from the surface to be cleaned for capture by the vacuum airflow so that particulate matter is removed from the surface to be cleaned while the handheld portable device is being supported by the handle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A handheld portable device for dislodging and capturing particulate matter from a surface to be cleaned, the handheld portable device comprising:
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a handle that is provided at a first end of the handheld portable device and that can be grasped by a user so that the user supports the entire handheld device by the handle defining a handle height, length, and width; a nose segment that is elongate and is generally parallel and offset with and extends away from the handle and being provided at a second end of the handheld portable device defining a nose segment height, length, and width that are parallel with the handle height, length, and width, wherein at least one of the nose segment height and width is less than the corresponding handle height and width; a main body segment that interconnects the handle and nose segment; an articulating ball joint interconnecting the main body segment with the handle and configured to enable articulating movement of the handle relative to the main body segment; a primary vacuum inlet port provided in the nose segment; a low pressure system provided between the first and second ends of the handheld portable device and that can create a low pressure vacuum airflow that is drawn through the primary vacuum inlet port; a high pressure nozzle provided in the nose segment; and a high pressure system provided between the first and second ends of the handheld portable device that can create a high pressure airflow that is emitted out of the high pressure nozzle, wherein the high pressure nozzle and the primary vacuum inlet port respectively emit and draw in the opposing (i) high pressure emitted, and (ii) low pressure vacuum airflows such that the high pressure emitted airflow dislodges at least some of the particulate matter from the surface to be cleaned and the low pressure vacuum airflow captures at least some of the dislodged particulate matter, so that particulate matter is removed from the surface to be cleaned while the handheld portable device is being supported by the handle and the nose segment is spaced from the surface being cleaned. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification