Vacuum appliance filter assemblies and associated vacuum systems

• US 9,345,372 B2
• Filed: 09/09/2013
• Issued: 05/24/2016
• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Duane
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, MINH CHAU THI
• Application Number:
  US14/021,959
• Publication Number:
  US 20140008289A1
• Time in Patent Office: 988 Days
• Field of Search: 554/67, 553/57, 554/98, 555/01, 555/02, 55D/IG.3, 555/00, 555/21, 962/23, 210/471, 210/487, 210/493.1, 210/494.1, 210/497.01, 210/470
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 cage assembly, comprising:

a longitudinal axis;

an open bottom and a spaced apart, substantially parallel top surface;

one or more circumferential ribs circumscribing the cage and being oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;

one or more longitudinally angled rib members formed at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the filter cage;

a stem extending outward from the top surface and along the longitudinal axis of the filter cage,

wherein the circumferential ribs and the longitudinal ribs form a plurality of openings in the cage, and

wherein the stem comprises a head portion and a neck region intermediate between the top surface of the cage and the head portion, the head portion having a diameter greater than that of the neck region; and

further comprising a shoulder region formed between the top surface of the cage and the neck region, the shoulder region having a diameter greater than that of the neck region,

wherein the neck region comprises one or more rib members circumscribing the exterior surface of the neck region.

2. The filter cage of claim 1, wherein the neck region comprises one or more rib members circumscribing the exterior surface of the neck region.

3. The filter cage of claim 1, wherein the head portion is semi-hemispherical in shape.

4. The filter cage of claim 1, wherein the head portion comprises one or more indents formed in an outer face of the head portion.

5. The filter cage of claim 1, wherein the stem is made of a polymeric material.

6. The filter cage of claim 1, wherein the one or more longitudinally angled rib members are formed at a non-zero angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the filter cage.

7. The filter cage of claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the longitudinally angled ribs extend outward from the outer surface of the filter cage.

8. A system for vacuuming materials, the system comprising:

a wet and dry vacuum cleaner; and

a filter cage to support a filter, the filter cage coupled to the vacuum cleaner and comprising;

a longitudinal axis;

an open bottom and a spaced apart, substantially parallel top surface;

one or more circumferential ribs circumscribing the cage and being oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;

one or more longitudinally angled rib members formed at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the filter cage;

a stem extending outward from the top surface and along the longitudinal axis of the filter cage,

wherein the circumferential ribs and the longitudinal ribs form a plurality of openings in the cage, and

wherein the stem comprises a head portion and a neck region intermediate between the top surface of the cage and the head portion, the head portion having a diameter greater than that of the neck region; and

further comprising a shoulder region formed between the top surface of the cage and the neck region, the shoulder region having a diameter greater than that of the neck region, and

wherein the neck region comprises one or more rib members circumscribing the exterior surface of the neck region.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising a float assembly within the filter cage.

10. The filter cage of claim 8, wherein the neck region comprises one or more rib members circumscribing the exterior surface of the neck region.

11. The filter cage of claim 8, wherein the head portion of the stem is semi-hemispherical in shape.

12. The filter cage of claim 8, wherein the stem is made of a polymeric material.

13. A filter cage for use with a wet and dry vacuum cleaner having a filter element, the filter cage comprising:

an open bottom and a spaced-apart, substantially parallel cage top surface;

a threaded stem extending upwardly from outer face of the top surface;

a plurality of openings to provide for the flow of air or other media downstream of a filter element that fits over the filter cage, the openings being formed by a plurality of longitudinally angled rib members and a plurality of circumferential rib members; and

a solid head member comprising a shaped head region, a neck region, and interior grooves formed within the head member, the grooves being formed so as to mate with the threads of the threaded stem,

wherein the head region has a diameter greater than that of the neck region, and

wherein the neck region comprises one or more rib members circumscribing the exterior surface of the neck region.

14. The filter cage of claim 13, further comprising a shoulder region formed between the top surface of the cage and the neck region, the shoulder region having a diameter greater than that of the neck region.

15. The filter cage of claim 13, wherein the head portion is semi-hemispherical in shape.

16. The filter cage of claim 13, wherein the stem is made of a polymeric material.