Wet/dry vacuum cleaner filter for wet material collection

• US 9,510,718 B2
• Filed: 10/08/2013
• Issued: 12/06/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Emerson Electric Company
• Original Assignee: Emerson Electric Company
• Inventors: Schultz, Douglas C., Tomasiak, Mark, Williams, Matthew A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Minskey, Jacob T
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, MINH CHAU THI
• Application Number:
  US14/049,202
• Publication Number:
  US 20140174296A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,155 Days
• Field of Search: 554/98, 554/93, 553/843, 555/02, 555/05, 555/10, 553/57, 555/00, 555/21, 55D/IG.3, 952/73, 210/471, 210/487, 210/493.1, 210/493.3, 210/494.1, 210/497.01, 210/470, 264/286, 156/184, 156/187, 156/188, 156/189
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/365 of the vertical type, e.g. tank or bucket type
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0004 Suction cleaners adapted to take up liquids, e.g. wet or dry vacuum cleaners floor-scrubbing machines taking-up dirty liquid by suction A47L11/30
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/127 tube- or sleeve-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1436 Connecting plates, e.g. collars, end closures
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2265/028 Snap, latch or clip connecting means
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/0004 Details of removable closures, lids, caps or filter heads
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/0028 provided with antibacterial or antifungal 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: B01D 46/64 arranged concentrically or coaxially
• 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 wet and wet/dry type vacuum cleaners are disclosed, as well as vacuum cleaner systems incorporating the use of such filters, and methods for their use. The filters include a filter element 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 lower motor housing of a vacuum cleaner.

Claims

1. A filter for use with a wet/dry vacuum appliance, the filter comprising:

an end plate having an opening extending therethrough;

a plurality of support struts on the top surface of the end plate;

an annular end ring oriented parallel to the end plate; and

a foam filter element positioned between the end plate and the end ring and extending in a circumferential path that forms a closed, interior region and circumscribes a central longitudinal axis of the filter, the filter element being integrally formed with the end plate and the annular ring to form a single filter assembly,

wherein the opening in the cap is substantially centrally located about the central longitudinal axis of the filter and is circumscribed by an integral retaining ring, and

wherein the filter element is made of an open-cell polyurethane foam.

2. The filter of claim 1, wherein the open-cell polyurethane foam has a cell structure with about 10 pores per inch (ppi) to about 60 ppi.

3. The filter of claim 1, further comprising a first cylindrical, concentric mesh screen filter element oriented on the interior face of the foam filter element and extending between the end plate and the end ring, the mesh screen filter element having a plurality of air-flow openings in the mesh.

4. The filter of claim 3, further comprising a second cylindrical, concentric mesh screen filter element, the second filter element having larger through air-flow openings than the openings on the first screen filter element.

5. The filter of claim 4, wherein the second mesh screen filter element is located between the first screen filter element and the foam filter sleeve.

6. The filter of claim 3, wherein the first screen filter element has through air-flow openings in a mesh size ranging from ASTM 3 to about ASTM 80.

7. The filter of claim 4, wherein the second screen filter element has through air-flow openings in a mesh size ranging from about ASTM 3 to about ASTM 80.

8. The filter of claim 1, wherein the cap further comprises two or more integrally formed handles.

9. The filter of claim 1, wherein the end plate has a diameter that is substantially coincident with the outside diameter of the foam filter element.

18. The filter of claim 1, further comprising a second cylindrical, concentric mesh screen filter element, the second filter element having larger through air-flow openings than the openings on the first screen filter element.

19. The filter of claim 18, wherein the second screen filter element is located between the first screen filter element and the foam filter sleeve.

20. The filter of claim 1, wherein the first screen element has through air-flow openings in a mesh size ranging from about ASTM 3 to about ASTM 80.

21. The filter of claim 18, wherein the second screen element has through air-flow openings in a mesh size ranging from about ASTM 3 to about ASTM 80.

10. A filter for use with a wet/dry vacuum appliance having a collection drum, a lid attachable to the top of the collection drum and housing a motor, and a filter cage attached to the bottom face of the lid and extending downwardly toward the interior of the drum, the filter comprising:

a cap portion having a substantially centrally located opening extending through the center of the cap;

an annular end ring;

a foam filter element positioned between the cap and the end ring and extending in a circumferential path that forms a closed, interior region sized to fit over the outer periphery of the filter cage, the filter element being integrally formed with the cap portion and the annular ring to form a single filter assembly; and

a first concentric mesh screen filter element oriented on the interior face of the foam filter sleeve and having through air-flow openings in the mesh,

wherein the opening in the cap portion is circumscribed by a retaining ring, and

wherein the end ring is comprised of a flexible material bonded to the filter and shaped to engage the bottom surface of the lid.

11. The filter of claim 10, wherein the foam filter element is comprised of perforated resin, open cell foam, or a mixture thereof.

12. The filter of claim 11, wherein the foam filter element is an open cell foam having a cell structure with about 10 pores per inch (ppi) to about 60 ppi.

13. The filter of claim 10, further comprising one or more integrally-formed support struts on the top surface of the cap portion.

14. The filter of claim 10, wherein the cap further comprises two or more integrally formed handles.

15. The filter of claim 14, wherein the two or more integrally formed handles are located in the same plane as the top surface of the cap.

16. The filter of claim 14, wherein two of the integrally formed handles are diametrically opposed.

17. The filter of claim 14, wherein two of the integrally formed handles are non-diametrically opposed.

22. The filter of claim 10, wherein the filter further comprise one or more biostatic and/or biocidal agents.

23. The filter of claim 10, wherein the flexible material is a metal, a polymeric material, or an elastomeric material.

24. The filter of claim 23, wherein the flexible material is an elastomeric material comprising a two-part polyurethane foam material exhibiting an elongation as determined by ASTM D-1564 of from about 90% to about 200%.

25. A one-piece filter for use with a wet/dry vacuum appliance having a collection drum, a lid attachable to the top of the collection drum and housing a motor, and a filter cage attached to the bottom face of the lid and extending downwardly toward the interior of the drum, the filter comprising:

a cap portion having a substantially centrally located opening extending through the center of the cap, the cap including two or more integrally formed handles, at least two of the handles being spaced approximately 180 degrees apart;

an annular end ring shaped to engage the bottom surface of the lid; and

a foam filter element made of an open-cell polyurethane foam positioned between the cap and the end ring and extending in a circumferential path that forms a closed, interior region sized to fit over the outer periphery of the filter cage, the foam filter element being integrally formed with the cap portion and the annular ring to form a single filter assembly;

a first concentric mesh screen filter element oriented near the interior face of the foam filter sleeve and having through air-flow openings in the mesh; and

a second, concentric mesh screen filter element oriented near the interior face of the foam filter sleeve and having through air-flow openings in the mesh, the air-flow openings being larger than the openings in the first mesh screen filter element,

wherein the centrally located annular hole is circumscribed by a retaining structure, and

wherein the cap and the end ring are comprised of a flexible material bonded to the filter.

26. The filter of claim 25, wherein the cap, the end ring, or both the cap and the end ring have a diameter that is substantially coincident with the outside diameter of the foam filter element.

27. The filter of claim 25, wherein when the cap is in association with the wet/dry vacuum appliance, the cap seals on a plane below the top surface of the filter.

28. The filter of claim 25, wherein the first screen filter element has a mesh size ranging from about ASTM 3 to about ASTM 80.

29. The filter of claim 25, wherein the cap further comprises two or more integrally formed handles.