U.S. patent application number 09/954412 was filed with the patent office on 2002-06-27 for method for emptying a container provided on or in a vacuum cleaner, container, vacuum cleaner with the container and dust collecting system for carrying out the method.
Invention is credited to Schroter, Jorg.
Application Number | 20020078524 09/954412 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 7900987 |
Filed Date | 2002-06-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020078524 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schroter, Jorg |
June 27, 2002 |
Method for emptying a container provided on or in a vacuum cleaner,
container, vacuum cleaner with the container and dust collecting
system for carrying out the method
Abstract
A method for emptying a dirt-filled container that is disposed
in or on a transportable mobile vacuum cleaner includes the steps
of coupling the transportable mobile vacuum cleaner via an emptying
orifice of the container to a filling orifice of a structure that
defines a receiving space and then emptying dirt accumulated in the
container into the receiving space. A container, a vacuum cleaner
and a dust collecting system are also provided.
Inventors: |
Schroter, Jorg; (Grobenzell,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LERNER AND GREENBERG, P.A.
Post Offices Box 2480
Hollywood
FL
33022-2480
US
|
Family ID: |
7900987 |
Appl. No.: |
09/954412 |
Filed: |
September 17, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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09954412 |
Sep 17, 2001 |
|
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PCT/EP00/02294 |
Mar 15, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/347 ; 55/366;
55/431; 55/432; 95/273 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 9/1409 20130101;
A47L 9/149 20130101; A47L 9/108 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/347 ; 95/273;
55/366; 55/431; 55/432 |
International
Class: |
A47L 009/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 15, 1999 |
DE |
199 11 407.2 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A method for emptying a container filled with dirt separated off
by a vacuum cleaner, the method which comprises: providing a
container disposed at a location selected from the group consisting
of a location inside a transportable mobile vacuum cleaner and a
location on a transportable mobile vacuum cleaner; coupling the
transportable mobile vacuum cleaner via an emptying orifice of the
container to a filling orifice of a structure defining a receiving
space; and emptying dirt accumulated in the container into the
receiving space.
2. The method according to claim 1, which comprises compacting the
dirt prior to transferring the dirt to the receiving space.
3. The method according to claim 1, which comprises compacting the
dirt subsequent to transferring the dirt to the receiving
space.
4. The method according to claim 1, which comprises coupling the
structure defining the receiving space to the container by using a
coupling device selected from the group consisting of a mechanical
coupling, an electrical coupling and a magnetic coupling.
5. The method according to claim 1, which comprises using, as the
structure defining the receiving space, a container selected from
the group consisting of a flexible bag and a container with a rigid
wall.
6. The method according to claim 1, which comprises conveying the
dirt accumulated in the container into the receiving space by using
blowing air subsequent to coupling the container to the structure
defining the receiving space.
7. The method according to claim 6, which comprises using a
blow-out air of the transportable mobile vacuum cleaner as the
blowing air.
8. The method according to claim 1, which comprises: adding a
dirt-consolidating binder to the dirt accumulated in the container
for performing a consolidating process; and removing the dirt from
the container subsequent to the consolidating process.
9. The method according to claim 8, which comprises performing a
compacting operation on a mixture of the dirt and the
dirt-consolidating binder subsequent to adding the
dirt-consolidating binder.
10. In combination with a transportable mobile vacuum cleaner
having a housing, a container configuration comprising: a container
provided to be transportable with the housing of the transportable
mobile vacuum cleaner; and said container having an emptying
orifice formed therein, said container being configured to be
filled with dirt separated off by the transportable mobile vacuum
cleaner, said container being configured to be coupled to a
structure defining a receiving space and formed with a filling
orifice such that said emptying orifice is coupled to the filling
orifice.
11. The container configuration according to claim 10, wherein said
emptying orifice is a closable orifice.
12. The container configuration according to claim 10, wherein said
container includes a closure for closing said container.
13. The container configuration according to claim 12, wherein said
closure is a bolt.
14. The container configuration according to claim 12, including a
further closure provided at the filling orifice of the receiving
space, said closure and said further closure forming a transfer
lock region.
15. The container configuration according to claim 10, including a
storage and metering vessel for supplying a binder, said storage
and metering vessel being connected to said container.
16. The container configuration according to claim 10, wherein said
container includes a cover part for closing said container, said
cover part is formed with the emptying orifice therein.
17. The container configuration according to claim 10, including a
pipe connection piece provided at said emptying orifice, said pipe
connection piece being configured to be coupled sealingly to the
filling orifice of the structure defining the receiving space.
18. A transportable mobile vacuum cleaner, comprising: a vacuum
cleaner housing; and a container integrated with said vacuum
cleaner housing, said container receiving at least part of a dirt
separated from suction air, said container being formed with an
emptying orifice for discharging the dirt, said emptying orifice to
be coupled sealingly to a filling orifice of a structure defining a
receiving space.
19. The transportable mobile vacuum cleaner according to claim 18,
including a blower generating blowing air for conveying dirt
accumulated in said container into the receiving space.
20. The transportable mobile vacuum cleaner according to claim 18,
including a plate for compressing dirt accumulated in said
container and conveying the dirt into the receiving space.
21. The transportable mobile vacuum cleaner according to claim 20,
including an advancing element for moving said plate, said
advancing element being selected from the group consisting of a
piston rod and a spindle drive.
22. The transportable mobile vacuum cleaner according to claim 18,
including a compacting worm for compacting dirt accumulated in said
container.
23. The transportable mobile vacuum cleaner according to claim 18,
including a pipe connection piece provided at said emptying
orifice, said pipe connection piece being configured to be coupled
sealingly to the filling orifice of the receiving space.
24. The transportable mobile vacuum cleaner according to claim 18,
wherein said container includes a closure for closing said emptying
orifice of said container.
25. The transportable mobile vacuum cleaner according to claim 24,
wherein said closure is a bolt.
26. The transportable mobile vacuum cleaner according to claim 24,
including a further closure provided at the filling orifice of the
structure defining the receiving space, said closure and said
further closure forming a transfer lock region.
27. The transportable mobile vacuum cleaner according to claim 18,
including a storage and metering vessel for supplying a binder,
said storage and metering vessel being connected to said
container.
28. A dust collecting system, comprising: a transportable mobile
vacuum cleaner including a container for receiving dirt, said
container being disposed at a location selected from the group
consisting of a location inside said transportable mobile vacuum
cleaner and a location on said transportable mobile vacuum cleaner;
and a structure defining a receiving space, said structure being
configured to be coupled to said container and configured to
receive the dirt from said container.
29. The dust collecting system according to claim 28, including a
compacting device for compacting the dirt in one of said container
and said receiving space.
30. The dust collecting system according to claim 29, wherein said
compacting device is a plate disposed movably in said container for
compacting the dirt.
31. The dust collecting system according to claim 30, including a
piston rod connected to said plate, said piston rod being selected
from the group consisting of a pneumatically movable piston rod, a
hydraulically movable piston rod and an electrically movable piston
rod.
32. The dust collecting system according to claim 31, wherein: said
container is a cylindrical container having a cross section for
accommodating said plate; and a closure extends over said cross
section of said cylinder.
33. The dust collecting system according to claim 32, wherein: said
transportable mobile vacuum cleaner includes a blower space; and
said plate is configured as a fine filter for connecting said
container to said blower space.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a
continuation of copending International Application No.
PCT/EP00/02294, filed Mar. 15, 2000, which designated the U.S.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a method for emptying a container
which is filled with dirt separated off by a vacuum cleaner and
which has an emptying orifice. The invention further relates to a
container disposed in or on a vacuum cleaner, a vacuum cleaner
having a container, and to a dust collecting system.
[0003] Vacuum cleaners in which at least some of the vacuumed dirt
is deposited in a container connected releasably to the vacuum
cleaner are known. Such a vacuum cleaner is described in German
Patent No. DE-C-1 009 365. The dust collecting bowl of this vacuum
cleaner is provided with a removable drawer. By tilting the vacuum
cleaner, the dirt accumulated in the dust collecting bowl can be
conveyed into the drawer. For further disposal, the drawer is drawn
out of the dust collecting bowl and then has to be emptied at a
suitable location. The patent specification does not give any
information on this further emptying operation. It can easily be
imagined, however, that merely tipping out the drawer, for example
into a trashcan, gives rise to an appreciable cloud of dust.
[0004] Published, Non-Prosecuted German Patent Application No. DE
38 25 773 A1 discloses a vacuum cleaning appliance with a dirt
receiving container, into which leads a suction line with a vacuum
cleaning tool. Dirt is retained in the dirt receiving container via
a filter. A disposal container can be connected to the dirt
receiving container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a
method for emptying a container and a container which overcome the
above-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known methods and
devices of this general type and through the use of which dirt
collected by a transportable mobile vacuum cleaner can be disposed
of.
[0006] With the foregoing and other objects in view there is
provided, in accordance with the invention, a method for emptying a
container filled with dirt separated off by a vacuum cleaner, the
method includes the steps of:
[0007] providing a container disposed in or on a transportable
mobile vacuum cleaner;
[0008] coupling the transportable mobile vacuum cleaner via an
emptying orifice of the container to a filling orifice of a
structure defining a receiving space; and
[0009] emptying dirt accumulated in the container into the
receiving space.
[0010] In other words, the object of the invention is achieved in
that the transportable mobile vacuum cleaner, such as a canister
vacuum cleaner, is coupled to a filling orifice of a receiving
space through the use of the emptying orifice of the container
provided in or on the vacuum cleaner, and the dirt accumulated in
the container is then emptied into the receiving space.
[0011] It is particularly advantageous if the dust is compacted
before or after being transferred into the receiving space.
[0012] According to another mode of the invention, the structure
defining the receiving space is coupled to the container by using a
mechanical coupling, an electrical coupling or a magnetic
coupling.
[0013] According to yet another mode of the invention, the
structure defining the receiving space is a flexible bag or a
container with a rigid wall.
[0014] According to another mode of the invention, dirt accumulated
in the container is conveyed into the receiving space by using
blowing air subsequent to coupling the container to the structure
defining the receiving space.
[0015] According to another mode of the invention, blow-out air of
the transportable mobile vacuum cleaner is used as the blowing
air.
[0016] According to another mode of the invention, a
dirt-consolidating binder is added to the dirt accumulated in the
container for performing a consolidating process; and the dirt is
removed from the container subsequent to the consolidating
process.
[0017] According to another mode of the invention, a mixture of the
dirt and the dirt-consolidating binder is compacted subsequent to
adding the dirt-consolidating binder.
[0018] The receiving space is preferably a closed container.
Alternatively, the receiving space has, in addition to the filling
orifice, an orifice capable of being opened for the emptying
operation. In another variant, the receiving space is part of a
stationary dust disposal system which is preferably configured as a
fixed duct system for discharging the dust into a central
collecting container.
[0019] With the objects of the invention in view there is also
provided, in combination with a transportable mobile vacuum cleaner
having a housing, a container configuration includung:
[0020] a container provided to be transportable with the housing of
the transportable mobile vacuum cleaner; and
[0021] the container having an emptying orifice formed therein, the
container being configured to be filled with dirt separated off by
the transportable mobile vacuum cleaner, the container being
configured to be coupled to a structure defining a receiving space
and formed with a filling orifice such that the emptying orifice is
coupled to the filling orifice.
[0022] In other words, the object of the invention is achieved,
with regard to a container, in that the container is disposed in or
on the housing of a transportable mobile vacuum cleaner, and in
that it can be coupled to a filling orifice of a receiving space
through the use of the emptying orifice.
[0023] It is expedient that the container, removed from the vacuum
cleaner housing, is closed through the use of a closure disposed on
the emptying orifice or through the use of a cover part provided
with an emptying orifice. Consequently, if the container can be
removed from the vacuum cleaner, an escape of dirt from the
container is avoided along the transport route when such a
container is necessarily transported to a suitable disposal
container.
[0024] The emptying of the container into the disposal container
can also take place without the release of dust if the cover part
is sealingly coupled, through the use of a pipe connection piece
provided on it as an emptying orifice, to the filling orifice of
the disposal container.
[0025] According to another feature of the invention, the closure
is a bolt. According to another feature of the invention, a further
closure is provided at the filling orifice of the receiving space,
the closure and the further closure form a transfer lock
region.
[0026] According to another feature of the invention, a storage and
metering vessel for supplying a binder is provided, the storage and
metering vessel being connected to the container.
[0027] With the objects of the invention in view there is also
provided, a transportable mobile vacuum cleaner, including:
[0028] a vacuum cleaner housing; and
[0029] a container integrated with the vacuum cleaner housing, the
container receiving at least part of a dirt separated from suction
air, the container being formed with an emptying orifice for
discharging the dirt, the emptying orifice to be coupled sealingly
to a filling orifice of a structure defining a receiving space.
[0030] In other word, the object of the invention is achieved
through the use of a vacuum cleaner having a dirt collecting space
which is integrated in or on the vacuum cleaner housing, receives
at least some of the dirt separated from the suction air and has an
emptying orifice, through the use of which the dirt collecting
space can be coupled sealingly to a filling orifice of a receiving
space for the purpose of discharging the received dust.
[0031] In the case of a dirt collecting space of this kind, the
emptying of the dirt collecting space is made easier in that, after
the dirt collecting space is coupled to the disposal container, the
accumulated dirt is conveyed into the disposal container with the
aid of blowing air. In this case, advantageously, the blow-out air
of the vacuum cleaner can be used as blowing air.
[0032] Moreover, a further hygienically satisfactory disposal of
dirt is achieved through the use of a method for emptying a
receiving space provided in a vacuum cleaner and receiving at least
some of the dirt separated from the suction air of the vacuum
cleaner, in which method a dirt-consolidating binder is added to
the dirt accumulated in the receiving space, and, after the
conclusion of the consolidating operation, the dirt is removed as a
compact unit from the receiving space. By the addition of a binder,
the accumulated dust is reliably prevented from swirling up during
the emptying operation.
[0033] Moreover, in the event of the addition of a binder, it is
expedient, after the addition of the binder, to carry out a
compacting operation on the dirt/binder mixture. A substantial
saving of disposal space can be achieved thereby.
[0034] According to the invention, the dirt to be disposed of is
always shielded from the external surroundings on the disposal
route from the container or from the dirt collecting space into the
disposal container, so that no dust particles or dirt particles can
escape into the surroundings. What may serve as disposal containers
are, for example, bag-like or sack-like plastic containers which,
during the operation of emptying the dirt-containing container or
dirt collecting space, can be connected sealingly to the emptying
orifice of the latter. Such plastic containers can be connected in
a particularly simple way to an emptying orifice configured as a
pipe connection piece. In the simplest instance, the plastic
container may even be slipped onto the pipe connection piece by the
person carrying out the emptying operation and then be pressed onto
the pipe connection piece with one hand or else with both hands.
There is also the possibility, however, of carrying out such a
pressing action with the aid of technical means, for example
clamps.
[0035] If a stable vessel serves as disposal container, it may be
provided with a filling orifice which is surrounded by a seal and
to which the emptying orifice of the container or of the dirt
collecting space is coupled. In the event of an emptying orifice
configured as a pipe connection piece, the pipe connection piece is
introduced into the filling orifice of the disposal container, the
seal of the filling orifice coming to bear on the outer
circumference of the pipe connection piece and thus preventing dirt
particles from escaping during the emptying operation.
[0036] By a binder being admixed with the dirt accumulated in an
appropriate receiving space, a compact, no longer dusty disposal
unit can be formed in the receiving space which is closed off from
the external surroundings. Such a compact dirt package can then be
tipped into a disposal container, for example a trashcan. If such a
dirt/binder mixture is also subjected to a compacting operation,
for example by being pressed together through the use of pistons or
slides or else by a rolling or milling operation being carried out,
the volume of the part to be disposed of can be reduced
appreciably.
[0037] According to another feature of the invention, a blower
generating blowing air for conveying dirt accumulated in the
container into the receiving space is provided.
[0038] According to another feature of the invention, a plate for
compressing dirt accumulated in the container and conveying the
dirt into the receiving space is provided.
[0039] According to another feature of the invention, an advancing
element for moving the plate is provided, the advancing element is
a piston rod or a spindle drive.
[0040] According to another feature of the invention, a compacting
worm for compacting dirt accumulated in the container is
provided.
[0041] According to another feature of the invention, a pipe
connection piece is provided at the emptying orifice, the pipe
connection piece being configured to be coupled sealingly to the
filling orifice of the receiving space.
[0042] With the objects of the invention in view there is also
provided, a dust collecting system, including:
[0043] a transportable mobile vacuum cleaner including a container
for receiving dirt, the container being disposed at a location
selected from the group consisting of a location inside the
transportable mobile vacuum cleaner and a location on the
transportable mobile vacuum cleaner; and
[0044] a structure defining a receiving space, the structure being
configured to be coupled to the container and configured to receive
the dirt from the container.
[0045] According to another feature of the invention, a compacting
device for compacting the dirt in the container or the receiving
space is provided.
[0046] According to another feature of the invention, the
compacting device is a plate disposed movably in the container for
compacting the dirt.
[0047] According to another feature of the invention, a piston rod
is connected to the plate, the piston rod is a pneumatically
movable piston rod, a hydraulically movable piston rod or an
electrically movable piston rod.
[0048] According to another feature of the invention, the container
is a cylindrical container having a cross section for accommodating
the plate; and a closure extends over the cross section of the
cylinder.
[0049] According to another feature of the invention, the
transportable mobile vacuum cleaner includes a blower space; and
the plate being configured as a fine filter for connecting the
container to the blower space.
[0050] Other features which are considered as characteristic for
the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
[0051] Although the invention is illustrated and described herein
as embodied in a method for emptying a container provided on or in
a vacuum cleaner, a container, a vacuum cleaner with the container
and a dust collecting system for carrying out the method, it is
nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since
various modifications and structural changes may be made therein
without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the
scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
[0052] The construction and method of operation of the invention,
however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof
will be best understood from the following description of specific
embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0053] FIG. 1 is a schematic, partial sectional view of a vacuum
cleaner according to the invention with a receiving space for
receiving the dirt from the vacuum cleaner;
[0054] FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of a dirt receiving
container according to the invention together with a storage and
metering vessel for a binder and a dirt-compacting device;
[0055] FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of a dirt receiving
container according to the invention in which the dirt is compacted
to briquettes;
[0056] FIGS. 4 and 5 are partial sectional views of a dirt
receiving container according to the invention together with a bag
for collecting dirt; and
[0057] FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view of a dirt receiving
container according to the invention with a dirt-compacting
device.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0058] Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and
first, particularly, to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a vacuum
cleaner 30 having a housing 32, which is only schematically
indicated by a dash-dotted line, and a container 1, to which
suction air laden with dirt or dust 3 is supplied via a feed 2. The
container 1 is separated from a blower space 5 and a corresponding
blower 33 through the use of a filter 4 which is configured, in
particular, as a fine dust filter. The air supplied is sucked away
through the filter 4. The container 1 is provided either on or in
the vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner is a transportable mobile
vacuum cleaner.
[0059] The dirt which has accumulated in the container 1 as a
result of vacuum cleaning can be conveyed into a receiving space 6
located outside the vacuum cleaner and equipped with a fixed wall
26 by the container 1 being coupled to the receiving space. Either
the dust 3 falls into the receiving space 6 simply due to gravity
or it is blown into the latter, for which purpose, for example, the
motor of the vacuum cleaner rotates, instead of in the suction
direction, as is customary, in the opposite direction, assuming
that the motor has an axial blower wheel instead of the
conventional radial blower wheel, or that there are, for the
blow-out air of the blower, mechanical deflection devices by which
the blow-out air is forced into the container 1, instead of suction
air, so that the dust 3 is forced out of the container 1. The
precondition for this is that the feed 2 is closed with respect to
the container 1 by a closing device, for example a slide bolt 7,
and that a connection which transmits the dust 3 is made to the
receiving space 6. The latter can be connected to an emptying
orifice 27 of the container 1 via a form-locking and/or a
force-locking coupling 8. The coupling 8 includes a container-side
connection piece 9 which can be assembled positively and in an
airtight manner together with a flange 10 located on the
receiving-space side.
[0060] Alternatively, the coupling 8 includes mutually associated
conical connections of the container 1, on the one hand, and of the
receiving space 6, on the other hand. The coupling 8 may also be
formed by magnetically or electrically mutually attracting
connection pieces on the side of the container 1 and of the
receiving space 6 respectively. Rubber lips as sealing elements are
preferably provided at these connections.
[0061] The container 1 has a closure formed by a displaceable or
pivotable bolt 11. Preferably, but not necessarily, the receiving
space 6 likewise also has a closure 12, for example likewise a bolt
for closing its filling orifice 28. A region 13 between the bolt 11
and the closure 12 thus forms a (transfer) lock after the receiving
space 6 has been coupled to the container 1. Only after the bolt 11
and the closure 12 have been drawn out or pivoted out is a
continuous connection made between the container 1 and the
receiving space 6, so that the dirt 3 is conducted into the
receiving space 6 either by its own weight or by being forced out
of the container 1 or by being sucked in from the receiving space.
A hermetic closure is ensured, even during the coupling and the
separation of the receiving space 6, by virtue of the region 13.
Dirt 3 is prevented from emerging from the filling orifice 28.
[0062] When the dust 3 is blown out of the container 1 by an air
stream, there is in the receiving space a fine filter 14 (cf. FIG.
4) through which the air emerges again. Alternatively, instead of a
blowing-air stream generated in the vacuum cleaner, a suction
device is provided in or on the receiving space 6 and conveys the
air through a fine filter out of the receiving space 6, so that the
dirt 3 accumulates in the latter.
[0063] In another embodiment of the vacuum cleaner (FIGS. 2, 3),
there is a device for compressing the dust 3 accumulated in the
container 1. This device includes a plate 15, by which the dust 3
can be compressed against a wall 16 or preferably against the bolt
11, insofar as the latter is closed. The device includes, for
example, a piston rod 17 which can be pushed preferably in a
motor-driven manner out of the blower space 5 into the container 1,
so that the dust 3 is compressed. The piston rod 17 is led through
the filter 14. The dust 3 is preferably compressed until the dust 3
produces briquettes 18 which are conveyed into the receiving space
6 after the opening of the bolt 11 and of the closure 12. The
production of the briquettes is assisted by the addition of a
binder which is introduced from a storage and metering vessel 20
via a feed line into the container 1, in particular into the region
in which the briquettes 18 are to be produced.
[0064] In another exemplary embodiment (FIG. 4), the receiving
space 6 is formed in a bag 21 which is suitable for receiving both
loose or compressed dust 3 or the briquettes 18. The bag 21 either
has the connection piece 12 or has an elastic orifice 22 which
comes to bear in an airtight manner against the connection piece 9
of the container 1.
[0065] In a further exemplary embodiment, a receiving device
configured elastically as a whole, for example in the form of a
shrinkable tube which assumes its final shape only as a result of
the dust 3 being forced in, is provided in a comparable way to the
production of a sausage by meat material being forced into an
initially folded-together receiving medium.
[0066] After the filling-up of the receiving space 6 in the bag 21
has ended, the latter is closed, for example by its orifice region
22 being contracted and/or multiply twisted to form a closure 23
(FIG. 5).
[0067] In another exemplary embodiment (FIG. 6), the container 1 is
shaped as a cylindrical space, so that a plate 24 occupies its
entire cross section, with the result that the dust 3 can be
compressed particularly effectively. The plate 24 is configured at
the same time as a fine filter, so that, during vacuum cleaning,
the air is sucked in through it. The bolt 11, too, has the cross
section of the plate 24. The closure 12 is also shaped
correspondingly.
[0068] The piston rod 17 is moved either hydraulically,
pneumatically, electromagnetically or mechanically, for example
through the use of a spindle drive. Instead of a piston with the
piston rod 17 and the plate 15 or 24, a compacting worm 31 can also
be used, as is disclosed in Published, Non-Prosecuted German Paten
Application No. DE 37 333 A1, in particular in FIG. 4 thereof.
* * * * *