U.S. patent number 3,653,190 [Application Number 05/010,411] was granted by the patent office on 1972-04-04 for vacuum cleaners.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Clarkson Industries, Inc.. Invention is credited to Robert H. Arnold, Wilfred J. Lee.
United States Patent |
3,653,190 |
Lee , et al. |
April 4, 1972 |
VACUUM CLEANERS
Abstract
The disclosure is directed to a vacuum cleaner in which an
exhauster produces a flow of dust-laden air through fabric dust
bags to separate dust from the air. Collected dust is shaken from
the bags by valves for alternately reversing the direction of air
flow and the dust falls by gravity into at least one throwaway
plastic bag in a detachable receptacle underlying the filter bags.
In the preferred embodiment, the receptacle is divided into
separate compartments by spaced partition walls which, together
with slots in the peripheral wall of the receptacle, permit the
upper edges of the bags to be folded over the top of the partition
walls and tucked downwardly therebetween. A pipe line connects the
exhauster to the space between the plastic bags and receptacle
walls to snap the bags to a fully open position and hold them open
at all times while the exhauster is in operation. In another
embodiment, the receptacle is adapted to receive a single plastic
bag so as to snap it open as soon as the exhauster is
initiated.
Inventors: |
Lee; Wilfred J. (East Syracuse,
NY), Arnold; Robert H. (Clay, NY) |
Assignee: |
Clarkson Industries, Inc. (New
York, NY)
|
Family
ID: |
21745648 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/010,411 |
Filed: |
February 11, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
55/302; 15/327.1;
55/DIG.3; 55/341.1; 55/357; 55/366; 55/374; 55/429; 55/466; 55/478;
254/1; 15/347; 15/352; 55/337; 55/341.2; 55/358; 55/372; 55/378;
55/459.1; 55/467; 206/320; 220/495.11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L
9/20 (20130101); A47L 5/365 (20130101); A47L
9/1418 (20130101); Y10S 55/03 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47L
5/36 (20060101); A47L 5/22 (20060101); A47L
9/10 (20060101); B01d 046/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;55/302,428,429,395,366,341,337,374,378 ;220/63R,65,1T
;15/327A-327E,347-352 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Talbert, Jr.; Dennis E.
Assistant Examiner: Gifford; Vincent
Claims
We claim:
1. A vacuum cleaner having a tank divided into upper and lower
chambers, a plurality of fabric filter bags mounted in said upper
chamber and communicating with said lower chamber, a connection for
delivery of dust-laden air to said lower chamber, an exhauster, a
first pipe between said upper chamber and said exhauster to cause
air to flow through said filter bags and separate dust from the
air, closure valve means in said first pipe, vent valve means
connected to said first pipe, valve operating means interconnecting
said vent valve means and valve closure means and manipulable to
vary the pressure in said upper chamber to shake said filter bags
and cause dust to drop therethrough, said tank having a lower
section detachable from the upper section thereof and communicating
with said lower chamber and having a bottom and side walls, said
detachable lower section being normally in sealing engagement with
the upper tank section, a disposable bag of flexible material
positioned in said detachable lower section with the upper
peripheral edge of said disposable bag folded over the upper
periphery of said detachable lower section, a second pipe disposed
with an upturned end in operative contact with the bottom of said
detachable lower section and interconnecting the space between said
disposable bag and said detachable lower section with said first
pipe at a point between said exhauster and said closure valve means
whereby said disposable bag is held against the bottom and side
walls of said detachable lower section during operation of said
valve means to shake said filter bags, said upturned end of said
second pipe being movably mounted for movement into and out of
contact with the bottom of said detachable lower section.
2. A vacuum cleaner having a tank mounted on a frame and divided
into upper and lower chambers, a plurality of fabric filter bags
mounted in said upper chamber and communicating with said lower
chamber, a connection for delivering dust-laden air to said lower
chamber, an exhauster, a connection between said upper chamber and
said exhauster to cause air to flow through said filter bags and
separate dust from the air, said tank having an upper section and a
detachable lower section communicating with said lower chamber and
normally sealed to the upper section of said tank, said detachable
section having bottom and side walls, a disposable bag of flexible
material in said lower section with its upper peripheral edge
folded over the upper peripheral edge of said detachable lower
section, means for shaking said filter bags to cause dust to fall
therefrom into said disposable bag, an elevating platform
positioned below said detachable lower tank section and adapted to
raise the tank section into sealing engagement with the upper tank
section, said platform being pivoted at one end to said tank frame
and having its opposite end underlying the lower section of the
tank and means for raising and lowering the platform comprising a
shaft mounted for rotation in bearings in the tank frame, an
eccentric disk on the shaft, and an eccentric follower connected to
the disk and the platform.
3. A vacuum cleaner having a tank divided into upper and lower
chambers, a plurality of fabric filter bags mounted in said upper
chamber and communicating with said lower chamber, a connection for
delivering dust-laden air to said lower chamber, an exhauster, a
connection between said upper chamber and said exhauster to cause
air to flow through said filter bags and separate dust from the
air, said tank having an upper section, and a detachable lower
section communicating with said lower chamber and having bottom and
side walls, the upper and lower sections of said tank being
normally in sealed engagement, partition walls dividing said lower
section into a plurality of separate compartments, disposable bags
of flexible material in said compartments, means for shaking said
filter bags to cause dust to fall therefrom into said disposable
bags and means interconnecting the spaces between said disposable
bags and the walls of said compartments with said exhauster to hold
said bags against the walls of said compartments.
4. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 3 wherein the partitioned
walls of adjacent compartments are spaced from each other, the
entire upper periphery of each disposable bag is folded over the
upper perimeter of the walls of the compartment in which the bag is
disposed and a skeleton frame is interposed between the two tank
sections, said skeleton frame having pads overlying the top of the
partition walls and folded over edges of the disposable bags for
sealing the joints therebetween.
5. A vacuum cleaner in accordance with claim 4 in which the lower
section of the tank is cylindrical, the partition walls forming the
separate compartments extend radially, the bottom wall of the lower
tank section having an opening to each compartment adjacent the
center of the section, and the means connecting the exhauster to
the space between the lower section of the tank and disposable bags
is a header underlying the bottom wall of the lower section of the
tank around the openings therein in open communication with the
separate compartments between the radial partition walls.
6. A vacuum cleaner in accordance with claim 5 in which each
compartment has a perforated bottom wall spaced from the bottom
wall of the lower tank section to support the bottom of each
flexible bag above the bottom wall of the lower tank section.
7. A vacuum cleaner in accordance with claim 6 in which the
connection between the upper chamber and exhauster is a pipe, the
means connecting the exhauster to the space between the lower
section of the tank and the disposable bag is a continuation of the
first mentioned pipe at the exhauster, and valve means in the first
mentioned pipe for closing the connection between said tank chamber
and exhauster and venting said chamber to the atmosphere whereby to
maintain a partial vacuum between the lower section of the tank and
disposable bag at all times while the exhauster is operating.
Description
The present invention relates to vacuum cleaners and more
particularly to improvements in vacuum cleaners of the type having
a disposable bag or bags in which dust is collected.
Vacuum cleaners using disposable throwaway bags have been in common
use for a considerable period of time. In one commonly used type,
the disposable bag is inserted into a chamber of a tank-type vacuum
cleaner and the bag itself acts as a filter for separating dust
from air. When the bag becomes full, it is removed and thrown away,
and a new empty bag is reinserted.
Larger commercial type vacuum cleaners also have been provided with
filters therein in the form of fabric bags or sleeves. Each of a
plurality of such fabric sleeves is attached at one end to a nipple
on a septum plate which divides the tank into inlet and outlet
chambers, and the opposite end of each sleeve is supported by a
wall chamber into which it extends. Dust-laden air is directed into
the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber is connected to an
exhauster to cause air to flow through the fabric bags and filter
out dust. A receptacle underlies the inlet chamber and from time to
time the fabric bags are shaken, either automatically or manually,
to cause the filtered dust to fall from the fabric bags into the
receptacle by gravity. In some constructions, the fabric filter
bags are shaken by reversing the direction of air flow
therethrough, as by rapidly subjecting the outlet chamber,
alternately, to a partial vacuum and atmospheric pressure. When the
receptacle becomes full, it is detached and wheeled away to a place
where the collected dust may be dumped.
It also has been proposed to use a disposable plastic bag in the
receptacle of such vacuum cleaners so that only the plastic bag
with the dust therein need be removed. These proposals have not
been very successful, because of the large size and weight of these
bags when full, and also because of the lack of control of such
bags in the receptacle during a cleaning operation. For example, no
suitable way has been found to hold the bags open, and the
atmospheric pressure acting on the outside of the bag during
operation tends to collapse the bag. When the filter bags are
shaken by reversing the direction of airflow, the dust-receiving
bags also tend to collapse and expand alternately, which presents
more of a problem than removing the collected dust directly from
the receptacle.
One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an
improved construction in a tank-type vacuum cleaner which will snap
a disposable plastic bag to a fully open position upon initiating
operation of the exhauster and maintain it in a fully open position
while the exhauster is operating.
Another object is to provide a vacuum cleaner of the type indicated
in which fabric filter bags may be shaken by subjecting them
alternately to a partial vacuum and atmospheric pressure without
affecting the open position of a disposable plastic bag in its
dust-receiving receptacle.
Still another object is to provide a vacuum cleaner of the type
indicated which is of relatively simple and compact construction to
adapt it for economical manufacture, and one which is reliable in
operation.
These and other objects will become more apparent from the
following description and drawings in which like reference
characters denote like parts throughout the several views. It is to
be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the
purpose of illustration only and are not a definition of the limits
of the invention, reference being had for this purpose to the
appended claims.
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a side view of a commercial type vacuum cleaner
incorporating the novel features of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the vacuum cleaner,
partly in section, and showing disposable plastic bags in separate
compartments of the dust-receiving receptacle and an arrangement
for maintaining a partial vacuum between the plastic bags and walls
of the compartments for all operating conditions;
FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the vacuum cleaner and
showing the slots in the peripheral wall of the lower tank section
constituting a dust-collecting receptacle to permit the upper edges
of the disposable plastic bags to be folded over the top edges of
the receptacle;
FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the lower tank section constituting a
dust-receiving receptacle and showing the spaced partition walls
forming separate compartments for plastic bags and providing a
space into which the top edges of the bags may be folded;
FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing a receptacle of modified
construction for use with a single plastic bag in accordance with
the present invention; and
FIG. 6 is a sectional plan view taken on line 6--6 of FIG. 5 to
show the receptacle and disposable plastic bag therein and showing
the relationship of the parts.
The present invention is directed to an improved construction in a
conventional vacuum cleaning system comprising a tank having an
upper dust-separating section and a lower detachable section
constituting a dust receptacle. In accordance with the present
invention, the lower dust-receiving section is constructed to
receive a disposable plastic bag to facilitate its easy removal
from the receptacle when filled with dust. In one embodiment of the
invention, the lower dust-receiving section is divided into
separate compartments to receive a plurality of the disposable
plastic bags. The partition walls forming the compartments are
spaced apart between adjacent compartments, and the peripheral wall
of the receptacle between the partition wall is slotted so that the
top edges of the plastic bags may be folded over the top edges of
the receptacle around their entire peripheries. The spaces between
the walls of the compartments and the plastic bags are connected to
an exhauster so that when the exhauster is initiated the difference
in pressure will snap the bags to open position in the receptacle.
Valve mechanism is provided for alternately subjecting fabric
filter bags in the upper section to a partial vacuum and
atmospheric pressure to shake the bags and cause dust to fall by
gravity into the disposable plastic bags. In addition, the valve
mechanism is so arranged as to maintain a partial vacuum between
each plastic bag and its compartment walls when the dust separating
section is opened to the atmosphere during the shaking operation.
In another embodiment, the receptacle is constructed to receive a
single plastic bag so as to cause it to snap open when operation of
the exhauster is initiated.
Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a commercial type
vacuum cleaner 1 having a frame 2 with a pair of side wheels 3
adjacent the rear and a single wheel 3a at the front to adapt it to
be moved to various locations. To this end, the front wheel 3a is a
swiveling caster 4 having a handle 5 projecting forwardly
therefrom. Mounted on the frame 2 is a tank 6 having an upper
dust-separating section 7 rigidly affixed thereto and a lower
detachable section 8 constituting a dust-collecting receptacle. A
hose 9 has its inner end attached to the upper section 7 of the
tank 6 and a vacuum cleaning tool 10 at its outer free end. The
upper section 7 of the tank 6 also is connected by a bag cleaner
valve 11 to an exhauster 12. Bag cleaner valve 11 comprises a T
fitting having a branch 13 connected to the atmosphere and valves
14 and 15 at the lower end of the T and branch, respectively, see
FIG. 2, which are adapted to be moved to opposite open and closed
positions simultaneously by a linkage 16 having a handle 16a. In
other words, when the valve 14 is open, the valve 15 to the
atmosphere is closed so that the exhauster 12 will draw air through
the vacuum cleaning tool 10, hose 9, tank 6 and pipe 11; but when
the valve linkage 16 is operated to open the valve 15 in the branch
13 of the T to the atmosphere, the valve 14 to the exhauster is
closed. As illustrated most clearly in FIG. 2, the exhauster 12 is
driven by an electric motor 17 through suitable belts 18.
Tank 6 is illustrated as having a cylindrical shape, and the lower
section 8 constituting the dust receptacle, has a peripheral wall
19, a bottom wall 20 with depending wheels 21 and a handle 27 to
adapt it to be moved about in the manner of a cart. Lower section 8
may be lifted into or lowered out of engagement with the lower open
end of the upper section 7 by an elevating platform 22 positioned
between the spaced wheels 21 and underlying the bottom wall 20 of
the section central thereof. The elevator platform 22 is pivoted to
the frame at its opposite end and is raised and lowered by a
manually actuated shaft 23 journaled in the frame and rotated by a
handle 24. An eccentric disc 25 fast on the shaft 23 is connected
through an adjustable rod 26 to the pivoted platform 22
intermediate its ends. Thus, by operating the handle 24, platform
22 may be raised to lift the peripheral wall 19 of lower section 8
into alignment and sealing engagement with the lower end of the
peripheral wall of the upper tank section 7.
The upper section 7 of the tank has a septum plate 28, see FIG. 2,
dividing the tank into an inlet chamber 29 to which hose 9 is
connected, and an outlet chamber 30 connected through the bag
cleaner valve 11 to exhauster 12. The septum plate 28 has a series
of perforations 31 with nipples 32 surrounding the perforations.
Fabric filter bags 33, of cylinder shape, have their lower open
ends surrounding the nipples 32 and connected thereto by suitable
fastening means 34 and their upper ends hooked onto supporting
rings 35 on the top wall of the upper section 7 so that they will
extend upwardly into the outlet chamber 30. Underlying the septum
plate 28 is a conical guide chute 36 for directing dust from the
inlet chamber 29 downwardly into the dust-receiving receptacle
formed by the detachable lower section 8 of tank 6. Also, the tank
6 has a handhole and covering plate 37 for permitting access to the
outlet chamber 30 in the tank.
As thus far described, the vacuum cleaner is of conventional
construction and is operated by initiating the exhauster 12 which
draws air and entrained dust through the tool 10 and hose 9 into
the inlet chamber 29 and then through the perforations 31 in the
septum plate 28 and fabric filter bags 33 to the outlet chamber 30
and thence through the bag cleaner valve 11 to the exhauster. As
the dust-laden air flows through the fabric dust bags, the dust is
separated from the air and clings to the sides of the bag. From
time to time, the linkage 16 is operated to reverse the direction
of airflow through the fabric bags which shakes the dust from the
bags. The released dust then falls by gravity through the
guide-chute 36 into the receptacle constituting the lower
detachable section 8 of the tank 6. When the receptacle becomes
full, it is detached from the upper section 7 of the tank by
turning the handle 24 and operating through the eccentric disc 25
and adjustable rod 26 lowers the platform 22. The receptacle is
removed to a suitable location and the collected dust dumped
therefrom.
In accordance with the present invention, a disposable plastic bag
or bags are inserted in the receptacle and the latter is so
connected to the exhauster as to snap the bag or bags to an open
position as soon as operation of the exhauster is initiated and
holds the plastic bags open at all times during operation of the
exhauster. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, the lower
section 8 of the tank 6 constituting the dust receptacle is divided
by partition walls into separate compartments 40, 41 and 42 as
shown most clearly in FIG. 4. The partition walls 40A and 40B for
compartment 40 are spaced from the partition walls 41A and 42B of
adjacent compartments 41 and 42 to provide a space therebetween.
Similarly, the partitions 41A and 41B of compartment 41 are spaced
from the partition wall 40B and 42A of compartment 42 in a similar
manner. The compartments 40, 41 and 42 have the common bottom wall
20, and the bottom wall has perforations 44 between the spaced
walls of adjacent compartments to permit atmospheric air, dirt or
other materials to pass therethrough. Also, the peripheral wall 19
of the lower section 8 has slots 46, 46A and 46B in its upper edge
between the spaced partition walls of adjacent compartments 40, 41
and 42.
As will be observed in FIG. 4, the bottom wall 20 has sectorial
openings 47 at the axis of the peripheral wall 19 which communicate
with each of the compartments 40, 41 and 42 at the apex between
converging partition walls, respectively. Surrounding the openings
47 is an annular boss 48 projecting upwardly from a head 49 at the
outer end of the elevating platform 22 for raising and lowering the
lower section 8 and which engages the bottom wall of the section.
Also, as shown most clearly in FIG. 2, a perforated false bottom
40C, 41C and 42C is provided in each compartment 40, 41 and 42
which is spaced from the bottom wall 20. With this construction a
disposable bag 50 of a suitable flexible material, such as plastic,
may be inserted in each of the compartments 40, 41 and 42.
Because of the spaced partition walls 40A and 42B, 40B and 41A and
41B and 42A, the upper end portion 51 of each of the bags 50 may be
folded over the top of the partition and peripheral walls of the
receptacle and tucked down in the space between adjacent walls.
Also, slots 46, 46A and 46B permit the upper end portion 51 of the
bag to be folded continuously around the corner formed by a
partition wall, such as 40A, and the peripheral wall 19.
A skeleton frame 54 is provided in the lower open end of the upper
section 7 of the tank 6 which has a peripheral rim 55, see FIG. 2,
and radial arms 56 which form pads overlying the top of the spaced
partition walls 40A and 42B, 40B and 41A, 41B and 42A of adjacent
compartments and peripheral wall 20 and the edges of the plastic
bags folded thereover to seal the joints therebetween. Thus, when
the lower section 8 is raised into engagement with the skeleton
frame 54 at the lower end of the upper section 7 of the tank, the
two sections form a complete tank with a plastic bag 50 in each of
the compartments 40, 41 and 42 with their folded over edges sealed
between the sections.
The improvement also includes a connection 60 between the exhauster
12 and the sectorial openings 47 underlying the three compartments
40, 41 and 42. As shown, the connection includes the head 49 and
annular boss 48 at the outer end of the elevating platform 22 which
cooperates with the bottom of the receptacle 8 to seal the joint
around the opening 47. The head 49 comprises a hollow suction box
having a fixed pipe 62 extending therefrom and supported on the
elevating platform 22. The opposite end of pipe 62 is connected by
a flexible hose 63 to the lower end of the valve 14 of the bag
cleaner valve complex 11 where it enters the exhauster 12. Thus,
the connection 60 subjects the space between the plastic bags 50
and the partition wall and bottom wall of the compartments 40, 41
and 42 to a partial vacuum. Immediately upon operation of the
exhauster 12, the difference in pressure snaps the bags 50 to open
position in the compartments.
It will further be observed by reference to FIG. 2 that the end of
the flexible conduit 63 connected to the exhauster 12 is located
below the valve 14 in the bag cleaner valve 11 so that whenever the
bag-shaking linkage 16 is operated to submit the outlet chamber 30
of the tank to atmospheric pressure, the valve 14 will close off
the bag cleaner valve complex 11 so that the partial vacuum will be
maintained in the space between the bags 50 and walls of
compartments 40, 41 and 42. One form of the invention having now
been described, the mode of operation is next explained.
With the lower section 8 detached from the upper section 7 of the
tank 6, a plastic bag 50 is inserted in each compartment 40, 41 and
42, and the upper edge portions 51 of the bags are folded over the
top edges of the walls of the compartments 40, 41 and 42 previously
explained. The lower section or receptacle 8 is then wheeled back
into position to align its peripheral wall 19 with the peripheral
wall of the upper section of the tank 6. Handle 24 is then operated
to raise the elevating platform 22. The circular boss 48 on the
head 49 at the outer end of the platform 22 first engages the
bottom wall 20 of receptacle and surrounds the openings 47 therein
to seal the joint therebetween and then lifts the receptacle until
its upper edge engages the skeleton frame 54. The rim 55 and radial
arm 56 of the skeleton frame 54 then overlie the spaced partition
walls of adjacent compartments 40, 41 and 42 and seals the joint
therebetween and between the folded over edges of the plastic bag
around the entire periphery of each compartment.
Upon initiation of the exhauster 12, air flows from the space
between the plastic bags 50 and the walls of the compartments 40,
41 and 42 to produce a partial vacuum in the space. This partial
vacuum immediately draws the sides of the plastic bags against the
walls of the compartments 40, 41 and 42 to snap the bags open and
hold the bags in open position.
Dust-laden air is also drawn through the inlet chamber 29, filter
bags 33, outlet chamber 30 and bag cleaner valve 11 to the
exhauster 12. The fabric bags 33 separate the dust from the air
and, from time to time, linkage 16 is operated to quickly reverse
the direction of airflow and thereby shake the collected dust from
the filter bags. The dislodged dust flows by gravity through the
guide chute 36 into the plastic bags 50 in the receptacle 8. During
such a bag-shaking operation, the valve 14 is always closed when
the outlet chamber 30 in the upper section 7 of the tank is open to
the atmosphere so that the exhauster 12 will maintain a partial
vacuum in the space between the plastic bags and the compartments
40, 41 and 42 in which they are located.
When the plastic bags become filled with dirt, the operation of the
exhauster 12 is stopped, the handle 24 operated to lower the
elevating platform 22 until the wheels 21 of the receptacle
constituting the lower section 8 of the tank are positioned on the
floor. The receptacle then may be wheeled away to a location where
the dirt is to be dumped. To this end, the top of the plastic bags
50 may be twisted to closed position, after which the bags may be
lifted from the container. New bags 50 are then inserted into
compartments 40, 41 and 42, the upper end portions 51 of the bags
folded over the partition and peripheral walls of the compartments
40, 41 and 42 and tucked into the open space between adjacent
partition walls, the receptacle returned to its position in
alignment with the upper section 7 of tank 6, and the handle 24
again operated to lift the receptacle into engagement with the
lower open end of the upper tank section in the manner previously
described. Operation of the exhauster 12 then may be initiated to
start another cleaning operation.
FIGS. 5 nd 6 illustrate a receptacle 8a of modified construction
for use with a single disposable plastic bag 50a. In this modified
construction, the receptacle 8a is generally similar to the
receptacle 8 in FIGS. 1 to 4 and is raised to its elevated position
by an elevator 22a in the same way as previously described. The
elevator 22a has a head 49a at its outer end with an upstanding
annular boss 48a for engaging the bottom wall 20a of the receptacle
to seal the joint therebetween and the head is connected through a
pipe 62a and flexible hose 63a to the exhauster 12a in the same way
as the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4.
However, the receptacle 8a is not divided into separate
compartments, but instead, comprises only the peripheral wall 19a
and bottom wall 20a forming a single cylindrical compartment 40a.
The peripheral wall 19a of the receptacle 8a has an outwardly
directed flange 19b at its upper edge which underlies a peripheral
rim 55a and compressible gasket 55b at the lower end of the upper
section 7a of the tank 6a to seal the joint therebetween. The
bottom wall 20a also has perforations 47a located centrally thereof
within the perimeter of the upstanding boss 48a on the head
49a.
Mounted in the receptacle 8a is a basket 70 having a cylindrical
side wall 71 of smaller diameter than the wall 19a of the
receptacle 8a and a bottom wall 72 attached to the side wall above
its lower edge to space the bottom wall above the bottom wall 20a
of the receptacle. A flange 73 projects radially from the upper
edge of the side wall 71 to engage the inside of the side wall 19a
of the receptacle 8a to hold the basket centered therein. In
addition, the bottom wall 72 of the basket has depending ribs 74
and 75 for providing additional support. Both the cylindrical side
wall 71 and bottom wall 72 have perforations 76 and 77,
respectively. A plastic bag 50a is placed in the basket 70 with its
upper edge 50b folded outwardly over the upper edges of the basket
and receptacle in the manner illustrated in FIG. 5 and sealed by
engagement with the gasket 55b at the lower end of the upper tank
section 7a. As shown in FIG. 6, receptacle 8a has a handle 27a
similar to the handle 27 shown in FIG. 3.
With he construction illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 a partial vacuum
is produced in the space 78 between the basket 70 and receptacle
upon initiation of the exhauster 12a to snap the plastic bag 50a to
an open position and maintain it open so long as the exhauster
remains in operation. When the plastic bag 50a becomes filled, the
receptacle 8a lowered as previously explained, the full bag
removed, another empty bag inserted, the receptacle raised into
engagement with the upper section of tank section 7a and the
exhauster 12a initiated to start a new cycle of operation as
previously explained with respect to the embodiment of the
invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4.
It will now be observed that the present invention provides an
improved construction in a vacuum cleaning system for snapping a
disposable plastic bag to a fully open position upon initiation of
the exhauster and maintain the bag in open position during a
cleaning operation. It will further be observed that the present
invention provides a vacuum cleaner having fabric filter bags which
may be shaken by alternately reversing the direction of airflow
through the bags, in rapid succession, without affecting the open
position of the plastic bags in the receptacle. It will still
further be observed that the present invention provides a vacuum
cleaner which is of relatively simple and compact construction,
economical to manufacture, and one which is reliable in
operation.
While two embodiments of the invention are herein illustrated and
described, it will be understood that further modifications may be
made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Therefore, without limitation in this respect, the invention is
defined by the following claims.
* * * * *