Disposable dust containers for suction cleaners

United States Patent

[] 3,572,017

<td> 172]</td><td> Inventor</td><td> Dominick Terzuoli</td>

<td></td><td></td><td> 2258 E. 70 St., Brooklyn, N.Y. 11234</td>

<td> |21|</td><td> Appl. No.</td><td> 868,793</td>

<td> [221</td><td> Filed</td><td> Oct. 23,1969</td>

<td> [45]</td><td> Patented</td><td> Mar. 23,1971</td>

Primary Examiner—Frank W. Lutter

Assistant Examiner—Bernard Nozick

Attorneys—Lewis H. Eslinger, Alvin Sinderbrand and Curtis,

Morris &amp; Safford

[ 54 ] DISPOSABLE DUST CONTAINERS FOR SUCTION CLEANERS

Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. Cl...................................................... 55/367,

55/581,229/58,229/62.5

[51] Int. Cl.........................................................BOld 46/02

[50] Field of Search............................................ 55/361—382; 229/53,58,62.5

[56]

References Cited

UNITED STATES PATENTS

2,832,433 4/1958

3,276,192 10/1966

3,297,232 1/1967

3,479,802 11/1969

Brace...........................

Fesco..........................

Fesco...........................

Fesco...........................

55/381

229/62.5

55/380

55/377

ABSTRACT: A disposable dust container for a suction cleaner is comprised of a bag of pliable porous sheet material including a pair of opposing first sidewalls, a pair of opposing second sidewalls extending between, and joined to the first sidewalls along the longitudinal margins thereof and a pair of rectangular end walls at the opposite ends of the bag and each being joined, at its periphery, to the first and second sidewalls to give to the bag substantially the form of a cuboid. The sidewalls of the bag are folded so that the second sidewalls are creased inwardly between the first sidewalls and so that the rectangular end walls lie flat against opposite sides of the bag at opposite ends of the bag. The thus folded bag is self-opening to the cuboid form when dust-laden air is admitted to the interior of the bag through an opening in one of its end walls or one of its first sidewalls in response to the application of suction to the exterior of the bag.

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PATENTED MAR231971 3,572 017

SHEET 1 OF 2

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PATENTED MR231971

3,572,017

SHEET 2 OF 2

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<img file="US3572017A_D0004.tif" />

<img file="US3572017A_D0005.tif" />

ATTORNEY

3,572,017

DISPOSABLE DUST CONTAINERS FOR SUCTION CLEANERS

This invention relates generally to disposable dust containers for suction or vacuum cleaners, and more particularly is directed to improvements in dust containers for suction cleaners of the type in which the dust container comprises a bag of pliable porous sheet material adapted to be disposed in a compartment of the cleaner housing, and the cleaner has an inlet for dust-laden air opening into the bag and a motordriven fan communicating, at its suction side, with the bagcontaining compartment to draw the air through the porous material of the bag, whereby the dust carried by the air entering at the inlet is collected in the bag.

Disposable dust containers for suction cleaners of the described type are usually supplied in a folded, flat form for convenience in packaging and storage, and it is desired that the dust container or bag, when installed in the housing compartment provided therefor, be capable of opening or expanding from its folded, flat form upon initial operation of the cleaner, that is, in response to the air flow through the bag from t|te inlet for the dust-laden air.

Disposable dust containers or bags are usually formed from a tube of pliable paper or other fibrous porous sheet material which is longitudinally folded to provide a first pair of opposing sidewalls and, extending between the latter, a second pair of opposing sidewalls which are inwardly creased or pleated so that the first sidewalls can lay substantially flat against each other. In the heretofore existing dust containers or bags, at least one end of the flattened tube thus formed is closed by having the flattened tube end portion folded back upon itself and glued, such arrangement at the end of the bag being hereinafter referred to as a folded-over end closure. When an end of the bag has a folded-over end closure, as aforesaid, the inwardly directed pleats or creases of the mentioned second sidewalls are caught in folds of the end closure and, therefore, the expansion or opening of the bag from its folded, flat form is limited or restricted to a tapering configuration adjacent the folded-over end closure. To the extent that one or each of the ends of the expanded bag is of tapered configuration, the expanded bag will not fully occupy the space provided therefor within the cleaner housing and, hence, the dust-collecting capacity of the bag will be less than that of a bag capable of complete expansion to more fully occupy such space. The incomplete expansion of the bag also reduces the effective surface area of the porous bag material through which the air can be drawn and thereby correspondingly increases the resistance to airflow through the suction cleaner so that, with a fan motor of a given power, the suction available at the cleaning tools is relatively diminished.

Further, even when only one end of the bag has a foldedover end closure and the other end has a rectangular end wall, the bag opening to receive the inlet for the dust-laden air is usually provided in the rectangular end wall with the result that the dust collected in the bag builds up progressively in the bag in the direction from the folded-over end closure thereof. Since the end of the bag having the folded-over end closure is of tapering configuration when expanded, it will be apparent that the rate of buildup along the bag of the collected dust is relatively accelerated, as compared with a bag that is fully expanded at its end remote from the dust-laden air inlet. Such accelerated rate of buildup of dust along the bag similarly increases the rate of reduction of the interior bag surface area that is free of thick or dense collections of dust. Thus, the resistance to airflow through the bag increases fairly rapidly soon after the installation of a new bag with a consequent falloff of the cleaning power of the suction cleaner.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide disposable dust containers or bags for suction cleaners that are adapted to open or expand completely from their folded, flat form for more fully occupying the space provided therefor in a suction cleaner housing and thus achieve a dust collecting capacity consistent with the volume of such space.

Another object is to provide disposable dust containers or bags as above, and in which the complete opening or expanding of the bag is achieved automatically as a result of the operation of the suction cleaner following the installation of the bag therein.

A further object is to provide disposable dust containers or bags, as aforesaid, in which the full surface area of the porous bag material is made available for the flow of air therethrough, whereby to relatively reduce the resistance to such air flow । ® and to correspondingly increase the cleaning power of the suction cleaner.

Still another object is to provide disposable dust containers or bags having the above-described characteristics, and further in which the cross-sectional area of the bag is substan³ tially undiminished from end to end so that the rate of buildup of dust along the bag toward the inlet for dust-laden air does not undergo substantial increases, particularly during the period of operation of the suction cleaner shortly following 20 the installation of a new bag therein.

In accordance with an aspect of this invention, a disposable bag for a suction cleaner comprises first and second pairs of opposing sidewalls joined to each other at their longitudinal margins and rectangular end walls at both ends of the bag and 25 each being joined, at its periphery, to the first and second pairs of sidewalls, and the bag is made flat for convenient packaging and storage by inwardly creasing the second sidewalls so that the first sidewalls are disposed against each other with the creased second sidewalls therebetween and by folding the first 30 sidewalls back upon themselves about respective lateral fold lines positioned so that the rectangular end walls lay flat against the first sidewalls at opposite end portions and opposite sides of the flattened bag.

The above, and other objects, features and advantages of 35 this invention, will be apparent in the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a disposable dust container according to this invention in its folded, flat condition 40 for convenient packaging and storage;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the dust container in its folded, flat condition;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views of the dust container of FIG. 1, but shown in its fully expanded condition and as 45 viewed from the opposite ends thereof;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are fragmentary perspective views illustrating the folds made to form one of the end walls of the dust container; and

FIG. 7 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3, but showing a dust container according to another embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and initially to FIGS. 3 and 4 thereof, it will be seen that a dust container 10 according to this invention, as there shown, generally comprises a . - bag 11 of pliable porous sheet material, such as, fibrous paper, which is pervious to air and impervious to dust particles. The bag 11 shown in its fully expanded condition will be seen to include a pair of opposing first sidewalls 12 and 13 which are in parallel spaced relation, a pair of opposing second sidewalls ₆0 14 (FIGS. 3 and 4) and 15 (FIG. 5) extending between walls 12 and 13 along the longitudinal margins of the latter, and rectangular end walls 16 and 17 at the opposite ends of bag 11 and each being joined, at the straight edges constituting its periphery, to the adjacent end edges of walls 12, 13, 14 and 65 15. Thus, in its fully expanded condition, bag 11 has substantially the form of a cuboid, that is, a six-sided figure each face of which is a rectangle.

The bag 11 may be made from an initially flat sheet of paper, the longitudinal edges of which are secured together by 70 a glued seam 18 located medially along sidewall 13. In the embodiment shown, each of rectangular end walls 16 and 17 of bag 11 is constituted by extensions 19, 20, 21 and 22 of sidewalls 12,13,14 and 15, respectively, joined to the latter at the adjacent ends thereof along fold lines 23, 24, 25 and 26, 75 respectively (FIG. 5). The extensions 19—22 may be of sub3,572,017 stantially equal height, which height is selected to be greater than onelhalf the distance across sidewalls 14 and 15 so that, when extensions 19 and 20 are folded inwardly toward each other about fold lines 23 and 24, as hereinafter described, the corresponding sections of the end wall 16 or 17 constituted by extensions 19 and 20 will overlap. Further, in the end wall construction as shown, each of extensions 19 and 20 has a pair of slits 27 extending from its free end edge at a distance d from the adjacent fold line 28 connecting such extension 19 or 20 to the extension 21 or 22, which distance d is preferably smaller than the height h of the extensions, and each slit 27 terminates at an oblique fold line 29 extending at an angle a of 45° from the junction or comer of fold line 23 or 24 with fold line 25 or 26.

In forming each of end walls 16 and 17, extensions 21 and 22 are first folded inwardly toward each other about fold lines 25 and 26 while the portions 30 of extensions 19 and 20, which are defined between each fold line 28 and the adjacent slit 27 and fold line 29, are each folded outwardly about line 28 with respect to extension 21 or 22 and inwardly about fold line 29 with respect to extension 19 or 20. Thus, as shown on FIG. 6, when extensions 21 and 22 have assumed positions at right angles to sidewalls 14 and 15, portions 30 of extensions 19 and 20 will lie flat against the inner surfaces of the respective extensions 19 and 20. Finally, extensions 19 and 20 are folded inwardly toward each other about fold lines 23 and 24 to overlay extensions 21 and 22 and to overlap each other at the center of the end wall 16 or 17, as shown on FIGS. 3 and 4. The overlapped edge portions of folded extensions 19 and 20 may be glued or adhesively secured to each other and to the underlying portions of folded extensions 21 and 22 while the portions 30 of extensions 19 and 20, folded as described, provide seals at the comers of the respective end wall, that is, ensure that all air being drawn out of bag 11 will pass through at least one thickness of the fibrous paper constituting the bag for filtering of dust particles from such air.

When dust-laden air is to enter bag 11 through an opening in one of the end walls 16 and 17 thereof, for example, through an opening in the end wall 16, as in the presently described embodiment, such opening may be provided by forming each of extensions 19 and 20 of that end wall with a pair of parallel, spaced-apart slits 31 (FIGS. 3, 5 and 6) which extend from the free edge of the respective extension in the central portion thereof. Such slits 31 are located in extensions 19 and 20 so as to register with each other when extensions 19 and 20 are overlapped in the completed end wall. Further, the adhesive or glue for securing together the overlapped edge portions of extensions 19 and 20 of end wall 16 is omitted between slits 31, and a reinforcing member 32, for example, of cardboard stock, having a central, circular opening 33 is adhesively secured on the outer surface of end wall 16 so that slits 31 are exposed within opening 33.

The dust container 10, as described above, is intended to be employed in a conventional vacuum or suction cleaner (not shown) having a housing with a compartment provided therein which is dimensioned to receive container 10 with its bag 11 fully expanded. The conventional suction cleaner is further provided with an inlet for dust-laden air projecting into such compartment through a wall of the latter against which end wall 16 is intended to face. The inlet for dust-laden air may be generally of cylindrical configuration and dimensioned diametrically to be projected frictionally through opening 33 of reinforcing member 32 so that, during such projection of the inlet through member 32, the inlet pushes back the tabs constituted between slits 31 to provide the opening for dustladen air into bag 11.

The pliable, porous bag 11 of dust container 10 according to this invention has been described above in its fully expanded condition, but it should be noted that, for convenience in packaging and storage, such bag is initially provided in a flat, folded condition, as shown on FIGS. 1 and 2. In such flat, folded condition, the first sidewalls 12 and 13 of bag 11 lay substantially flat against each other with the second sidewalls and 15 being creased inwardly therebetween, and sidewalls 12 and 13 are folded back upon themselves about respective lateral fold lines which are positioned so that the rectangular end walls 16 and 17 lay flat against the first sidewalls 12 and 13 at opposite end portions and opposite sides of the flattened bag. In order to achieve the foregoing folded, flat condition of bag 11, each of sidewalls 14 and 15 of the bag is creased inwardly along a central, longitudinal fold line 34 and along fold lines 35 and 36 that diverge from each end of longitudinal fold line 34 to comers of the adjacent rectangular end walls 16 and 17, respectively (FIGS? 3 and 4). Further, sidewall 12 and the underlying portions of inwardly creased sidewalls 14 and 15 are folded back about a lateral fold line 37 that is at a distance d, from the end of wall 12 joined to end wall 17 substantially equal to one-half the width of end wall 17. Similarly, sidewall 13 and the underlying portions of inwardly creased sidewalls 14 and 15 are folded back about a lateral fold line 38 that is at a distance d₂ from the end of wall 13 joined to end wall 16 substantially equal to one-half the width of end wall 16.

When dust container 10 having its bag 11 folded flat, as described above, is installed in the compartment provided therefor in the housing of a suction cleaner with the inlet for dust-laden air extending through the opening of end wall 16, and the usual motor-driven fan having its suction side communicating with the bag-containing compartment is made to operate, the combined effect of the suction acting on the exterior surface of the bag and of the airflow entering the bag interior through the inlet extending through wall 16 achieves practically instantaneous, automatic opening of bag 11 to its fully expanded condition shown on FIGS. 3 and 4.

It will be seen that, when bag 11 according to this invention is thus automatically unfolded to its fully expanded condition, the bag is adapted to relatively fully occupy a space or compartment provided in a suction cleaner housing with similar overall dimensions and thus achieve a dust collecting capacity consistent with the volume of such space. Further, when bag 11 is fully expanded, the full surface area of the porous bag material constituting the sidewalls 12, 13, 14 and 15 and the end walls 16 and 17 is made available for the flow of air therethrough, thereby to relatively reduce the resistance to such airflow and to correspondingly increase the cleaning power of the suction cleaner, as compared with the previously existing dust containers in which, by reason of the folded-over end closure provided at least at one end of the bag. complete unfolding of the creased or pleated sidewalls of the bag is not possible. It will also be seen that, when bag 11 according to this invention is fully expanded, the cross-sectional area of the bag is substantially undiminished from the end wall 16 at which the dust-laden air enters the bag to the opposite end wall 17. By reason of such undiminished cross-sectional area between end walls 16 and 17, the buildup of dust within the bag in the direction from end wall 17 toward end wall 16 proceeds at a substantially uniform rate. This is to be contrasted with the situation in conventional dust containers for suction cleaners of the type having a folded-over end closure at least at the end thereof remote from the inlet for dust-laden air, and in which each end of the bag having the folded-over end closure is of tapering configuration when expanded so that the rate of buildup of dust along the bag is relatively high immediately after the installation of a new dust container or bag in the cleaner and thereby results in a similarly high rate of reduction of the interior bag surface area that is free of thick or dense collections of dust. Thus, as contrasted with the bag according to this invention, the resistance to airflow through a conventional bag increases fairly rapidly soon after the installation of a new bag with a consequent fall-off of the cleaning power of the suction cleaner.

Although the dust container 10 according to this invention has been described above as being provided with an opening to receive the inlet for dust-laden air in its end wall 16, it should be noted that such opening may be provided in the other end wall 17 or in either one of the side walls 12 or 13 of bag 11. Thus, as shown on FIG. 7, in which all of the parts of a

3,572,017 dust container 10α are identified by the same reference numerals employed to identify the corresponding parts of the previously described dust container 10, but with the letter a appended thereto, the opening to receive the inlet for dustladen air may be provided by forming sidewall 12α with intersecting slits 31α which are centered within the circular opening 33α in the reinforcing member 32α adhesively secured on the exterior surface of sidewall 12α. Preferably, as shown, slits 31α and reinforcing member 32α are located at a portion of sidewall 12α remote from fold line 37α about which sidewall 12α is folded back when bag Πα is in its folded flat condition so that, in such folded flat condition, member 32α and slits 31α exposed within opening 33α will be accessible to receive the inlet for dust-laden air.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that dust containers according to this invention may have the opening to receive the inlet for dust-laden air suitably located for adaptation to suction cleaners of various types, and it is further apparent that the relative dimensions of the sidewalls and rectangular end walls of the pliable bag may be also altered from those shown on the drawing for adaptation of the dust containers to use in suction cleaners of various types.

Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.