DISPOSABLE CONTAINER FOR CONSTRUCTION-GRADE VACUUM CLEANERS

Abstract

A disposable container for collecting dust in a vacuum cleaner, in particular in a construction-grade vacuum cleaner, the disposable container including the following: an inlet opening , which is connectable to a suction hose connection of the vacuum cleaner; a suction opening, which is connectable to a suction device of the vacuum cleaner, the inlet opening and the suction opening being configured to be detachably connected to the vacuum cleaner.

Claims

1. A disposable container for collecting dust in a vacuum cleaner, the disposable container comprising the following: an inlet opening connectable to a suction hose connection of the vacuum cleaner; a suction opening connectable to a suction device of the vacuum cleaner, the inlet opening and the suction opening being configured to be detachably connected to the vacuum cleaner.

2. The disposable container as recited in claim 1 wherein the disposable container is produced from a disposable material.

3. The disposable container as recited in claim 2 wherein the disposable container is produced from recycled material.

4. The disposable container as recited in claim 3 wherein the disposable container is produced from cellulose having a basis weight of 180g/sqm to 600g/sqm.

5. The disposable container as recited in claim 1 further comprising a filter connected to the suction opening and covers the suction opening.

6. The disposable container as recited in claim 5 wherein the filter is non-detachably connected to the suction opening.

7. The disposable container as recited in claim 1 wherein the inlet opening has an inlet valve.

8. The disposable container as recited in claim 7 wherein the inlet valve is preloaded into a closed state.

9. The disposable container as recited in claim 7 wherein the inlet valve is configured in such a way that, when a suction hose is inserted into the vacuum cleaner, the inlet valv is transferred from a closed state into an open state.

10. The disposable container as recited in claim 1 wherein the suction opening has a suction valve.

11. The disposable container as recited in claim 10 wherein the suction valve is preloaded into a closed state.

12. The disposable container as recited in claim 10 wherein the suction valve is configured in such a way that, when the disposable container is inserted into the vacuum cleaner, the suction valve is transferred from a closed state into an open state.

13. The disposable container as recited in claim 10 wherein the suction valve has a flap pivotable between a closed state and an open state, and wherein the flap is preloaded into the flap closed state via a spring.

14. The disposable container as recited in claim 7 wherein the inlet valve has a flap pivotable between a closed state and an open state, and wherein the flap is preloaded into the flap closed state via a spring.

15. The disposable container as recited in claim 1 wherein the inlet opening or the suction opening has an elastically deformable membrane preloaded into a closed state and is configured in such a way that the membrane elastically deforms during the transfer from the closed state into an open state.

16. The disposable container as recited in claim 1 wherein the inlet opening has an inlet valve or the suction opening has a suction valve, wherein the inlet valve or the suction valve is configured in such a way that the inlet valve is transferred from a closed state into an open state by a suction air flow in the vacuum cleaner.

17. A construction-grade vacuum cleaner comprising: a suction hose connection for connecting a suction hose; a turbine for generating a suction air flow, the construction-grade vacuum cleaner having at least one filter arranged between a collection container and the turbine; and the disposable container as recited in claim 1.

18. The construction-grade vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 17 wherein the inlet opening of the disposable container is detachably connected to the suction hose connection, and wherein the suction opening of the disposable container is detachably connected to the filter.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Further advantages can be found in the following description of the figures. The figures, the description and the claims contain numerous features in combination. A person skilled in the art will expediently also consider the features individually and combine them to form further useful combinations.

In the drawings:

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross section through a construction-grade vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross section through a disposable container according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0027] FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross section through a disposable container according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary illustration of a construction-grade vacuum cleaner 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The construction-grade vacuum cleaner substantially comprises a collection container 8 and a suction head 9. The suction head 9 is positioned detachably on the collection container 8. The collection container 8 substantially comprises an encircling wall surface 15 and a bottom 16. The encircling wall surface 15 and the bottom 16 form a cavity 17. The collection container 8 in turn serves to collect and retain dirt particles that are picked up by means of the drawn-in air flow LS. The dirt particles are not illustrated in the figures.

[0029] The suction head 9 has a suction device 10, for example a turbine, for generating a negative pressure. By means of the negative pressure, ambient air can be drawn into the interior of the construction-grade vacuum cleaner 1 from the outside. The turbine 10 is connected to a filter 7 via a feeder pipe 11. In the embodiment illustrated here, the filter is positioned in a filter cassette receptacle 12. The filter cassette receptacle 12 has substantially the shape and the external volume of a corresponding filter cassette and serves to receive and hold the filter cassette.

[0030] The filter 7 is positioned in the suction head 9, between the suction device 10 and the collection container 8. A parting plane 13 extends between the suction head 9 and the collection container 8. Furthermore, the suction head 9 has an inlet pipe 14 with a first end 14a and a second end 14b. The first end 14a of the inlet pipe 14 is located outside the suction head 9 and serves as a suction hose connection for connecting and holding a vacuum cleaner hose in terms of flow. The vacuum cleaner hose is not illustrated in the figures.

[0031] The second end 14b of the inlet pipe 14 is directed into the interior of the collection container 8. Through the second end 14b of the inlet pipe 14, the air/dust mixture sucked in in the air flow flows into the interior of the collection container 8.

[0032] A disposable container 18 is arranged inside the collection container 8, i.e. in the cavity 17, of the construction-grade vacuum cleaner 1. The disposable container 18 is arranged, in particular detachably, in the cavity 17 of the construction-grade vacuum cleaner 1. The disposable container 18 serves to collect dust which is sucked into the interior of the collection container 8 by the air flow LS. As is schematically indicated in FIG. 1, the disposable container 18 is sealingly connected, on the one hand, to the inlet pipe 14. On the other hand, the disposable container 18 is sealingly connected to the filter 7. Accordingly, the air flow LS is guided through the disposable container 18 from the inlet pipe 14 to the filter 7. The disposable container is illustrated in detail in FIG. 2.

[0033] FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross section through a disposable container 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The disposable container 100 can be produced, for example, from a lightweight disposable material. For example, the disposable container 100 is a cardboard container which, firstly, is lightweight and, secondly, can easily be recycled. Cardboard packaging is also a natural product which can be disposed of together with other natural particles in the air flow (for example wood particles).

[0034] The disposable container 100 has an inlet opening 102. The inlet opening 102 extends through a wall 106 of the disposable container 100. The disposable container 100 has a suction opening 104, which likewise extends through the wall of the disposable container 100.

[0035] The disposable container 100 is connected to the inlet pipe 114 via the inlet opening 102. For example, the inlet opening 102 can be pushed over the second end (14b), described in FIG. 1, of the inlet pipe 114. The inlet opening 102 is in particular detachably connected to the inlet pipe. The disposable container 100 is connected to a filter 120 via the suction opening 104. For example, the filter 120 can have a flange which can be pushed into the suction opening 104 after the disposable container has been inserted. The suction opening 104 is detachably connected to the flange of the filter 120.

[0036] During the operation of the construction-grade vacuum cleaner, an air/dust mixture is sucked into the disposable container 100 via the air flow (LS, FIG. 1). This takes place in particular because of the turbine which is arranged downstream of the filter and generates a negative pressure. The air flow enters the interior of the disposable container 100 via the inlet opening 102 and passes through the filter 120 after the air flow has left the disposable container 100 via the suction opening 104. During the flow through the filter 120, the dust or other particles contained in the air flow is/are retained, i.e. the particles cannot pass through the filter. The filled particles 122 drop onto the bottom of the disposable container 100. After a certain operating time, the disposable container 100 is full, i.e. the disposable container 100 cannot receive any further particles in its interior 108. The particles are removed together with the disposable container 100 from the collection container 8. For this purpose, the disposable container 100 can be removed quickly and easily from the inlet pipe 114 or from the filter flange.

[0037] Construction-grade vacuum cleaners are frequently also used when working with materials which are hazardous to health. The resulting particles therefore have to be safely stored within the disposable container not only during the suction operation, but also during replacement of the disposable container 100. In particular, it is highly important that the harmful particles can no longer escape from the interior 108 of the disposable container 100 when the disposable container 100 is replaced. For this reason, the disposable container 100 according to the invention can be equipped with valves which are preloaded into their closed position.

[0038] Exemplary embodiments of such valves are schematically illustrated in FIG. 2. An inlet valve 110 serves to close the inlet opening 102 as soon as the disposable container 100 is removed from the construction-grade vacuum cleaner. A suction valve 116 serves to close the suction opening 104 as soon as the disposable container 100 is removed from the construction-grade vacuum cleaner. The two valves illustrated in FIG. 2 are flaps which are preloaded into their closed position. For this purpose, the inlet valve 110 has a spring element 112, while the suction valve 116 has a spring element 118.

[0039] Although the valves are preloaded into their closed positions, the valves 110, 116 are shown in their open position in FIG. 2. In other words, in the installed state of the disposable container 100, the two valves 110,116 are in their open position. In the embodiment illustrated here, this is achieved, for example, in that the inlet valve 110 is transferred into its open position counter to the preloading of the spring element 112 when the inlet opening 102 is attached to the inlet pipe 114. The situation is similar with the suction valve 116. The suction valve 116 is transferred into its open position, shown in FIG. 2, by the flange of the filter 120 being inserted into the suction opening 104. In other words, as a result of the insertion of the inlet pipe 114 or of the filter flange, the valves 110,116, which are in the form of flaps, are pivoted from their closed position (not shown) into their open position. By means of the spring elements 112,118 already mentioned above, the valves 110,116 are automatically transferred into their closed position as soon as the disposable container 100 is removed from the construction-grade vacuum cleaner, i.e. as soon as the filter 120 is pulled out of the suction opening 104 or the inlet opening 102 is pulled out of the inlet pipe 114.

[0040] The automatic closure of the inlet opening 102 and of the suction opening 104 during the removal of the disposable container effectively prevents the particles 122 located in the cavity 108 from being able to escape from the disposable container 100 again. The disposable container 100, which is preferably produced from natural materials, can then be disposed of together with the particles 122. The user thus no longer comes into contact with the particles 122.

[0041] In the embodiment described above, the valves 110, 116 are transferred into their open position by contact with parts of the vacuum cleaner, here by contact with the inlet pipe 114 or the filter connector. In an alternative embodiment variant, the valves can also be opened by the air flow within the construction-grade vacuum cleaner. According to this example, the valves are closed as long as the construction-grade vacuum cleaner is inactive, i.e. as long as no air flow is generated by the turbine. As soon as the construction-grade vacuum cleaner is switched off, i.e. there is no air flow, the valves automatically close as a result of the preloading described above. Accordingly, the disposable container according to this embodiment is already sealed when the construction-grade vacuum cleaner is switched off and not first after the disposable container has been removed.

[0042] It should be noted at this juncture that a multiplicity of different valve types can be used in the disposable container 100 according to the present invention. For example, one valve or both valves can be configured as a membrane valve. The membrane valve is configured in such a way that it deforms from its closed position as soon as the disposable container is inserted into the construction-grade vacuum cleaner. In relation to the embodiment variant illustrated in FIG. 2, the membrane of the valves can open, for example, by deformation, when the inlet opening 102 is pushed over the inlet pipe 114. The membrane of the suction valve (shown solely schematically as alternate embodiment in FIG. 2 as SM) can accordingly deform elastically when the filter connector is introduced into the suction opening. Finally, it is also conceivable to design the valves as ball valves, which in turn are preloaded into the closed position.

[0043] FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross section through a disposable container 200 according to a further embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the disposable container 200 is detachably connected to a suction head 9. Although this is not illustrated in detail, the suction head 9 according to FIG. 3 also has a suction device for generating a negative pressure.

[0044] The disposable container 200 has an inlet opening 202 and a suction opening 204. Similarly to the embodiment from FIG. 2, the inlet opening 202 can be connected to an inlet pipe which serves to connect a suction hose to the disposable container. The suction opening 204 is detachably connected to a suction channel of the suction head 9. In contrast to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, however, no filter is arranged in the suction head. Rather, a filter 220 is part of the disposable container. The filter 220 covers the suction opening 204 on the inside or on the outside. In other words, the filter 220 can be arranged on an inner side or outer side of the wall 206 of the disposable container 200.

[0045] In the embodiment variant illustrated here, the filter 220 is fixedly connected to the wall 206. The filter 220 is thus not detachable from the wall 206 without destroying the disposable container. Regardless of whether the filter 220 is arranged on the inside or outside of the wall 206, it completely covers the suction opening 204 in such a way that air/dust mixture which flows through the interior 208 of the disposable container 200 can leave the interior 208 only via the filter 220. Dust particles 222, which are filtered out of the air/dust mixture by the filter 220, are deposited on the bottom of the disposable container 200. Dust particles of this type cannot escape via the suction opening 204 through the integrated filter 220 even after the disposable container 200 has been removed from the construction-grade vacuum cleaner.

[0046] An inlet valve 210 serves to close the inlet opening 202 as soon as the disposable container 200 is removed from the construction-grade vacuum cleaner. The inlet valve 210 is a flap which is preloaded into its closed position. For this purpose, the inlet valve 210 has a spring element.

[0047] Although the inlet valve 210 is preloaded into its closed position, it is illustrated in its open position in FIG. 3. The automatic closure of the inlet opening 102 during the removal of the disposable container effectively prevents the particles 222 located in the cavity 208 from being able to escape from the disposable container 100 again. The disposable container 100, which is preferably produced from natural materials, can then be disposed of together with the particles 222 and the filter 220. The user thus no longer comes into contact with the particles.

[0048] The invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated in the figures, but results from a combination of all the features disclosed herein.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0049] 1 Construction-grade vacuum cleaner

[0050] 7 Filter

[0051] 8 Collection container

[0052] 9 Suction head

[0053] 10 Suction device

[0054] 11 Feeder pipe

[0055] 12 Filter cassette receptacle

[0056] 13 Parting plane

[0057] 14 Inlet pipe

[0058] 14a First end

[0059] 14b Second end

[0060] 15 Wall surface

[0061] 16 Bottom

[0062] 17 Cavity

[0063] 18 Disposable container

[0064] 100, 200 Disposable container

[0065] 102, 202 Inlet opening

[0066] 104, 204 Suction opening

[0067] 106, 206 Wall

[0068] 108, 208 Cavity

[0069] 110, 210 Inlet valve

[0070] 112 Spring element

[0071] 114 Inlet pipe

[0072] 116 Suction valve

[0073] 118 Spring element

[0074] 120, 220 Filter

[0075] 122, 222 Particle

[0076] LS Air flow

[0077] SM membrane