Compact cyclonic bagless vacuum cleaner
View Patent ↗A compact vacuum container includes a tangential air inlet at the upper portion, a closed top and a central outlet at the bottom having an improved air separation and dirt collection container is provided. A hollow central column with a skirt formed with a downwardly extending flange having an outer diameter is less than the inner diameter of the container, extends from the closed to the bottom outlet opening the upper position above the skirt is open and the lower portion of the column is solid. Dirt particles that separate from the air flow above the skirt drop to the lower portion below the skirt. Clean air then exits an open upper portion of the column to the suction source below the container. The air exiting the bottom of the column may pass through an radially pleated filter before being drawn into the vacuum source.
1. An air separation and dirt collection device for a bagless vacuum cleaner comprising:
an elongated container having a cylindrical sidewall;
a closed top and a bottom with a central opening;
a tangential air inlet formed in the upper portion of the sidewall;
a central hollow tube extending the full length of the container having an outwardly and downwardly extending skirt disposed on the mid-portion of the tube;
the upper portion of the center tube above the skirt being open to passage of air with a screen covering the open upper portion of the tube;
the lower portion of the hollow tube being impervious to the passage of air; and
the air inlet located opposite the open upper portion of the hollow tube.
2. The air separation and dirt collection device of claim 1 , wherein the outer diameter of the skirt extend to between about 70 to 85 percent of the diameter of the cylindrical container.
3. The air separation and dirt collection device of claim 1 , wherein the central tube has an outer diameter between about 35 to 45 percent of the diameter of the container sidewall.
4. The air separation and dirt collection device of claim 1 , wherein the bottom is hinged to the sidewall and selectively openable for removal of dirt collected thereon.
5. The air separation and dirt device collection of claim 1 , wherein the bottom surrounding the central tube is arcuately curved with the inside of the are facing the inside of the container.
6. The air separation and dirt collection device of claim 1 , wherein the bottom is configured to engage a disk-shaped filter cartridge positioned against the outside of the bottom.
7. The air separation and dirt collection device of claim 6 , wherein the filter cartridge includes a radially pleated filter.
8. The air separation and dirt collection device of claim 6 , wherein the pleated filter is a HEPA filter.
9. The air separation and dirt collection device of claim 1 , wherein the open upper portion of the column includes a screening covering the openings.
10. A vacuum cleaner including an elongated housing including a suction source and a dirty air inlet and having an opening for receiving a dirt separation and collection container, the container comprising:
an elongated container having a cylindrical sidewall;
a closed top and a bottom with a central opening;
a tangential air inlet formed in the upper portion of the sidewall;
a central hollow tube extending the full length of the container having an outwardly and downwardly extending skirt disposed on the mid-portion of the tube;
the upper portion of the center tube above the skirt being open to passage of air with a screen on the open portion of the tube;
the lower portion of the hollow tube being impervious to the passage of air; and
the air inlet located opposite the open upper portion of the hollow tube.
11. An air separation and dirt collection device for a bagless vacuum cleaner comprising:
an elongated container having a cylindrical sidewall;
a closed top and a bottom with a central opening;
a central hollow tube extending the full length of the container having an outwardly and downwardly extending skirt disposed on the mid-portion of the tube;
a tangential air inlet formed in the middle of the region of the sidewall above the skirt;
the upper portion of the center tube above the skirt being open to passage of air;
the lower portion of the hollow tube being impervious to the passage of air; and
the air inlet located opposite the open upper portion of the hollow tube.
12. The air separation and dirt collection device of claim 11 , wherein the bottom is hinged to the sidewall and selectively openable for removal of dirt collected thereon.