Filter cleaner for wet/dry vacuum

[0001] The present invention was first described in Disclosure Document Request submitted for Registration on May 21, 2003 under 35 U.S.C. §122, 37 C.F.R. §1.14, and MPEP §1706. There are no previously filed, nor currently any co-pending applications, anywhere in the world.

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to filter cleaners and, more particularly, to a filter cleaner for wet/dry vacuums.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Numerous vacuum devices which effectively suction both wet and dry materials have gained wide popularity. These devices generally have a sizeable holding tank and a suction mechanism mounted along its top. A hose serves to draw materials into the tank. These vacuum devices are a member of a class of vacuum cleaners commonly referred to as “wet/dry vacs.” These wet/dry vacs are sold by a number of companies under trademarks including SHOP VAC®, GENIE®, SEARS CRAFTSMAN®, HOOVER®, BLACK & DECKER®, and RIGID®. These devices include a filter element for containing debris within the tank.

[0006] However, after vacuuming under harsh conditions, specifically suctioning fine, dry particles and other debris, the filter becomes quickly obstructed necessitating replacement thereof.

[0007] Accordingly, a need has arisen for a means by which filter cartridges employed for use in wet/dry vacuum systems can be effectively cleaned and thus recycled for use in a manner which is quick, easy, and efficient. The development of the filter cleaner for wet/dry vacuums fulfills this need and facilitates extension of filter element life.

[0008] A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related.

[0009] The following patents disclose a filter apparatus for use in combination with a canister for removing toxic substances from a vaporous fuel generated in a fuel tank for an internal combustion engine:

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 6,346,130 B2, issued in the name of Suzuki; and

• • [0011] U.S. Pat. No. 6,183,526 B1, issued in the name of Suzuki.

[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,558,697, issued in the name of Syson et al. discloses a dual cyclonic vacuum cleaner having a first cyclone designed to remove relatively large particles from the airflow, a second cyclone designed to remove fine dust particles from the airflow, and a plurality of bleed valves arranged therebetween.

[0013] U.S. Patent Application No. 2002/0108204 A1, filed in the name of Buss et al. discloses a vacuum cleaner having an electric motor for driving an impeller which creates suction and for driving a pump impeller which draws liquid material from the bottom of the tank and expels it therefrom.

[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 4,488,883, issued in the name of Philp discloses a vacuum bag cleaning system that eliminates cleaning vacuum cleaner bags by hand and instead provides a vacuum exhausted compartment into which a cloth vacuum cleaner bag is placed and dirt encrusted thereon is blown from the pores of the bag by a concentrated current of air.

[0015] U.S. Patent Application No. 2001/0047721 A1, filed in the name of Scanlon discloses an improved vacuum cleaner bag and method of operation.

[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 5,057,129, issued in the name of Kierzkowski et al. discloses a moisture separator for filtering air being provided to a marine power plant.

[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 5,961,677, issued in the name of Scott discloses an improved filter for a vacuum cleaner exhaust to remove particles exhausted by vacuum cleaner.

[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 5,783,086, issued in the name of Scanlon et al. discloses a hydrophobic and air permeable filter for a wet/dry vacuum cleaner for wet material collection.

[0019] U.S. Pat. No. 6,562,093 B2, issued in the name of Oh discloses a cyclone dust collecting device which is mounted on a telescopic extension pipe of a vacuum cleaner to filter out and collect contaminants of relatively large particles drawn into vacuum cleaner.

[0020] Consequently, a need has been felt for a means by which filter cartridges employed for use in wet/dry vacs can be cleaned in a manner which is quick, easy, and efficient.

[0021] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device for effectively cleaning filter cartridges employed for use in wet/dry vacs.

[0022] It is another object of the present invention to provide a device for effectively cleaning filters which allows used filters to be recycled.

[0023] It is another object of the present invention to provide a removably attachable lid which seats atop a catch tank.

[0024] It is another object of the present invention to provide an upper filter plate and a lower filter plate housed inside the catch tank for compressing a filter cartridge therebetween.

[0025] It is another object of the present invention to provide a motor for generating centrifugal force.

[0026] It is another object of the present invention to provide a depressible switch for enabling and disabling motor operation.

[0027] It is another object of the present invention to provide a timer control circuit for supplying voltage to the electric motor for a selected time period.

[0028] It is still another object of the present invention to provide a collection tray being removable in a slidable manner to facilitate easy disposal of dirt and debris removed from a soiled filter.

[0029] Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, a filter cleaner for wet/dry vacuum is adapted for effectively cleaning filter cartridges employed for use in a class of vacuum cleaners commonly referred to as “wet/dry vacs.” The filter cleaner apparatus comprises an elongated, cylindrical catch tank supported by a base. The catch tank supports a circular lid being attachable thereto via a plurality of latches.

[0030] A motor cover is disposed atop the circular lid which provides an electric motor with a barrier against dust, dirt, and debris. A handle is mounted atop motor cover which serves to aid in removal of the circular lid as well as to facilitate ease in transport of the present invention. The electric motor is mounted to the floor of lid via a plurality of fasteners. The motor includes a rotatable shaft having an upper filter plate perpendicularly coupled to a lower end thereof. The motor spinably drives upper filter plate via shaft at a number of revolutions per minute (RPM). An electric cord connects the motor to an alternating current power supply through a depressible power switch. The depressible power switch is depressed thereby actuating operation of motor. To disenable motor, the depressible power switch is released.

[0031] A lower filter plate assembly comprises a debris directional funnel mounted horizontally to an inner circumferential sidewall of catch tank. The debris directional funnel functions to direct debris having been centrifugally removed from the filter cartridge to a removable collection tray.

[0032] In order to provide vertical support to a lower shaft, a lower support platform is mounted to the inner circumferential sidewall of catch tank above debris directional funnel. A lower bearing is disposed inside lower support platform and is penetrated with a lower shaft which is functional to spin and translate longitudinally.

[0033] The lower filter plate assembly further comprises a generally convex-shaped lower filter plate has a circular central cavity within which an upper end of lower shaft is perpendicularly coupled. A compression spring, which encircles lower shaft, is mounted between lower filter plate and lower support platform. The compression spring is biased upwardly in order to facilitate optimal pressure being applied to a filter cartridge placed in an upright manner between upper filter plate and lower filter plate, thereby securely holding filter cartridge in place during a filter cleaning cycle without causing destruction thereto. An annular retainer, mounted circumferentially to a lower end of lower shaft, prevents removal of lower shaft from the lower support platform.

[0034] The use of the present invention provides an effective means for cleaning filter cartridges employed for use in wet/dry vacs in a manner which is quick, easy, and efficient, thus prolonging the life of the filter.

1. Detailed Description of the Figures

[0044] Referring now to FIGS. 1–4, a filter cleaner for wet/dry vacuum 10 is shown, according to the present invention, adapted for effectively cleaning filter cartridges 100 employed for use in a class of vacuum cleaners commonly referred to as “wet/dry vacs.” These wet/dry vacs are sold by a number of companies under trademarks including SHOP VAC®, GENIE®, SEARS CRAFTSMAN®, HOOVER®, BLACK & DECKER®, and RIGID®. The present invention utilizes centrifugal force to impel dirt and debris away from filter sheet material 102 of a filter cartridge 100 (shown in FIG. 5). The filter cleaner for wet/dry vacuum 10 is comprised of a catch tank 20 supported by a base 30 mounted thereunder. The catch tank 20 is of an elongated, cylindrical configuration defining an anterior end 22 opposite a posterior end 24. The base 30 is generally circular in cross-section having an outwardly directed, circumferential sidewall 33, wherein sidewall 33 diverges outwardly with increased distance from the posterior end 24 of catch tank 20, and terminates into a planar bottom 36.

[0045] The catch tank 20 supports a circular lid 26 being attachable thereto via a plurality of latches 28 pivotally affixed to catch tank 20. Each of the plurality of latches 28 includes a flange 29 for engaging a raised lip 27 defining an outer periphery of the lid 26. It is envisioned that alternatively, the circular lid 26 is hingedly attached to catch tank 20 via a hinge 150 in order to allow the circular lid 26 to openly pivot away from catch tank 20 (shown as an alternate embodiment in FIG. 8).

[0046] A motor cover 40 is disposed atop circular lid 26 which provides an electric motor 50 with a barrier against dust, dirt, and debris. A handle 42 is mounted atop motor cover 40 which serves to aid in removal of the circular lid 26 as well as to facilitate ease in transport of the filter cleaner for wet/dry vacuum 10.

[0047] Referring more specifically to FIGS. 1, 3, and 7, the electric motor 50 is mounted to a floor 26a of lid 26 via a plurality of fasteners 52, shown herein as fastening spacers 53. The electric motor 50 includes a rotatable shaft 55 which penetrates an upper bearing 56 disposed centrally inside lid 26. A generally convex-shaped upper filter plate 60 has a circular, central cavity within which a lower end of shaft 55 is perpendicularly coupled. The electric motor 50 defines 110 volts-alternating current for spinably driving upper filter plate 60 via shaft 55 at an optimal number of revolutions per minute (RPM). An electric cord 59 connects the motor 50 to an alternating current power supply through a depressible power switch 130 located atop motor cover 40. The depressible power switch 130 is depressed closing electrical circuit which transfers flow of electric power to electric motor 50 actuating operation thereof. The depressible power switch 130 is held in a depressed position for a filter cleaning cycle time period. It is envisioned that an optimal cycle time period for effectively cleaning a filter cartridge 100 is approximately 15 seconds and the optimal number of RPMs being approximately 1000. In order to terminate the filter cleaning cycle, the depressible power switch 130 is released, thus opening electrical circuit so as to interrupt flow of electric power to motor 50 and causing disablement thereof. A timer control circuit 140, actuated via an operational dial 142, for supplying voltage to the electric motor 50 for a selected time period, is provided. The operational dial 142 is set to a selected time period, and depressible power switch 130 is depressed. The timer control circuit 140 is in electrical communication with depressed power switch 130. The timer control circuit 140 includes a timer mechanism 144 for enabling operation of motor 50 for the selected time period. The timer mechanism 144 is actuated for the selected time period, and motor 50 continues to operate while timer mechanism 144 is engaged. A motor disabling means 146 is electrically coupled to timer mechanism 144, whereupon expiration of selected time period, the timer mechanism 144 disengages and resets, and motor disabling means 146 disables motor 50 operation.

[0048] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, a lower filter plate assembly 70 comprises a debris directional funnel 72 mounted horizontally to an inner circumferential sidewall of catch tank 20 via a plurality of coupling elements 74. The debris directional funnel 72 is of a cylindrical configuration having an inwardly directed, circumferential sidewall, wherein sidewall converges inwardly with increased distance from a rim 76 of debris directional funnel 72 and terminates into a debris transferal opening 77. The debris directional funnel 72 functions to direct debris having been centrifugally removed from the filter cartridge 100 to a collection tray 110 (to be described in greater detail below).

[0049] In order to provide vertical support to a lower shaft 90, a lower support platform 80 is mounted via a coupling element 74 to the inner circumferential sidewall of catch tank 20 above debris directional funnel 72. A lower bearing 82 is disposed inside lower support platform 80 and is penetrated with lower shaft 90 which is functional to spin and translate longitudinally.

[0050] A generally convex-shaped lower filter plate 84 has a circular central cavity within which an upper end of lower shaft 90 is perpendicularly coupled. A compression spring 92, which encircles lower shaft 90, is mounted between lower filter plate 84 and lower support platform 80. The compression spring 92 is biased upwardly in order to facilitate optimal pressure being applied to a filter cartridge 100 placed in an upright manner between upper filter plate 60 and lower filter plate 84, thereby securably holding filter cartridge 100 in place during a filter cleaning cycle without causing destruction thereto. An annular retainer 94, mounted circumferentially to a lower end of lower shaft 90, prevents removal of lower shaft 90 from the lower support platform 80. The filter cartridge 100 is shown in FIG. 5 and includes an upper end cap 101 and a lower end cap 103 with filter sheet material 102 located therebetween.

[0051] Referring now to FIGS. 1, 3, and 6, in order to facilitate easy disposal of removed dirt and debris, a collection tray 110 is provided. A tray-guidance track 112 is mounted to opposing circumferential, inner sidewalls of catch tank 20, just above the posterior end 24 thereof. The tray-guidance track 112 defines a generally C-shaped, elongated configuration having a recess 114 formed therein. The collection tray 110 defines an open top portion 120 opposing a bottom 122, a rear wall 124 opposing a front wall 126, and a pair of opposed, arcuate sidewalls 128. Each of the pair of opposed, arcuate sidewalls 128 includes a shoulder 129 projecting outwardly therefrom for slidably engaging a respected recess 114 of the tray-guidance track 112. The front wall 126 of the collection tray 110 is provided with a handle 115 to allow for easy opening and closing thereof.

[0052] It is envisioned that various embodiments of motor driving means may be utilized for spinably driving upper filter plate 60. These include a 6–24 volt direct current electric motor which includes a rechargeable battery pack, a direct current driven motor wherein a field voltage manipulation means controls RPMs, a pneumatic or hydraulic drive motor, a mechanically driven motor adapted to accommodate a standard cordless or corded electric drill for mechanically driving motor, and a gear-driven motor with manual hand crank.

[0053] It is further envisioned that the filter cleaner for wet/dry vacuum 10 includes an adaptor adapted to accommodate connection to a standard twelve volt direct current vehicle battery for supplying power to the device, and an adaptor adapted so as to accommodate European electric requirements. In addition, an alternating current inverter speed controller is envisioned to facilitate frequency manipulation to control RPMs. It is still further envisioned that a filter plate adaptor is adapted for use with the filter plate to removably hold a filter cartridge from an outer lip portion thereof.

2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment

[0054] To use the present invention, user releases the plurality of latches 28 and removes circular lid 26. A soiled filter cartridge is centrally placed in an upright manner atop lower filter plate 84. User next directs circular lid 26 above catch tank 20 and slowly presses downward until circular lid 26 seats atop catch tank 20, and reattaches plurality of latches 28, thus causing compression of compression spring 92 to a proper height in order to facilitate optimal pressure being applied to end caps 101, 103 of the filter cartridge 100, and thereby securably holding filter cartridge 100 in place while being centrifuged during a filter cleaning cycle without causing destruction thereto. User depresses depressible power switch 130 to actuate operation of electric motor 50. The depressible power switch 130 is held in a depressed position for a filter cleaning cycle time period. In order to terminate the filter cleaning cycle, user releases the depressible power switch 130 causing disablement of electric motor 50. User next releases the plurality of latches 28, removes circular lid 26, and removes cleaned filter cartridge. Finally, user slidably opens and removes the collection tray 110 and disposes of dust and debris contained therein in a responsible manner.

[0055] The use of the present invention provides an effective means for cleaning filter cartridges employed for use in wet/dry vacs in a manner which is quick, easy, and efficient.

[0056] Therefore, the foregoing description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiment and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. As one can envision, an individual skilled in the relevant art, in conjunction with the present teachings, would be capable of incorporating many minor modifications that are anticipated within this disclosure. The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be broadly limited only by the following claims.