Patent Application
20230157498
The present invention relates to a disposal bag for a vacuuming device. In a further aspect, the invention relates to a method for producing a disposal bag according to the invention, and to the use thereof in a vacuuming device.
Various types of vacuum cleaners with which dust can be sucked up in different areas of application are known from the prior art. Some of these types of vacuum cleaner use what are known as dust bags as disposal bags for the dust that has been sucked up. These disposal bags are frequently placed in an interior of the vacuum cleaner and filled with dust during operation of the vacuum cleaner. When the disposal bag is full, it has to be replaced with a fresh, that is to say empty, bag. To this end, the full bag is removed from the vacuum cleaner and disposed of appropriately. Fields of application for vacuum cleaners are homes or locations at which a particularly large amount of dust that is to some extent hazardous to health accumulates, such as construction sites. On construction sites, the terms construction site vacuum cleaner or construction-grade vacuum cleaner are frequently used. Alternatively, the term “dust collector” can also be used. Dust can occur for example when working with power tools such as drills, grinders or saws. In the context of the invention, it is preferably also referred to as suction medium. In most vacuuming devices, a negative pressure is generated by a turbine that is driven by a motor, the negative pressure drawing the suction medium into the interior of the vacuum cleaner.
Disposal bags are used in construction-grade vacuum cleaners in order to collect the suction medium in a removable, and closable container and thus to protect the environment and user from increased dust exposure. The disposal bag is preferably removable, i.e. designed to be exchangeable. Construction-grade vacuum cleaners frequently comprise a collecting tank for receiving the disposal bag in which the dust is collected. In an upper region, many construction-grade vacuum cleaners comprise what is known as a suction head, which closes the collecting tank. The disposal bags are placed in the collecting tank and over the edge thereof such that, after the suction head has been fitted, the bag is fixed and closed in an airtight manner. During suction operation, two different pressure regions arise in the interior of the suction tank. In a first region, which is preferably present between a tank wall and the disposal bag, primarily atmospheric or normal pressure prevails. By contrast, the negative pressure generated by the turbine prevails inside the disposal bag. When the disposal bag has been placed in the collecting tank such that it has sufficient freedom of movement, the bag can move inside the collecting tank. It is then—undesirably—possible for the flexible bag to move in the direction of the turbine of the vacuuming device and/or to be sucked by the turbine. This can negatively affect or impair the suction process.
In order to circumvent these defects and drawbacks of the prior art, costly special disposal bags have hitherto been used in order to prevent the undesired sucking of the disposal bag by the turbine of the vacuum cleaner. The special bags frequently have relatively large openings in order to ensure pressure equalization. Depending on the protection class of the disposal bag used, the openings are furthermore covered with a filter material, for example a filter fleece. The more the configuration of these special disposal bags is complicated, the more the use thereof is costly, however. Therefore, a concern of the present use is to provide a disposal bag for a vacuuming device which does not have the defects and drawbacks of the prior art and can be produced in particular in a particularly cost-effective manner. Furthermore, with the disposal bag to be provided, a situation is intended to be avoided in which the dust that has been drawn into the collecting tank can leave the disposal bag again. Accordingly, a further concern of the present invention is to provide a disposal bag for a vacuum cleaner, with which it is possible to prevent dust escaping from the disposal bag particularly effectively. In particular, in the context of the present invention, a particularly cost-effective and dust-reflux-free disposal bag for a vacuuming device is intended to be provided, wherein the vacuuming device can be used in particular as a construction-grade vacuum cleaner. Furthermore, with the invention, a situation is intended to be avoided in which the disposal bag can move in the direction of the negative-pressure-generating turbine and impede the operation thereof.
According to the invention, a disposal bag for a vacuuming device, in particular a construction site vacuum cleaner, is provided, wherein the vacuuming device has a collecting tank for receiving the disposal bag. The disposal bag is characterized in that it has a pressure equalization matrix, wherein the pressure equalization matrix has openings that are designed to effect pressure equalization between a first region and a second region of the collecting tank. In the context of the invention, it is preferred for the pressure equalization matrix, with its openings, to represent a particularly effective possible way of establishing pressure equalization between the negative pressure that is generated by the turbine of the vacuum cleaner (“second region”) and prevails in the disposal bag, and the normal or atmospheric pressure that prevails between the disposal bag and inner outer wall of the collecting tank of the vacuuming device (“first region”).
The spatial regions with different pressure conditions are referred to preferably as first and second region in the context of the invention. Preferably, there is in particular a fluidic connection between the first and the second region of the vacuuming device. In the context of the invention, the expression “fluidic connection” means preferably that a fluid and/or material exchange can take place between the first and the second region. The fluid to be exchanged is preferably a gas or a gas mixture, in particular the gas mixture present in the atmosphere, which comprises primarily oxygen (O2) and nitrogen (N2) and also small amounts of other gases and gas mixtures (“air”). The pressure equalization is symbolized by the dashed arrow in
Preferably, the first region is formed between a wall of the collecting tank and the disposal bag, while the second region corresponds to the interior of the disposal bag. In the context of the invention, it is preferred for different pressure regions to develop in the lower region of the vacuuming device during vacuuming operation, these pressure regions being referred to preferably as first and second region in the context of the invention. In the context of the invention, it is also preferred for atmospheric pressure to prevail in the first region and a negative pressure to prevail in the second region during operation of the vacuuming device. The negative pressure in the second region is the cause of the undesired suction of the disposal bag by the negative-pressure-generating turbine. Pressure equalization between the two different pressure regions can take place by way of the openings in the pressure equalization matrix, such that the disposal bag is no longer sucked by the turbine.
The expression “atmospheric pressure” is not an unclear expression to a person skilled in the art, because a person skilled in the art knows that the expression denotes the air pressure usually present in the atmosphere. This is the hydrostatic pressure of the air, which is 1013.25 hPa according to the standard. Therefore, a person skilled in the art knows that the expression “atmospheric pressure” denotes an air pressure value in this region. In the context of the invention, the term “negative pressure” denotes preferably a value that is lower than atmospheric pressure. The pressure difference that develops in the collecting tank when the vacuuming device is in operation represents preferably the difference between the negative pressure, generated by the turbine, for sucking in the dust medium and the currently prevailing atmospheric pressure. The negative pressure is present preferably in the second region inside the disposal bag and the atmospheric pressure in the first region between an inner wall of the collecting tank and an outer wall of the disposal bag. The equalization of this pressure difference is referred to preferably as pressure equalization in the context of the invention. With the proposed invention, a possible way of effecting pressure equalization between the collecting tank regions with the different pressure values can therefore advantageously be provided. As a result, the use of costly special disposal bags, which have for example a filter fleece, can advantageously be dispensed with and the operation of the vacuuming device can be made more cost-effective.
As a result of the provision of the pressure equalization matrix, pressure equalization within the collecting tank of the vacuuming device, or between the inside of the disposal bag and the surrounding interior of the collecting tank, can advantageously be allowed, such that the bag is effectively prevented from being sucked against the turbine. The pressure equalization is preferably allowed in that a gas and/or material exchange can take place between the first region and the second region within the collecting tank of the vacuuming device. This exchange takes place preferably through the openings that form the pressure equalization matrix. Since the proposed disposal bags having a pressure equalization matrix can be produced more cost-effectively than the conventional special disposal bags known from the prior art can, the consumption costs of vacuuming can be lowered considerably by the invention. In particular, the matrix perforation that is present in the disposal bags according to the invention and ensures the requisite pressure equalization between the two bag regions makes it possible to dispense with the use of the costly special bags. Thus, an essential advantage of the preferably punched pressure equalization matrix is that less costly disposal bags without a filter fleece can be used in the vacuuming device in order to prevent the undesired escape of dust from the disposal bag.
In the context of the invention, the term “matrix” means preferably that the openings that form the pressure equalization matrix have been punched in a predefined pattern in the disposal bag. The openings can be arranged for example in the form of a table with columns and rows. Furthermore, the form or design of the pressure equalization matrix can be grid-like.
In one embodiment of the invention, it may be preferred for the pressure equalization matrix to be arranged substantially peripherally in an upper region of the disposal bag. In the context of the invention, this preferably means that the bag, in the inserted state, has, in the region of the upper end of the collecting tank, an entirely or partially peripheral pressure equalization matrix with regularly arranged pressure equalization openings. In this preferred configuration of the proposed disposal bag, the fluid and/or material exchange between the first and the second region of the collecting tank of the vacuuming device, which advantageously results in the pressure equalization, can take place in a particularly uniform and homogeneous manner. In particular, as a result, undesired air turbulence, which may be associated with a likewise undesired escape of dust from the disposal bag, is effectively avoided. In the context of the invention, the spatial direction “top” or “from above” is determined preferably by the arrangement of the suction head, while the spatial direction “bottom” or “from below” is determined by the ground or for example by the arrangement of wheels of the vacuuming device. Accordingly, the suction head forms the top side of the vacuuming device, while the outer wall, facing the ground, of the collecting tank forms the underside of the vacuuming device. The wording “upper region of the disposal bag” is clarified, in the inserted state of the bag in
In an alternative configuration of the invention, the pressure equalization matrix may comprise individual pressure equalization matrix regions that are arranged in an upper region of the disposal bag. The pressure equalization matrix regions are preferably spaced apart from one another and form for example small grids or structures of openings arranged in a table-like manner. For example, 2 to 10, preferably 4 to 8, particularly preferably 5, 6 or 7 such pressure equalization matrix regions can be arranged in the upper region of the disposal bag. The pressure equalization matrix regions can be similar to the above-described pressure equalization band, wherein, unlike the latter, they do not comprise a continuous or peripherally formed pattern of openings, but rather individual spaced-apart single areas with openings, which are referred to as pressure equalization matrix regions in the context of the invention. Within these pressure equalization matrix regions, the openings can be arranged in the form of columns and rows. In other words, it is preferred in the context of the invention for the pressure equalization matrix regions to comprise columns and rows in which the openings are arranged. In the context of the invention, this preferably means that the openings can be arranged in longitudinal and transverse lines with respect to one another, which extend substantially parallel and/or perpendicularly to one another. A person skilled in the art is familiar with the term “grid” or “table” and knows how openings can be arranged in a similar manner to a grid or in the form of columns and rows, as in a table, with respect to one another. The expression “substantially perpendicularly or parallel” is also not an unclear expression for a person skilled in the art, since a person skilled in the art knows how openings can be introduced or punched into a plastics material such that the openings are arranged in longitudinal and transverse lines that are arranged “substantially perpendicularly or parallel” to one another. The term “substantially” preferably means in this connection that the longitudinal and transverse lines of openings in the pressure equalization matrix are intended to be arranged perpendicularly or parallel to one another within the scope of production accuracy.
In the context of the invention, the term “column” preferably denotes a line of openings that extends from top to bottom within the matrix. In the context of the invention, the term “row” preferably denotes a line of openings that extends from right to left or from left to right within the matrix. In other words, a column within the pressure equalization matrix extends from an upper edge of the grid in the direction of a lower edge, while the rows within the pressure equalization matrix connect the lateral edges together.
In one possible configuration of the invention, the columns and/or rows are arranged in such a manner with respect to one another that the openings are arranged substantially alongside one another. In the context of the invention, this preferably means that the openings in adjacent columns or rows are arranged substantially alongside one another. In other words, the openings in this embodiment of the invention have substantially identical or similar spacings from one another and openings in adjacent columns or rows lie substantially at the same or a similar height within the pressure equalization matrix or the pressure equalization matrix regions. Exemplary embodiments of pressure equalization matrix regions in which the openings in adjacent columns and rows are arranged alongside one another are illustrated in
In the context of the invention, it may also be preferred for the openings to be arranged in an offset manner with respect to one another. In the context of the invention, this preferably means that the openings in adjacent columns and rows are not arranged at the same height, but rather that adjacent columns and/or rows are arranged in a manner offset by a preferably set distance d with respect to one another. In other words, the openings in mutually adjacent columns or rows can be arranged in a staggered manner. An exemplary embodiment of columns and rows arranged in an offset manner with respect to one another is illustrated in
In the context of the invention, it is preferred for the pressure equalization matrix regions to have a substantially rectangular basic shape, wherein individual side lengths of the substantially rectangular basic shape are in the range from 1 to 15 cm, preferably in a range from 2 to 10 cm, particularly preferably in a range from 3 to 7 cm and most preferably measure 4 cm. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in
In a further configuration of the invention, the openings that form the pressure equalization matrix have been punched into the disposal bag. In this case, the individual openings can each be introduced individually or in groups into the starting material for the disposal bag. For example, the openings can be punched into the starting material for the disposal bag in columns or rows. The punching of the openings into the disposal bag is associated with the advantage that, surprisingly, no waste arises when creating the openings.
In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the openings each have a collar, wherein the collars protrude into the second region of the collecting tank. In other words, the collars extend preferably into the interior of the disposal bag. As a result of this specific configuration of the openings and the production method therefor, no punching waste occurs since the material pushed out of the disposal bag during punching is used advantageously to form the collar. Use tests have shown that the configuration of the openings with such a collar allows efficient pressure equalization between the first and the second region within the collecting tank of the vacuuming device. At the same time, however, as a result of the collar-like configuration of the openings, dust from the interior of the disposal bag or of the collecting tank is prevented from leaving the interior of the vacuuming device and either soiling the first region of the collecting tank or contributing to recontamination of the environment. In the context of the invention, the collar-like configuration of the openings and the punching of the openings into the starting material for the disposal bag are preferably linked with one another in such a way that in particular the introduction of the openings by a punching process results in or allows the collar-like configuration of the openings. The openings can preferably also be referred to as holes or pinholes.
In the context of the invention, it is preferred for the openings in the pressure equalization matrix to have a substantially circular area, wherein the substantially circular areas have a diameter in a range from 0.1 to 10 mm, preferably in a range from 0.3 to 5 mm and particularly preferably in a range from 0.4 to 2.0 mm and most preferably in a range from 0.5 to 1.5 mm. Diameters of the openings of less than 2 mm are very particularly preferred. As a result, it is advantageously possible that the disposal bags to be provided by the invention can be classified in class M or that the bags to be provided can be used in class M vacuum cleaners. In the context of the invention, it is particularly preferred for the proposed bags to be able to be classified in classes L or M of DIN standard 60335-2-69. In particular as a result of the combination of the pressure equalization matrix with openings having a diameter of less than 2 mm and the inwardly protruding collars of the openings, an escape of dust from the disposal bag constituted in such a way can be particularly effectively avoided and yet sufficient pressure equalization can be allowed. In the context of the invention, it is preferred for the pressure equalization matrix in the disposal bag to represent a hole matrix with very small holes, wherein the diameters of the openings can lie in the abovementioned preferred ranges. Tests have shown that in particular diameters of the openings in a range from 0.5 to 1.5 mm are associated with particularly good pressure equalization coupled with a minimal escape of the suction medium from the disposal bag. For example, the pressure equalization openings in the pressure equalization matrix can have diameters of 0.5 mm, 0.63 mm, 0.75 mm, 1 mm, 1.2 mm or 1.46 mm.
In the context of the invention, it is preferred for the disposal bag to comprise a plastic as starting material. In particular, the bag can be produced from two sheets, which for example are placed one on top of the other and processed together. In the context of the invention, it is preferred for each sheet to form one side of the disposal bag, for example a front side and a rear side, or a top side and an underside. Preferably, in the production of the proposed disposal bag, in particular only one of the two sheets is perforated in order to create the openings for the pressure equalization matrix. In this way, it is possible to produce disposal bags in which the openings each have a collar that extends into the second region of the collecting tank or into the bag interior. In other words, the collar is created by the above-described perforation of only one bag side or one bag sheet in the direction of the bag interior. As a result of this orientation or configuration of the collars of the openings in the pressure equalization matrix, dust is effectively prevented from passing through. In the context of the invention, it is particularly preferred for the openings in the pressure equalization matrix to be present in only one of the two layers of the starting material of the disposal bag. In particular, as a result of the collar shape of the openings, the formation of a countercurrent, which may result in the escape of dust, can be effectively prevented.
The plastic of the starting material of the disposal bag may be for example low density polyethylene (LDPE). It may have for example a thickness of about 1 mm. A thickness of 0.95 mm is particularly preferred. In the context of the invention, it is preferred for the plastics material to be transparent. As a result, it is possible to equip the collecting tank of the vacuuming device with a viewing window that makes it possible to see the disposal bag. By way of the viewing window and the preferably transparent material of the disposal bag, the user can ascertain the degree of filling of the disposal bag particularly quickly and easily and estimate a remaining use time until the bag has to be changed.
Also disclosed in the context of the present invention is a vacuuming device which comprises at least one proposed disposal bag for receiving dust. In other words, in the vacuuming device, at least one vacuum cleaner bag according to the invention has been introduced in which pressure equalization between the interior of the disposal bag (“second region” in which the negative pressure generated by the turbine of the vacuuming device prevails) and the hollow intermediate space between the outer side of the disposal bag and the inner walls of the collecting tank of the vacuuming device (“first region” in which atmospheric or normal pressure prevails) is effected by a pressure equalization matrix formed by small holes. An exemplary embodiment of such a vacuuming device is illustrated in
In a further aspect, the invention relates to a method for producing a disposal bag according to the invention. The method comprises the following steps:
a. providing a starting material for producing the disposal bag,
b. introducing openings into the starting material, wherein the openings form a pressure equalization matrix,
c. joining together the starting material to form a finished disposal bag.
In the context of the invention, it is particularly preferred for the openings to be introduced into the starting material of the disposal bag by one or more punching operations. They can preferably also be introduced by perforation involving pronounced embossing of the starting material. In this case, for example a circle segment or a circular arc is pressed out of the starting material by an embossing operation. In the context of the invention, it may also be preferred for the starting material of the disposal bag to tear at least partially as a result of the embossing or perforation. Preferably, during punching, embossing and/or perforation, the starting material of the disposal bag is deformed in such a way that the collars, directed in the direction of the bag interior, of the openings in the pressure equalization matrix are formed, these being mainly responsible for the low escape of dust in the proposed vacuuming device.
In the context of the invention, it may be preferred for each opening to be created by a single punching operation. However, it is much more preferable that a plurality of openings can be created in each case with one punching operation. For example, individual columns and/or columns of the pressure equalization matrix regions can be produced in one punching operation each. In the context of the invention, it may also be preferred for entire pressure equalization matrix regions to be created in one punching operation. In the context of the invention, it is furthermore preferred for the openings to be punched into a first and/or a second layer of the starting material of the disposal bag. The terms, definitions and technical advantages introduced for the disposal bag apply preferably in an analogous manner to the vacuuming device and the proposed method.
Also disclosed in the context of the invention is the use of the disposal bag according to the invention in a vacuuming device for collecting dust. In this case, as a result of the use of the disposal bag according to the invention, particularly effective pressure equalization is achieved between the first and the second region of the collecting tank of the vacuuming device. The provision of the pressure equalization matrix advantageously results in the negative pressure in the interior of the disposal bag being reduced such that the proposed disposal bag is no longer sucked by the negative-pressure-generating turbine, which can result in the performance of the turbine being impaired. Furthermore, the collars of the openings which form the pressure equalization matrix advantageously mean that only a very small amount of dust undesirably leaves the disposal bag. This essential advantage of the invention is achieved in particular in that the collars of the openings in the pressure equalization matrix protrude into the second region, i.e. the interior of the disposal bag.
Further advantages will become apparent from 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 useful further combinations.
In the figures, identical and similar components are denoted by the same reference signs. In the figures:
In the open state of the vacuuming device (3), the disposal bag (2) can be inserted into the collecting tank (5). In particular, a part-region of the disposal bag (2) is placed over the edge of the collecting tank in order to fasten or fix the disposal bag (2). As a result of the disposal bag (2) being inserted, different spatial regions (8, 9) are created in the collecting tank (5) of the vacuuming device (3), these corresponding to different pressure regions during operation of the vacuuming device (3). In the context of the invention, it is particularly preferred for the ambient pressure of the vacuuming device (3) to prevail in the first region (8) in the collecting tank (5), while a negative pressure prevails in the second region (9) of the collecting tank (5), this being generated by the turbine of the vacuuming device (3) during operation of the vacuuming device (3) and sucking the suction medium containing dust (13) (see, e.g,
The pressure equalization takes place preferably between the first region (8) and the second region (9) of the collecting tank. The pressure equalization is indicated in
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20174423.2 | May 2020 | EP | regional |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2021/061247 | 4/29/2021 | WO |
