Patent Application
20210153704
The present disclosure relates to air operated tools such as drum vacuums for vacuuming liquids and solids, and more particularly, to compressed air operated wet-dry vacuums.
Vacuum devices, in particular drum vacuums, have wide commercial and industrial application because of their large capacity and capability of vacuuming both abrasive and corrosive materials. Such devices typically comprise a container and a lid containing a connector to a vacuum hose and a vacuum generating component. The lid is removably attached to the container so that the contents may be emptied easily. The vacuum generating component may be an impeller driven by an electric motor, and in other applications the vacuum generating component is a compressed air powered venturi tube. The inlet to the vacuum generating component is shielded by a filter to retain the vacuumed particulates in the container and minimize fouling of the vacuum generator components.
Wet-dry vacuums are designed to suction up liquids as well as solids. Such vacuums include a float valve located within the container that is attached to the vacuum generating inlet. To convert a wet-dry vacuum from vacuuming dry material to vacuuming liquid material, it is necessary to remove the filter from the vacuum, which otherwise would become saturated with the vacuumed liquid and block air flow to the vacuum generating component. Overfilling the container and flooding the vacuum generating component is prevented by the float valve, in which a valve, such as a buoyant ball, is lifted by the rising liquid contents of the container and seats against an inlet tube to the vacuum generating component. U.S. Pat. No. 3,775,951, titled “VACUUM CLEANER,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, describes an example of such a wet-dry vacuum.
Such wet-dry vacuum cleaners typically utilize a large drum, such as a 30-, 55-, or 110-gallon metal drum, for the container. The lid containing the vacuum generating component is removably attached to the open top of the drum by releasable fasteners or a locking ring. To remove the filter of such a wet-dry vacuum cleaner to convert operation from dry vacuuming to wet vacuuming, the fasteners or locking ring must be unfastened and the lid removed from the container to gain access to the filter and remove it. Such a conversion is time-consuming and requires removal of the entire lid from the container, which exposes an operator to the interior of the container. Accordingly, there is a need for a wet-dry vacuum that can be converted between vacuuming dry material and vacuuming liquids easily and without having to remove the entire lid from the container.
The present disclosure describes a lid system for a wet-dry vacuum, and a wet-dry vacuum incorporated the lid system, which in embodiments is a drum vacuum, that can be converted quickly and easily between a configuration for vacuuming dry particulate material and a configuration for vacuuming liquids or slurries. The conversion is effected by providing the drum vacuum with a lid having a removable hatch that covers an opening into the interior of the drum that retains a particulate filter. The filter can be inserted into and removed from the opening in the lid to configure the wet-dry vacuum as a dry vacuum or a wet vacuum, respectively, thereby eliminating the need to remove the entire lid to configure the wet-dry vacuum to a wet vacuum or a dry vacuum.
In an embodiment, the lid system for a wet-dry vacuum includes a lid shaped to cover an open end of a container, the lid having a vacuum opening therethrough; a hatch that engages the lid to cover and seal the vacuum opening when the hatch is in a closed position, and disengages from the lid in an open position to uncover the vacuum opening; a vacuum generator mounted on the hatch, and a filter having a flange, the filter mounted on the lid and extending through the vacuum opening such that the flange engages an upper surface of the lid adjacent the vacuum opening to support the filter on the lid. When the hatch is in the closed position, the hatch compresses the flange against the lid to form an airtight seal between the hatch and the flange, and between the flange and the upper surface of the lid, such that the vacuum generator communicates with the interior of the container. Orienting the hatch in the open position allows the filter to be inserted into and removed from the lid.
In another embodiment, a wet-dry vacuum includes a drum having an open end; a lid covering the open end and having a vacuum opening therethrough; a hatch pivotally connected to the lid for covering the vacuum opening, the hatch pivoting between an open position, wherein the hatch is away from the vacuum opening, and a closed position, wherein the hatch covers the vacuum opening. A vacuum generator is mounted on the hatch, and a flanged filter is mounted on the lid and extends through the vacuum opening into an interior of the drum such that the flange engages an upper surface of the lid adjacent the vacuum opening to support the filter on the lid. When the hatch is pivoted to the closed position, the hatch compresses the flange against the lid to form an airtight seal between the hatch and the flange, and between the flange and the upper surface of the lid, such that the vacuum generator communicates with the interior of the drum. Pivoting the hatch to the open position allows the filter to be inserted into and removed from the lid.
In yet another embodiment, a method for making a lid system for a wet-dry vacuum includes forming a lid shaped to cover an open end of a container, and forming a vacuum opening through the lid; pivotally attaching a hatch to the lid so that the hatch pivots between an open position wherein the hatch is away from the vacuum opening, and a closed position wherein the hatch covers the vacuum opening. The method further includes mounting a vacuum generator on the hatch and mounting a flanged filter on the lid to extend through the vacuum opening such that the flange engages an upper surface of the lid adjacent the vacuum opening to support the filter on the lid. Pivoting the hatch to the closed position compresses the flange against the lid to form an airtight seal between the hatch and the flange, and between the flange and the upper surface of the lid, such that the vacuum generator communicates with the interior of the container. Pivoting the hatch to the open position permits the filter to be inserted into and removed from the lid through the vacuum opening.
Other objects and advantages of the disclosed wet-dry vacuum and lid system therefor will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.
As shown in
In embodiments, the container 16 takes the form of a metal drum, such as a 5-, 30-, 55-, or 110-gallon ribbed drum. In other embodiments, the container 16 takes the form of a plastic drum. The side wall 26 of the container 16 shown in the figures is cylindrical, with a round open end 14 and the lid 12 includes a round cover plate 20 matching in size and shape. In other embodiments of the lid system 10, the side wall 26 of the container 16 and/or open end 14 take other shapes, such as hexagonal, other polygonal shapes, or square or rectangle, with rounded corners.
The lid system 10 includes a hatch 32 that engages the lid 12 to cover and seal the vacuum opening 18 when the hatch is in a closed position, as shown in
A filter 36 includes a flange 38 and is mounted on the lid 12. The filter 36 extends through the vacuum opening 18 such that the flange 38 engages and rests upon an upper surface 58 of the cover plate 20 of the lid 12 adjacent the vacuum opening to support the filter on the lid. In an embodiment, the filter 36 includes a wall 40 that is generally cylindrical in shape and is closed on the side and bottom, with an open top bounded by and secured to the flange 38. In embodiments, the filter wall 40 is made of cloth, paper, or open-cell foam that is sufficiently rigid to resist collapsing from the pressure differential across the wall caused by the vacuum generator 34.
In some embodiments, the filter wall 40 is pleated and is permeable to air but not to particulates, including airborne particles such as dust, wood, metal shavings, dirt, and fibers. In other embodiments, the wall 40 is a paper, cloth, or open-cell foam sack that fits over a plastic or metal frame that provides shape and support. In embodiments, the flange 38 is attached to the wall 40 by an adhesive. In other embodiments, the flange 38 is comprised of two rings 42, 44 that clamp the open top of the wall 40 between them with screws 46.
In an embodiment, the flange 38 is circular in shape, and matches the shape of the vacuum opening 18, but is of greater diameter than the vacuum opening. Thus, the flange 38 supports the filter 36 on the cover plate 20 so that the filter is suspended from the cover plate and the wall 40 extends into an interior 48 of the container 16. Alternatively, the filter 36 and flange 38 are unitary item, such as the Model 901357 HEPA filter sold by EXAIR Corporation of Cincinnati, Ohio.
When the hatch 32 is in the closed position (see
In an embodiment, the hatch 32 is pivotally attached to the lid 12, whereby the hatch pivots to an open position (
The lid 12 also includes a hose opening 66 therethrough for connection to a vacuum hose 68 that in the embodiments of
In an embodiment, the lid system 10 optionally includes a gasket 72 positioned between the hatch 32 and the upper surface 58 of the lid 12 when the hatch is in the closed position. The gasket 72 ensures an airtight seal between the hatch 32 and the lid 12 when the hatch is in the closed position. In a particular embodiment, the gasket 72 is positioned between the flange 38 and the upper surface 58 of the lid 12, so that the hatch 32 makes an airtight seal with the flange 38, which also may be made of the same material as the gasket 72, and the flange 38 compresses the gasket against the upper surface 58 to make an airtight seal with the lid 12. In an embodiment, the gasket 72 is attached to the lid 12 by an adhesive, such as to the upper surface 58, and is adjacent and extends about a periphery of the vacuum opening 18. In embodiments, the gasket 72 is made of an elastomer, and in other embodiments is made of rubber, foam, silicone, cork, or plastic polymer.
In an embodiment, the vacuum generator 34 incudes a float tube 74 that extends through the vacuum opening 18 into the interior 76 of the filter 36. The float tube 74 functions when the lid system 10 is configured for wet or liquid vacuuming, and the filter 36, which functions to retain particulates within the container 16, is removed from the lid 12. In an embodiment, float tube 74 is a valve that closes when the liquid contents of the interior 48 reach a predetermined level in the container 16 to prevent liquid from entering the vacuum generator 34. The hatch 32 includes an opening 78 that receives the float tube 74 therethrough, so that the float tube extends through the vacuum opening 18 and into the interior 48 of the container 16.
The float tube 74 includes a threaded segment 80 that screws into a complementary threaded bore (see
As shown in
The float tube 74 is upstream of the venturi tube 84. As shown best in
Thus, as the volume of the liquid contents of the container 16 nears the top of the container to the point where the surface of the liquid reaches the float tube 74, the rising liquid raises the float 98 within the float tube, which continues to rise until it seats against the tapered orifice 102 and seals air flow through the float tube 74 to the venturi tube 84. Thus, the vacuum generator 34 is sealed from the interior 48 of the container 16, and the vacuum or below ambient air pressure within the interior 48 of the container from the vacuum generator 34 ceases. This prevents the liquid within the container from entering the vacuum generator 34, fouling the vacuum generator 34, and leaving the container.
In another embodiment, the disclosed lid system 10 is incorporated into a wet-dry vacuum, generally designated 104. The wet-dry vacuum 104 includes a container 16 in the form of a drum having an open end 14, and a lid 12 covering the open end. The lid 12 has a vacuum opening 18 therethrough. The hatch 32 is pivotally connected to the lid for covering the vacuum opening. In embodiments, the hatch 32 is connected to the lid 12 by a hinge 50 and pivots between an open position, wherein the hatch is away from the vacuum opening, and a closed position, wherein the hatch covers the vacuum opening.
The vacuum generator 34 is mounted on the hatch 32, and a filter 36 having a flange 38 is mounted on the lid 12 and extends through the vacuum opening 18 into the interior 48 of the drum 16. The flange 38 engages an upper surface 58 of the lid 12 adjacent the vacuum opening 18 to support the filter 36 on the lid. When the hatch 32 is pivoted to the closed position (
The vacuum generator 34, which in embodiments is a venturi operated by compressed air, draws air from the interior 48 of the container 16 and creates suction in vacuum hose 68 to effect the vacuuming function, so that the particulate material is drawn through the hose and into the interior of the container. The filter 36 prevents the particulate material in the interior 48 from entering the vacuum generator 34. After vacuuming is completed, the lid 12 can be removed from the container 16, either by releasing the over-center latches 28 or by releasing the locking ring 30, and the contents of the container can be emptied. After emptying the container 16, the lid 12 is reattached to cover the open end 14 of the container.
To operate the wet-dry vacuum 104 to vacuum particulate material, the strap 62 of the latch 60 is disconnected from the retaining prong 64 and the hatch 32 pivoted to the open position shown in
To operate the wet-dry vacuum 104 to vacuum liquids or slurries, the strap 62 of the latch 60 is disconnected from the retaining prong 64 and the hatch 32 pivoted to the open position shown in
The source of compressed air 87 is activated, either by opening a valve on the line to the vacuum generator 34 or by starting a compressor, and compressed air flows to the vacuum generator, so that the vacuum generator lowers the air pressure within the container below atmospheric. The vacuum hose 62, which is in fluid communication with the interior 48 of the container 16, sucks liquid or slurry into the interior 48 of the container. The liquid is retained within the container by the float valve 74, which seals the venturi 84 from the interior 48 if the liquid level in the container 16 reaches a predetermined level that raises the float 98 to seal against the tapered orifice 102. After vacuuming, the lid 12 is removed from the container 16 and the contents emptied from the interior 48.
A method for making the lid system 10 for the wet-dry vacuum 104 includes forming a lid 12 shaped to cover an open end 14 of a container 16, and forming a vacuum opening 18 through the lid. The lid 12 is pivotally attached to the lid, in embodiments by a hinge 50. The hinge 50 allows the hatch 32 to pivot between an open position, wherein the hatch is away from the vacuum opening 18, and a closed position, wherein the hatch covers the vacuum opening. A vacuum generator 34 is mounted on the hatch 32. A flanged filter 36 is mounted on the lid 12 to extend through the vacuum opening 18 such that the flange engages an upper surface 58 of the lid adjacent the vacuum opening to support the filter 36 on the lid.
Thus, when the hatch 32 is pivoted to the closed position, the hatch compresses the flange 38 against the lid 12 to form an airtight seal between the hatch and the flange 38, and between the flange and the upper surface 58 of the lid, such that the vacuum generator 34 communicates with the interior 48 of the container 16. When the hatch 32 is pivoted to the open position, the filter 36 is removable from the lid 12 through the vacuum opening 18.
The disclosed wet-dry vacuum 104 and lid system 10 provide a low-cost, robust vacuum system for both liquid and particulate vacuuming with few moving parts. The filter 36 is easily removable simply by opening the hatch 32 and lifting it out through the vacuum opening 18, then resealing the hatch to the lid. This facilitates changing the filter 36, as well as converting the wet-dry vacuum system easily between dry/particulate and wet/liquid vacuum operation. There is no need to remove the lid 12 and expose the vacuumed contents in the interior 48 of the container to the ambient environment when converting between wet and dry vacuuming operation modes. To empty the contents of the container 16, the lid 12 is easily removed, leaving only the container; all of the vacuum components are attached to the lid 12.
While the forms of apparatus and methods disclosed herein constitute preferred embodiments of the disclosed wet-dry vacuum and lid system, the invention is not limited to these precise apparatus and methods, and changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention.
