US4874404A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vacuum cleaner
Assignee: BOSWELL DENTAL LAB Inc
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Filing: 1989-03-01
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Granted: 1989-10-17
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Expires: 2009-03-01
Abstract
Abstract The invention is a vacuum cleaner for selectively cleaning dust from an environment. The cleaner has a water reservoir and an air entry port on the reservoir with a float means for directing the air toward the water and for breaking the surface film of the water. Air is made to move through the cleaner by a low power motor and fan located next to the reservoir.
Inventors
- 👤 Jerald O. Boswell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 20:17
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47L; A47L9/00; A47L9/10; A47L9/18; A47L9/182; B; B01; B01D; B01D47/00; B01D47/02; B01D47/021; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S55/00; Y10S55/03
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A vacuum cleaner, comprising: (a) an enclosed reservoir of water having an air entry tube connected to an enclosed space above the water; (b) a vacuum production means connected to the enclosed space; (c) a float means connected to said air entry tube, wherein said float means comprises flexible bag cylinder attached to said air entry tube at a first end of said bag cylinder, said bag cylinder surrounding a pipe cylinder; and a buoyant piece connected to a second end of said bag cylinder; wherein said pipe cylinder is within said float means and is connected to said air entry tube, and said pipe cylinder has a plurality of holes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
A vacuum cleaner, comprising: (a) an enclosed reservoir of water having an air entry tube connected to an enclosed space above the water; (b) a vacuum production means connected to the enclosed space; (c) a float means connected to said air entry tube, wherein said float means comprises flexible bag cylinder attached to said air entry tube at a first end of said bag cylinder, said bag cylinder surrounding a pipe cylinder; and a buoyant piece connected to a second end of said bag cylinder; wherein said pipe cylinder is within said float means and is connected to said air entry tube, and said pipe cylinder has a plurality of holes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein said air entry tube is connectable to a hose for vacuum cleaning.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, further comprising a means for mounting the vacuum production means at the side of the water reservoir.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein said vacuum production means comprises a motorized squirrel cage fan.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A vacuum cleaner according to claim 4, wherein said motorized fan is mounted at the side of the reservoir.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A vacuum cleaner according to claim 5, further comprising an exterior container for the reservoir, said exterior container having a support means for holding the fan at the side of the reservoir.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein said buoyant float piece comprises a styrofoam ring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein said bag cylinder comprises a plastic sheet.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein said pipe cylinder comprises a four-inch diameter PVC type.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein said pipe cylinder comprises a two-inch diameter PVC type.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein said reservoir comprises a ten-gallon tank, said tank containing about seven gallons of water.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
133 words
A vacuum cleaner, comprising: (a) an enclosed reservoir of water having an air entry tube connected to an enclosed space over the water, said air entry tube connectable to a hose for vacuum cleaning; (b) a vacuum production means connected to the enclosed space, said vacuum production means comprising a motorized squirrel cage fan; (c) a float means connected to said air entry tube, said float means comprising: (i) a plastic bag cylinder attached to said air entry tube at a first end of said bag cylinder, said bag cylinder surrounding said pipe cylinder; and (ii) a buoyant float piece connected to a second end of said bag cylinder; and (d) a pipe cylinder within said float means and connected to said air entry tube, said pipe cylinder having a plurality of holes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
133 words
A vacuum cleaner, comprising: (a) an enclosed reservoir of water having an air entry tube connected to an enclosed space over the water, said air entry tube connectable to a hose for vacuum cleaning; (b) a vacuum production means connected to the enclosed space, said vacuum production means comprising a motorized squirrel cage fan; (c) a float means connected to said air entry tube, said float means comprising: (i) a plastic bag cylinder attached to said air entry tube at a first end of said bag cylinder, said bag cylinder surrounding said pipe cylinder; and (ii) a buoyant float piece connected to a second end of said bag cylinder; and (d) a pipe cylinder within said float means and connected to said air entry tube, said pipe cylinder having a plurality of holes.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of removing fine particles from an environment, comprising: (a) providing a motorized fan; (b) applying low vacuum pressure to air in the environment having the fine particles by turning on the motor; (c) drawing the air and particles through an air entry tube; (d) drawing the air and particles into a perforated pipe cylinder attached to the air entry tube, said pipe cylinder located within a reservoir of water; (e) agitating the water in the water reservoir with a float piece attached to a flexible bag layer, said bag layer surrounding the pipe cylinder, and causing the fine particles to become wetted and remain in the water; and (f) exhausting the particle-depleted air from the reservoir through an exhaust port on the fan.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of removing fine particles from an environment, comprising: (a) providing a motorized fan; (b) applying low vacuum pressure to air in the environment having the fine particles by turning on the motor; (c) drawing the air and particles through an air entry tube; (d) drawing the air and particles into a perforated pipe cylinder attached to the air entry tube, said pipe cylinder located within a reservoir of water; (e) agitating the water in the water reservoir with a float piece attached to a flexible bag layer, said bag layer surrounding the pipe cylinder, and causing the fine particles to become wetted and remain in the water; and (f) exhausting the particle-depleted air from the reservoir through an exhaust port on the fan.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-10-16 | 1993-04-17 | 1993-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-10-16 | 1997-04-17 | 1997-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-10-16 | 2001-04-17 | 2001-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |