Patent US5593479A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5593479A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Filter system
Assignee: HMI Industries Inc
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Filing: 1995-02-02
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Granted: 1997-01-14
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Expires: 2015-02-02
Abstract
Abstract A vacuum cleaner having a reduced velocity chamber with a high velocity air inlet, an electric motor, a rotary mechanism driven by the motor for creating a vacuum in the chamber, an outlet for exhausting air from the chamber, which air flows in a selected path from the air inlet, through the chamber and out the air exhaust outlet and a disposable porous sheet filter layer in the chamber for removing solids particles from the air. The vacuum cleaner also has a fiber filter between the filter layer and the motor where the fiber filter has an electrically charged non-woven material for removing very fine air particles in the chamber, intersecting the air path and generally coterminous with the disposable filter layer.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert A. Frey
- 👤 Philip H. Stevenson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 19:33
CPC Classifications
B; B32; B32B; B32B5/00; B32B5/22; B32B5/24; B32B5/26; A; A47; A47L; A47L9/00; A47L9/10; A47L9/12; A47L9/125; A47L9/16; A47L9/1658; A47L9/1666; B01; B01D; B01D39/00; B01D39/08; B01D39/083; B01D39/14; B01D39/16; B01D39/1607; B01D39/1623; B01D46/00; B01D46/10; B01D46/24; B01D46/2403; B01D46/54; B01D46/56; B01D46/62; B01D50/00; B01D50/20; B03; B03C; B03C3/00; B03C3/28; B32B3/00; B32B3/02; D; D04; D04H; D04H1/00; D04H1/40; D04H1/42; B01D2239/00; B01D2239/04; B01D2239/0407; B01D2239/0435; B01D2239/0464; B01D2239/06; B01D2239/0604; B01D2239/064; B01D2239/065; B01D2239/0654; B01D2239/0677; B01D2239/12; B01D2239/1291; B01D2273/00; B01D2273/30; B01D2275/00; B01D2275/10; B01D2275/20; B01D2275/201; B01D2279/00; B01D2279/55; B32B2307/00; B32B2307/40; B32B2307/42; B32B2307/70; B32B2307/724; B32B2432/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S55/00; Y10S55/39
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 67
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
In a vacuum cleaner or air cleaner comprising a reduced velocity chamber with a high velocity air inlet, an electric motor, a rotary means driven by said motor for creating a vacuum in said chamber, an outlet for exhausting air from said chamber, said air flows in a selected path from said air inlet, through said chamber and out said air exhaust outlet, the improvement comprising: filter means positioned between said air inlet and said motor for removing particles in said air, said filter means including at least one layer of electrically charged fiber material substantially encapsulated between at least two layers of support material, said layer of electrically charged fiber material and said at least two layers of support material connected together by at least one melted seam positioned substantially at the peripheral edge along the entire periphery of said filter means, said melted seam forming a substantially airtight barrier between said filter means layers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
In a vacuum cleaner or air cleaner comprising a reduced velocity chamber with a high velocity air inlet, an electric motor, a rotary means driven by said motor for creating a vacuum in said chamber, an outlet for exhausting air from said chamber, said air flows in a selected path from said air inlet, through said chamber and out said air exhaust outlet, the improvement comprising: filter means positioned between said air inlet and said motor for removing particles in said air, said filter means including at least one layer of electrically charged fiber material substantially encapsulated between at least two layers of support material, said layer of electrically charged fiber material and said at least two layers of support material connected together by at least one melted seam positioned substantially at the peripheral edge along the entire periphery of said filter means, said melted seam forming a substantially airtight barrier between said filter means layers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improvement as defined in claim 1, wherein said filter means includes a second melted seam spaced inwardly from said edge seam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The improvement as defined in claim 1, wherein said filter means including a plurality of layers of electrically charged fiber material substantially encapsulated between at least two layers of support material and at least one layer of support material disposed between two layers of electrically charged fiber material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The improvement as defined in claim 2, wherein said filter means including a plurality of layers of electrically charged fiber material substantially encapsulated between at least two layers of support material and at least one layer of support material disposed between two layers of electrically charged fiber material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improvement as defined in claim 1, wherein said filter means includes at least three layers of said electrically charged fiber material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improvement as defined in claim 4, wherein said filter means includes at least three layers of said electrically charged fiber material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The improvement as defined in claim 6, wherein said electrically charged fiber material is non-woven and includes a high molecular weight, non-polar material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The improvement as defined in claim 1, wherein said electrically charged fiber material is non-woven and includes a high molecular weight, non-polar material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The improvement as defined in claim 3, wherein said electrically charged fiber material is non-woven and includes a high molecular weight, non-polar material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The improvement as defined in claim 8, wherein said electrically charged fiber material includes polypropylene.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The improvement as defined in claim 1, wherein said support material is substantially absent charged fibers and includes a material selected from the group consisting of polyester, cotton, nylon and mixtures thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The improvement as defined in claim 7, wherein said support material is substantially absent charged fibers and includes a material selected from the group consisting of polyester, cotton, nylon and mixtures thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The improvement as defined in claim 8, wherein said support material is substantially absent charged fibers and includes a material selected from the group consisting of polyester, cotton, nylon and mixtures thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The improvement as defined in claim 9, wherein said support material is substantially absent charged fibers and includes a material selected from the group consisting of polyester, cotton, nylon and mixtures thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The improvement as defined in claim 1, including a sheet filter positioned between said air inlet and filter means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The improvement as defined in claim 12, including a sheet filter positioned between said air inlet and filter means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The improvement as defined in claim 15, wherein said sheet filter includes non-woven cellulose material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The improvement as defined in claim 15, wherein said sheet filter is substantially coterminous with said particle removing filter means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The improvement as defined in claim 16, wherein said sheet filter is substantially coterminous with said particle removing filter means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The improvement as defined in claim 1, wherein said particle removing filter means is substantially conical in shape.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The improvement as defined in claim 13, wherein said particle removing filter means is substantially conical in shape.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The improvement as defined in claim 14, wherein said particle removing filter means is substantially conical in shape.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The improvement as defined in claim 19, wherein said particle removing filter means is substantially conical in shape.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improvement as defined in claim 1, including an activated carbon filter layer positioned between said air inlet and air outlet.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improvement as defined in claim 3, including an activated carbon filter layer positioned between said air inlet and air outlet.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improvement as defined in claim 23, including an activated carbon filter layer positioned between said air inlet and air outlet.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
The improvement as defined in claim 1, wherein each layer of said charged fiber material has a weight of 60-150 gm/m 2 .
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
The improvement as defined in claim 21, wherein each layer of said charged fiber material has a weight of 60-150 gm/m 2 .
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
The improvement as defined in claim 22, wherein each layer of said charged fiber material has a weight of 60-150 gm/m 2 .
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
The improvement as defined in claim 26, wherein each layer of said charged fiber material has a weight of 60-150 gm/m 2 .
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improvement as defined in claim 1, wherein said thickness of each layer of said charged fiber material is substantially the same.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improvement as defined in claim 30, wherein said thickness of each layer of said charged fiber material is substantially the same.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
16 words
The improvement as defined in claim 1, wherein said melted seam formed by an ultra-sonic welder.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
16 words
The improvement as defined in claim 32, wherein said melted seam formed by an ultra-sonic welder.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
169 words
In a vacuum cleaner or air cleaner comprising a reduced velocity chamber with a high velocity air inlet, an electric motor, a rotary means driven by said motor for creating a vacuum in said chamber, an outlet for exhausting air from said chamber, said air flows in a selected path from said air inlet, through said chamber and out said air exhaust outlet, the improvement comprising: filter means positioned between said air inlet and said motor for removing particles in said air, said filter means including at least two layers of electrically charged fiber material substantially encapsulated between at least two layers of support material at least one layer of support material disposed between two layers of electrically charged fiber material and a melted edge seam positioned substantially at the peripheral edge along the entire periphery of said filter means said melted edge connecting together said layers of electrically charged fiber material and said layers of support material and forming a substantially airtight barrier between said filter means layers.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
169 words
In a vacuum cleaner or air cleaner comprising a reduced velocity chamber with a high velocity air inlet, an electric motor, a rotary means driven by said motor for creating a vacuum in said chamber, an outlet for exhausting air from said chamber, said air flows in a selected path from said air inlet, through said chamber and out said air exhaust outlet, the improvement comprising: filter means positioned between said air inlet and said motor for removing particles in said air, said filter means including at least two layers of electrically charged fiber material substantially encapsulated between at least two layers of support material at least one layer of support material disposed between two layers of electrically charged fiber material and a melted edge seam positioned substantially at the peripheral edge along the entire periphery of said filter means said melted edge connecting together said layers of electrically charged fiber material and said layers of support material and forming a substantially airtight barrier between said filter means layers.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
35 words
The improvement as defined in claim 35, including a second seam spaced inwardly from said edge seam, said second seam connecting together said layers of electrically charged fiber material and said layers of support material.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
15 words
The improvement as defined in claim 36, wherein said second seam is a melted seam.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
15 words
The improvement as defined in claim 36, wherein said second seam is a melted seam.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
38 words
The improvement as defined in claim 35, wherein said filter means includes at least three layers of electrically charged fiber material and at least one layer of support material disposed between every layer of electrically charged fiber material.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
38 words
The improvement as defined in claim 35, wherein said filter means includes at least three layers of electrically charged fiber material and at least one layer of support material disposed between every layer of electrically charged fiber material.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
38 words
The improvement as defined in claim 38, wherein said filter means includes at least three layers of electrically charged fiber material and at least one layer of support material disposed between every layer of electrically charged fiber material.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
23 words
The improvement as defined in claim 35, wherein said electrically charged fiber material is non-woven and includes a high molecular weight, non-polar material.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
23 words
The improvement as defined in claim 41, wherein said electrically charged fiber material is non-woven and includes a high molecular weight, non-polar material.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
32 words
The improvement as defined in claim 35, wherein said support material is substantially absent charged fibers and includes a material selected from the group consisting of polyester, cotton, nylon and mixtures thereof.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
32 words
The improvement as defined in claim 42, wherein said support material is substantially absent charged fibers and includes a material selected from the group consisting of polyester, cotton, nylon and mixtures thereof.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
32 words
The improvement as defined in claim 43, wherein said support material is substantially absent charged fibers and includes a material selected from the group consisting of polyester, cotton, nylon and mixtures thereof.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
17 words
The improvement as defined in claim 35, wherein said particle removing filter is substantially conical in shape.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
17 words
The improvement as defined in claim 46, wherein said particle removing filter is substantially conical in shape.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improvement as defined in claim 35, including an activated carbon filter layer positioned between said air inlet and said motor.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improvement as defined in claim 48, including an activated carbon filter layer positioned between said air inlet and said motor.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
23 words
The improvement as defined in claim 35, wherein each layer of said charged filter material has a weight of 60-150 gm/m 2 .
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
23 words
The improvement as defined in claim 50, wherein each layer of said charged filter material has a weight of 60-150 gm/m 2 .
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improvement as defined in claim 35, wherein said thickness of each layer of said charged fiber material is substantially the same.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improvement as defined in claim 52, wherein said thickness of each layer of said charged fiber material is substantially the same.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
184 words
In a vacuum cleaner or air cleaner comprising a chamber with an air inlet for receiving air, means for creating a vacuum in said chamber, an air outlet for exhausting air from said chamber, said air flowing in a selected path from said air inlet, through said chamber and out said air exhaust outlet, the improvement comprising: a filter means positioned between said air inlet and air outlet for removing particles in the air, said filter means substantially conical in shape and including at least one layer of electrically charged fiber material substantially encapsulated between at least two layers of support material, each layer of said electrically charged fiber material including non-woven polypropylene fibers and having a weight of 60-150 gm/m 2 and an ASHRAE 51.1: Initial Atmospheric Dust Spot Efficiency at 40 ft/min of at least about 80, said support material including substantially non-electrically charged fibers and including a material selected from the group consisting of polyester, cotton, nylon and mixtures thereof, and said layers of said electrically charged fiber material and said support material connected together by at least one melted seam.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
184 words
In a vacuum cleaner or air cleaner comprising a chamber with an air inlet for receiving air, means for creating a vacuum in said chamber, an air outlet for exhausting air from said chamber, said air flowing in a selected path from said air inlet, through said chamber and out said air exhaust outlet, the improvement comprising: a filter means positioned between said air inlet and air outlet for removing particles in the air, said filter means substantially conical in shape and including at least one layer of electrically charged fiber material substantially encapsulated between at least two layers of support material, each layer of said electrically charged fiber material including non-woven polypropylene fibers and having a weight of 60-150 gm/m 2 and an ASHRAE 51.1: Initial Atmospheric Dust Spot Efficiency at 40 ft/min of at least about 80, said support material including substantially non-electrically charged fibers and including a material selected from the group consisting of polyester, cotton, nylon and mixtures thereof, and said layers of said electrically charged fiber material and said support material connected together by at least one melted seam.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
48 words
The improvement as defined in claim 55, wherein said filter means including a plurality of layers of electrically charged fiber material substantially encapsulated between at least two layers of support material and at least one layer of support material disposed between two layers of electrically charged fiber material.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
48 words
The improvement as defined in claim 56, wherein said filter means including a plurality of layers of electrically charged fiber material substantially encapsulated between at least two layers of support material and at least one layer of support material disposed between two layers of electrically charged fiber material.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
25 words
The improvement as defined in claim 55, wherein said melted seam is an edge seam positioned substantially at the peripheral edge of said filter means.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
25 words
The improvement as defined in claim 57, wherein said melted seam is an edge seam positioned substantially at the peripheral edge of said filter means.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improvement as defined in claim 58, wherein said filter means includes a second melted seam spaced inwardly from said edge seam.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improvement as defined in claim 59, wherein said filter means includes a second melted seam spaced inwardly from said edge seam.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improvement as defined in claim 55, wherein said thickness of each layer of said charged fiber material is substantially the same.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improvement as defined in claim 61, wherein said thickness of each layer of said charged fiber material is substantially the same.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improvement as defined in claim 63, wherein said thickness of each layer of said charged fiber material is substantially the same.
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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) | 2000-01-14 | 2000-07-15 | 2001-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-01-14 | 2004-07-15 | 2005-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-01-14 | 2008-07-15 | 2009-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |