Vacuum collection bag and method of operation

Abstract

The present invention is an improved vacuum collection bag for vacuum cleaners and other appliances. By employing an impermeable bag and an air-permeable particle separator together with a tight seal against a vacuum system dirt tube in place of a conventional paper bag filter, it has been determined that the vacuum cleaner bag can be reused and significantly improve the filtration performance of the vacuum system.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A vacuum cleaner bag comprising: an impermeable media forming a cavity for storing a dirt; an inlet for attachment of said bag to a dirt tube and for conveying said dirt into said cavity; and an integrally connected air-permeable particle separator means sealed over an exit hole in said impermeable media for retaining said dirt in said cavity as a clean air exits said bag.  
     
     
         2 . The bag of    claim 1    further comprising a re-sealable bag open-end for removing said dirt and reusing bag.  
     
     
         3 . The re-sealable bag open-end of    claim 2    wherein said bag open end consists of folded impermeable media secured in position.  
     
     
         4 . The re-sealable bag open-end of    claim 2    wherein said bag open end consists of interlocking parts for closing and opening end of bag consisting of said impermeable media.  
     
     
         5 . The air-permeable particle separator means of    claim 1    wherein air-permeable particle separator means is air-permeable material capable of separating dirt from airflow.  
     
     
         6 . The air-permeable particle separator means of    claim 1    wherein air-permeable particle separator means is a frame sealed to said exit hole of said impermeable media and a pleated media is sealed in said frame.  
     
     
         7 . The air-permeable particle separator means of    claim 1    wherein at least one layer is expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane.  
     
     
         8 . The air-permeable particle separator means of    claim 1    wherein at least one layer is microfiberglass.  
     
     
         9 . The air-permeable particle separator means of    claim 1    wherein at least one layer is paper.  
     
     
         10 . The air-permeable particle separator means of    claim 1    wherein at least one layer is non-woven.  
     
     
         11 . The air-permeable particle separator means of    claim 1    wherein the filtration efficiency is equal to or greater than HEPA.  
     
     
         12 . The impermeable media of    claim 1    wherein said impermeable media is transparent for observing contents of bag.  
     
     
         13 . The air-permeable particle separator means of    claim 1    wherein air-permeable particle separator means consists of flat media.  
     
     
         14 . The bag of    claim 1    further comprising antimicrobial materials.  
     
     
         15 . The bag of claim I further comprising odor removing means.  
     
     
         16 . The bag of    claim 1    further comprising scenting means.  
     
     
         17 . The air-permeable particle separator means of    claim 1    wherein said air-permeable particle separator means is so that said inlet does not align airflow directly into media.  
     
     
         18 . The air-permeable separator means of    claim 1    further comprising a pre-filter to keep large dirt from entering separator means.  
     
     
         19 . The method of collecting a dirt in a vacuum cleaner wherein: 
 An inlet of a bag comprising impermeable media and an air-permeable particle separator is installed in a vacuum cleaner in an essentially leak-proof manner over a dirt tube;    Dirt is conveyed into bag cavity;    Air-permeable particle separator separates dirt from air; and    Cleaned air exits said bag through said air-permeable particle separator and said dirt is retained in said bag cavity.    
     
     
         20 . The method of collecting a dirt in a vacuum cleaner bags emptying its contents and reusing said bag wherein: 
 An inlet of a bag comprising impermeable media and an air-permeable particle separator is installed in a vacuum cleaner in an essentially leak-proof manner over a dirt tube;    Dirt is conveyed into bag cavity;    Air-permeable particle separator separates said dirt from air;    Cleaned air exits said bag through said air-permeable particle separator and said dirt is retained in said bag cavity;    Bag is removed from vacuum cleaner;    Bag is opened and dirt is removed;    Bag is re-closed; and    Bag is re-installed in vacuum cleaner for re-use.