Pool cleaner filter bag with zipper closure

Abstract

An improved filter bag is provided for use with a pool cleaner particularly of the type designed for travel over submerged pool surfaces to dislodge and collect debris. The filter bag is generally constructed according to U.S. Patent 4,618,420, to include a primary flow chamber for receiving a flow of water and water-entrained debris from the pool cleaner, and a secondary collection chamber for trapping and collecting the water-entrained debris. A zipper closure on the filter bag can be opened for disposal of debris captured within the collection chamber, followed by re-closure and re-use of the filter bag for a subsequent debris collection cycle.

1 . A pool cleaner filter bag for use with a pool cleaner having a mast for flow of water and debris from a swimming pool or the like, said pool cleaner filter bag comprising: 
 a porous bag material shaped to define a hollow bag interior with an open mouth adapted for mounting said bag material onto a discharge end of a pool cleaner mast for passage of water and debris from the mast into said bag interior, whereby water-entrained debris in captured within said bag interior; and    a zip closure mounted on said bag material at a location spaced from said open mouth, said zip closure being movable between an open position opening a discharge passage formed in said bag material and a closed position closing said discharge passage.    
   
   
       2 . The pool cleaner filter bag of  claim 1  wherein said bag material comprises an overlying pair of side panels interconnected to define a front margin, a rear margin, an upper margin, and a lower margin, said mouth comprising an opening formed in said lower margin generally adjacent said front margin, and said discharge passage being formed in one of said side panels.  
   
   
       3 . The pool cleaner filter bag of  claim 2  further including a divider interconnecting said side panels and extending generally upwardly from said lower margin at a location rearward of said mouth, said divider terminating at an upper end spaced below said upper margin, whereby said divider subdivides said bag interior into a primary flow chamber having a lower end in flow communication with said mouth, and a secondary debris collection chamber having an upper end in flow communication with an upper end of said primary flow chamber, said discharge passage permitting access to said secondary debris collection chamber.  
   
   
       4 . The pool cleaner filter bag of  claim 2  wherein said discharge passage is formed in one of said side panels at a position spaced from said rear margin.  
   
   
       5 . The pool cleaner filter bag of  claim 4  wherein said discharge passage extends generally parallel to said rear margin.  
   
   
       6 . The pool cleaner filter bag of  claim 1  wherein said zip closure comprises a zipper.  
   
   
       7 . The pool cleaner filter bag of  claim 6  wherein said zipper includes interengageable zipper teeth formed from a noncorrosive material.  
   
   
       8 . The pool cleaner filter bag of  claim 1  further including a mounting collar at said bag mouth for mounting said bag material onto the pool cleaner mast.  
   
   
       9 . A pool cleaner filter bag for use with a pool cleaner having a mast for flow of water and debris from a swimming pool or the like, said pool cleaner filter bag comprising: 
 a porous bag material shaped to define an overlying pair of side panels interconnected to define a front margin, a rear margin, an upper margin, and a lower margin, and an open mouth comprising an opening formed in said lower margin generally adjacent said front margin and adapted for mounting said bag material onto a discharge end of a pool cleaner mast for passage of water and debris from the mast into said bag interior, whereby water-entrained debris in captured within said bag interior;    a divider interconnecting said side panels and extending generally upwardly from said lower margin at a location rearward of said mouth, said divider terminating at an upper end spaced below said upper margin, whereby said divider subdivides said bag interior into a primary flow chamber having a lower end in flow communication with said mouth, and a secondary debris collection chamber having an upper end in flow communication with an upper end of said primary flow chamber;    one of said side panels having a discharge passage formed therein permitting access to said secondary debris collection chamber; and    a zip closure mounted said one of said side panels and movable between open and closed positions respectively opening and closing said discharge passage.    
   
   
       10 . The pool cleaner filter bag of  claim 9  wherein said discharge passage is formed in said one of said side panels at a position spaced from said rear margin.  
   
   
       11 . The pool cleaner filter bag of  claim 10  wherein said discharge passage extends generally parallel to said rear margin.  
   
   
       12 . The pool cleaner filter bag of  claim 9  wherein said zip closure comprises a zipper.  
   
   
       13 . The pool cleaner filter bag of  claim 12  wherein said zipper includes interengageable zipper teeth formed from a noncorrosive material.  
   
   
       14 . The pool cleaner filter bag of  claim 9  further including a mounting collar at said bag mouth for mounting said bag material onto the pool cleaner mast.