Dust filter bag for a vacuum cleaner

The invention pertains to a filter bag (8) for a vacuum cleaner (1), with a retainer plate (16) made of a cardboard-paper material that can be attached to a dust bag (37), for example by gluing, and that has a sealable opening (19) for a suction tube (vacuum connector (18)) of a vacuum cleaner (1), where the opening (19) can be closed off with a separate closure piece (V) which can be moved from an open position to a closure position, being slid between two tiers (38, 40). For greater ease of handling the invention proposes that the closure piece (V) be practically fully enclosed in an outer contour of the retainer plate (16) in the open position and in the closure position and that the closure piece (V) lie exposed in a recess (57) of the uppermost tier (38) separate from the opening (19), the longitudinal extension of the recess (57) conforming to the closure piece (V).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The invention relates to a dust filter bag for a vacuum cleaner, having a 
mounting plate comprising a card-paper material, to which mounting plate a 
dust bag is connected, for example by gluing, which mounting plate has a 
sealingly closable opening for a suction tube of a vacuum cleaner, the 
opening being closable by a separate closure member which is displaceable 
from an open disposition into a closed position, the closure member being 
displaceable between two layers. 
A dust filter bag of this kind is known from German Published Patent 
Specification 2 407 478. In this there is shown a dust filter bag, the 
opening of which for a suction tube of a vacuum cleaner is closable by 
means of a foldable paper strip. This foldable paper strip is located 
between two layers consisting of card in such a manner that one end of the 
paper strip is secured to the lower fixed layer in the region of a fold, 
for example by gluing. The other free end of the paper strip projects out 
beyond the contour of the layers, to form a grasping region. The two 
layers have circular openings for the suction tube of the vacuum cleaner. 
The paper strip also has a circular opening, which in the open disposition 
of the dust filter bag is aligned axially with the openings of the fixed 
layers In order to close the opening of the dust filter bag, the free end 
of the paper strip is pulled outwardly, whereby the folded strip is 
partially separated. The opening in the paper strip thus moves away from 
the region of the openings in the two fixed layers, whereby the opening of 
the dust filter bag is closed. There exists in this case no possibility, 
because of the construction, of reopening a dust filter bag which has 
already been closed, by reversing the displacement of the paper strip. In 
order to reuse a dust filter bag of this kind after an unintentional 
closure of the opening, there exists in this case only the possibility of 
destroying the paper strip in the region of the openings in the two fixed 
layers. 
In addition, a dust filter bag provided with a mounting plate having a 
sealingly closable opening in known from U.S. Pat. No. 2,864,462. In this 
case also a closure strip is located between two fixed layers, the dust 
bag being secured to the lower fixed layer. The closure strip extends 
longitudinally over the entire length of the two layers. In the open 
disposition of the opening for the suction tube of a vacuum cleaner, a 
further opening in the closure strip is associated with the openings of 
the two fixed layers in the axial direction. For closing the opening for 
the suction tube, a peripherally open recess is provided in the upper 
layer, through which the closure strip may be gripped. If the opening of 
the dust filter bag for the suction tube is to be closed, the closure 
strip is gripped in the region of the strip projecting into the recess of 
the uppermost layer and is then drawn out of the region between the two 
fixed layers to a sufficient extent for the opening of the closure strip 
to leave the region of the two fixed layers. 
In the two abovementioned known solutions, the closure strip extends out 
over the contour of the respective mounting plate in the closed 
disposition of the filter bag. 
It is an object of the present invention to provide a dust filter bag for a 
vacuum cleaner of the kind in question which will be technically more 
advantageous from the point of view of handling. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
By the construction, of the invention a dust filter bag for a vacuum 
cleaner is provided, the opening of which, in a mounting plate region for 
a suction tube of a vacuum cleaner may be both closed and also opened by 
means of a closure member, the closure member not extending over the outer 
edges of the mounting plate in either of the two end positions and also 
not extending over these outer edges in any intermediate position. This is 
achieved by the closure member being substantially fully accommodated 
within an outer contour of the mounting plate in the closed position and 
in the open disposition and by the closure member being exposed within a 
recess of the uppermost layer, which recess is separate from the opening, 
and a longitudinal dimension of the recess corresponding to a path of 
displacement of the closure member. It is also preferred that in the case 
of there being at least three fixedly disposed card-paper material layers 
in the mounting plate, one layer provides a support for the closure member 
in the open disposition. The closure member is formed to be of dimensions 
such that it is accommodated completely within the outer contour of the 
mounting plate both in the closed position and also in the open 
disposition. This is for example achieved by the closure member having a 
closure surface adapted to the opening in the mounting plate with a handle 
provided on it, which closure surface is moved into the opening region of 
the closure plate to bring about the closed disposition. The least 
possible path of displacement corresponds in this way to the diameter of 
the opening in the mounting plate. 
In order to reopen a dust filter bag which has been closed by mistake, the 
closure member is moved in such a way that the closure surface leaves the 
region of the opening in the mounting plate at least to an extent 
sufficient for the suction tube of the vacuum cleaner to be introduced. 
The size of the closure member is for this purpose chosen so that the 
displacement movements are effected within the outer contour of the 
mounting plate. Reliable guidance of the closure member is guaranteed for 
this purpose in the case of there being at least three fixedly disposed 
card-paper material layers in the mounting plate, by one layer providing a 
substantially full surface area support for the closure member. In a 
favoured embodiment, the arrangement is such that the full surface area 
support for the closure member is provided both in the open disposition 
and also in the closed disposition. Deviating from the full surface area 
support, a contoured support may also be provided which may be recommended 
from the point of view of reduction of friction. 
In order to achieve improved handling of the closure member, the closure 
member is exposed within a recess in the uppermost layer, which recess is 
separate from the opening, a longitudinal dimension of the recess 
corresponding to a path of displacement for the closure member. The 
exposed region of the closure member in the separate recess of the 
uppermost layer serves for this purpose as a handle. This region may be 
both gripped by hand as well as being mechanically engageable in the 
course of opening or closing the vacuum cleaner. Preferably, the 
construction of the mounting plate comprising the closure member may be so 
selected that the plate comprises three fixed layers, the centre layer 
having a recess for accommodation of the closure member. The width of the 
recess corresponds for this to the width of the closure member. The length 
of the recess by contrast derives from the length of the closure member 
plus the path of displacement, which corresponds at least to the diameter 
of the opening to be closed. The central layer accommodating the closure 
member may thus be formed as a frame closing all four sides. The lowermost 
layer forms in this connection a full surface area support for the closure 
member. 
In order to sealingly close the opening of the mounting plate on entry of 
the suction tube, in a preferred embodiment, a further layer is provided, 
located underneath the lowermost layer, between which two layers a seal is 
inserted in the region of the opening. There is therefore provided a 
closable dust filter bag for a vacuum cleaner, which bag is optimised from 
the handling point of view. The closure member is fully accommodated 
within the outer contour of the mounting plate in the closed position and 
in the open disposition. Neither in the two end positions nor in any 
intermediate position, do any portions or regions of the closure member 
project outwardly beyond the outer contour of the mounting plate. 
Different vacuum cleaners afford, in the receiving region for the mounting 
plate of the dust filter bag, no free space for entry of any portion of 
the closure member projecting out beyond the outer contour of the mounting 
plate. The dust filter bag according to the invention may however be 
inserted into any vacuum cleaner of this kind and here be mechanically 
opened or closed in the course of opening or closing the vacuum cleaner. 
There exists however also the possibility of manual control of the closure 
element by hand. 
In an advantageous further embodiment, it is provided that at least on a 
part of the path of displacement of the closure member, an edge of the 
closure member extends out to the edge contour of the mounting plate or 
beyond it. This construction can for example be provided in the region of 
edge recesses in the mounting plate for gripping the plate for removing 
the dust filter bag from the vacuum cleaner. In the region of these edge 
recesses, the closure member edges may extend to the edge of the recess, 
whereby at least over a portion of the path of displacement, the closure 
member may also here be moved for example by means of a clamping grip. 
There exists here also the possibility of the closure member edges 
extending out over the edge contour in the edge recess region. In a first 
version, the closure member edges extend only to a very small extent, of 
the order of tenths of a millimetre, out beyond the recess edge. In a 
second version, the extent may however be substantial, for example some 
millimetres or even in the centimeter range. In particular then, when a 
separate displacement projection is substantially provided laterally on 
the closure member, this also represents a possible alternative. Because 
of this construction, a further possibility for displacement of the 
closure member is provided, if for example a mechanical defect is present. 
As already mentioned, the closure member is mounted between two fixed 
layers, whereby lateral guidance is achieved by flanges or the like 
disposed between the two fixed layers. In this flange region, further 
abutments may be provided, which define both the open disposition and also 
the closed position of the displaceable member. Advantageously, the 
closure member is of substantially wasp-waisted shape in plan view. The 
spade handle forms in this connection the actuation section for the 
closure member. Here the lateral support for the closure member is 
realised by a further layer between two fixed layers, this single layer 
providing only one edge, which is formed as a negative or matching shape 
for the spade-shaped closure member having regard to the path of movement. 
In the region of the transition from the spade handle to the closure 
surface of the closure member, abutment edges are formed because of the 
spade shape in plan view, which in the open disposition abut against 
corresponding stop edges of the frame-shaped layer providing the lateral 
support. In the closed position, the peripheral edges of the closure 
member opposite the spade handle engage against a corresponding region of 
the layer providing the edge. 
In order to assure optimal handling, it is provided that the spade handle 
is associated with the recess. As already mentioned, the longitudinal 
extent of the recess corresponds to the path of displacement of the 
closure member. Advantageously in this connection, the recess has a width 
which is at least as wide as that of the spade handle of the closure 
member. Alternatively, it is also possible for the spade handle to have a 
greater width than the recess. On one or both sides, the spade handle 
moves in this construction in underlying engagement with the edges of the 
recess. In this recess region, the spade handle providing the actuation 
section may now be gripped by hand or it may be mechanically displaced. In 
this regard, it may be provided that a handling projection is formed on 
the spade handle. This may be a thickened portion provided at the free end 
of the spade handle or it may be a recess provided in this region. In a 
preferred embodiment, the handling projection is so selected that the 
spade handle has a section which may be folded out. This section may be 
gripped by hand in a very simple manner. It is also possible to have a 
mechanical action in the region of the foldable-out section. Preferred in 
this connection is a construction in which two fold locations are 
provided. 
The invention further relates to a vacuum cleaner having a dust filter bag, 
the dust filter bag having a mounting plate with an opening for a suction 
nozzle, and the mounting plate having a closure member which is 
automatically displaceable into a closed position in the course of opening 
the vacuum cleaner. 
A construction of this kind is also known from U.S. Pat. No. 2,864,462 
already mentioned. In this, the closable dust filter bag already mentioned 
is inserted into the vacuum cleaner in such a way that an actuation 
projection of the vacuum cleaner may engage in a recess at the free end of 
the closure member. By means of this actuation projection, the closure 
member of the mounting plate is automatically moved into a closed position 
in the course of opening the vacuum cleaner. In this connection, it is 
also known for the closure member to be actuated by the actuation 
projection during closing of the vacuum cleaner in such a way as to enable 
the opening in the mounting plate for a dust filter bag to be exposed. 
In an advantageous embodiment of the invention it is provided that the 
actuation projection is arranged to be spring biased in the direction of 
its extension. Because of this embodiment, the actuation projection is 
also usable in vacuum cleaners of the kind which have a tight radius 
between the axis of pivoting of the vacuum cleaner portion carrying the 
dust filter bag and the closure member of the other vacuum cleaner 
portion. In the case of such narrow radii, it is especially necessary for 
the actuation projection to yield in dependence on the pivoting movement 
after engagement in the closure element or abutment against this. Of 
particular importance also is the pliability or resilience of the 
actuation projection for preventing self-jamming or self-blocking. Also, 
if the actuation projection should at any time engage the dust filter bag 
at an unfavourable angle, further pivoting of the actuation 
projection-carrier may be achieved by the compression (in the particular 
case of the drag cover, see below), and thus the angle of attack between 
actuation projection and dust filter bag may be changed, so that 
self-jamming is no longer in question. 
The moveability and resilience is in particular so effected that the 
actuation projection may be correspondingly shortened in its direction of 
extension in the course of pivoting of the dust filter bag into the 
disposition of use of the vacuum cleaner. This spring biased construction 
of the actuation projection is also then especially of advantage when dust 
filter bags are used which are not correspondingly adapted, in particular 
then, when dust filter bags are used which have no device for closing the 
opening for the suction connection. 
In an advantageous further embodiment it is provided that the actuation 
projection is formed on a drag cover. A drag cover of this kind is in 
particular of advantage for vacuum cleaners having dust filter bags in 
which the dust bags are in an inverted disposition. In this case, for 
withdrawal of the dust filter bag, the bag chamber is pivoted together 
with the drag cover. Subsequently, there then takes place the actual 
opening of the bag chamber, for which the drag cover is pivoted in such a 
way that the dust filter bag is exposed. In this connection, the actuation 
projection provided on the drag cover moves the closure member for the 
mounting plate of the dust filter bag in such a manner that the opening in 
the mounting plate for the suction connection is closed. If further use of 
this dust filter bag is however subsequently required, the drag cover may 
be pivoted once again in the direction of the bag mounting, whereby the 
actuation projection once again displaces the closure member in such a way 
that the opening in the mounting plate is exposed. 
It is however in this connection fully feasible for the actuation 
projection to be provided directly on the vacuum cleaner, i.e. without 
requiring a drag cover. An optimisation from the point of view of use is 
in addition achieved by the actuation projection being pivotable against a 
spring. The second spring (in contrast to the first spring, against which 
length of the actuation projection may be reduced) effects substantially a 
closing force for a displacement of the closure member into the closed 
position. In particular for an opening operation of the vacuum cleaner, 
the second spring, in the further course of the opening movement, pushes 
the actuation projection still farther forward and thus effects at least 
the last portion of the closing movement of the closure member. In 
addition to the spring biased construction of the actuation projection in 
the direction of extension, this is therefore also formed to be pivotable 
against a spring. 
Furthermore it is provided that connected with the actuation projection, 
registration projections may be provided, which on completion of pivoting 
of the actuation projection, enter into registration openings of the other 
vacuum cleaner portion, whereby closure of the vacuum cleaner is only 
possible on entry of the registration projections. By this it is assured 
that closing of the vacuum cleaner is only possible when a dust filter bag 
has been inserted. If no dust filter bag has been inserted, the actuation 
projection finds no corresponding support on closing the vacuum cleaner, 
so that the actuation projection may not be displaced out of its position, 
the registration projections connected with it also remaining in their 
blocking disposition. If it is now sought to close the vacuum cleaner, the 
registration projections engage against corresponding blocking regions of 
the other vacuum cleaner portion. When a dust filter bag is however 
inserted, the actuation projection pivots in the course of closing the 
vacuum cleaner, whereby the registration projections are also displaced in 
such a manner that they may enter into the registration openings of the 
other vacuum cleaner portion and thus allow the closing of the vacuum 
cleaner. In advantageous manner, it is provided in this connection that 
the registration projections are formed on a plate fixedly connected to 
the actuation projection. 
On use of a filter bag in the above described manner, the actuation 
projection of the vacuum cleaner engages the closure element in the region 
of its spade handle formed as an actuation section. If the spade handle of 
the closure member is provided with a foldable-out section, the actuation 
projection engages behind this foldable-out section on opening the vacuum 
cleaner and thus moves the closure member into a closing position for the 
opening in the mounting plate of the dust filter bag. If a closed dust 
filter bag of this kind requires to be reused, the actuation projection of 
the vacuum cleaner engages the region of the foldable-out section in such 
a manner, in the course of closing the vacuum cleaner, that the closure 
member is moved into an open disposition. 
It is obvious that in the case of use of a dust filter bag opened in 
conventional manner, there is no interference with the function of the 
actuation projection. It is thus unimportant whether the dust filter bag 
is inserted into the vacuum cleaner in an open condition or a closed 
condition. On displacement of the closure member into the open 
disposition, in one embodiment of the invention, the actuation projection 
may overrun a handling projection on the closure member, preferably the 
spade handle of the closure member. Also after overrunning this closure 
projection, the longitudinal reserve for the partially compressed 
actuation projection has not quite run out. Rather is it desired for the 
actuation projection to abut against a stop fixed to the housing after 
overrunning the handling projection, at a specific degree of shortening in 
length (compression). This is also of importance insofar as, during an 
opening operation, the suction connection of the vacuum cleaner may 
initially move out of the opening of the filter bag before the actuation 
projection is pivoted with it in the course of the further opening or 
pivoting action, since in the meantime, the longitudinal reserve is fully 
used up by extension of the telescopic length of the actuation projection. 
Only then is the opening of the dust filter bag pushed closed, since now 
the opening is also exposed, as the suction connection has moved out of 
it. 
In addition, the results, on closing the vacuum cleaner, a marked clicking 
noise, by the overrunning mentioned of the handling projection by the 
actuation projection and the movement limitation of the actuation 
projection by abutment against the projection fixed to the housing, which 
also signals to the user that the vacuum cleaner is now fully in order for 
use. 
The invention further relates to a vacuum cleaner of the kind initially 
mentioned, in which there is provided a peripheral rubber seal projecting 
inwardly over the edge of the opening. A dust filter bag of this kind is 
known for example from German Patent Specification 1 39 19 256. Reference 
is also made from the point of view of the state of the art to German 
Patent Specification 1 24 07 478. For the dust filter bag known from 
German Patent Specification 1 39 19 256, an opening is also provided in a 
displaceable closure portion, whereby for use of the dust filter bag, the 
opening in the mounting plate and the opening in the displaceable closure 
portion must be brought into a disposition one over the other. The opening 
in the displaceable closure portion has an annular seal. In the case of 
such a seal, it may come to pass in the course of use that the seal 
becomes raised to a certain degree and that closure of the dust filter bag 
in the required manner is then no longer possible The problem resulting 
from this, to provide a dust filter bag of this kind in which a full 
closure is guaranteed, is initially and substantially solved by the 
subject matter of the invention in to project inwardly from the periphery 
of the opening to overlap the rubber seal. 
For a rubber seal, as it is here defined, the material rubber is not in 
question, but this seal may consist of any other kind of elastomer or 
comparable material, and may during use of such a dust filter bag 
experience a certain impressed deformation because of introduction of the 
suction tube. In particular, a loss of the elastic properties is often to 
be observed. This is particularly the case when, as often occurs, the 
inserted suction tube of the dust filter bag remains in this position for 
several weeks or months. On withdrawal of the suction tube, there may then 
be in question a turning up of the rubber seal projecting into the 
interior of the dust filter bag. This then blocks a complete closing 
movement of the opening. The stabilising portion provided according to the 
invention now ensures that this turning up does not arise and that the 
rubber seal is given a pre-impress in the direction of the interior of the 
dust filter bag (downwardly). 
The stabilising portion may in particular also comprise the card-paper 
material previously discussed. There thus comes about also a folding of 
the stabilising portion on insertion of the suction tube. Because however 
the stabilising portion is not able to fold back when the suction tube is 
withdrawn from the opening, on account of its surface stability, the 
rubber seal remains directed into the interior of the dust filter bag even 
after complete removal of the suction tube from the opening. Suitably the 
stabilising portion is mounted at the location on the opening which 
location is the last to be occluded by the closure member during a closing 
operation Moreover there may naturally also be provided several 
stabilising portions of this kind or even a stabilising annular edge, the 
entirety of which is folded over substantially on insertion of the suction 
tube. It is also advantageous for a dimension of the stabilising portion 
in an inward direction with respect to the peripheral edge of the opening 
to correspond approximately to one-half of the dimension of the rubber 
seal in the inward direction, in the same direction therefore. Because of 
this the rubber seal is formed with a substantially greater width than has 
previously been visualised. The stabilising portion has rather suitably a 
dimension which corresponds to the previously customary width or dimension 
of the rubber seal in the inward direction. Relative to a diameter of the 
opening in the mounting plate for the dust filter bag, the dimension of 
the stabilising portion in the inward direction is for example one-tenth. 
The conventionally annularly-shaped rubber seal extends in the inward 
direction substantially over an extent of two-tenths of the diameter of 
the opening. 
A mounting plate for a dust filter bag, as here discussed, has for example 
a multilayered construction. It is assembled from several layers of 
card-paper material. In this regard, the stabilising portion is preferably 
provided on a layer of the mounting plate which is in direct contact with 
the rubber seal. It is also recommended for the stabilising portion to be 
provided on the side of the rubber seal directed away from the dust bag. 
In particular, the stabilising portion may also be provided in the form of 
a tongue. 
A further subject of the invention is a vacuum cleaner of the present kind, 
in particular having a receiving portion for a dust bag, a drag cover or a 
closure flap having an actuation projection being provided on the 
receiving portion, for actuation of a pusher as closure member on a dust 
filter bag, the actuation projection being formed to be resiliently 
biassed in its direction of extension and being pivotable as a whole 
against a spring. The pivotability is relative to the closure plate. In 
particular, reference is here made to European Patent Specification 1 25 
32 057, in so far as there is in question the basic construction of the 
vacuum cleaner with the receiving portion for the dust filter bag and the 
mounting plate, which is displaceably secured to the receiving portions. 
The actuation projection is now provided on the underside on this receiving 
portion, the actuation projection serving for actuation of a pusher or 
closure pusher provided in the filter bag. In regard to such a filter bag 
there exists the technical problem of achieving actuation of the pusher, 
which operates on the dust filter bag, in the most reliable possible 
manner and with certainty, with at the same time the least possible 
closing force or general negative impact on the dust filter bag and in 
particular on the mounting plate. In this regard, the invention proposes 
that the actuation projection is connected to the closure plate in such a 
manner that in the course of compression of the actuation projection, a 
simultaneous pivoting is introduced. The connection of the operating 
projection to the closure plate functions so that on compression, by which 
initially a linear displacement of the actuation pusher takes place, the 
spacing between the points of connection is increased If a strap or the 
like is now used for the connection, this is stretched and reaches a 
condition in which it can no longer undergo any substantial increase in 
length. On the application of further pressure to the closure plate, the 
actuation projection is therefore pulled against the closure plate so that 
there arises the pivoting of the actuation projection onto the closure 
plate, hitherto achieved in the course of the further actuation, but now 
even sooner. There is achieved by this at the same time a limitation in 
the force, since with increasing compression of the actuation projection 
in the linear direction, the force exerted by the tip of the actuation 
projection on the mounting plate of the dust filter bag also increases. By 
means of the connection, which is limited in lengths there is achieved an 
earlier cessation of this compression movement under increased application 
of force to the mounting plate than in the case of a movement operation 
without the connection. In a further embodiment it is envisaged that the 
connection consists of a flexible connecting means. The connecting means 
may be a strap or a cord. 
In a further solution of the problem posed, it is also provided that the 
actuation projection has lateral support elements for support on a frame 
of the receiving portion. The lateral support elements may be provided 
directly on the actuation projection, in particular, when this, as 
preferred, is formed by a plastics moulded portion. The receiving portion 
also preferably further provides a slideway for the lateral supports. When 
in the course of the movement of the closure plate after an initially 
completed compression of the actuation projection in its axial direction, 
the pivoting of the actuation projection towards the closure plate takes 
place, the lateral supports slide on the slideway mentioned. It is 
important that by virtue of these supports, a force loading, which 
initially introduces a movement of the closure plate of the receiving 
portion into the closed position on the mounting plate of the dust filter 
bag, is limited to a specific value or range. Furthermore, the force 
diverted by way of the supports, is taken up by the receiving portion of 
the dust bag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The electrical vacuum cleaner 1 shown is formed as a hand appliance. It has 
a housing 2, at the upper end of which there is connected a handle 3, the 
handle 3 having a grip 4 at its end. In the transition region between grip 
4 and handle 3, there is an on and off switch 5. The electric cable 
connection is designated by the reference numeral 9. 
The housing 2 is divided into a motor housing 6 and a chamber 7 extending 
above the motor housing for the reception of a dust filter bag 8. The 
motor fan is not shown in detail in the drawings. 
The side of the dust filter bag 8 directed towards the motor housing 6 
stands, in the operating disposition of the vacuum cleaner according to 
FIG. 1, in a nozzle connectional relationship with a blower air channel of 
the motor fan, 
On the underside of the motor housing 6, the housing has a transition into 
a tubular coupling 10, which provides the airflow connection to a suction 
nozzle 11. 
In regard to the suction nozzle 11, there may be in question a so-called 
suction/brush nozzle, which has a brush roller in the nozzle mouth, the 
brush roller being set in rotation by way of a separate drive. 
The fan motor functions therefore from below in an upward direction, 
forcing as a result the dust-laden air into the dust filter bag 8 located 
in an inverted disposition above the motor housing 6. 
The cross-section of the housing 2 is longitudinally rectangular over its 
entire height with long sides gently curved in an outward direction and 
similarly formed short sides. In FIG. 1, the vacuum cleaner is to be seen 
from the long side. 
The chamber 7 receiving the dust filter bag 8 of corresponding 
cross-section is defined by a textile bag 12 stiffened by means of 
wiremesh, the lower end of which bag, that is, the end of the bag at the 
motor housing, has a transition into a stiffened edge in the form of a 
filter frame 13. The stiffened textile bag 12 may be associated with this 
filter frame 13 by way of the releasable clip insertion connection. The 
attachment region is offset for this. 
For withdrawal of the dust filter bag, the housing 2 is opened out for 
substantially full exposure of its cross-section. The folded out position 
may be seen from FIGS. 1 (in this case shown in chain-dotted manner), 3, 
4, and 11 to 13. The pivot axis 14 enabling this is located on one of the 
short or narrow sides of the housing 2. The bearing eyes on the filter 
frame for this pivot axis are designated by the reference numeral 15. 
These bearing eyes 15 are located at the transition region between a short 
side and a long side of the chamber 7. Between the two bearing eyes 15, 
there extends a continuous bearing eye of the motor housing 6. 
In the separating joint region between motor housing 6 and chamber 7, there 
is comprised in addition a drag cover T in the form of an intermediate 
support, on which the dust filter bag 8 is seated, An intermediate support 
or carrier T of this kind is known from German Published Patent 
Application 39 11 580 of the present Applicant. Reference is made to this 
document in the present connection, as to the full content of the 
document. 
The drag cover T has a shape in plan view adapted to the cross-section of 
the housing, set back however from the sleeve wall of the housing 2, so 
that in the coaxial disposition of motor housing 6 and chamber 7 shown in 
FIG. 1, the drag cover T is substantially completely out of sight. The 
drag cover T is also formed to be pivotable, the drag cover T having two 
bearing eyes on the hinge side, as is also the case for the filter frame 
13 In this way, the drag cover T pivots about the same pivot axis 14 as 
the chamber 7. 
The dust filter bag 8 connected directly to the drag cover T has a base 
formed as a mounting plate 16. The general shape in plan view of this 
mounting plate also corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the filter 
frame 13, which has peripheral steps 17 provided on the internal wall for 
supporting abutment of the mounting plate 16. In this way, the mounting 
plate 16 cannot fall into the chamber 7 in the pivoted disposition of the 
appliance. The common pivot axis 14 of filter frame 13 and drag cover T 
extends over substantially the height of the supporting peripheral step 17 
of the filter bag mounting plate 16. 
When the housing 2 is closed, that is, in the working configuration of the 
vacuum cleaner 1, the blower air channel of the motor fan penetrates into 
the lower region 18' of a suction connection 18 by means of an offset 
cylindrical mouth end. This suction connection 18 projects above the upper 
side of the drag cover T, the suction connection 18 being formed similar 
to the drag cover T and the suction connection 18 projecting into the 
interior of the dust filter bag 8 in an edge sealing manner, to penetrate 
through an opening 19 of the filter bag mounting plate 16, the opening 19 
being of corresponding cross-section to that of the suction connection 18. 
The suction connection 18 tapers towards its free end, so that the 
introduction of the connection 18 into the opening 19 has in effect a 
centering action. 
For withdrawal of the dust filter bag 8, the chamber 7 with the drag cover 
T is swung into the open position shown in FIG. 3, after release of a 
closing catch on the housing. In order to now release the dust filter bag 
8 for withdrawal, the drag cover T is pivoted away from the chamber 7, for 
which a handgrip 20 is provided on the upper side of the drag cover T 
which is directed away from the suction connection 18. This handgrip 20 is 
pivotably disposed on the upper face of the drag cover T by means of a 
film hinge. 
In order to prevent the falling back of dust and dirt into the motor 
housing region 6, in the operating disposition of the vacuum cleaner 
according to FIG. 1, because of the inverted position of the dust filter 
bag 8, a flap valve may be provided at the free end of the suction 
connection 18. 
On the underside of the drag cover T, i.e. on the side of the cover T 
directed towards the suction connection 18, there is associated with this 
cover T a pivotable plate 21 for holding an actuation projection B. This 
plate 21 is pivotably disposed at the free end of the drag cover T by 
means of a hinge 22. The plate 21 extends forwardly from the hinge 22 up 
to substantially the middle of the drag cover T, to surround the suction 
connection 18 For this latter, the plate 21 has an opening 23 of oblong 
form. The region of the plate 21 directed away from the hinge 22 is 
taperingly formed. In this regions a receiving chamber 24 of rectangular 
shape in cross-section is defined in a positive manner, which chamber 
projects out beyond the end region of the plate 21. In this receiving 
chamber 24, the actuation projection B is mounted to be freely 
displaceable, the actuation projection B being comprised substantially of 
an actuation arm 25 which is of rectangular shape in cross-section and an 
actuation nose 26 formed at the free end of this actuation arm 25, that 
is, at the end of the arm directed away from the receiving chamber 24. The 
actuation nose extends in the configuration shown in FIG. 3 towards the 
dust filter bag 8. 
The actuation projection B is arranged to be spring-biassed in its 
longitudinal direction. For this, there serves a compression spring 27 
accommodated in the receiving chamber 24, which spring surrounds a pin 28 
provided at the end of the actuation arm 25 projecting into the receiving 
chamber 24. At the other end, the compression spring 27 abuts against an 
end wall 29 of the receiving chamber 24. This receiving chamber 24 is 
closed-off by a cover 30, which engages around the end wall 29 and the 
side walls of the receiving chamber 24. In the open end region, that is, 
in the region in which the actuation arm 25 projects into the receiving 
chamber 24, the cover 30 has an inwardly projecting supporting collar 31. 
This latter serves as an abutment stop for the actuation arm 25 which is 
biassed in the outward direction by the compression spring 27, the 
actuation arm having a matching corresponding abutment edge 32. 
The plate 21 and the actuation projection B carried by this are pivotable 
about the hinge 22 against a spring 33. For this purpose, this spring 33 
extends between the underside of the drag cover T and the side of the 
plate 21 directed towards this underside. To achieve this, a corresponding 
recess 34 for reception of one of the ends of the spring 33 is provided on 
the underside of the drag cover T. The other end of the spring 33 engages 
around a circular projection 35 of the plate 21 in the region of the 
transition from the plate 21 to the receiving chamber 24. The spring 33 
biasses the plate 21 and the actuation projection B connected to this 
plate at all times towards the dust filter bag 8. The path of pivoting of 
the plate 21 is limited in such a manner that on pivoting the drag cover T 
away from the dust filter bag 8 and away from the holding plate 16 for 
this bag, the edge of the projection 35 of the plate 21, which projection 
extends into the aperture region 23, abuts against a collar 36 on the 
outer periphery of the suction connection 18 (see FIG. 12). The spring 33, 
as has already been further described in detail above, is in particular 
also of importance for the further execution and especially for the 
completion of the closing or sealing movement when opening the vacuum 
cleaner. 
The dust filter bag 8 is comprised substantially of the mounting plate 16 
already mentioned and of a dust bag 37, preferably formed from paper, on 
the underside of this mounting plate 16, for example adhesively connected 
to the plate. 
The mounting plate 16 has a shape corresponding closely to the inner side 
of the filter frame 13 and comprises four layers of cardboard-paper 
material laid one over the other. These layers 38 to 41 are glued to one 
another. The mounting plate 16 thus formed is supported in the inserted 
condition of the dust filter bag 8 on the peripheral steps 17 of the 
filter frame 13. In order to prevent the dust filter bag 8 from being 
dislodged in the operating configuration of the vacuum cleaner 1 according 
to FIG. 1, retaining features 42 are provided, which are located on the 
inner side of the filter frame 13 and act on the upper side of the 
mounting plate 16. The dust filter bag 8 is thus held in its mounting 
plate region 16. 
For locationally correct secure placement of the dust filter bag 8, the 
mounting plate 16 has orientation features 43 in its two short side 
regions, which engage in corresponding counter-features 44 of the inner 
wall of the filter frame 13. In regard to the orientation features, there 
are in question projections of trapezoidal shape on the short or narrow 
side of the plate-shaped body forming the mounting plate 16. There is thus 
achieved a position which is correct as to alignment between opening 19 
and suction connection 18. 
On the peripheral edges of the longer sides, the mounting plate 16 has 
gripping openings 45. The two gripping openings 45 are bevelled and are 
open towards the corresponding inner wall of the filter frame 13. In the 
open disposition of the housing 2 and after the drag cover T has been 
swung back, the dust filter bag 8 may be comfortably grasped by gripping 
across the set back central zone of the mounting plate 16, which is of 
wasp-waist shape, and the bag may be lifted out of the chamber 7. 
As already mentioned, the mounting plate 16 comprises four layers 38 to 41 
laid one over the other, the paper dust bag 37 being glued onto the 
lowermost layer 41 on the underside. This lowermost layer 41 has a 
circular aperture 46. The layer 40 located above this layer 41 is formed 
to be the same as the layer 41 as to shape and surface area and also has 
an aperture 47 located coaxially with the aperture 46, which aperture 47 
also has the same radius as the aperture 46. 
The layer 39 located over the layer 40 is formed as a spacing layer for the 
layer 38 providing the top and serves to define a free space 48. FIG. 10 
shows a plan view of the layer 39 with omission of the layer 38 which lies 
over this layer 39 and forms the top. The layer 39 is in general formed as 
an edge strip having the same external shape as the other three layers. In 
practice, this is so effected that layer sections 49 to 51 are provided at 
the outer edge in the region of the aperture 47 of the layer 40, which 
layer sections extend from the respective outer edge to the vicinity of 
the aperture 47, leaving a spacing between the aperture 47 and the inner 
edge of the respective layer strip. The layer strips 49 and 51 provided on 
the long sides of the mounting plate 16 are connected to the layer strip 
50 at the end edge directed towards the aperture 47 and extend outwardly 
from this layer strip 50 into the gripping opening regions 45, which 
gripping openings are formed by corresponding recesses in the layers 38, 
40 and 41. The spacing between the two peripherally inner edges of the 
layer strips 49 and 51 is in this connection selected to be greater than 
the spacing between the peripheral edges of the gripping openings 45 
directed towards one another On the opposite side of the gripping openings 
45 from the layer strips 49 and 51, the layer strips continue as layer 
strip sections 49' and 51', with retention of the same width. While 
maintaining a spacing from the gripping openings 45, the layer strip 
sections 49' and 51' are widened in such a manner that proceeding from the 
outer periphery of the mounting plate 16, they extend into the central 
region of the mounting plate 16, while leaving a slit 52. This widened 
region of the layer 39, which as a result is located in the end region of 
the mounting plate 16 opposite to the aperture 47, are indicated by 
reference numerals 53 and 54. In the transition region between the layer 
strip sections 49' and 51' and the regions 53 and 54, there are therefore 
defined abutments 55 which are effective in the longitudinal direction of 
the mounting plate 16. 
The uppermost layer 38 defining the top has a configuration which is the 
same as that of the layers 40 and 41 as to shape and almost the same as to 
area. In this case also, an aperture 56 is provided, coaxial with the 
apertures 46 and 47. These apertures 46, 47 and 56 define the opening 19, 
already mentioned, in the mounting plate 16. The uppermost layer 38 is 
further provided with a recess 57 located above the slit 52 of the layer 
39, the recess 57 being open at the edge and having almost the same width 
as the slit 52. This recess 57 extends proceeding from the short or narrow 
side of the mounting plate 16 opposite the opening 19 in the direction of 
the longitudinal extent of the mounting plate 16 to substantially the 
middle of this latter. 
Between the two lower layers 40 and 41, a rubber seal 58 is inserted and 
preferably glued in position. This rubber seal 58 is provided in the 
region of the apertures 46 and 47 and has a circular opening 59, which is 
formed to have a smaller diameter than the diameter of the apertures 46 
and 47. The opening 59 of the rubber seal 58 is in this connection aligned 
coaxially with the apertures 46 and 47. The rubber seal 58 serves for the 
sealing connection between the dust filter bag 8 and the suction 
connection 18, when the suction connection 18 enters through the opening 
59 and projects into the interior of the dust filter bag 8. 
In the free space 48 defined between the layers 38 and 40 and bounded by 
the layer strips of the layer 39, a closure member V is displaceably 
mounted (see FIG. 10). The closure member V is for this substantially of 
spade shape in plan view, a spade handle 60 being located, in the 
disposition shown in FIG. 10, in the slit 52 of the layer 39. The closure 
plate 61 connected to the spade handle 60 has a width almost corresponding 
to the spacing between the peripheral inner sides of the layer strips 49 
and 51 and the layer strip sections 49' and 51' and extends, in the 
disposition according to FIG. 10, proceeding from the abutments 55 of the 
layer 39, to the edge of the aperture 47 of the layer 40 and to the edge 
of the opening 19. 
The spade handle 60 of the closure member V is in this regard exposed 
within the recess 57 provided in the uppermost layer 38 and serves as an 
actuation section. For this, the spade handle 60 has a handling projection 
M in the form of a fold location 62. By this, there results at the free 
end of the spade handle 60, a section 63 which may be folded out from the 
spade handle. 
It is also possible for the handling projection M to be formed in such a 
manner that at the free end region of the spade handle 60, a thickened 
region is provided. Alternatively, for this purpose, there may also be 
provided in this region, a recess in the form of a longitudinal slit or 
the like. 
Because of this formation of the mounting plate 16, it is now possible to 
selectively close or open the aperture 19 by means of the closure member 
V. For this, the closure member V is displaced longitudinally in the free 
space region 48 of the layer 39, the closure member V being fully 
accommodated within the external contour of the mounting plate 16 both in 
the closed position and also in the open position, as well as at every 
intermediate position. This means that portions of the closure member V do 
not project outside the external shape or contour of the mounting plate 
16, either in the closed disposition or in the open disposition. This is 
also not possible in the case of the embodiment shown, since the shape and 
size of the filter frame 13 of the vacuum cleaner 1 would not allow any 
enlargement of the external shape or contour of the mounting plate 16. 
The displacement of the closure member V takes place by grasping or 
gripping at the handling projection M, which is exposed for engagement in 
the recess region 57 of the uppermost layer 38. For this purpose, this 
recess 57 corresponds in its longitudinal extent to the path of 
displacement of the closure member V. By displacing the closure member V 
from the open disposition according to FIG. 10 into a closed disposition 
in the direction of the arrow y, the opening 19 in the mounting plate 16 
is closed by means of the closure plate 61. For this, the closure member V 
is guided at its sides by the layer strips 49 and 51. The end position for 
the closed configuration is achieved when the end edge of the closure 
plate 61 abuts against the inner peripheral edge of the end edge of the 
layer strip 50. 
The open disposition is defined by the abutment, already mentioned, of the 
closure plate 61 against the stops 55 of the layer 39. 
For withdrawal of a dust filter bag 8 provided with a mounting plate 16 of 
this kind from the chamber 7, the dust bag together with the drag cover T 
is first of all pivoted out of the operating disposition according to FIG. 
1 into a withdrawal position according to FIG. 3. As is to be seen from 
this drawing, the pivotable plate 21 provided with the actuation 
projection B is here disposed parallel to the drag cover T between this 
latter and the mounting plate 16. The actuation nose 26 of the actuation 
projection B thus engages behind the section 63 of the spade handle 60 of 
the closure member V, which section 63 may be folded out of the plane of 
the spade handle. If the drag plate T is subsequently pivoted away from 
the chamber 7 by means of the handgrip 20, the actuation nose 26 engaging 
at the foldable-out section 63 then effects a displacement of the closure 
member V in the closing direction for the opening 19. In the course of 
pivoting the drag cover T, the plate 21 with the actuation projection B 
pivots at the same time about the hinge 22, because of the spring 33, in 
such a manner that the foldable-out section 63 of the closure member V is 
engaged at all times by the actuation nose 26 at least over a major part 
of the path of pivoting of the drag cover T. There is effected by this a 
scissors-type opening action between the drag cover T and the plate 21 
provided with the actuation projection B. Because of the actuation arm 25 
being spring-biassedly mounted in the receiving chamber 24, this may give 
way in the course of movement into the receiving chamber 24. The 
spring-biassed support of the actuation projection B and the 
spring-biassed pivotability of the plate 21 and the actuation projection B 
connected to this plate, guarantee at all times that the actuation nose 26 
engages behind the foldable-out section 63 over the entire path of 
displacement of the closure member V. As soon as the closure member V 
reaches the closed position for the opening 19, the end edge of the 
closure member V or that of the closure plate 61 abuts, as already 
mentioned, against the inwardly located peripheral edge of the layer strip 
50 of the layer 39. In this disposition, the fold location 62 of the spade 
handle 60 also reaches the end edge 64 of the recess 57 of the uppermost 
layer 38. The actuation protection B continues to endeavour, in this 
dispositions to displace the closure member V further in the direction of 
the arrow y. The actuation nose 26 thus still continues to engage behind 
the foldable-out section 63 of the spade handle 60. In the course of the 
further pivoting of the drag cover T away from the chamber 7, there now 
takes place engagement of the actuation nose 26 beneath the foldable-out 
section 63, which section, because of this and because of the urging in 
the direction of the arrow y, which still continues to prevail, folds out 
in an upward direction, that is, by moving out through the recess 57 of 
the uppermost layer 38. By this, there is introduced a second fold 
location 65 (see FIG. 11). Here it is shown that the spade handle 60 may 
be formed to be of the same width as the recess 57, but it may also 
optionally be narrower than this recess, since otherwise the region which 
is impacted against and gripped beneath by the actuation nose 26 in the 
disposition shown in FIG. 11 cannot give way outwardly. This would lead to 
damage of the closure member V in the region of the engagement surface for 
the actuation nose 26. In so far however as the displacement of the 
closure member and the action on the spade handle 60 is not effected by 
way of a folded portion, but only by a handling projection M mounted for 
example on the spade handle, it is also possible and is preferred for the 
spade handle 60 to be formed to have a greater width than the recess 57, 
so that the edges of the recess are engaged from below by the spade 
handle. 
In the course of the further pivoting of the drag cover T into a 
disposition according to FIG. 12 in which the dust filter bag 8 may be 
released, the actuation nose 26 of actuation projection B passes over the 
foldable-out section 63, whereby this latter is moved to an upward 
location, passing out of the recess 57 of the uppermost layer 38. The 
actuation projection B reaches in this way a predefined end position, 
while, as already described, the projection 35 extending into the aperture 
23 of the plate 21 abuts against the collar 36 provided on the external 
periphery of the suction connection 18. The drag cover T may also be 
pivoted still further than the 90.degree. disposition shown in FIG. 12, so 
that the dust filter bag 8 may be removed in a problem-free manner from 
the chamber 7. 
For removal of the dust filter bag 8, this is grasped in the gripping 
opening regions 45 of the mounting plate 16 and drawn out of the chamber 7 
against the retaining action of the retaining features 42 of the filter 
frame 13. 
If a closed dust filter bag 8 of this kind is however to be used again, 
opening of the aperture 19 may be effected in the simplest manner. For 
this, the drag cover T is pivoted back in the direction of the chamber 7, 
so that the free end region of the actuation arm 25 of the actuation 
projection B engages against the fold location 62 located at the end edge 
64 of the recess 57 in the mounting plate 16. In the course of the further 
pivoting of the drag plate T into the closed position, the actuation 
projection B displaces the closure member V into an open position for the 
aperture 19, in that the actuation arm 25 pushes the closure member V in 
front of it, the pushing taking place in the spade handle region 60 of the 
closure member. As already discussed previously above, the ability to vary 
the longitudinal location of the actuation projection B against the 
compression spring 27 is also of particular importance in this connection. 
Thus, in the event of an inappropriate angular disposition, a potential 
blocking effect may be introduced by the actuation projection B meeting up 
with the spade handle 60. Instead of this, the length of the actuation arm 
25 is first of all reduced, whereby the actuation angle on the spade 
handle 60 is also changed, so that any self-arresting or blocking effect 
which may occur may be overcome. In the further course of the pivotal 
movement of the drag cover T, there closes also the scissors form 
arrangement of drag cover T with respect to the plate 21 and also with 
respect to the actuation projection B mounted on the plate 21. After 
complete opening of the aperture 19 of the mounting plate 16, whereby 
corresponding edges of the closure plate 61 abut against the stops 55 of 
the layer 39, the actuation projection B passes over the foldable-out 
section 63 in the free end region of the actuation arm 25 and the 
actuation nose 26 of the arm 25 seats itself once again behind this 
section 63e In this connection, it is also of importance that the 
actuation projection 26 travels against a stop 26' fixed to the housing 
(see for example FIG. 3). This takes place preferably also with the 
development of a certain level of noise, which signals to the user a 
correct open condition of the filter bag and altogether a functionally 
problem-free preparedness of the vacuum cleaner for operation. 
The dust filter bag 8 shown and described is, with its mounting plate 16, 
also insertable in vacuum cleaners 1 which have no arrangement for 
automatic closing and opening in the course of opening or closing the 
vacuum cleaner. Here nonetheless there is also the possibility of 
displacing the closure member V by hand into the respective disposition, 
in that the foldable-out section 63 is grasped by hand and a displacement 
of the closure member V may thus be effected. In addition, there is also 
the possibility of engaging the closure member V in the region of the 
gripping openings 45, in that the closure member V may be engaged and 
displaced by means of a clamping grip in the exposed region between the 
layers 38 and 40. This also functions in the particular example as shown 
in the embodiment, in which the closure member in the region of the 
gripping openings 45 reaches only to the edge of the contour of the 
mounting plate 16 and does not project beyond this contour. 
In use of a vacuum cleaner 1 which is provided with an actuation projection 
B as shown and described, use of conventional dust filter bags may also be 
envisaged, that is, dust filter bags without closure member V. In this 
case, the actuation projection B would run out over the mounting plate 16 
during pivoting of the drag cover T into an open or closed position, 
without functions of any kind being carried out. 
It is finally also possible for the plate 21 of the drag cover T to be 
provided with registration projections. These registration projections 
travel, after completion of pivoting of the actuation projection B, into 
corresponding registration openings, which in the embodiment shown, may be 
the gripping openings 45 of the mounting plate 16. For this, the 
arrangement is such that closure of the vacuum cleaner 1 is only possible 
when the registration projections have entered into the registration 
openings or the gripping openings 45. This arrangement is to provide that 
closure of the vacuum cleaner 1 is only possible when a dust filter bag 8 
has been inserted. If a dust filter bag 8 is inserted into the chamber 7, 
the actuation projection B pivots, as already described, in the course of 
the closing movement, in the direction of the underside of the drag cover 
T, whereby the registration projections are also correspondingly displaced 
to such an extent that they may enter into the corresponding registration 
openings or gripping openings 45 in the closed disposition of the chamber 
7 with respect to to the drag cover T. If however no dust filter bag 8 is 
introduced, the actuation projection B finds no opposition to pivoting, so 
that the registration projections remain in their blocking position. In 
this blocking position, these projections abut for example against the 
outer edge of the filter frame 13 in the course of the closing movement of 
the drag cover T, so that there is opposition to closing the vacuum 
cleaner 1. If now also, differently sized registration projections are 
associated with correspondingly differently sized registration openings, a 
locationally correct insertion of the dust filter bag 8 in the chamber 7 
is also assured. 
There is shown and described, initially with reference to FIG. 14, a 
mounting plate 101 for a dust filter bag. The mounting plate 101 is, as 
may be seen from FIG. 15, formed from a total of four layers (FIG. 15 is a 
greatly enlarged representation). An upper layer 102 has a circular 
opening 103 with a peripheral edge 104. In addition, a relatively wide 
slit 105 is provided in the upper layer 102. Underneath the upper layer 
102, there is a provided a displaceable closure member V. The closure 
member V is provided at its narrow end with an attachment 106, which in 
the embodiment also comprises a card layer. The attachment 106 projects 
into the slit opening 105. By means of this attachment 106, the closure 
pusher V may be displaced by hand or automatically. 
The closure pusher V is indicated in FIG. 14 as to its external dimensions 
by the dotted lines. The opening 107 of the middle layer 108, i.e. the 
third layer from the top of the mounting plate 101, is formed to be larger 
than the upper opening 103 and also larger than the lower opening 109 (see 
FIG. 15). A rubber seal 111 is mounted between the layer 108 and the 
lowermost layer 110 of the mounting plate 101. The rubber seal 111 may for 
example be secured between the layers 108 and 110 by gluing. The rubber 
seal 111 extends inwardly from the peripheral edge 104 in annular manner 
and has an inner peripheral edge 112. 
A stabilising portion in the form of a tongue 113 is provided on the middle 
layer 108, i.e. the third layer from the top of the mounting plate 101. 
The tongue 113 is provided at the location on the opening 103 which is 
most remote from an end edge 114 of the closure member V (with reference 
to the withdrawn position of FIG. 14). 
By the provision of the tongue 113 on the layer 108 of the mounting plate 
101, it follows that this may also comprise a card-paper material, in the 
case of the present embodiment, as also applies for the remaining layers 
of the mounting plate. 
The tongue 113 has a dimension e, proceeding from the peripheral edge 104 
towards the interior of the opening 103, which dimension corresponds to 
one-half of the dimension E of the rubber seal 111 from the peripheral 
edge 104 towards the interior of the opening 103. For the present 
embodiment, a diameter d of the circular opening 103 is approximately 5 
cm. The dimension e corresponds approximately to one-tenth of this 
diameter, thus approximately 5 mm, while the rubber seal 111 extends 
approximately 1 cm into the interior of the opening 103 (dimension E). 
The sectional view of FIG. 16 shows a section in the plane between the 
layer 115, the second layer from the top, and the layer 108. In order to 
indicate that these layers are glued to one another and thus are connected 
to one another, the section plane, in so far as it coincides with the 
gluing, is indicated by cross-hatching. 
It will be apparent that the tongue 113 is provided directly on the layer 
115. The rubber seal 111 is mounted between the layer 115 and the layer 
108, the outer periphery of the rubber seal extending only partially 
circularly. 
From the representations of FIGS. 17 and 18, the behaviour of the tongue 
113 and the action of the tongue 113 in the operating condition of the 
vacuum cleaner will be apparent. 
There is in question in this case in particular a vacuum cleaner having a 
so-called drag cover 116, on which a suction tube 117 is provided. In 
regard to the features of the vacuum cleaner in detail, reference is made 
for example to EP-A-25 32 057, the content of which is herewith 
incorporated fully in the disclosure of the present application, also for 
the purposes of inclusion of such features in the claims. 
The suction tube 117 penetrates the openings 103 and 109 as well as the 
openings of the layers of the mounting plate 101 disposed between these 
openings. The dimensions of the openings and in particular the dimension 
of the tongue 113 are determined in relation to the diameter of the 
suction tube 117 in such a way that a folding of the tongue 113 into the 
interior of the dust bag is achieved. The tongue 113 engages however 
completely over the seal 111--and furthermore extends radially 
inwards--and abuts in a fully engaging manner against the suction tube 
117. On withdrawal of the suction tube 117 from the mounting plate 101 of 
the dust filter bag, there remains because of the bending of the tongue 
113 which has taken place, a definite pre-stress in the inward direction 
and a corresponding action of the tongue 113 on the rubber seal 111. This 
has the result that the rubber seal 111 does not in any way extend 
upwardly towards the opening 103 and thus the closure member V may be 
moved into a closed disposition without any further action. In the closed 
condition, the closure member V runs onto the tongue 113 on its upper 
side, with reference to a representation in accordance with FIG. 15. 
Referring to FIGS. 19 and 20, there is shown in partial cross-section, a 
receiver 118 for a dust filter bag. In regard to the dust filter bag, 
there is to be seen in detailed cross-section, a mounting plate 101, as 
already described above. 
The vacuum cleaner or the receiver 118 comprises a solid plate 119, which 
has the suction tube 117 already discussed In addition, an actuation 
projection 120 is to be seen, which has a nose 121, by which the 
projection acts on the closure member V of the dust filter bag. The 
actuation projection 120 is displaceable in a receiver 122 against the 
force of a spring 123, In addition, the closure pusher 120 is directly 
connected to the closure plate 119 by means of a strap 124. In particular, 
the connection point 125 for the strap 124 is provided on the underside of 
the closure plate 119, close to a pivot joint 126. 
For the position shown in FIG. 19, in which the actuation pusher 120 only 
rests on the mounting plate 101 of the dust filter bag, the strap 124 is 
in an unloaded condition. It still has a certain increment of length, 
which may be used. 
For the position shown in FIG. 20, a pivoting movement of the closure plate 
119 has been initiated, so that this pivots about the axis of the joint 
126 towards the mounting plate 101 for the dust filter bag. During this 
movement, the relative position of the actuation projection 120 with 
respect to the mounting plate 101 initially remains unchanged. The 
actuation projection 120 moves only a little against the spring force of 
the spring 123 into the actuation projection receiver 122. This movement 
may continue until such time as the strap 124 is stretched. This 
stretching occurs before the maximum amount of inward travel of the 
actuation projection 120 into the receiver 122 has been used up. As soon 
as the strap 124 is stretched, a dragging away of the actuation projection 
120 is introduced by any further pivoting of the closure plate 119 about 
the axis of the joint 126, so that this projection 120 pivots by means of 
the receiver 122, into a closed disposition about its joint arrangement 
127 relative to the closure plate 119, which is located on the underside 
of the closure plate 119. 
In this way, there is prevented any further increase in the force applied 
by the actuation projection 120 to the mounting plate 101 for the dust 
filter bag. 
In addition, reference is also made to the unpublished contents of German 
Patent Application No. 43 41 248 for the general construction of the 
receiver and the closure plate and the actuation projection. 
Alternatively, which however is not illustrated in detail, supports may 
also be formed on the actuation projection 120 at the side, i.e. 
perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. These supports may come for 
example into abutment against the inner periphery 128 of the receiver 118 
for the dust filter bag. By a suitable relationship between the overall 
length of the actuation projection 120 and the arrangement of the 
supports, it may be achieved not only that the nose 121 of the actuation 
projection 120 comes into abutment against the mounting plate 101 for the 
dust filter bag, but also that on the described pivoting of the closure 
plate 119, the resulting increased force in the course of the linear 
resilient compression of the actuation projection 120 is taken up by the 
abutment edge 128. The receiver edge 128 or the supports which are formed 
on the sides of the actuation projection 120, may then in particular also 
be so formed that they slide on one another with the least possible 
frictions 
For a further embodiment, a closure plate 219 having a suction connection 
217 is pivotably mounted in known manner by way of a pivot joint 226 
relative to a vacuum cleaner housing 202. An actuation projection 220 on a 
plate 221 is pivotably mounted by way of a hinge 222 at the free end of 
the closure plate 219. An expansion spring 233 is located at the axis 227 
of the hinge 222, which abuts against the underside 237 of the closure 
plate 219 by means of a loop 234, the loop matching the annular shape of 
the suction connection 217 and enclosing this connection. By virtue of the 
force of the expansion spring 233, when the closure plate 219 is opened, 
the plate 219 and the plate 221 take up a narrow V shape. The angle of 
opening of this V shape is limited by abutment of a nose 224 formed in the 
shape of an L against this connection 217, the nose adjoining an oval 
aperture 223 for the connection 227, see FIG. 27. 
The suction connection 217 is provided with a flap valve 205 at its free 
end, which prevents the falling back of dust and dirt arising out of the 
inverted disposition of the dust filter bag 208 in the operating 
configuration. There is in question in this regard a membrane reinforced 
by ribs, which is simply riveted in place at a pin 218. 
The plate 221 pivotably mounted on the underside 237 of the closure plate 
219 carries an actuation projection 220 mounted for displacement against 
the force of two springs 228, 229. In the extended disposition, the 
contour line of the plate 221 with extended actuation projection 220 
corresponds approximately to the contour shape of the closure plate 219 or 
that of the inner side of the filter frame 213 receiving the closure plate 
219 and plate 221. This means that the actuation arm 225 has approximately 
the same width as the plate 221. At its free end, the actuation arm 225 
carries an actuation nose 216, slightly displaced off centre, which nose 
moves a closure member V of a mounting plate 201 for the dust filter bag 
208 along with the nose in the manner described above. 
The mounting of the actuation projection 220 on the plate 221 is explained 
in more detail with reference to FIGS. 21 to 26. The plate 221 has 
perpendicularly extending shanks 230, 231 on which the the actuation 
projection 220 is mounted at its sides, the shanks being connected at 
their free ends by means of a bar 232 at the opposite end from the axis 
227. The actuation arm 225 of the actuation projection 220 is guided 
between the underside 235 of the plate 221 and the bar 232. A retaining 
nose 236 abuts against the bar 232 on extension of the springs 228, 229 
and prevents the arm from being withdrawn. The springs 228, 229 are 
mounted in channels 238, 239 of the actuation projection, the channels 
being formed to be U-shaped in cross-section. The free shank ends of the 
channels 238, 239 lie against the underside 235. For better guidance of 
the actuation projection, there extend from the free shanks 230, 231 of 
the plate 221, projections 240, 241, so that the channels 238, 239 are 
provided between these projections and the underside 235. In the 
longitudinal direction, each channel 238, 239 is closed at one end by a 
wall, against which the springs 228, 229 abut. The opposite longitudinal 
end is open and the springs 228, 229 there abut against counterbearings 
242, 243 secured to the plate. When the dust filter bag 8 is closed, the 
actuation projection 220 is initially pushed in the direction of the 
aperture 223 against the force of the springs 228, 229. The aperture 223 
is thus located between the channels 238, 239, and the actuation arm 225 
connecting the channels 238, 239 may therefore have a rounded shape 244. 
For limiting the displacement of the actuation projection 220 towards the 
aperture 223, abutments 246 are provided on the wall 245 of the nose 224, 
against which the end face of the rounded portion 244 of the actuation 
projection 220 engages. 
The mounting plate 201 with the closure member V is formed substantially in 
accordance with the preceding embodiments. It has here however a handling 
projection for the spade handle 260 in the form of an attachment 261, see 
FIG. 28, which is connected to the uppermost layer of the mounting plate 
201, this layer forming the top. The width of the attachment 261 
corresponds to somewhat less than the width of the slit in the uppermost 
layer of the mounting plate 201, see in this connection also FIG. 9, which 
is necessary for the actuation of the closure member V. The actuation nose 
216 of the actuation projection 220 projects in the direction of movement, 
towards the angular space formed by the upper side of the spade handle 260 
and the longitudinal side of the attachment 261, so that a counterbearing 
is found. As an alternative to the attachment, a recess may also be 
provided. 
On pivoting the closure plate 219 inwardly out of the position shown in 
FIG. 27 into the position according to FIG. 28, the plate 221 and the 
actuation projection 220 abut against the underside 237 of the closure 
plate 219, if the mounting plate 201 is missing and there is therefore 
maintained the V disposition between the closure plate 219 and the plate 
221 and the actuation projection 220, it is not possible to close the 
closure plate 219. Registration projections 203, 204 on the plate 221, 
formed by a widening opposite to the free end of the plate 221 and the 
actuation projection 220, move on maximum pivoting into registration 
receiving portions 206 of inwardly projecting receivers 207 on the filter 
frame 213. Thus closure of the vacuum cleaner is also only possible when a 
filter bag 208 has been introduced. 
In closed condition, see FIGS. 28, 29, the closure plate 219 is latched by 
retaining noses 209 penetrating apertures 210 in the closure plate 219. 
The retaining noses 209 may project from a sealing edge 212, which is 
provided in free standing manner at an angle 211 of the filter frame 213 
at least over the longitudinal extent of the filter frame 213. In the 
closed condition, a peripheral sealing lip 214 on the outer side of the 
closure plate 219 comes into sealing abutment against the flat inner side 
of the sealing edge 212. Also in the case of this embodiment, as already 
described, a connection of the actuation projection 220 to the closure 
plate 219 may be effected, for example by means of a flexible, stretchable 
connecting means, so that in the course of compression of the actuation 
projection 220, simultaneous pivoting of the actuation projection 220 is 
initiated. 
All features disclosed are relevant to the invention.