Abstract:
A filter apparatus. The filter apparatus further comprises a filter, a canister, and a trigger, wherein the trigger permits or prevents airflow through the filter.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/843,159, filed on Jul. 5, 2013, incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT NOT APPLICABLE 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention is directed to a filter attachment for a cleaning apparatus and, more particularly, to a HEPA filtration system that may be used in conjunction with a vacuum cleaner or sweeper machine. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    From time to time, a person may use a vacuum or sweeper machine to clean a mess that has a bad odor, is partially or completely liquid, or has other properties that make it undesirable to store in a standard vacuum bag or canister. In order to clean this mess, the person must use a specialized machine made for a specific purpose or clean the mess by hand. 
         [0004]    Of particular interest is the lack of a means in the art to clean, collect, or vacuum odorous insects such as “stink bugs” (insects of the families Pentatomidae and Rhopalidae, for example) without causing the insects to release a foul odor. When these insects are disturbed or damaged, they secrete a foul-smelling cyanide-based liquid which can permanently contaminate the inner workings of a machine such as a vacuum cleaner and can cause a residence or workplace to have a foul smell over time. 
         [0005]    Vacuum cleaners containing an internal HEPA filtration system are available for purchase separately, however they are not designed to prevent odors from escaping the bag or canister and are directed to reducing dust and allergens. They are further unable to accommodate liquid messes. These teach away from the present invention because they require the person to purchase and maintain multiple machines to accomplish different purposes. 
         [0006]    Machines which divert liquids into a canister by means of suction, often known as “wet/dry vacs” are commercially available. These teach away from the present invention because they focus their cleaning ability on non-dry debris and are often unsuitable for a high level of cleaning, for example, in a soiled residential carpet. They are further not directed at preventing odors from escaping the canister and are directed towards dust management. Notably, the high suction forces created by these machines cause substantial damage to stink bugs, increasing the smell released even as the insects are swept up. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention resides in one aspect in a filtration apparatus. The filtration apparatus has a handle, a filter, and a canister. The handle has a trigger which permits or prevents air flow through the filters. The canister collects debris prior to air filtration. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a top view of the filtration apparatus; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2A  is a side view of the filtration apparatus; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2B  is a partial side view of one embodiment showing a trigger mechanism; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2C  is a partial side view of one embodiment showing a filter and canister; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a partial cross-sectional view of one embodiment showing the filter and canister. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a filtration apparatus  200  may be attached to a vacuum cleaner, sweeper machine, or other suction-creating device. In one embodiment, the filtration apparatus  200  is made of molded or cast plastic, such as, for example thermoplastic or thermosetting polymer (e.g., Lexan®, a trademark of Sabic Innovative Plastics IP B.V., Bergen op Zoom, Netherlands). In one embodiment, the filtration apparatus  200  is made of acrylic resin such as, for example, Lucite®, a trademark of Lucite International Inc., Cordova, Tenn., which is commercially available from a variety of vendors including Ridout Plastics Company (San Diego, Calif.). In another embodiment, the filtration apparatus may be made of metal or other lightweight material that renders it light enough to be hand-held by a person. In another embodiment, the filtration apparatus  200  is composed of materials that are airtight and/or water resistant. Each component part of the filtration apparatus  200  may be composed of the same material, or of different materials. 
         [0014]    The filtration apparatus  200  has a nozzle  700 , a canister  600 , and a trigger assembly  300 , which form a continuous airtight pathway. As shown in  FIG. 1 , in one embodiment, the filtration apparatus  200  is assembled of parts which may be separated and replaced. In another embodiment, the filtration apparatus  200  is permanently assembled. The component parts of the filtration apparatus  200  may be attached fixedly or removably to permit cleaning, replacement, or the like. In one embodiment, the canister  600  is made of a material that is dishwasher-safe. In one embodiment, the nozzle  700  is composed of multiple units that may be separated and replaced. In another embodiment the nozzle  700  is flexible. 
         [0015]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2A , in one embodiment, an adapter  800  is sized to fit as an attachment to any commercially-available vacuum cleaner or sweeper machine base. The adapter  800  has an adapter end  810  that is opposite to the adapter inlet  820 . In one embodiment the adapter end  810  is tapered to securely and removably fit in a variety of commercially-available vacuum cleaner or sweeper machine bases, for example, via the intake hose of the vacuum cleaner or sweeper machine. In another embodiment, the adapter  800  is sized to fit a particular make and model of sweeper machine. The filtration apparatus  200  may be easily removed from the vacuum cleaner or sweeper machine when not in use. 
         [0016]    Not shown in the Figures is a flexible hose  500 , which may be of any length, that allows the filtration apparatus  200  to be hand-held and manipulated by a person without requiring the person also carry or manipulate the vacuum cleaner or sweeper machine base (not shown). In one embodiment, the flexible hose  500  is attached removably at a male hose end  520  to an outlet of the trigger assembly  330  and at a female hose end  510  to an adapter inlet  820 . In another embodiment, the outlet of the trigger assembly  330  is attached removably to the adapter inlet  820 . In another embodiment, the outlet of the trigger assembly  330  is attached fixedly to the adapter inlet  820 . 
         [0017]    Referring to  FIG. 2A , Line A indicates the cross-section used in  FIGS. 2B and 2C . The vacuum cleaner or sweeper machine base generates suction that draws air from the nozzle intake  710  towards the trigger outlet  330 . Direction B indicates the unfiltered airflow from the nozzle intake  710 , through a canister intake  630  and into the canister  600 . Direction C indicates the airflow from the canister  600  via a canister outlet  640 , through a filter  410 , and into the trigger assembly  300  by way of a trigger inlet  332 . 
         [0018]    In one embodiment, the canister  600  can hold approximately  3  quarts of solid waste. In another embodiment, the canister  600  can hold up to  2  gallons of liquid. In another embodiment, the canister  600  is watertight. In one embodiment, the filtration apparatus  200  accommodates liquid waste by drawing it into the canister  600  in Direction B via the suction generated by the vacuum cleaner or sweeper machine. The canister  600  can be filled with dry and liquid waste up to the level of the filter  410 . It is understood that canisters of different volumes and materials may be interchanged without departing from the present invention. 
         [0019]    As shown in  FIG. 2A , in one embodiment, the filter  410  is a high efficiency particulate air filter, also known as a “HEPA” filter. In one embodiment, the filter  410  meets the US Department of Energy Technical Standard for HEPA Filters. In another embodiment, the filter  410  may be a fiberglass, carbon fiber, or other particulate filter, such as, for example, a high efficiency gas absorption or “HEGA” filter, an ultra-low penetration air or “ULPA” filter, or other air filter. It is contemplated that a variety of types of filters may be suitable for uses to which the present invention is applicable. Materials having properties rendering them substantially impermeable to particles including odors, dust, smoke, liquids, and other particles are well-known in the art, and are readily commercially available. 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIG. 2C , a container body  620  is removably attached to the filtration apparatus  200  at a container lid  610 . In one embodiment, a container gasket  612  is disposed between the container lid  610  and the container body  620  to form and air- and watertight seal. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , in one embodiment, the filter  410  is enclosed within a filter case  440 . In one embodiment, a filter gasket  442  is disposed between the filter case  440  and an outer surface  642  of the container outlet  640 . In one embodiment, the filter  410  and the filter case  440  form a “sealed HEPA” system whereby no air may travel in Direction C without passing through filter  410 . 
         [0022]    As shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the trigger assembly  300  receives the air leaving the canister  600  through the filter  410  at the trigger inlet  332  along Direction C. As shown in  FIG. 2B , the trigger assembly  300  is in the closed position. In one embodiment, a trigger valve  340  is large enough to block the trigger outlet  330 . In one embodiment, a trigger gasket  342  is disposed between the trigger valve  340  and an outlet surface  344 . 
         [0023]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the trigger assembly  300  is in the open position allowing air to travel in Direction C from the canister  600  to the trigger outlet  330 . 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 2B , a trigger  310  has a stem end  312 , a pivot point  314 , and an operational end  316 . In one embodiment, the stem end  312  is disposed within the trigger assembly  300  and the operational end  316  extends away from the trigger assembly  300 . In one embodiment, the trigger  310  is rotatably fixed to the trigger assembly  300  at the pivot point  314  by a trigger pivot  370 , which is, in one embodiment, a pin. In another embodiment, the trigger pivot  370  is a spring which maintains the trigger valve  340  in the closed position as shown in  FIG. 2B  unless, for example, a person moves the trigger  310 . 
         [0025]    In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 2B , the stem end  312  of the trigger  310  is rotatably fixed to a stem  350 . The stem  350  has a trigger end  352  and a valve end  354 . In one embodiment, the valve end  354  is fixed to the trigger valve  340 . In another embodiment, the trigger valve  340  and the stem  350  are molded or formed of a single material. In one embodiment, the stem  350 , the valve  340 , and the trigger  320  are composed of materials which can resist powerful suction forces up to at least 300 airwatts. 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , when the trigger  310  is moved, for example by a person&#39;s finger, the trigger  310  rotates around the trigger pivot  370 . The trigger  310  moves the stem  350  towards the nozzle end  710 , which in turn moves the valve  340  away from the trigger outlet  330 . The space between the trigger outlet  330  and the valve  340  permits filtered air to travel in Direction C when the vacuum cleaner or sweeper machine base creates suction which pulls air from the canister  600  through the filter  410  and through the trigger assembly  300 . 
         [0027]    It is understood that in other embodiments of the present invention the valve  340  may be moved away from the trigger outlet  330  to permit airflow in Direction C by means other than a stem and trigger, including but not limited to an automatic or computerized valve, a valve operated by other manipulation such as twisting or unscrewing, or other means. 
         [0028]    A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.