Patent Publication Number: US-2020275608-A1

Title: Debris-collecting apparatus and method of collecting debris

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/376,067, filed Dec. 12, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/786,107 filed Mar. 5, 2013, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/739,716 filed Jan. 11, 2013, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 29/423,961 filed Jun. 6, 2012, a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/423,955 filed Jun. 6, 2012, and claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/624,688 filed Apr. 16, 2012, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The invention relates generally to debris-collecting systems and bagging apparatus for debris-collecting systems. Debris-collecting systems, such as leaf vacuums, typically have an input portion through which debris may enter, a bagging apparatus (typically a bag constructed of polyester non-woven felt or woven nylon), and a rotating member or other device for creating a current of air toward the bagging apparatus. When a current of air is created, the debris is moved by the current of air from the input portion to the bagging apparatus. Importantly, the bagging apparatus must allow air to pass; otherwise, the current of air will stop moving to the bagging apparatus with sufficient force to transport the debris from the input portion to the bagging apparatus. This raises contradictory priorities that must be addressed in the design of the bagging apparatus, as a porous bag is often needed for airflow considerations, but may also allow debris to pass through (thus impeding the entire point of using the debris-collecting system). 
     Moreover, even when a debris-collecting system is designed such that the bagging apparatus is sufficiently porous yet still—at least initially—collects an acceptable amount of debris, the debris often obstructs (or “clogs”) the bag pores. As a result, to maintain the necessary airflow to draw a desired amount of debris through the input portion, the bag must be emptied or exchanged well before the bag is full in traditional debris-collecting systems. 
     SUMMARY 
     At least one embodiment relates to a debris-collecting apparatus including a mobile frame, a draft inducer operable to draw air and debris, an input portion for receiving incoming air and debris caused by operation of the draft inducer, and a bagging portion. The bagging portion includes a hood having an arcuate portion, a bag removably positioned below the hood and having an inner face, and a bagging passage for directing the air and debris from the input portion to the hood. The arcuate portion extends from the bagging passage to the bag such that the air and debris from the bagging passage travels along the arcuate portion and thereafter apply a dislodging force to dislodge debris collected at the inner face of the bag. 
     Another embodiment relates to a debris-collecting apparatus including a mobile frame, a draft inducer operable to draw air and debris, an input portion for receiving incoming air and debris caused by operation of the draft inducer, and a bagging portion. The bagging portion includes a hood, a bag removably positioned below the hood and having an inner face, and a bagging passage. The bagging passage connects the input portion to the hood so that the flow of air and debris is directed from the input portion to the hood, and the hood is configured to induce a spiral flow of air and debris from the hood to the bag to dislodge collected debris on an inner face of the bag. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a prior art debris-collecting system. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of a bagging apparatus according to one embodiment of the current invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a section view of a dust skirt according to another embodiment of the current invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a debris-collecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the current invention. 
         FIG. 5  is another perspective view of the debris-collecting apparatus of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the debris-collecting apparatus of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 7  is an opposite side view of the debris-collecting apparatus of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of the debris-collecting apparatus of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 9  is a rear view of the debris-collecting apparatus of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 10  is a top view of the debris-collecting apparatus of  FIG. 4 , with a deflecting member removed for illustration. 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded view of the debris-collecting apparatus of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 12 a    illustrates debris build-up along bag pores in prior art systems. 
         FIG. 12 b    illustrates debris being dislodged from bag pores during use of the embodiment of  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the current invention provide debris-collecting systems and bagging apparatus for debris-collecting systems. 
       FIG. 1  shows a prior art debris-collecting system  100 , which includes a prior art woven nylon bag  110 . When debris enters the bag  110 , at least a small portion of the debris escapes through pores in the bag  110 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a bagging apparatus  200 , which may be used (for example) with the debris-collecting system  100 . The bagging apparatus  200  includes a primary bag  210  and a dust skirt  220 . The primary bag  210  may be constructed of polyester non-woven felt, woven nylon, or any other desirable material. While the primary bag  210  may have various shapes and sizes, it will typically have an open end  211  through which the debris may enter and be removed. 
     The dust skirt  220  is configured to wrap around the primary bag  210 , and the bagging apparatus  200  may include structure for holding the dust skirt  220  outside the primary bag  210 . For example, hook and loop fasteners  212 ,  222  may join the dust skirt  220  to the primary bag  210 . If hook and loop fasteners  212 ,  222  are used, it may be desirable for the hook fasteners  212  to be located on the primary bag  210 , and for the loop fasteners  222  to be located on the dust skirt  220 . Placing the hook fasteners  212  on the primary bag  210  instead of on the dust skirt  220  may prevent undesired interaction between the hook fasteners  212  and the primary bag  210  when the dust skirt  220  is pulled over the bag  210 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various structure may be used to removably secure the dust skirt  220  outside the primary bag  210 , and also that various structure may be used to temporarily secure the primary bag  210  in a debris-collecting system. 
     The composition of the dust skirt  220  may be particularly important in the desirable functioning of the bagging apparatus  200 . In one embodiment, the dust skirt  220  is constructed of an electrically-charged high efficiency filter material, such as but not limited to the electrically-charged blend of synthetic fibres sold under the trademark TECHNOSTAT™ by Hollingsworth &amp; Vose of East Walpole, Mass. The electrical charge may be generated on at least an inner face of the material during the manufacturing process, and may attract debris passing through the primary bag  210 —preventing the debris from passing through the dust skirt  220 . 
     Although the dust skirt  220  consisting essentially of the electrically-charged blend of fibres may be suitable for collecting debris that passes through the primary bag  210 , it may nevertheless have various shortcomings. The dust skirt  220  may, for example, be difficult to empty—or even use—without tearing or wearing a hole in the dust skirt  220 . Moreover, it may be difficult to place graphics on the dust skirt  220 . These issues may be addressed in some embodiments, such as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a cross-section of a dust skirt  320  that is substantially similar to the dust skirt  220 , except as specifically noted and/or shown, or as would be inherent. The dust skirt  320  includes a first layer  321  having inner and outer faces  321   i ,  321   o , and at least the inner face  321   i  includes the electrical charge for attracting debris. The first layer  321  may, for example, be the same as the material in the dust skirt  220 . An external layer  331  is laminated, sewn, or joined to the outer face  3210  of the first layer  321 . While various materials may be used for the external layer  331 , it may be particularly desirable to use a polyester or nylon or other woven or non-woven fabric such as that sold under the trademark C-TEX™ by The Cleveland Canvas Goods Mfg. Co. of Cleveland, Ohio. 
     Lamination may occur in various ways, but typically involves use of an adhesive  341  to couple the layers  321 ,  331  together. It may be desirable for the adhesive  341  to be applied in a manner that does not saturate the inner face  321   i  of the first layer  321 . And if heating or pressurizing is used during lamination, it may be particularly desirable to do so in a way that does not substantially reduce the electrical charge of the inner face  321   i  or substantially reduce the airflow of the filter material. 
     The dust skirt  320  may be particularly desirable when compared to the dust skirt  220 , as the dust skirt  320  may be more durable than the dust skirt  220 . In some embodiments, the dust skirt  320  may even be beaten against a concrete floor or other abrasive element without any substantial damage to the dust skirt  320 . Even further, it has been surprising to find that the dust skirt  320  may be sprayed using a high-powered air nozzle in close proximity (and even with the air nozzle touching the external layer  331 ) without any significant reduction in function of the dust skirt  320 . Such spraying may quickly cause the dust skirt  220  to fail. In addition, indicia may be placed on the dust skirt  320  (i.e., on the external layer  331 ), either before or after the layers  321 ,  331  are laminated together. 
     While using the bagging apparatus  200 —either with the dust skirt  220  or the dust skirt  320 —may be beneficial in various debris-collecting systems, it may be particularly desirable for the bagging apparatus  200  to be incorporated into a debris-collecting system  1000  shown in  FIGS. 4 through 11 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 through 11 , the debris-collecting system  1000  according to one embodiment includes an input portion  1110 , a bagging portion  1150 , a draft inducer  1120  for drawing debris through the input portion  1110  and to the bagging portion  1150 , and a frame  1130  with wheels  1132  allowing the apparatus  1000  to be easily transported. The input portion  1110 , the draft inducer  1120 , and the frame  1130  are shown to be typical elements in debris-collecting apparatus. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that alternate configurations (whether now existing or later developed) may be used. 
     Focus is now directed to the bagging portion  1150 , which includes a hood  1152 , the bagging apparatus  200 , and a bagging passage  1165  directing debris to the hood  1152  from the input portion  1110 . The hood  1152  includes a helical configuration  1153  extending from the bagging passage  1165  toward the bagging apparatus  200 , which is removably located lowerly adjacent the hood  1152 . It may be desirable for the helical configuration  1153  of the hood  1152  to extend such that it directs air and debris from the bagging passage  1165  to a point below where the air and debris enter the hood  1152  from the bagging passage  1165  (as shown in  FIGS. 4, 6, 8, and 11 ), causing the air and debris to travel in a downward spiral to the bagging apparatus  200 . It may further be desirable for the helical configuration  1153  to extend at least two hundred and seventy degrees about an imaginary vertical axis I, and it may be even more desirable for the helical configuration  1153  to extend at least three hundred and sixty degrees about the imaginary vertical axis I as shown in  FIG. 11 . 
     While the pitch of the helical configuration  1153  may vary, depending on for example the diameter of the helical configuration  1153 , it may be desirable for the pitch to be between about five and eight inches of drop per revolution. 
     As best shown in  FIG. 9 , a ramp  1154  may be located at a lower end of the helical configuration  1153  to direct air and debris away from the hood  1152 . This may enhance the helical travel of air and debris into the bagging apparatus  200 . The ramp  1154  may function as desired by extending from about ten degrees to forty-five degrees, and it may be particularly desirable for the ramp  1154  to extend at approximately twenty-seven degrees as shown. Diameter, depth, and pitch of the helical configuration may affect the optimal angle of the ramp  1154 . 
     The ramp  1154  may act as a bridge between the helical configuration  1153  and the bagging apparatus  200 , with the bagging apparatus  200  having a smaller diameter than the helical configuration  1153 , as shown in the drawings. Alternately, the ramp  1154  may be internal structure, allowing the helical configuration  1153  and the bagging apparatus  200  to have generally the same diameter. And while the drawings show the ramp  1154  as being integral with the hood  1152 , in some embodiments the ramp  1154  may be integral with the bagging apparatus  200  or distinct from both the hood  1152  and the bagging apparatus  200 . Although the ramp  1154  may generally extend fully about the lower end of the helical configuration  1153  (i.e., 360 degrees), it may be possible—and especially when the ramp  1154  is internal structure—for the ramp  1154  to extend less than 360 degrees. 
     Contrary to airflow in prior art systems, where debris is allowed to collect along the bag and obstruct air from exiting, the airflow caused by the helical configuration  1153  (either alone, or especially in tandem with the ramp  1154 ) may cause a self-cleaning effect where debris entering the bagging apparatus  200  dislodges at least a portion of debris collected at an inner face  210   a  ( FIG. 11 ) of the primary bag  210 . This dislodging is illustrated in  FIGS. 12 a  and 12 b    (which are not to scale) and may aid in allowing debris to collect away from the inner face  210   a  of the primary bag  210  and increase the amount of the bag capacity that may be effectively used. Pores  213  in the air permeable bag  210  are shown covered by debris  10  in  FIG. 12 a   , in accordance with systems without helical airflow.  FIG. 12 b    represents an effect of airflow in helical direction D according to an embodiment of the current invention, and shows the debris  10  being dislodged to clear pores  213  in the bag  210 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , an opening  1155  may be formed in the hood  1152  inside the helical configuration  1153 , and a filter  1170  may be removably positioned to prevent debris from exiting through the opening  1155 . The opening  1155  and filter  1170  may allow a low-pressure area to form away from the inner face  210   a  of the bag  210 , further drawing debris away from the inner face  210   a , and may provide an additional air outlet to maintain airflow through the input portion  1110 . In some embodiments, the filter  1170  may extend downwardly inside the hood  1152  and/or the bag  210  to provide an inner boundary around which debris must pass to further define helical movement of air and debris. And the helical movement of air and debris may cause a self-cleaning effect where debris collected on the filter  1170  is dislodged, similar to the self-cleaning effect discussed above. This dislodging may aid in allowing debris to collect throughout the bag  210  and increase the amount of the bag capacity that may be effectively used. 
     A deflecting member  1176  may cover the opening  1155 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , to direct the air exiting the hood  1152  through the opening  1155 . The deflecting member  1176  may be coupled to the filter  1158 , the hood  1152 , or any other appropriate structure, and in some embodiments the deflecting member  1176  is adjustable such that the direction of airflow out of the opening  1155  (e.g., angle and direction of travel) may be selected. In some embodiments that do not incorporate the filter  1170  and the deflecting member  1176 , structure may nevertheless extend inside the hood  1152  to provide an inner boundary around which debris must pass to further define helical movement of air and debris. 
     The hood  1152  may be constructed of plastics, metals, and/or other appropriate materials. Moreover, while the helical configuration  1153  is visible in the embodiment 1000, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other external configurations may be utilized while maintaining the helical configuration  1153  internally (e.g., through baffling), and that the external helical configuration may be desirable for its aesthetic properties. 
     In use, then, air and debris are drawn through the input portion  1110  and to the bagging portion  1150  by the draft inducer  1120 . The air and debris enter the hood  1152  of the bagging portion  1150  and are directed along the helical configuration  1153  and the ramp  1154 , which may cause the self-cleaning effect discussed above. While substantially all of the debris may collect in the primary bag  210 , much of the air and at least some of the debris may pass through the primary bag  210 . The debris passing through the primary bag  210  may be collected in the dust skirt  220  (or, if alternately employed, the dust skirt  320 ). The electrical charge of the inner face of the dust skirt may aid in retaining the debris in the dust skirt as discussed above, and the primary bag  210  and the dust skirt  220  (or the dust skirt  320 ) may be emptied when full or desired. If the dust skirt  320  is used, the dust skirt  320  may be beaten or sprayed by an air nozzle for cleaning. 
     Returning now to the filter  1170 , the filter  1170  may also include various materials and a secondary “dust skirt”. More particularly, as shown in  FIG. 11 , the filter  1170  may include a sleeve  1172  of polyester non-woven felt, woven nylon, or any other desirable material, outside a frame  1173 , and a dust skirt may additionally be coupled to the frame  1173  to catch debris passing through the sleeve  1172 . Similar to the dust skirt  220 ,  320 , it may be particularly desirable for the dust skirt outside the sleeve  1172  to utilize a charged material. 
     Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as well as components not shown, are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention have been described with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not depart from its scope. A skilled artisan may develop alternative means of implementing the aforementioned improvements without departing from the scope of the present invention. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the present invention.