Patent Publication Number: US-8973196-B2

Title: Slide-out drum with filter for a wet/dry vacuum appliance

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/120,560 filed Dec. 8, 2008, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO APPENDIX 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The inventions disclosed and taught herein relate generally to wet and dry vacuum cleaners, and more specifically relate to removable drums associated with wet/dry vacuum cleaners, and the removal of such drums containing debris from a wet/dry vacuum cleaner with little or no dirtying or contamination of the surrounding area. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A number of wet and dry vacuum cleaners, or wet/dry vacs, are known in the art. Typically, these vacuum cleaners suck air, liquid and/or debris through a flexible hose and into a container or drum, where the air then flows through a filter and out of the container, leaving the debris inside the container and/or embedded in the filter. Occasionally, after a period of such use, the container must be emptied and the filter cleaned so as to avoid damage to the efficiency and/or operation of the vacuum cleaner. However, the removal of the filter and/or drum from current wet/dry vacuum appliances may be a tedious and messy task. For instance, many wet/dry vacs require that the vacuum unit, or powerhead, be removed from the container and inverted in order for the filter to be cleaned or replaced. This often results in dirt and debris becoming dislodged from the powerhead or filter and making its way onto the floor or other surroundings, including the user in some cases. 
     The inventions disclosed and taught herein are directed to vacuum appliance systems having filter assemblies comprising a filter support, wherein the filter support assembly allows for debris to be more easily removed from the vacuum assembly without dislodging the debris from the filter prematurely and/or dirtying the surrounding area. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Vacuum appliance systems and assemblies for enhanced debris removal from a vacuum appliance are disclosed herein, wherein a drum and associated filter assembly of a wet/dry vacuum appliance which is full of debris may be removed from the vacuum appliance without having to separately remove or lift the vacuum powerhead assembly, allowing for the user of the wet/dry vacuum appliance to remove the drum full of debris, along with dirty filter, to a place where it can be emptied without the user having to touch the debris and without having to clean up excess debris from when the user had to remove the filter from the powerhead. 
     In accordance with a first embodiment of the present disclosure, a wet and dry vacuum cleaner system is described, wherein the system comprises a container for receiving debris, a filter and a filter support assembly, the container being of any shape and comprising an air inlet and an air outlet. The system may further include a filter and a filter support, wherein the support may be removably coupled to the container and/or another component of the system. The support may be adapted to situate the filter at least partially within the container, such as intermediate between the air inlet and the air outlet. The system may also include a vacuum unit, such as a powerhead, having a vacuum inlet and a vacuum outlet. The vacuum unit may be coupled to the container and/or another component of the system, such as to allow fluid communication between the container and the vacuum unit. The system may include a housing adapted to house one or more components of the system, in whole or in part. For example, the container may be coupled, removably or otherwise, in a desired position relative to one or more other components of the system, such as to be in communication with the vacuum unit. 
     In accordance with a further embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of removing debris from a vacuum cleaner system in accordance with the present invention is also disclosed. The method may include decoupling the container from the vacuum unit, such as to allow the container to be separated or removed from the system. The method may further include decoupling the container from the housing or from, for example, one or more other components of the system. The filter support and/or filter may be decoupled from the container or otherwise removed from the system, such as to facilitate cleaning or removing debris from the filter or container. 
     In accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a wet and dry vacuum cleaner system for use herein may include means for housing a vacuum unit, such as a vacuum unit including a vacuum inlet having one or more sealing surfaces thereon. The system may further include means for receiving a debris container, the container having sealing means adapted to sealingly engage one or more sealing surfaces of the vacuum unit. The system may also include means for positioning the sealing means of the container in close proximity to the sealing surfaces of the vacuum unit and/or means for releasably holding the container in sealed engagement with the vacuum unit. 
     In further embodiments of the present disclosure, a wet and dry vacuum cleaner system for use herein may include a housing, which may have one or more panels, such as side panels, and a vacuum unit, which may have an inlet and outlet. The vacuum unit may be coupled, removably or otherwise, to one or more of the side panels, such as to support or hold the vacuum unit in place. The system may include a container, which may be substantially rectangular in shape, round, or any shape, and which may include one or more air inlets. The container may further include one or more air outlets, such as an open top or, as another example, a more restricted outlet, such as an outlet defined by one or more other components of the system, or portions thereof, singularly or in combination. The container may be coupled with one or more other components of the system, removably or otherwise. For example, the container may be coupled relative to the vacuum unit such as to allow the vacuum inlet to communicate with at least a portion of the interior of the container or air exiting therefrom. The system may include a filter support, which may or may not have a filter coupled thereto, such as a support adapted to couple at least partially within an airflow path. For example, the support may be removably coupled between the inside of the container and the vacuum inlet, such as to allow air traveling from the container to the vacuum unit to pass proximate to or through the support and/or filter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following figures form part of the present specification and are included to further demonstrate certain aspects of the present invention. The invention may be better understood by reference to one or more of these figures in combination with the detailed description of specific embodiments presented herein. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary vacuum cleaner system in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the exemplary vacuum cleaner system of  FIG. 1 , showing the removable drum partially removed. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the exemplary vacuum cleaner system of  FIG. 1 , taken along line III-III. 
         FIG. 4A  illustrates a partial perspective view of the interior of the vacuum appliance  10 . 
         FIG. 4B  illustrates a partial cut-away view of an exemplary drum and support system in accordance with the present disclosure being installed into the vacuum assembly  10 . 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an exploded perspective view of an exemplary filter support system and the associated removable drum in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a schematic perspective view of the assembly of  FIG. 5  in combination. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of an alternative filter support system in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of the filter support system of  FIG. 7  in association with an exemplary vacuum appliance container. 
         FIG. 9A  illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary filter and drum assembly of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 9B  illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of an alternative arrangement of a filter and drum assembly in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 9C  illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of a further alternative arrangement of a filter and drum assembly incorporating a spring biasing mechanism, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 10A  illustrates an alternative assembly in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 10B  illustrates the alternative arrangement of  FIG. 10A  with the powerhead assembly pivoted upward and the collection drum pulled out. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a further alternative vacuum collection drum and powerhead sealing assembly in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     While the inventions disclosed herein are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, only a few specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail below. The figures and detailed descriptions of these specific embodiments are not intended to limit the breadth or scope of the inventive concepts or the appended claims in any manner. Rather, the figures and detailed written descriptions are provided to illustrate the inventive concepts to a person of ordinary skill in the art and to enable such person to make and use the inventive concepts. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The Figures described above and the written description of specific structures and functions below are not presented to limit the scope of what Applicants have invented or the scope of the appended claims. Rather, the Figures and written description are provided to teach any person skilled in the art to make and use the inventions for which patent protection is sought. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that not all features of a commercial embodiment of the inventions are described or shown for the sake of clarity and understanding. Persons of skill in this art will also appreciate that the development of an actual commercial embodiment incorporating aspects of the present inventions will require numerous implementation-specific decisions to achieve the developer&#39;s ultimate goal for the commercial embodiment. Such implementation-specific decisions may include, and likely are not limited to, compliance with system-related, business-related, government-related and other constraints, which may vary by specific implementation, location and from time to time. While a developer&#39;s efforts might be complex and time-consuming in an absolute sense, such efforts would be, nevertheless, a routine undertaking for those of skill in the art having benefit of this disclosure. It must be understood that the inventions disclosed and taught herein are susceptible to numerous and various modifications and alternative forms. Lastly, the use of a singular term, such as, but not limited to, “a,” is not intended as limiting of the number of items. Also, the use of relational terms, such as, but not limited to, “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “upper,” “lower,” “down,” “up,” “side,” and the like are used in the written description for clarity in specific reference to the Figures and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention or the appended claims. The term “couple,” “coupled,” “coupling,” “coupler,” and like terms are used broadly herein and can include any method or device for securing, binding, bonding, fastening, attaching, joining, inserting therein, forming thereon or therein, communicating, or otherwise associating, for example, mechanically, magnetically, electrically, chemically, directly or indirectly with intermediate elements, one or more pieces of members together and can further include without limitation integrally forming one functional member with another in a unity fashion. The coupling can occur in any direction, including rotationally. 
     Applicants have created a vacuum cleaner appliance system, which may include many components, such as a housing that may couple with, removably or otherwise, one or more other components of the system. The system may include a vacuum unit or a debris container, one or both of which may be coupled to the housing. For example, the vacuum unit and the container may be coupled to the housing such that an air passageway exists between the two components. The system may include a filter support, which may have a filter coupled thereto. The filter support and/or filter may be coupled, for example, at least partially within the air passageway, such as to allow at least some air traveling through the passageway to pass through the filter. In at least one embodiment, the container may be at least partially removable from the system, such as to facilitate the cleaning or replacement of the container or filter. The housing may be configured to hold two or more components in working relation with one another, such as to bring the container in close proximity to the vacuum unit or, as another example, to allow the container to be coupled with the vacuum unit. 
     Turning now to the figures,  FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic perspective view of an exemplary vacuum appliance system in accordance with the present disclosure. The exemplary system  10  shown is a wet and dry vacuum system, but the present disclosure is not limited to such vacuum appliances. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , vacuum appliance system  10  comprises a frame  12  having a handle assembly  13  to which is attached parallel side walls, or panels,  14 , and a back panel (not shown) which is in a perpendicular arrangement relative to the two side panels  14 . Within the housing formed by the frame  12  and panels  14  is a debris collection container, or drum,  16  and a powerhead, or vacuum unit assembly  18  housing the vacuum motor (M). Atop the vacuum unit assembly  18  are one or more accessory drawers,  19   a  and  19   b , which slidably engage the side panels  14  and which can be used for storage of tools or vacuum accessory such as hose nozzles and even the vacuum hose itself when not in use. Atop these components is a lid  20  which is hingably attached to one of the side panels  14  via a pivot pin  22  or a similar hinging means, as shown, or alternatively is hingably attached to the back panel of the system  10 . The system  10  further comprises a plurality of wheels  30  and/or casters  32  to allow easy movement of the system by the user. While the system is illustrated with two rear wheels  30  and two front casters  32 , it will be understood that the system may use all casters, or all wheels, as appropriate. The debris collection drum  16 , which includes a filter support system as will be described in more detail herein, comprises an air inlet  26  on its front face, extending into the interior of the drum itself, as well as an optionally-included drain and drain cap assembly  15  for ease of removal of liquid debris from the drum, such as via a wet/dry vacuum pump assembly or the like. The air inlet  26  of drum  16  allows for air and/or debris to enter the drum, for example through a flexible vacuum hose or hose wand (not shown for purpose of clarity). The vacuum unit assembly  18  may include operating elements of the vacuum system  10  such as, for example, and without limitation, a motor (M), vacuum impeller, power actuating switch  28 , and other elements, such as controls. The vacuum unit assembly  18  may further, optionally include a vacuum inlet and vacuum outlet (not shown), such as for example to allow air (and debris) to pass into or out of the unit  18  during operation of the vacuum. For example, air may pass through a vacuum hose (not shown) attached to air inlet  26  in drum assembly  16 , into and through the vacuum assembly  18 , and out of the outlet, such as when operated in a vacuum mode. It will be understood by those of skill in the art that a vacuum hose may optionally be attached to the outlet of the assembly for use as a blower, if desired. Collection drum  16  also comprises one or more securement means  24 , for example, latches, clasps, clips, or other securement means, suitable for holding the container in a desired place or manner and mating the drum  16  in an upward, sealed position with the vacuum unit assembly  18  via latch receiving means formed in or attached to the lower front face of the vacuum assembly  18 , as will be described in more detail herein. 
     As described above, the vacuum appliance system  10  preferably includes a frame or housing  12 , such as, for example, a frame or casing, for housing one or more components of the system  10 , such as the drum  16 , the vacuum unit assembly  18 , and the accessory drawers  19   a ,  19   b . As another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the housing  12  may be a cart, which may have a plurality of wheels  30  and/or castors  32 , or any other suitable means for allowing the vacuum system  10  to travel. Handle assembly  13 , preferably formed as a part of frame or housing  12 , or in the alternative permanently or removably attached to housing  12  via an appropriate holder or other appropriate attachment means, acts to assist the user in moving the vacuum system  10  from place to place, and can accept various additions, such as brake levers to stop the system  10  from rolling as desired, as well as retaining means for holding vacuum accessories or additional vacuum hoses in a storage position. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a schematic perspective view of an exemplary vacuum cleaner system of the present disclosure, wherein collection drum  16  is disengaged and partially removed from the vacuum unit assembly  18 . In at least one advantageous embodiment, the drum  16  may be removably coupled with the housing  12 , via slots or the equivalent formed in the sidewalls  14 , as will be further described below, such as to be completely separable from the housing and sidewalls of the system  10 , so as to be mobile to aid in cleaning, emptying or, as another example, replacing the container  16  and/or the vacuum filter assembly  40  associated therewith. The drum  16  may have an air outlet  50  such as, for example, an open top or other orifice through which air may flow from the interior of the drum  16  up and through the vacuum assembly  18 , when the system  10  is in operation. The air outlet  50  may be unobstructed or further defined, such as for example by a filter support assembly  34  or other device. The support assembly  34 , as shown in the figure and as will be described in more detail below, may comprise one or more filters, such as filter  40 , which may be suspended, for example to hang at least partially within container  16 , or which may be otherwise positioned or secured either directly to filter support assembly  34 , or within drum  16 . Further, the support assembly  34  may be coupled to the container  16 , such as by hinges, latches, or another device, or the support  34  may simply sit on or within the top of drum  16 , for example, as a substantially planar lid which is retained on a lip or edge  59  at least partially circumscribing the interior region of the drum  16 , such that the support assembly  34  is substantially flush with the top edges of the drum  16 , recessed within the container, or which optionally may also protrude from collection drum  16 . The support assembly  34  or a portion thereof may further form a seal with the drum  16 , in which case the assembly  34  may further include one or more appropriately sized and shaped gasket or other sealing means  36   a ,  36   b , such as to direct air leaving the container through filter  40 . These gaskets, or sealing means,  36   a ,  36   b  will engage and seal onto matching rings on the vacuum powerhead within vacuum unit assembly  18 , thus forming a vacuum seal. 
     As indicated above, the support assembly  34  and/or filter assembly  40  associated therewith may further include one or more sealing devices  36   a ,  36   b , such as on the top face of the support assembly  34 . The sealing devices  36   a ,  36   b  may be gaskets or other seals adapted to sealingly engage, for example, the powerhead of vacuum unit  18  when the container is coupled or matingly engaged to the vacuum unit  18  or installed within the housing  12 . In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, the sealing devices are two gasket assemblies, primary gasket  36   a  and secondary gasket  36   b , which act to seal the support assembly  34  which comprises the vacuum filter assembly  40 , and the associated drum  16 , to the powerhead of vacuum unit  18 . Preferably, these gaskets  36   a ,  36   b  are installed in a spaced-apart manner within the top surface  38  of support assembly  34  so that they are visible to the user when the drum  16  is removed from the housing  12  such that they may be easily inspected for damage and replaced as necessary. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the exemplary vacuum cleaner system of  FIG. 1  having a removable drum  16 , taken along line III-III, for purposes of clarity. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, such as those shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , for example, the vacuum system  10  may further include accessories, such as a vacuum hose, hose wand, and/or one or more vacuuming extensions or other attachments (not shown). One or more of the accessories may be coupled in any order to the air inlet  26  when, for example, an operator desires to use the vacuum system  10  in vacuum mode. As shown by the air-flow arrows in the Figure, upon the vacuum unit being turned on, air and debris or other waste, which may be solid, liquid, or a slurry of solid and liquid debris, flows via vacuum force through the air inlet  26  and into collection drum  16 , wherein the debris may be collected inside the container until such time is appropriate to empty the debris from the container. The remaining air, devoid of most debris at this stage, may pass out of the collection drum  16  through filter assembly  40  where any remaining debris may be filtered out of the air, and up through the air outlet  50  in the top face of the support assembly  34 . The filtered air may then pass into a vacuum powerhead inlet  35  of the vacuum powerhead P within vacuum housing  18 , generally to then be exhausted or otherwise routed, for example, into the external environment through vacuum outlet  39  formed in the rear panel  14 ′ of the assembly  10 . 
     Also shown with more clarity in  FIG. 3  are the details of the filter assembly attached to the bottom face of support assembly  34 . As shown therein, the filter assembly comprises at least a filter  40 , which is mounted over a filter cage  42  formed with and extending downwardly from the bottom face of the planar support assembly  34 . Filter cage  42  may be of any appropriate size or design, including substantially cylindrical or oval, and typically includes a float  44  within the interior region of the cage, as well as a terminal stem which allows the filter  40  to be mounted to the cage  42 . The assembly may, but not necessarily, further include a filter plate  43  and associated filter cap screw  45  for threadably securing the filter to the filter cage, although the filter securement mechanism may be integral with the bottom face of the filter  40  itself, as appropriate. Filter  40  may be of any appropriate material, as desired, including paper, cloth, and a variety of synthetic materials, such as HEPA-type materials, without limitation. 
     As mentioned above, and with continued reference to  FIG. 3 , the collection drum  16  is preferably removable from the vacuum unit housing  18  and/or housing  12  of vacuum system  10 , for ease in emptying the drum when it is full of debris. In at least one embodiment, the system  10  may include a support system, which may include one or more support means, such as a support device or support slot formed into the inside walls of side panels  14 , for example to support and/or guide the drum  16  into and out of housing  12 , and simultaneously to bring the drum  16  and associated support assembly  34  into engagement with the powerhead P and powerhead inlet  35  of the vacuum unit within housing  18 . A further optional support device formed into or associated with the bottom of the drum  16 , or the housing  12 , such as a shaft  41  extending between side panels  14 , may act as a drum support member to further support the drum  16  while being installed or removed from the system  10  or, as another example, while the drum is engaged with the vacuum unit within vacuum housing  18  via vacuum powerhead inlet  35 . The supporting means may cooperate with any portion of the container, such as the bottom, sides, or another desired part of the container. For example, the support system may include one or more container support means, such as a roller or shaft  41 , or may include a groove, track or, as another example, a slot. The supporting means or devices may exist or act singularly or in combination, and/or they may cooperate with one or more other attributes of the invention, or none. Furthermore, the supporting means or devices, or portions thereof, may be located on the drum  16 , on the vacuum unit housing  18 , the housing or frame  12 , or may be coupled to or formed by these or any other component of the system  10 . 
     In at least one preferred embodiment of the present invention, such as in  FIGS. 1-3 , and shown in more particular detail in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the system  10  may further include one or more slots  29 , such as slots molded into side panels  14 , that slidingly cooperate with one or more supports on the drum  16 , such as roller  21 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4A , each of the side panels  14  may have a slot  29  molded into the interior face of their wall, at a region proximate the vacuum assembly housing  18 . As shown in the figure, the slot extends from the front face of the assembly  10  towards the back panel  14 ′ of the assembly. At the rear portion of the slot  29 , the slot is molded to form a ramp  22 , so that the tub  16  when inserted into the interior region of the vacuum system  10  is raised upward to sealingly engage the sealing surfaces  37   a ,  37   b  of powerhead P. The support system described above may allow, for example, the drum  16 , alone or in combination with the filter support assembly  34 , to be slidably installed into or removed from the interior region of vacuum appliance system  10  defined at least in part by the side panels  14  and back panel  14 ′. Such an embodiment may be advantageous, for example, in that once the container is removed from the system  10 , the filter  40  may be uncoupled from either the drum  16  or support assembly  34  as appropriate, while maintaining the assembly  34  in place over the top of drum  16 . Any debris falling from the filter  40  during removal of said filter may then fall into the drum itself and not onto the floor or other surroundings. As another nonlimiting example, the support system of the drum assembly described herein may be situated such that when the drum  16  is inserted into the interior region of system  10 , the air outlet  50  may be located in close proximity to the sealing surfaces  37   a ,  37   b  on the bottom face of the powerhead P housed within housing  18 , such as for example to facilitate a sealing engagement between the drum  16  and the powerhead P of the vacuum unit within vacuum housing assembly  18 . 
       FIG. 4B  illustrates a partial cut-away view of an exemplary support and tub engagement of the system  10  as described above in accordance with the present disclosure. A slot  29 , which as described above is preferably molded into the interior walls of panels  14 , comprise one or more ramps  22  at the rearward portion of the panel wall, proximate the back panel  14 ′, so as to raise the tub to an elevation proximate the sealing surface of powerhead P by bringing rolling support  21  from a first height in slot  29  to a second, elevated height in terminal slot region  29 ′. The slots  29 ,  29 ′ and ramp  22  are preferably situated in the system  10  such that, for example, when the drum  16  is inserted into or removed from the interior region of vacuum appliance system  10 , one or more support devices, such as for example roller  21 , may cooperate with the slots  29  and  29 ′. For example, the drum  16  may be pushed or pulled into or out of the interior of system  10  (respectively), thus engaging or disengaging the sealing surfaces  37   a ,  37   b  on the bottom of powerhead P with the sealing means  36   a ,  36   b  on the top face of support assembly  34 , wherein the roller  21  may contact the slot  29 , such as to roll along the slot  29 . When the drum  16  is being installed into the interior of system  10 , the roller  21  may roll along slot  29  and then up ramp  22  to the terminal slot region  29 ′, which may, for example, bring the top surface of drum  16  in close proximity to the bottom sealing surfaces of the powerhead, P. In at least one embodiment, a filter support assembly  34 , which may have one or more sealing devices  36   a ,  36   b  as described above, may be proximate to the top of drum  16  (e.g.  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 5 ). In such an embodiment, for example, the ramp  22  may cause a sealing device  36   a ,  36   b  to directly contact a sealing surface  37   a ,  37   b  on the bottom of the powerunit P in vacuum unit assembly  18 . Thereafter, an operator of the system  10  may couple the drum  16  to the vacuum unit assembly  18 , such as by latching the two components together using one or more latches  24  (e.g.  FIG. 1 ). This coupling will bring the top surface of the drum  16  and/or the filter support assembly  34  into closer proximity to the powerhead at the bottom face of vacuum unit assembly  18 , so as to cause the sealing means  36   a ,  36   b  to compress, forming a seal between drum  16  and the powerhead P. 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  will be discussed simultaneously.  FIG. 5  illustrates an exploded perspective view of an exemplary filter support assembly  34  having a filter assembly  40  attached thereto and extending downwardly from the bottom face (opposite top face  38 ) of the assembly  34 . As described in reference to  FIG. 3 , above, the filter assembly is preferably just a filter  40  removably attached to the bottom face of support assembly  34 , although it may optionally include other filter components, such as a filter cage, optional filter plate, and the like, as desired. Also shown in  FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the debris collection drum  16 , which comprises opposite and substantially parallel sides  52  (as shown in  FIG. 2) and 54 , opposite and substantially parallel front face  58  and back face  56 , and bottom  51 , such that in combination these components define the interior space  60  of drum  16 . Further, debris collection drum  16  can include side surface  55 . Surrounding at least a portion, and preferably the entirety of, the top edge of the drum  16  is a lip  59  which extends outwardly from the walls of the drum. The interior region of the drum may also include one or more interior supports, such as side support  62  and front support  64 , for supporting filter support assembly  34  when it is inserted onto the top of the drum  16 . In accordance with the present disclosure, while drum  16  is illustrated as being generally rectangular in shape, front and back faces  56  and  58  may be of any appropriate shape, e.g., they may be rounded, as long as sides  52  and  54  are substantially planar and parallel for purposes of support and engagement with the interior region of vacuum system  10 . Additionally, regardless of the overall shape of drum  16 , it is preferably that the top profile of drum  16  is configured and shaped such that the support assembly  34  may be coupled thereto in a manner that is substantially sealed. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the top of the container  16  may be commensurate in shape with the bottom face of support assembly  34  and/or may comprise one or more recesses (not shown), for example a recess for receiving the support assembly  34 . The support assembly  34 , in cooperation with the container  16 , preferably acts to suspend a vacuum filter  40  at or below the bottom face of  38 ′ of assembly  34 , and at least partially within drum  16 . A seal may be formed, for example, between the bottom face  38 ′ and a recess or the interior drum supports  62 ,  64 , such as to define at least a portion of the air outlet  50 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , during operation of the vacuum system  10 , any air leaving the drum  16  may be routed through the filter  40  and out of the top of the drum  16  and/or support assembly  34  such as, for example, to travel into the vacuum inlet  35  when the drum  16  is coupled to the vacuum unit assembly  18  and the system  10  is operated in vacuum mode. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of the drum  16  for receiving debris during vacuum appliance operation, in coordination with filter support assembly  34 , as shown and described in  FIG. 5 . As discussed above, the support assembly  34  includes a shaped surface having a top and bottom face  38  and  38 ′, respectively, and wherein the surface further has an opening  50  or other appropriate means for joining a filter  40  therewith, as discussed in detail above. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of an alternative filter support assembly  100  of the present disclosure, comprising a filter assembly  104  and a filter sealing means  105  having gaskets  106  or similar sealing devices as part of the sealing plate on the top of filter  40 . The support assembly  100  illustrated therein has a base  110  for holding one or more filters  40  or filter assemblies  104 , such filter assemblies  104  comprising a filter  40 , a filter cap  105 , and one or more gaskets or other appropriate sealing means  106  formed into the top face of such cap, and optionally may also comprise the filter cage and associated components within the interior region of the filter  40 , as described in detail above. The base  110  of the support assembly  100  may have one or more support arms  112 ,  114  in a parallel orientation to base  110 , and elevated via walls  116 ,  118  to a plane substantially the same as the top of the sealing surface on filter assembly  104 . The support arms  112 ,  114  act to allow the support assembly  100  to engage the upper surface of drum  16 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the arms  112 ,  114  may cooperate with the top of drum  16 , such as with a recess or slot (not shown) on the interior of drum  16 , such that the filter assembly  104  and the remainder of the base  110  are coupled at least partially inside drum  16 . In such an embodiment, for example, the filter  40  may include one or more sealing means  105 , such as gaskets, which may sealingly engage the sealing surfaces  37   a ,  37   b  of powerhead P within vacuum assembly unit  18  or another component of the system  10  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . While support assembly  100  is shown in  FIG. 8  to be associated with drum  16  in a front-to-back orientation, it will be understood that assembly  100  may also be oriented in a side-to-side orientation, e.g., arms  112  and  114  may find support and extend from side wall  52  to side wall  54 , versus from front wall  58  to back wall  56 . Additionally, similar to assemblies described above, filter support assembly  100  may be coupled at or below the top edge or plane (E) of the drum  16 , such that at least a portion of the filter  40  or filter assembly  104  is disposed inside the drum  16  and the top surface of the assembly  100  aligns with, and does not extend above, the top edge or plane of the drum. 
       FIG. 9A  illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary tub  16  and filter support assembly  34  in coordination with each other, showing how the filter lid/support assembly  34  coordinates with the tub  16  of the wet/dry vacuum appliance  10  in standard operation, and further illustrating details of the filter assembly which comprises filter  40 , a filter cage  42  and associated cage stem  45 , float  44 , and further comprising an optional filter cap or plate  43 , which may be made of a hard, rigid material or a soft, flexible material, as appropriate. As shown in the Figure, the top surface  38  of support assembly  34  is substantially in the same plane as the top surface of the lip  59  of tub  16 . Similarly, this figure serves to show how the filter assembly extends downward from the bottom face  38 ′ of assembly  34  into the interior region  16 ′ of debris collection drum  16 . 
       FIGS. 9B and 9C  illustrate alternative arrangements of the filter assembly within tub  16  which are suitable in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. In these embodiments rather than the filter assembly being attached to a separate support assembly, it is mounted on the bottom surface of the collection tub  16 . In  FIG. 9B , a central portion  51 ′ of the bottom  51  of the tub  16  is formed to be raised upward into the interior of the tub a height appropriate to allow the top portion of the filter assembly to sealingly engage with the sealing surface of the powerhead P (not shown). An optional sealing support assembly  34  (shown in hashed lines) may be included as appropriate, should the user desire to further separate the debris collected within the collection drum from the lower surface of the powerhead. In  FIG. 9C , a drum arrangement similar to that shown in  FIG. 9B  is formed, having a central raised portion  51 ′. However, in this embodiment, intermediate between the filter assembly comprising filter  40 , filter cage  42 , and float  44 , is a surface  70  upon which the filter assembly is attached. Between surface  70  and the central region  51 ′ of the bottom of drum  16  is one or more spring biasing means  72  (such as a spring or the equivalent), which act to bias the filter assembly upward and into sealing engagement with the sealing surface on the bottom surface of the powerhead P (not shown) when the collection drum is brought into alignment with the powerhead and vacuum motor assembly  18 . This arrangement, similar to that shown in  FIG. 9B , allows the use of a planar, sealing support assembly  34  to be optional, as the biasing means  72  forms a strong, sealing contact surface between the top surface of the filter assembly and the bottom, sealing surface of the powerhead P. 
       FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate alternative approaches to methods of removing and emptying a debris collection drum from a wet/dry vacuum appliance. In  FIGS. 10A and 10B , an embodiment employing a pivoting vacuum powerhead  158  oriented above the collection drum  156  that pivots up and away from the collection drum using a pivoting linkage assembly  160  for ease in the drum&#39;s removal is shown. The use of this particular pivoting design allows for the filter assembly to be optionally installed directly to the powerhead  158 , as many current wet/dry vacuum assemblies are. Similar to the vacuum assembly  10  described above, this adapted to be able to fully remove and reinstall the debris collection drum  156  from the assembly itself without having to remove the vacuum powerhead and separately remove the filter assembly in order to prevent debris from the filter falling to the floor. Rather, the aspect shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B  would allow the powerhead assembly  158  to be raised via the pivoting linkage to a position above and still over the drum, wherein the filter could be removed from the powerhead for cleaning, with any residual debris or dirt coming off of the filter during its removal falling into the collection drum  156  to be later emptied, rather than it falling to the floor. 
     Turning to  FIG. 10A , the wet/dry vacuum cleaner assembly  150  adapted to effect removal of the debris collection drum  156  from the powerhead assembly  158  comprises at least a vacuum cart frame having a lower base region  154  having rear wheels  170  and front casters  172 , and which is substantially parallel to a working surface, an attached or integrally-formed back region  152  oriented perpendicular to the base  154 , and a handle assembly  180 . A collection drum  156  is insertable on the lower base region of the frame, and an upper powerhead assembly  158  sits directly above and in a sealing engagement (via gaskets or other sealing means) with the collection drum  156 . Powerhead assembly  158  includes the vacuum and power assembly for the vacuum appliance, including the motor, located within the lower region of the assembly and linked to the power actuator  175 , as well as one or more optional accessory drawers  174  as shown, and a top lid  176  hingedly connected to the upper region of the assembly  158  via hinge  182 . The powerhead assembly  158  preferably also includes latching means  177  to retain drum  156  in sealing contact with the powerhead assembly, as well as side panels  159  to protect the interior of the assembly itself. Collection drum  156  comprises at least a vacuum inlet  157 , and may optionally include a drain assembly  153  near the bottom front of the drum  156 , and optional handles  155 . A linking assembly connecting powerhead assembly  158  with the cart frame comprises at least two linking mechanisms, such as linking arms or bars  160 , one on each side of the assembly  150 , the linking bars  160  being attached at a first end to the back region of the cart frame, and at the opposite second end to the powerhead assembly  158  via attachment means  162  and  164 , respectively. The linkage assembly shown in the figures comprises only two linking bars  160 , pivotably or hingedly attached at one end to the back frame region  152  and at the opposite end to the vacuum powerhead assembly  158 , using any number of appropriate attachment means. However, those of skill in the art will realize that this embodiment may also, alternatively employ more linking bars, such as four or more linking bars, depending upon the strength needed to raise and lower the powerhead assembly. In addition, as the linkage assembly hingedly mounted to the powerhead assembly  158  for an upward, swinging movement of the powerhead as the assembly  158  is reciprocated between the opened and closed positions, the linking assembly may optionally also comprise a reciprocating assist mechanism coupled to the linkage assembly to selectively apply an assist load to the linkage assembly when the powerhead is reciprocated between either the opened and/or closed position. This optional reciprocating assist mechanism may be any appropriate assist, such as an actuator sized to apply an assist load when the weight disposed within the powerhead assembly (such as when numerous items and heavy items are stored in drawers  174 ) exceeds a predetermined limit. 
       FIG. 10B  illustrates the mechanism of  FIG. 10A  in operation, with drum  156  pulled out from the cart frame, after powerhead assembly  158  is raised via linking arms  160  to its raised position, allowing the drum to be cleanly removed for emptying. As discussed above, in accordance with this embodiment of the invention, the filter assembly may be directly attached to the powerhead in the standard manner, or as shown in  FIG. 10B , may be arranged in a manner such as described in association with the vacuum system  10  described above, including a filter support assembly, or lid,  190  to which the filter assembly  190  may be attached. Drum  156  can further include collection drum port  192 . 
     In  FIG. 11 , an alternative approach involving the use of a lever mechanism to raise and lower the collection drum into and out of a sealing position with the Powerhead is illustrated. Vacuum assembly  200  comprises a powerhead assembly  202  with an optional storage lid  214  at its top region, a collection drum  206 , a vacuum cart frame  213  having a vertical support  212  and a base support  210  attached and perpendicular to back vertical support  212 , and a lever mechanism  204 . In this embodiment, the collection drum  206  is raised to the sealing position with the bottom sealing surface of the powerhead  202  using a lever mechanism that is foot operated via foot pedal  208  at the proximate end of the lever mechanism  204 . This foot actuated lever  204  has a pivot point that allows the drum  206  to be raised when the pedal  208  is depressed, and lowered when the pedal is depressed again. The drum may be locked into the sealing position once engaged with the bottom face of the powerhead  202 , using any number of locking mechanisms, such as a manual latching means attached to the front face of the assembly  200 . 
     Other and further embodiments utilizing one or more aspects of the inventions described above can be devised without departing from the spirit of Applicant&#39;s invention. For example, the container may be round, or any shape, and/or the vacuum system may be operated as a blower. Alternatively, a cam or series of cam assemblies may be used to raise the drum manually into a sealing connection with the bottom face of the powerhead. Further, the various methods and embodiments of the vacuum cleaner system can be included in combination with each other to produce variations of the disclosed methods and embodiments. Discussion of singular elements can include plural elements and vice-versa. 
     The order of steps can occur in a variety of sequences unless otherwise specifically limited. The various steps described herein can be combined with other steps, interlineated with the stated steps, and/or split into multiple steps. Similarly, elements have been described functionally and can be embodied as separate components or can be combined into components having multiple functions. 
     The inventions have been described in the context of preferred and other embodiments and not every embodiment of the invention has been described. Obvious modifications and alterations to the described embodiments are available to those of ordinary skill in the art. The disclosed and undisclosed embodiments are not intended to limit or restrict the scope or applicability of the invention conceived of by the Applicants, but rather, in conformity with the patent laws, Applicants intend to fully protect all such modifications and improvements that come within the scope or range of equivalent of the following claims.