WO2008085689A1

WO2008085689A1 - Collar and dust collection assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2008085689A1
Application number: PCT/US2007/088299
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dean R. Duffy
Original assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
Priority date: 2007-01-10
Filing date: 2007-12-20
Publication date: 2008-07-17

Abstract

A collar for a dust collection assembly is described that includes a self-supporting collar body having an aperture and a fold line that intersects the aperture and at least one mechanical fastener that inter-engages another portion of the self-supporting collar body to mechanically retain the self-supporting collar body in the folded position. The collar finds uses in dust collection assemblies such as vacuum cleaner bags.

Description

COLLAR AND DUST COLLECTION ASSEMBLY

FIELD The invention relates to closures for dust collection apparatus (e.g., vacuum cleaner bags or industrial air filters).

BACKGROUND

The need to trap or filter particulates from fluids arises in several areas. Commercial applications include filtering unwanted particulates from the air to avoid respiratory contact. Once the particulates are collected in the filter, the filter should be disposed of without recontamination of the air that has been previously filtered. Examples of such filtering needs include industrial dust collection systems employing cyclone collectors as a first pass, followed by finer particulate filter dust collection. Another area of need for trapping and disposing of dust is in residential applications. Vacuum cleaners remove unwanted particulates and dirt from the area being cleaned. The trapped particulates should be disposed of without reintroducing the particulate into the previously cleaned area. Additionally, residential power tools (e.g., table saws, lathes, sanders and other woodworking tools) require that wood particulate be trapped and removed from the ambient environment of the shop to avoid respiratory contact and maintain general cleanliness.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the invention provides a collar for a dust collection assembly comprising a self-supporting collar body having an aperture and a fold line that intersects the aperture, and at least one mechanical fastener that inter-engages another portion of the reinforcing collar body to mechanically retain the reinforcing collar body in the folded position.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a dust collection assembly, comprising a bag having an opening therein, a collar affixed to the bag and surrounding the opening in the bag, the collar having an aperture and a fold line that intersects the aperture and the opening in the bag, and at least one mechanical fastener that inter-engages another portion of the reinforcing collar to mechanically retain the reinforcing collar body in the folded position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. IA illustrates an embodiment of a collar of the present invention with a handle;

FIG. IB illustrates an embodiment of a dust collection assembly utilizing the collar of Fig. IA attached to a dust collection bag;

FIG. 1C illustrates a side view of the folded dust collection assembly of Fig IB; FIG. 2 A illustrates an embodiment of a collar with a periphery closure and diagonal pre-scored fold line;

FIG. 2B illustrates an embodiment of a dust collection assembly utilizing the collar of Fig 2A attached to a dust collection bag;

FIG. 2C illustrates a side view of the folded dust collection assembly of Fig. 2B; FIG. 2D illustrates an embodiment of a folded collar of Fig 2A;

FIG. 3 A illustrates an embodiment of a collar with slit tabs; FIG. 3B illustrates a side view of the collar of 3 A folded with the slit tabs engaged; FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a collar with diagonal pre-scored fold lines; FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a collar with a projection and periphery closure;

FIG. 6 A illustrates an embodiment of a collar with adhesive strip and periphery closure;

FIG. 6B illustrates an embodiment of a dust collection assembly utilizing the collar of Fig 6A attached to a dust collection bag; and FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a collar with a gasket and slit tabs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. IA shows one embodiment of a collar 100 that comprises a self-supporting collar body 106 comprising a handle 103 and a mechanical fastener in the form of a projection 102. The projection 102 inter-engages the periphery 105 when the collar is folded along the pre-scored fold line 101. The fold line 101 intersects an aperture 104, thus allowing for the aperture 104 to be closed when the collar 100 is folded along the fold line 101. In one embodiment, the fold line is pre-scored.

FIG. IB shows an embodiment of a dust collection bag assembly 110. One face of the collar 100 is partially affixed to the dust collection bag 114. The collar 100 is affixed to the dust collection bag 114 such that when the collar 100 is folded along the fold line 101, the aperture 104 is closed and the opening in the bag 108 is closed, thus preventing the escape of dust and dirt from the dust collection bag 114. The fold line 101 is positioned so as to intersect the aperture 104. In this embodiment, the portion of the face of the collar adjacent to the handle 103 and projection 102 are not affixed to the bag 114, thus allowing for the projection 102 to freely engage the periphery 105 when folded along the fold line 101, and the handle to be useful for carrying the dust collection bag assembly 110 for disposal or otherwise emptying into the trash.

FIG. 1C shows the dust collection bag assembly 110 of FIG. IB folded along the fold line 101 with the projection 102 engaged with the periphery 105 of the collar 100. The collar body of the present invention may comprise a variety of materials, depending upon the ultimate use of the collar body. Desirably, the collar body and the resulting collar are self-supporting. Common materials used for making the collar body include chipboard (e.g., cellulose fiber based materials mixed with resin) and injection molded plastics (e.g., polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyethylene). In certain applications, where durability and heat resistance are desired, the collar body may be made of metal (e.g., copper, steel, or aluminum).

Depending upon the composition of the collar body, such collar body may be manufactured in several ways. The collar body may be die cut (e.g., using a rotary or plunge die), water jet cut, or laser cut from a continuous or discrete length of appropriate material such as chipboard, or plastic. Plastic self-supporting collar bodies may alternatively be manufactured using injection molding techniques known in the art. To aid in folding the collar, a fold line may be established using mechanical techniques (e.g., perforations, pre-scoring, kiss cutting, and molded living hinge) to weaken the collar body along a line that intersects the aperture. The fold line may intersect the aperture at any two points along the perimeter of the aperture.

A collar of the invention may be affixed to a dust collection bag (e.g., a vacuum cleaner bag) to form a dust collection assembly. Vacuum cleaner bags are known in the art and are conventionally constructed of paper. More recently, vacuum cleaner bags may be made of several layers and of various materials such as paper, polypropylene or other polymeric microfϊber webs, depending upon the desired particulate trapping efficiency. Exemplary vacuum cleaner constructions and materials thereof are described in U.S. Pat Nos. 5,647,881 (Zhang, et al); 6,156,086 (Zhang, et al); 6,251,154 (van Rossen); and 6,379,409 (Dijkman) and are incorporated by reference to the extent consistent with the present disclosure.

The collar is typically affixed to the filter bag such that the aperture of the collar body and the aperture of the filter bag is aligned to accept particulates from the dust collection system. The collar may be affixed to the filter bag with adhesives, rivets, screws, nuts, and bolts or by other mechanical means such as sewing, ultrasonic welding or heat staking. The affixation of the collar to the bag filter should be sufficient to perform under the prescribed conditions for the use of the dust collection system. Typically, the apertures of the collar and filter bag assembly engage a dust collection fitting on the dust collection system. The aperture is designed to fit the dust collection fitting and can assume a variety of shapes such as circular, square, rectangular, oval, or even an asymmetric shape.

The collar of the invention comprises a collar body having a mechanical fastener. The mechanical fastener is a device that, upon folding the collar, inter-engages parts of the collar body. The inter-engagement of collar body parts can be disengaged and inter- engaged one or more times without damage to the function of the engagement system.

Where sealing of the dust collection assembly is desirable, a strip of adhesive may be applied to the surface of the collar body. Useful adhesive materials known in the art include acrylic pressure sensitive adhesives and adhesives that may reversibly engage or are repositionable or irreversibly engage the dust collection assembly upon folding and contact with the adhesive strip. Peel-off membrane layers on the adhesive strip that are known in the art may be used to protect the adhesive strip until folding and sealing the dust bag is desired. Alternatively, the dust collection assembly may be sealed by application of a gasket surrounding the collar aperture. The gasket may comprise any compressible material (e.g., foam, natural rubber, styrenic block copolymers such as those available from Kraton Polymers, LLC, Houston, TX, under the trade designation "KRATON" and thermoplastic elastomers such as those available from Advanced Elastomer Systems, Akron, OH, under the trade designation "SANTOPRENE") which upon folding of the collar creates a seal on the dust bag assembly.

FIG. 2A shows another embodiment of a collar 200 that comprises a collar body 206 and a mechanical fastener in the form of a slit projection 202. The slit projection 202 inter-engages the periphery 205 when the collar is folded along the fold line 201. In this embodiment, fold line 201 intersects an aperture 204 diagonally, thus allowing for the aperture 204 to be closed when the collar 200 is folded along the fold line 101.

FIG. 2B shows another embodiment of a dust collection bag assembly 210. One face of the collar 200 is partially affixed to the dust collection bag 214. The collar 200 is affixed to the dust collection bag 214 such that when the collar 200 is folded along the fold line 201, the aperture 204 is closed and the opening in the bag 208 is desirably sealed, thus minimizing or preventing the escape of dust and dirt from the dust collection bag 214. In this embodiment, the fold line 201 is positioned so as to intersect the aperture 204 and the opening in the bag 208 diagonally. The portion of the face of the collar adjacent to the slit projection 202 is not affixed to the bag 214, thus allowing for the slit projection 202 on the collar 200 to freely engage the periphery 205 when folded along the fold line 201.

FIG. 2C shows the dust collection bag assembly 210 of Fig. 2B folded along the fold line 201. Furthermore, the slit projection 202 is engaged with the periphery 205 of the collar 200. When the collar is in this folded position, dust and dirt are sealed in the bag until the slit projection 202 is disengaged from the periphery 205 of the collar 200.

FIG. 3 A shows another embodiment of a collar 300 comprising a collar body 306 and mechanical fasteners in the form of engaging periphery slits 302. FIG. 3B illustrates a side view of the collar 300 folded along the fold line 301 that intersects the aperture 304, the two engaging periphery slits 302 and periphery tabs 309 engage, thus closing the dust collection assembly. In this embodiment, the collar 300 has an asymmetric aperture 304 that inter-engages a dust collection hose on a dust collection system in a particular orientation.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a collar 400 comprising a collar body 406 and engaging periphery slit tabs 402. In this embodiment, the fold line 401 intersects the oval aperture 404.

FIG. 5 illustrates yet another embodiment of a collar 500 comprising a collar body 506 and a mechanical fastener in the form of a slit projection 502 engaging with periphery tab 505 when the collar 500 is folded along the fold line 501 that intersects the square aperture 504.

FIG. 6A illustrates another embodiment of a collar 600 comprising a collar body 606 and a mechanical fastener in the form of a slit projection 602. The slit projection 602 inter-engages the periphery 605 when the collar is folded along the diagonal pre-scored fold line 601. In this embodiment, the diagonal pre-scored fold line 601 intersects an aperture 604, thus allowing for the aperture 604 to be closed when the collar 600 is folded along the fold line 601. Additionally, an adhesive layer 609 is applied to the collar 600 to desirably seal the dust collection bag when the collar 600 is folded along the diagonal fold line.

FIG. 6B shows an embodiment of a dust collection bag assembly 610. One face of the collar 600 is partially affixed to the dust collection bag 614. The collar 600 is affixed to the dust collection bag 614 such that when the collar 600 is folded along the fold line 601, the aperture 604 is closed and the opening in the bag 608 is sealed, thus preventing the escape of dust and dirt from the dust collection bag 614. In this embodiment, the fold line 601 is diagonal and pre-scored and is positioned so as to intersect the aperture 604 and engage the adhesive layers 609 against the surface of the collar 600 upon folding. In this embodiment, the portion of the face of the collar adjacent to projection 602 are not affixed to the dust collection bag 614, thus allowing for the slit projection 602 to freely engage the periphery 605 when folded along the diagonal, pre-scored fold line 601.

FIG 7 illustrates another embodiment of a collar 700 comprising a collar body 706 and a mechanical fastener in the form of engaging periphery slits 702. When the collar 700 is folded along the horizontal pre-scored fold line 701 that intersects the circular aperture 704, the two engaging periphery slits 702 and periphery tabs 709 and a compressible gasket 705 engage, thus closing and desirably sealing the dust collection assembly.

Foreseeable modifications and alterations of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. This invention should not be restricted to the embodiments that are set forth in this application for illustrative purposes.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A collar for a dust collection assembly comprising: a self-supporting collar body having an aperture and a fold line that intersects the aperture; and at least one mechanical fastener that inter-engages another portion of the self- supporting collar body to mechanically retain the self-supporting collar body in the folded position.

2. The collar according to claim 1 wherein the fold line is a pre-scored fold line.

3. The collar according to claim 1 wherein at least one mechanical fastener inter- engages another portion of the self-supporting collar body to reversibly mechanically retain the self-supporting collar body in the folded position.

4. The collar according to claim 1 wherein the at least one mechanical fastener is a slit projection that inter-engages with a periphery of the collar body to reversibly mechanically retain the self-supporting collar body in the folded position.

5. The collar according to claim 1 further comprising a gasket.

6. The collar of claim 1 wherein the collar body is constructed of chipboard.

7. The collar of claim 1 wherein the collar body is constructed of injection molded plastic.

8. The collar of claim 1 wherein the collar body has adhesive strips.

9. The collar of claim 1 wherein the collar body has adhesive strips and a diagonal fold line.

10. A dust collection assembly, comprising: a bag having an opening therein; and a collar affixed to the bag and surrounding the opening in the bag, the collar comprising a collar body having an aperture, a fold line that intersects both the aperture and the opening in the bag; and at least one mechanical fastener that inter-engages another portion of the self- supporting collar to mechanically retain the self-supporting collar body in the folded position.

11. The dust collection assembly of claim 10 wherein the bag is constructed of micro fiber.

12. The dust collection assembly according to claim 10 wherein the bag and the collar are attached to a vacuum cleaner.

13. The dust collection assembly according to claim 10 wherein the at least one mechanical fastener is a slit projection that inter-engages with a periphery of the collar body to reversibly mechanically retain the self-supporting collar body in the folded position.

14. The dust collection assembly of claim 10 wherein the collar body is constructed of chipboard.

15. The dust collection assembly of claim 10 wherein the collar body is constructed of injection molded plastic.

16. The dust collection assembly of claim 10 wherein the collar body has adhesive strips.

17. The dust collection assembly according to claim 10 further comprising a gasket.

18. The dust collection assembly of claim 10 wherein the collar body has adhesive strips and a diagonal fold line.