WO2010019869A1

WO2010019869A1 - Handheld vacuum with ultraviolet light

Info

Publication number: WO2010019869A1
Application number: PCT/US2009/053871
Authority: WO
Inventors: Charles Z Krasznai; Caitlin D Noonan
Original assignee: Conair Corporation
Priority date: 2008-08-15
Filing date: 2009-08-14
Publication date: 2010-02-18

Abstract

A handheld vacuum cleaner (1 ) has an exterior shape that is typical of known handheld vacuum cleaners and has, additionally, a UV light housing (12) attached to one side of a front section (3) with an uncovered UV light port (13) through which UV light beams emit. The UV light housing (12) is generally flush with the lower end of the front section (3) and the port (13) is an opening that is flush also. The vacuum intake port (9) and the light port (13) are angularly offset to provide safe and convenient operation. The UV light source is preferably in the form of a bulb (19) and is recessed within the housing while permitting at least a portion of the bulb to be directly exposed to the environment for unobstructed delivery of light rays and to prevent trapping of heat generated by the bulb.

Description

HANDHELD VACUUM WITH ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to vacuum cleaners and, more particularly, to handheld vacuum cleaners.

Description of Related Art

Various handheld vacuum cleaners exist for cleaning up debris from various surfaces. Handheld vacuum cleaners, as opposed to larger portable vacuum cleaners that rest on the floor, are lighter and smaller and, thus, can be used to reach surfaces that require more maneuverability and that comprise tighter spaces. Some handheld vacuum cleaners are cordless and use disposable or rechargeable batteries.

It is known to include an ultra violet (UV) light source in a vacuum cleaner to sanitize a surface or object while removing debris since UV light will kill microorganisms and bacteria if applied directly to them for a sufficient amount of time. At least one known design includes a UV light emitting source housed within the vacuum intake nozzle behind a portion of the nozzle that is transparent. Apparently, the purpose is to provide a continuous, smooth and transparent exterior to facilitate moving the nozzle while it is in contact with a surface being cleaned and allowing the UV light to pass through. The transparent surface can become scratched or dirty, thereby blocking or deflecting UV light beams.

OBJECT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a handheld vacuum cleaner with a sanitizing UV light that is not positioned behind a transparent surface subject to the deficiencies mentioned above.

These an other objects are achieved by the present invention disclosed herein. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, a handheld vacuum cleaner has an exterior shape that is typical of known handheld vacuum cleaners and has, additionally, a UV light housing attached to one side of a front section adjacent and angularly offset from the nozzle opening with an uncovered UV light port through which UV light beams emit. The UV light housing is designed to be generally flush with the lower surface of the front end section and the vacuum intake port is an opening that is flush with another section of the housing, so that they are angularly offset. The UV light source is preferably in the form of a bulb and is recessed within the housing while permitting at least a portion of the bulb to be directly exposed to the environment for unobstructed delivery of light rays and to prevent trapping of heat generated by the bulb.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a bottom view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a front of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a rear view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a partial, isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a side, cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Referring to Figs. 1 - 7, a handheld vacuum cleaner 1 comprises a rear housing section 2, a front housing section 3, and a handle 4. The handle 4 is attached to the rear housing section 2 and includes one or more control buttons 5 for controlling operational functions of the vacuum cleaner 1 such as ON/ OFF. A release latch button 6 is provided to facilitate quick release of a latch 7 to remove the front housing section 3 from the rear housing section 2, or to lock it thereto. The front section 3 defines a nozzle end 8 with a nozzle opening 9 for receiving debris drawn in by a vacuum source contained therein. The nozzle end 98 defines a flat section 10 forming a plane on which the opening 9 is located.

The front section 3 further defines a bottom wall 1 1 from which a generally T-shaped light housing 12 protrudes. The light housing 12 includes an opening 13 through which ultra violet (UV) light emits. The UV light is generated by a bulb 19 located within the light housing 12. Wiring and other conventional hardware (not shown) for mounting and delivering electricity to the bulb 19 are located within the light housing 12. The opening 13 preferably does not include any type of lens, cover or other material through which the UV light emitted from the bulb 19 passes, to ensure that the UV light will not be filtered, refracted, or otherwise altered, and to ensure that heat generated by the bulb 19 will not be trapped in the light housing 12. The opening 13 faces downwardly from the bottom wall 1 1 , while the front end plane 8 and alignment of the nozzle opening 9 are angled relative to each other at less than 90 degrees, preferably about 30 degrees to about 50 degrees, from the bottom wall 1 1. This configuration allows convenient use as the angle between the nozzle opening 9 and the light opening 13 of about 30 degrees to about 50 degrees permits the UV light to be aimed at the surface being vacuum cleaned, and it safely directs the UV light to avoid inadvertently aiming it at the user's face or eyes.

A hatch 14 may be provided on the bottom surface 15 of the rear housing section 2 to remove and install a rechargeable battery pack (20) or, alternatively, conventional batteries (not shown). A set of electrically conductive contacts 16 are provided to facilitate recharging by mounting on a cradle of the type generally known (not shown). Instead of conductive contacts 16, a simple electrical jack (not shown) may also be used to receive a cord for recharging. Alternatively, a conventional electrical cord (not shown) may be provided to connect the vacuum cleaner to an external power source. The vacuum cleaner 1 is provided with a conventional mechanical vacuum generating assembly 16 of the conventional type typically used in existing handheld vacuum cleaners, such as those using a motor 21 and rotating fan blades 22 to generate wind force and resultant vacuum pressure drops. A vacuum chamber 17 located in the front housing section 3 is in communication with the vacuum generating assembly 16 and with the nozzle opening 9, causing external air and debris to be drawn into the chamber 17 via the nozzle 9. The air continues to pass through filter material (23) of a type generally known within or adjacent to the chamber 17 while debris is trapped by the filter material to be emptied later when the front section 3 is disassembled from the vacuum cleaner 1. The passing air exits out of exit ports of a type generally known in handheld vacuum cleaners.

While the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed herein, it is understood that various modification can be made without departing from the scope of the presently claimed invention.

Claims

CLAIMS WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A handheld vacuum cleaner comprising a front housing section; a rear housing section; a handle attached to said rear housing section; an electrically driven motor mounted in said rear section; a vacuum assembly mounted in said rear section and adapted to generate vacuum pressure; an intake nozzle on said front section; a chamber located in said front section and in communication with said intake nozzle and with said vacuum assembly so as to create suction for causing air and debris to enter said intake nozzle; and an ultra violet light source mounted to said vacuum cleaner adapted to direct ultra violet light rays away from said vacuum cleaner.

2. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 , wherein said intake nozzle is located on a first planar surface formed at a distal end of the front housing section; said light source is located on a second planar surface formed at the bottom or and running generally along the length of the front housing section; and the first planar surface and the second planar surface are oriented relative to each other at an angle between about 30 degrees and about 50 degrees.

3. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 , wherein said intake nozzle is located on a first planar surface formed at a distal end of the front housing section; said light source is located on a second planar surface formed at the bottom or and running generally along the length of the front housing section; and the first planar surface and the second planar surface are oriented relative to each other at an angle of about 45 degrees.

4. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 , wherein said ultra violet light source comprises an electrically powered light bulb.

5. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 4, further comprising a light housing mounted on a bottom surface of said front housing section, said light housing surrounding at least a portion of said bulb while the remaining portion of said bulb is uncovered and exposed to surrounding atmosphere.