Andrew L Banka

US Patent:

20110277270, Nov 17, 2011

Filed:

Dec 3, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/998787

Inventors:

Jeremy F. Knopow - Burlington WI, US
Steven Merrill Harrington - Cardiff CA, US
Andrew L. Banka - Ann Arbor MI, US
Paul J. Larson - Racine WI, US
Ernst K. Reiter - Waterloo, CA

International Classification:

B08B 5/02

US Classification:

15405

Abstract:

Portable devices for dislodging and/or capturing particulate matter that has accumulated on various surfaces or structures are provided. The devices include a body segment and a nose segment extending away therefrom. A high-pressure assembly generates a high-pressure airflow that is directed to a nozzle assembly in the nose segment. From the nozzle assembly, the high-pressure airflow can be emitted from multiple nozzles as a series of airflow bursts that discretely contact the surface from which the particulate matter is being dislodged. The configuration of each nozzle, as well as the overall arrangement and positions of all the nozzles together, is selected to impart the desired particulate matter dislodging characteristics to the device, and the device may incorporate a vacuum airflow to remove the particulate matter after such matter has been dislodged.

US Patent:

20090044372, Feb 19, 2009

Filed:

Jul 9, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/170203

Inventors:

Jeremy F. Knopow - Burlington WI, US
Steven Merrill Harrington - Cardiff CA, US
Andrew L. Banka - Ann Arbor MI, US

International Classification:

A47L 5/14

US Classification:

15345

Abstract:

Handheld portable devices for dislodging and capturing particulate matter that has accumulated on various surfaces or structures are provided. The devices create opposing airflows that can intimately interface with each other during use. A vacuum airflow is drawn into the device, defining a vacuum affected zone upon the surface being cleaned. A high pressure airflow is emitted that penetrates through or passes adjacent to the opposing vacuum airflow and contacts the surface being cleaned, dislodging particulate matter therefrom. The high pressure airflow can be emitted from multiple nozzles as a series of airflow bursts that discretely contact the surface being cleaned. The configuration of each nozzle, as well as the overall arrangement and positions of all the nozzles together, are selected to impart the desired particulate matter dislodging characteristics to the device.