Disposable dust collectors for use with cleaning machines

Abstract

A dust collecting device is disclosed for use with cleaning equipment such as a vacuum cleaner. The device is a disposable dust ruffle made of an electet material. The ruffle prevents the equipment from spreading dust and itself acts as a dust magnet, both with respect to dust agitated by the machine and with respect to dust present in confined areas such as corners.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A dust collector for use in conjunction with a cleaning machine, the cleaning machine being of the type having a lower head, the dust collector comprising: a readily removable skirt portion of cleaning material suitable to essentially circumscribe the perimeter of the head, the skirt having means along an upper area of the skirt for mounting the skirt on the head.  
     
     
         2 . The dust collector of  claim 1 , wherein the skirt has a central through hole for receiving a portion of the head.  
     
     
         3 . The dust collector of  claim 1 , wherein the skirt has a central cover region for covering a majority of the bottom of the head.  
     
     
         4 . The dust collector of  claim 1 , wherein the cover has an aperture sized for permitting a wheel of the cleaning machine to project there through and another aperture sized for permitting a brush of the cleaning machine to project there through.  
     
     
         5 . The dust collector of  claim 1 , wherein the electet material is impregnated with at least one of a cleaning fluid, a polishing fluid, an insecticide, or a fragrance.  
     
     
         6 . The dust collector of  claim 1 , wherein the skirt is outwardly flared.  
     
     
         7 . The dust collector of  claim 1 , wherein the skirt comprises a ruffle.  
     
     
         8 . The dust collector of  claim 1 , wherein the dust collector is disposable.  
     
     
         9 . The dust collector of  claim 1 , wherein the dust collector is reusable.  
     
     
         10 . A cleaning machine, comprising: 
 an upper handle;    a head linked to the handle at a lower portion thereof; and    a dust collector mounted to the head;    wherein the dust collector is a readily removable skirt portion of cleaning material that essentially circumscribes the perimeter of the head, the skirt having means along an upper area of the skirt for mounting the skirt on the head.    
     
     
         11 . The cleaning machine of  claim 10 , wherein the cleaning material is ruffled along its lower edge.  
     
     
         12 . The cleaning machine of  claim 10 , wherein the apparatus is a vacuum cleaner.  
     
     
         13 . An automated cleaning robot, comprising: 
 a robot body; and    a dust collector mounted to the robot body;    wherein the dust collector is a readily removable skirt portion of cleaning material that essentially circumscribes the perimeter of the body, the skirt having means along an upper area of the skirt for mounting the skirt on the body.