Nested Packaging For Central Vacuum Cleaner

Abstract

A central vacuum power unit includes separate components that can be disassembled and nested together for compact shipment and storage. In the disassembled and nested assembly, the motor module is nested within the dust bucket, and the dust bucket is nested within the body module. For vacuuming operation, the dust bucket is attached below the body module and the motor module is stacked and attached above the body module. A filter is disposed inside the body module and filters debris from air entering the power unit. Debris is collected in the dust bucket, and filtered air is exhausted from a port in the motor module. Latches on the body module are used to attach the dust bucket underneath the body module in operation, and to secure the nested assembly for packaging and shipping.

1 . A central vacuum power unit comprising at least two functional and separate components, wherein:
 the components are attached in a stacked assembly during operation; and   the components are detachable for configuration in a nested assembly during non-operation.   
     
     
         2 . A central vacuum power unit as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein one of the components is a motor module that houses an electrical motor and electrical control components. 
     
     
         3 . A central vacuum power unit as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein another of the components is a dust bucket, wherein the motor module nests within the dust bucket in the nested assembly. 
     
     
         4 . A central vacuum power unit as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein another of the components is a body module, wherein the motor module and dust bucket nest within the body module in the nested assembly. 
     
     
         5 . A central vacuum power unit as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the motor module is mounted above the body module and the dust bucket is mounted below the motor module in the stacked assembly. 
     
     
         6 . A central vacuum power unit as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the body module includes exterior side latches that secure the dust bucket underneath the body module in the stacked assembly, and that secure the nested components together in the nested assembly. 
     
     
         7 . A central vacuum power unit as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the nested assembly is substantially more compact than the stacked assembly. 
     
     
         8 . A central vacuum power unit as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the nested assembly occupies approximately half of the space of the stacked assembly. 
     
     
         9 . A nested packaging assembly for a central vacuum power unit comprising:
 a cylindrical body module;   a dust bucket nested within the body module; and   a motor module nested within the dust bucket.   
     
     
         10 . A nested packaging assembly as claimed in  claim 9 , and further comprising:
 means for attaching the dust bucket below the body module during vacuum operation; and   means for attaching the motor module above the body module during vacuum operation.   
     
     
         11 . A nested packaging assembly as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the means for attaching the dust bucket below the body module also secure the nested packaging assembly. 
     
     
         12 . A nested packaging assembly as claimed in  claim 9 , and further comprising detached attachments to the power unit that are contained within the cylindrical body module above the dust bucket and the motor module. 
     
     
         13 . A method for packaging a central vacuum cleaner for transit or storage comprising:
 detaching at least two functional components; and   nesting at least one of the functional components within another of the functional components.   
     
     
         14 . A method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the detaching step comprises:
 detaching a dust bucket mounted underneath a body module; and   detaching a motor module mounted above the body module.   
     
     
         15 . A method as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the detaching step further comprises removing the dust bucket from latches attached to the body module. 
     
     
         16 . A method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the nesting step comprises:
 nesting a motor module within a dust bucket; and   nesting the motor module and the dust bucket within a cylindrical body module.   
     
     
         17 . A method as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the nesting step further comprises securing the motor module and the dust bucket within the body module with latches attached to the body module. 
     
     
         18 . A method for operation of a central vacuum cleaner comprising:
 stacking a motor module above a body module, and the body module above a dust bucket, for vacuuming operations; and   nesting the motor module within the dust bucket, and the dust bucket within the body module, for shipment or storage.