Debris-filter materials principally for automatic swimming pool cleaners

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11111685-B2
Application number	US-202016806403-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 2, 2020
Priority date	Mar 25, 2019
Publication date	Sep 7, 2021
Grant date	Sep 7, 2021

Abstract

Debris filters for automatic swimming pool cleaners may be formed of metal, carbon fibers, or composites more rigid than soft nylon bags. In at least one version, the filter may be made of, or include, steel or stainless steel. Non-uniform sizes, densities, and/or shapes of openings in the filtration material may be created to provide different levels of filtration in a single device.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A debris filter for an automatic swimming pool cleaner comprising at least one solid sheet of metal in which openings have been created and a frame to which the sheet of metal is attached.

2. A debris filter for an automatic swimming pool cleaner comprising a solid sheet of metal in which openings of non-uniform size, shape, or density have been created.

3. A debris filter according to claim 2 in which (a) the sheet of metal comprises first and second regions and (b) at least some of the openings in the first region are of different size than at least some of the openings in the second region.

4. A debris filter according to claim 3 further comprising a frame and in which the sheet of metal is attached to the frame by overmolding or gluing.

5. A debris filter for an automatic swimming pool cleaner comprising at least one solid sheet of metal in which openings have been created by applying a corrosive chemical to a screen placed atop the sheet of metal.

6. A debris filter for an automatic swimming pool cleaner formed of or including a sheet of metal, carbon fibers, or composite materials, with the sheet comprising first and second regions, each of the first and second regions including a plurality of openings, with the plurality of openings included in the first region being of different size than the plurality of openings included in the second region.

7. An automatic swimming pool cleaner comprising:
a. a source of motive power for movement within a swimming pool; and
b. a debris filter comprising:
i. a frame sufficiently rigid to retain its shape in use; and
ii. a mesh (A) attached to the frame and (B) comprising at least one sheet of metal defining first and second regions in which openings exist, with at least some openings of the first region differing in size, shape, or density from at least some openings of the second region.

8. A method of cleaning a swimming pool, comprising:
a. introducing into the swimming pool an automatic swimming pool cleaner comprising a debris filter comprising at least one solid sheet of metal in which openings have been formed; and
b. causing water of the swimming pool to enter the debris filter through the openings for filtering and thereafter to exit the debris filter to return, directly or indirectly, to the swimming pool.

9. A method according to claim 8 in which the openings are of non-uniform size, shape, or density.

10. A method according to claim 9 in which the at least one solid sheet of metal defines first and second regions, with at least some openings of the first region differing in size from at least some openings of the second region.

Assignees

• Zodiac Pool Systems Llc

Inventors

• Mcqueen E Keith
• Deloche Remi
• Favie Louis

Classifications

• B01D29/0097

  Curved filtering elements, e.g. concave filtering elements · CPC title

• E04H4/1263

  Floating skimmers · CPC title

• E04H4/1645 Primary

  Connections to the pool water circulation system · CPC title

• E04H4/1654 Primary

  Self-propelled cleaners · CPC title