# US 8,769,768 B2 · Lid with a curved edge and domed air outlets for the collection of leaves with a blower/vacuum and the rejection of debris into a bag

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- Number: US 8,769,768 B2
- Document ID: US8769768B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/561,001
- Filed: 2012-07-28
- Published: 2013-12-19
- Granted: 2014-07-08
- Earliest claimed: 2012-06-15
- Applicants: William Laliberté; Denis Laliberté
- Inventors: William Laliberté; Denis Laliberté
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8769768B2

## CPC

- A01G 20/47: Vacuum or blower devices
- A01G: HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING (picking of fruits, vegetables, hops or the like A01D46/00; propagating unicellular algae C12N1/12)

## Abstract

A lid round in shape with a curved edge and two domed air outlets, an opening for the entrance of debris, a handle, elevations molded to hold the various elements and sections of rough anti-skid tape glued to the side wall. The lid with curved edge is designed to be inserted into the opening of a bag to be held in place on the side edge of the lid with an elastic cord between the curved edge and the elevations. Ribbed connecting pipe connects the fan outlet of a blower/vacuum in vacuum mode to the lid and carries the leaves debris toward the lid and into a bag.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A lid with air outlet openings for leaves collection with a portable blower/vacuum and the rejection of debris into a bag, the lid is round shape with a flat or domed top with a lateral side with a curved 360-degree U-shaped edge which comprises: a) two rectangular openings with domed top and back for air outlet; b) a partially round opening with a flared U to allow debris in; c) a 90 degree elbow to allow debris in; d) a hook for holding the 90 degree elbow to the lid; e) hooks to hold two strainers for air filtration and retention of debris; f) an integrated handle molded with the lid; g) elevations to maintain in place a part of rectangular shape; h) elevations on the lateral side of the lid; i) sections of rough anti-skid tape; j) holes on top of the lid to maintain a ribbed coupling pipe to the lid with flexible plastic cable ties; k) reusable plastic cable ties to hold a ribbed connecting pipe in place.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The lid of claim 1 wherein the curved 360 degrees U-shape edge is made by the lateral side of the lid and the curvature of the extension of the wall folded towards the outside of the lid.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The lid of claim 2 wherein the curved U-shaped edge has inside, at regular intervals, side reinforcements to give more rigidity to the lid.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The lid of claim 1 wherein the lateral side is slightly flared towards the outside of the lid relative to the top of the lid.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The lid of claim 1 wherein the two rectangular openings for air outlet are an integral part of the lid, having been molded with the lid and of which the openings for air outlet are in a quadrant XY′ and in a quadrant X′Y′, which are delimited by a central axis YY′ passing through the center of the opening to allow debris in and a central axis XX′ passing through the center of the lid, the central axis XX′ being perpendicular to the central axis YY′.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The lid of claim 5 wherein the center of the two openings for air outlet are at equal distances from the central axis YY′.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The lid of claim 5 wherein the center of the two openings for air outlet are at equal distances above the central axis XX′ of the lid.

### Claim 8 (depends on 5)

The lid of claim 5, wherein the two openings for air outlet have a domed top and back, and the sides inwardly, which are oriented at an angle of 90 degrees in relation to the central axis XX′.

### Claim 9 (depends on 5)

The lid of claim 5, wherein the two openings for air outlet are oriented at an angle of 45 degrees in relation to the central axis XX′.

### Claim 10 (depends on 5)

The lid of claim 5, wherein the two openings for air outlet are oriented in the same direction or in different directions in relation to the central axis YY′.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The lid of claim 1 wherein the opening to allow debris is in part round with a flared U-shaped extension, whose base is directed towards the center of the lid.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The lid of claim 1 wherein the 90 degree elbow is inserted into the opening to allow debris in, on either side of the lid, on a central axis YY′ passing through the center of the lid and the center of the opening to allow debris in, the central axis YY′ being perpendicular to a central axis XX′ passing through the center of the lid.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The lid of claim 1 wherein the 90 degree elbow has a male end and a female end larger than the male end and of which the female end have a shoulder.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The lid of claim 13 wherein the 90 degree elbow has an elevation in its rear part close to the shoulder of the female part.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

The lid of claim 13 wherein the male end of the 90 degree elbow is in contact with the inside of the lid and is directed towards the center of the lid.

### Claim 16 (depends on 13)

The lid of claim 13 wherein the shoulder of the female end of the 90 degree elbow is in contact with the top of the lid.

### Claim 17 (depends on 14)

The lid of claim 14 wherein the elevation in its rear part is in contact with the inside of the lid.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The lid of claim 1 wherein the 90 degree elbow is inclined towards the inner face of the lid at an angle of about 10 degrees.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The lid of claim 1 wherein a hook-shaped elevation is molded to the lid on a central axis YY′ passing through the center of the lid and the center of the opening to allow debris in, the central axis YY′ being perpendicular to a central axis XX′ passing through the center of the lid.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The lid of claim 19 wherein the elevation is positioned so as to allow one to insert the hook in a male end of the 90 degree elbow.

### Claim 21 (depends on 1)

The lid of claim 1 wherein the hooks are six in number, which are molded directly with the lid to hold the two strainers for air filtration and retention of debris.

### Claim 22 (depends on 21)

The lid of claim 21 wherein the hooks are three in number for each strainer and wherein the end of the hook rests on the rigid edge of the strainer which is not in contact with the lid.

### Claim 23 (depends on 21)

The lid of claim 21 wherein the hooks are placed at the periphery of the two strainers so as to form an isosceles triangle.

### Claim 24 (depends on 21)

The lid of claim 21 wherein the hooks are placed in a circle wherein the center corresponds to the center of the rectangular openings for the air outlet.

### Claim 25 (depends on 1)

The lid of claim 1 wherein the handle is rectangular in shape and is molded directly with the lid and wherein the center is on a central axis YY′ passing through the center of the lid and the center of the opening to allow debris in, the central axis YY′ being perpendicular to a central axis XX′ passing through the center of the lid.

### Claim 26 (depends on 25)

The lid of claim 25 wherein the base of the handle is perpendicular to the central axis YY′ and is located above the center of the opening for the air outlet as opposed to the opening to allow debris in, which is below it.

### Claim 27 (depends on 1)

The lid of claim 1 wherein elevations of rectangular or square shape are molded directly with the lid on the inside face of the lid.

### Claim 28 (depends on 27)

The lid of claim 27 wherein the elevations are located on either side of the opening created in the lid to form the handle.

### Claim 29 (depends on 1)

The lid of claim 1 wherein the part of rectangular shape has a small thickness, with or without holes, and is placed on the inside of the lid between the elevations located on each side of the handle.

### Claim 30 (depends on 29)

The lid of claim 29 wherein a portion of the part of rectangular shape is under the rigid edge of the two strainers for air filtration.

### Claim 31 (depends on 1)

The lid of claim 1 wherein the elevations are four in number, which are molded directly with the lid on the lateral side of the lid so as to retain an elastic cord.

### Claim 32 (depends on 31)

The lid of claim 31 wherein the elevations on the lateral side are arranged at equal distances and at an angle of 45 degrees on either side of a central axis YY′ passing through the center of the lid and the center of the opening to allow debris in, the central axis YY′ being perpendicular to a central axis XX′ passing through the center of the lid.

### Claim 33 (depends on 31)

The lid of claim 31 wherein the elevations are placed close to the curved edge of the lid.

### Claim 34 (depends on 1)

The lid of claim 1 wherein the sections of rough anti-skid tape are four in number, which are glued on the lateral side of the lid at the lower end of the 360 degrees curved edge and between the elevations on the lateral side of the lid.

### Claim 35 (depends on 1)

The lid of claim 1 wherein two holes are placed on each side of the opening to allow debris in on an axis which passes through the center of the round part of the opening to allow debris in and which is parallel to a central axis XX′ passing through the center of the lid and which is perpendicular to a central axis YY′ passing through the center of the lid and the center of the opening to allow debris in.

### Claim 36 (depends on 35)

The lid of claim 35 wherein flexible plastic cable ties are inserted into the two holes so as to maintain the ribbed coupling pipe.

### Claim 37

A lid with air outlet openings for leaves collection with a portable blower/vacuum and the rejection of debris into a bag, the lid is round shape with a flat or domed top with a lateral side with a curved 360-degree U-shaped edge which comprises: a) reinforcements in the curved edge; b) sections of rough anti-skid tape; c) elevations on the lateral side of the lid; d) two pipes for the air outlet each having a removable air deflector; e) an opening to allow debris in; f) a 90 degree elbow to allow debris in; g) two strainers for air filtration and retention of debris; h) a rigid handle attached with two screws; i) holes on to of the lid to attach the 90 degree elbow, the two strainers, a ribbed coupling pipe and the rigid handle; j) rigid bolts to hold the strainers and the 90 degree elbow.

### Claim 38 (depends on 37)

The lid of claim 37 wherein the curved 360 degree U-shaped edge is made by the lateral side of the lid and by the curvature of the extension of the wall folded toward the outside of the lid.

### Claim 39 (depends on 38)

The lid of claim 38 wherein the U-shaped curved edge has within, at regular intervals, the reinforcements to give more rigidity to the lid.

### Claim 40 (depends on 37)

The lid of claim 37 wherein the lateral side is slightly flared to the outside of the lid in relation to the top of the lid.

### Claim 41 (depends on 37)

The lid of claim 37 wherein the sections of rough anti-skid tape are glued to the lateral side at the lower limit of the curved edge over 360 degrees.

### Claim 42 (depends on 37)

The lid of claim 37 wherein the elevations on the lateral side are glued near of the curved edge.

### Claim 43 (depends on 42)

The lid of claim 42 wherein the elevations on the lateral side are arranged at an angle of 45 degrees in relation to a central axis XX′ passing through the center of the lid, the central axis XX′ being perpendicular to a central axis YY′ passing through the center of the lid and the center of the opening to allow debris in.

### Claim 44 (depends on 42)

The lid of claim 42 wherein the elevations are placed near the curved edge of the lid and between the discontinuous sections of rough anti-skid tape.

### Claim 45 (depends on 37)

The lid of claim 37 wherein the removable air deflectors are inserted into each of the two air outlet pipes.

### Claim 46 (depends on 45)

The lid of claim 45 wherein the removable deflectors consist of a half-elbow cut longitudinally in their center in the lateral line perpendicular to the curvature of the elbow and wherein the curvature angle is between 45 and 100 degrees.

### Claim 47 (depends on 46)

The lid of claim 46 wherein the curvature angle is 65 degrees.

### Claim 48 (depends on 46)

The lid of claim 46 wherein the outer diameter of a half-elbow is larger than the inside diameter of a pipe for air outlet.

### Claim 49 (depends on 46)

The lid of claim 46 wherein the half-elbow has an external swelling near one end.

### Claim 50 (depends on 46)

The lid of claim 46 wherein the half-elbow is inserted into the external swelling inside the air outlet pipe by inwardly compressing the outside edges of the half-elbow while not exceeding the limit of elasticity of the plastic.

### Claim 51 (depends on 50)

The lid of claim 50 wherein the half-elbow is held in place by the friction created between the outer wall of the half-elbow and the inner wall of the air outlet pipe.

### Claim 52 (depends on 37)

The lid of claim 37 wherein opening for the entrance of the round lid is in part with a U-shaped extension whose base is flared towards the center of the lid.

### Claim 53 (depends on 37)

The lid of claim 37 wherein the 90 degree elbow is inserted into the opening for the entrance of debris, on either side of the lid, along a central axis YY′ of the lid passing through the center of the lid and the center of the opening to allow debris in, the central axis YY′ being perpendicular to a central axis XX′ passing through the center of the lid.

### Claim 54 (depends on 37)

The lid of claim 37 wherein the 90 degree elbow has a male end and a female end larger than the male end.

### Claim 55 (depends on 54)

The lid of claim 54 wherein the male end of the 90 degree elbow is in contact with the inner face of the lid and is oriented towards the center of the lid.

### Claim 56 (depends on 54)

The lid of claim 54 wherein the female end of the 90 degree elbow has a shoulder which is in contact with the top of the lid.

### Claim 57 (depends on 37)

The lid of claim 37 wherein the 90 degree elbow is inclined towards the inner face of the lid at an angle of about 10 degrees.

### Claim 58 (depends on 37)

The lid of claim 37 wherein two holes are used to attach the rigid handle between the center of the two air outlet pipes and the edge of the lid and of which the two holes are on a central axis YY′ passing through the center of the lid and the center of the opening to allow debris in, the central axis YY′ being perpendicular to a central axis XX′ passing through the center of the lid.

### Claim 59 (depends on 37)

The lid of claim 37 wherein the rigid handle is attached to the top of the lid with the two screws inserted from the inside of the lid.

### Claim 60 (depends on 37)

The lid of claim 37 wherein the two strainers are attached to the lid with flat rigid head bolts wherein a head rests on the rigid edge of the strainers and the other head on top of the lid.

### Claim 61 (depends on 60)

The lid of claim 60 wherein the bolts are inserted into the holes placed concentrically relative to the center of the opening for the air outlet.

### Claim 62 (depends on 60)

The lid of claim 60 wherein the bolts are made of two distinct parts which are inserted one into the other by pressure or by screwing when there are threads.

### Claim 63 (depends on 62)

The lid of claim 62 wherein a portion of the bolt is inserted through the top of the lid and the other part through the bottom of the lid.

### Claim 64 (depends on 37)

The lid of claim 37 wherein a bolt is inserted into the hole near the end of the male end of the 90 degree elbow.

### Claim 65 (depends on 64)

The lid of claim 64 wherein one of the heads of the bolt rests on the inside of the male end of the 90 degree elbow and the other head on top of the lid.

### Claim 66 (depends on 1, 37)

The lid of claims 1 and 37 wherein the round lid is inserted into the opening of a plastic bag or other plastic material and wherein the bag is held around the lid with an elastic cord placed over the edge of the bag.

### Claim 67 (depends on 66)

The lid of claim 66 wherein a membrane used to protect the debris collection bag is placed between the bag and the elastic cord.

### Claim 68 (depends on 1, 37)

The lid of claims 1 and 37 wherein a small thick plastic membrane is glued to the lateral side of the lid, which is located opposite to the opening for the entrance of debris and wherein a portion of the membrane extends towards the inside of the debris collection bag.

### Claim 69 (depends on 1, 37)

The lid of claims 1 and 37 wherein a drainage pipe section is used as pipe for conveying and feeding the debris from the blower/vacuum to the debris collection bag.

### Claim 70 (depends on 1, 37)

The lid of claims 1 and 37 wherein a drainage pipe section is used as a joint between the 90 degree elbow and the pipe for conveying and feeding the debris from the blower/vacuum towards the debris collection bag.