Half a croissant, on a plate, with a sign in front of it saying '50c'
h a l f b a k e r y
Quis custodiet the custard?

idea: add, search, annotate, link, view, overview, recent, by name, random

meta: news, help, about, links, report a problem

account: browse anonymously, or get an account and write.

user:
pass:
register,


                                                   

disposable vacuum cleaner

throw away everthing but the electric cord
  (+10)(+10)
(+10)
  [vote for,
against]

mostly made from sturdy cardboard with a few cheap metallic bits.

vacuum the house, remove the power lead and bin the rest.

look mum, no dirty hands.

comes in pack of three.

po, Dec 21 2010

[link]






       No need to keep the cord, use a built-in disposable battery like the iPhone has.
pocmloc, Dec 21 2010
  

       // sturdy cardboard with a few cheap metallic bits //   

       "a few cheap metallic bits" is reasonable, but "sturdy cardboard" is very much at odds with the iPhone design philosophy.
8th of 7, Dec 21 2010
  

       No need for a power lead. Just make it large and sturdy enough to enclose a substantial amount of vacuum, pre- loaded at the factory. Place near dust. Release safety valve. Bin.   

       Also handy for dealing with spiders and small children.
MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 21 2010
  

       So you're asking for a cardboard Roomba???
gtoal, Dec 21 2010
  

       nothing so exotic - just your basic vacuum cleaner (well mebbe the dyson ball and cyclone thing if possible).
po, Dec 22 2010
  

       So what you're after is a power cable (and/or battery), motor and fan rotor onto which you clip the disposable cardboard bag/filter/nozzle unit.   

       I guess the problem you'd have is that to be effective the permanent bit would have to be of a quality to make it cost similarly to regular vacuums, but you've effectively got a regular 'bag' vacuum but with a floppy cardboard bit to try and suck your carpets.   

       Like a bagless cleaner, but with a bag to buy and worry about as well!
Skrewloose, Dec 22 2010
  

       no, the only permanent piece is the cable but as someone said a battery would suffice (if it were powerful enough).
po, Dec 22 2010
  

       Motor = metal; for windings, pole pieces, shaft and bearings. It's going to cost quite a bit for a single use device.   

       However, a venturi tube driven by a pyrotechnic gas generator might work.
8th of 7, Dec 22 2010
  

       Isn't this what happens already, though?... albeit with a few years between purchase and disposal
In the olden-days, the only bit we'd keep would be the plug
Dub, Dec 22 2010
  

       //Motor = metal ... going to cost quite a bit for a single use device.// For scaredy-cats averse to indoor pyrotechnics, perhaps a central vacuum system.
mouseposture, Dec 23 2010
  

       in't that what "central vacuum" means ?
FlyingToaster, Dec 23 2010
  

       you make sure the seams are secure. if a cardboard pack can hold milk securely ...
po, Dec 23 2010
  

       True, but consider the mess made when trying to release the milk from the cardboard container! You would have vacuum all over the place!
pocmloc, Dec 23 2010
  

       Wouldn't a disposable house be a much more far-reaching and effective solution? I believe cardboard houses are already favoured by some sectors of society.
MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 23 2010
  

       What Ian said, but with an additional set of plugs containing 'blow'.
zen_tom, Dec 23 2010
  

       missing the point [poc], the cardboard box + milk/dust would be thrown away.
po, Dec 23 2010
  

       hmmm, a wind up version to run a reverse bellows would take most of the metal/moving parts out of the equation...maybe a dual bellows for constant suction.   

       Powered by elastic bands ?
8th of 7, Dec 23 2010
  

       Apparently in the olden days, the first vacs were great bellow-operated things that servants pulled around on trolleys. You could still have the suction part (with all the moving parts) be permanent, and just supply a big hose, filter, bag and wheely thing all made out of paper or cardboard, or whatever, that you could just crumple up and throw in the bin when you'd finished. [+]
zen_tom, Dec 23 2010
  

       powered by an aluminum-saltwater battery... mounted on a standard broom-handle.
FlyingToaster, Dec 23 2010
  

       Combined "central vacuum" source and exercise bike ? Pedal your way to fitness and cleanliness.
8th of 7, Dec 23 2010
  

       //Powered by elastic bands ?//   

       Nope. I picture sort of a hand cranked cross-bow. The bellows provide resistance to an internal rod's un-flexing.
On second thought, I'd lose the crank altogether and just use body weight to bend the whole handle for power.
  

       It occurs to me that a refrigerator could be converted to a large upright vacuum / central vacuum without too many extra parts.
rcarty, Dec 24 2010
  

       Maybe it could work by condensing air to a liquid, thus creating a region of reduced pressure. The liquid air would entrain the dust etc. sucked into the enclosure, and have the added advantage of freezing and killing dust mites, etc.   

       The liquid could then be pumped outside, where it would safely evaporate, leaving just the dust.
8th of 7, Dec 24 2010
  

       I'd go with z_t's 'blow' socket. Highly compressed air supplied by pipe to each house. Just release the cap on the socket and all the dust, junk mail, old furniture, unwanted relatives etc are just blown out of the house. Remember to open the windows first though.
DrBob, Dec 24 2010
  
      
[annotate]
  


 

back: main index

business  computer  culture  fashion  food  halfbakery  home  other  product  public  science  sport  vehicle