What is the thumb screw on the back of the kirby Em-Tor for?

[ecaden1]

I have always liked the Kirby vacuums with the shake out bag, I have never liked paper bags too much. I never really payed close enough attention or something until today, But there is a thumb screw on the back of the Emtor on the old kirby models with the square Emtor. I guess I always assumed that it held something in place or something, but this does not appear to be the case. I took it out and it just seems to be plugging a hole, on the other side of which is a foam pad (a filter maybe). Is it some sort of an air release or something? if so, it seems like that hole and that filter would clog rather quickly, and when I removed it from my machine, it certainly was plugged even with the screw in place. What would the purpose of this be?
I apologize if this is like a common knowledge thing, or a stupid question. I have honestly never noticed it until now. I knew it was there, but never payed it any mind or questioned it's purpose.

 

[KirbyCollector01]

Sweet-Aire

The screw on the back with the pad inside is the Sweet-Aire port. Kirby introduced Sweet-Aire (a scented liquid) with the Kirby 510 in 1950. You would unscrew that, and drop a little bit of that stuff in there. So when you would vacuum, the Kirby would smell good. The Sweet-Aire was phased out in 1962 when the Kirby 561 was discontinued. This idea would later become Kirby Odorific. Which is a scented liquid that you dab onto a tissue and tuck it into the sani pocket, or outer bag.

D

 

[KirbyCollector01]

That Link was accidental.

Vacuumland somehow did that when I was posting. That link takes you to nothing. My apologies.

 

[ecaden1]

quite interesting. Kirby has certainly had some ideas over time. I actually vacuumed with my Kirby 519 using odorific in the pocket today. I have a few old bottles that were tucked into the bag of my D80 when I bought it. The bottle I have now is the last one, and it is quite old. I know they still sell it, I quite like the scent of the old stuff. I guess I can get the new stuff and see how I like it as well.

 

[huskyvacs]

Also this is what the bottle looked like

 

[kirbyklekter]

Here's a funny...

My grandmother used to pour Estee Lauder Youth Dew perfume in her sani'emptor's fragrance pad. I've heard vanilla extract is nice too.

 

[KirbyCollector01]

The Sweet Aire bottle Huskyvacs showed is the one from sometime between 1953 & 1956. Here’s the first bottle from 1950.

 

[hoover300]

When did this one come about?

 

[KirbyCollector01]

Hoover300

That one appears to be from around 1953, based on the grey pattern on the box. As well as the style of logo.

 

[KirbyCollector01]

Well I should say color of logo