U.S. patent application number 12/675512 was filed with the patent office on 2010-12-02 for cyclonic surface cleaning apparatus with a spaced apart impingement surface.
This patent application is currently assigned to G.B.D. CORP.. Invention is credited to Wayne Ernest Conrad.
Application Number | 20100299865 12/675512 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40385176 |
Filed Date | 2010-12-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100299865 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Conrad; Wayne Ernest |
December 2, 2010 |
CYCLONIC SURFACE CLEANING APPARATUS WITH A SPACED APART IMPINGEMENT
SURFACE
Abstract
A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a cyclone having a dirt
outlet with an impingement surface positioned in a dirt collection
chamber and spaced up to 50 mm, preferably from 8 to 30 mm, from
the dirt outlet.
Inventors: |
Conrad; Wayne Ernest;
(Hampton, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BERESKIN AND PARR LLP/S.E.N.C.R.L., s.r.l.
40 KING STREET WEST, BOX 401
TORONTO
ON
M5H 3Y2
CA
|
Assignee: |
G.B.D. CORP.
Nassau
BS
|
Family ID: |
40385176 |
Appl. No.: |
12/675512 |
Filed: |
August 28, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
August 28, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CA08/01531 |
371 Date: |
February 26, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/353 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 9/165 20130101;
A47L 9/20 20130101; Y10T 428/17 20150115; A47L 9/1683 20130101;
A47L 7/0028 20130101; A47L 5/24 20130101; A47L 9/122 20130101; A47L
9/1641 20130101; Y10T 428/24488 20150115; Y10T 428/19 20150115;
A47L 9/1625 20130101; A47L 7/0038 20130101; A47L 9/1666 20130101;
A47L 9/1658 20130101; A47L 9/1608 20130101; Y10T 156/1158
20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/353 |
International
Class: |
A47L 9/16 20060101
A47L009/16; A47L 5/22 20060101 A47L005/22 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 29, 2007 |
CA |
2599303 |
Claims
1. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising: (a) a dirty air inlet;
(b) a filtration apparatus comprising a cyclone downstream from the
dirty air inlet, the cyclone having a dirt outlet; (c) an
impingement surface spaced up to 50 mm from the dirt outlet; (d) a
dirt collection chamber in communication with the dirt outlet; (e)
a suction motor; and, (f) a clean air outlet downstream from the
suction motor.
2. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the
impingement surface is spaced from 8 to 30 mm from the dirt
outlet.
3. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cyclone
has a longitudinal axis, an opening is provided between the
impingement surface and the dirt outlet and separated material
travels at an angle to the longitudinal axis as it travels from the
cyclone outlet to the dirt collection chamber.
4. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 3 wherein separated
material travels generally transverse to the longitudinal axis as
it travels between the cyclone outlet and impingement surface.
5. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cyclone is
frusto-conical.
6. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cyclone is
inverted such that the dirt outlet is an upper dirt outlet.
7. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the
impingement surface is positioned in the dirt collection chamber
and is other than a wall that defines the volume of the dirt
collection chamber.
8. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 7 as it depends from
claim 6 wherein the dirt collection chamber is positioned around at
least a portion of the cyclone, the filtration apparatus comprises
a lid positioned over the dirt collection chamber and the cyclone,
and the impingement surface comprises a portion of the lid.
9. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 8 wherein the
impingement surface comprises a plate positioned above the upper
dirt outlet and below the lid.
10. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 9 wherein the plate is
suspended from the lid.
11. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 7 wherein the dirt
collection chamber has a floor and the impingement surface is
spaced from the floor.
12. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 11 wherein the dirt
collection chamber is positioned below the dirt outlet.
13. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 12 wherein the dirt
outlet is in a lower portion of the cyclone.
14. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 and wherein the dirt
collection chamber is positioned around at least a portion of the
cyclone.
15. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 6 wherein the dirt
collection chamber has an openable portion and the cyclone has an
openable portion, whereby both the cyclone and the dirt collection
chamber are openable such that the dirt collection chamber and the
cyclone are emptyable.
16. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 15 wherein the dirt
collection chamber has a lower moveable dirt collection chamber
floor, the cyclone has a lower moveable cyclone floor connected to
the lower moveable dirt collection chamber floor, whereby both the
cyclone floor and the dirt collection chamber floor are moveable
concurrently such that the dirt collection chamber and the cyclone
are concurrently emptied.
17. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 16 wherein the dirt
collection chamber floor and the cyclone floor comprise a pivoting
bottom of the filtration apparatus.
18. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 11 wherein the dirt
collection chamber is removable from the surface cleaning apparatus
for emptying.
19. The surface cleaning apparatus of any claim 1 wherein the
cyclone has a longitudinal axis that extends generally horizontally
when the surface cleaning apparatus is in use.
Description
FIELD
[0001] This application relates to surface cleaning apparatus, such
as vacuum cleaners.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The use of a cyclone, or multiple cyclones connected in
parallel or series, is known to be advantageous in the separation
of particulate matter from a fluid stream. Currently, many vacuum
cleaners, which are sold for residential applications, utilize at
least one cyclone as part of the air filtration mechanism.
[0003] A difficulty experienced with cyclonic separators is the
re-entrainment of the separated particulate matter back into the
outgoing fluid flow. Deposited particles exposed to a high-speed
cyclonic flow have a tendency to be re-entrained.
[0004] Plates positioned in cyclone containers have been used to
divide a cyclone container into an upper cyclone chamber, which is
positioned above the plate, and a lower dirt collection chamber,
which is positioned below the plate. See for example Conrad (U.S.
Pat. No. 6,221,134).
[0005] It has been taught that the distance between a dirt outlet
of a cyclone and a flat surface below the dirt outlet should be
less than 8 mm or between 30 mm and 70 mm. See Dyson, U.S. Pat. No.
5,858,038 as well as U.S. Pat. No. 6,553,612 and U.S. Pat. No.
6,581,239. As stated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,858,038, it had previously
been assumed that as large a distance as possible between a base
surface and the cone opening of a cyclone is desirable. This
allowed more volume in the collector for separated dirt and dust to
accumulate before emptying was required and was also thought to
reduce the likelihood of separated dirt and dust becoming
re-entrained into the airflow. However, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,858,038
it was stated that maxima of separation efficiency for different
sizes of cyclone and collector occur when the distance between the
base surface and the cone opening lies in the range 30 mm to 70 mm
and, in addition, a distance of less than 8 mm, particularly around
4 mm to 6 mm, is highly efficient.
SUMMARY
[0006] In accordance with this invention, a surface cleaning
apparatus is provided which includes a cyclone having a dirt outlet
and an impingement surface positioned distal to the dirt outlet.
The impingement surface is may be positioned from 8 to 30 mm,
preferably 12 to 25 mm from the dirt outlet. Preferably, the
impingement surface is provided in a dirt collection chamber.
[0007] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the cyclone is
inverted (i.e. the air inlet and the air outlet are provided in a
lower portion of the cyclone) and the dirt outlet is provided in an
upper portion of the cyclone. Accordingly, in such an embodiment,
the impingement surface is positioned above the dirt outlet.
[0008] In accordance with such an embodiment, it is preferred that
the dirt collection chamber surrounds at least a portion of, and
preferably all of, the cyclone. The impingement surface may be a
floor or lid of the dirt collection chamber or may be suspended
therefrom.
[0009] In accordance with this aspect of the invention, there is
provided a surface cleaning apparatus comprising:
[0010] (a) a dirty air inlet;
[0011] (b) a filtration apparatus comprising a cyclone downstream
from the dirty air inlet, the cyclone having a dirt outlet;
[0012] (c) an impingement surface spaced up to 50 mm, preferably
from 8 mm to 30 mm, from the dirt outlet;
[0013] (d) a dirt collection chamber in communication with the dirt
outlet;
[0014] (e) a suction motor; and,
[0015] (f) a clean air outlet downstream from the suction
motor.
[0016] In one embodiment, the cyclone has a longitudinal axis, an
opening is provided between the impingement surface and the dirt
outlet and separated material travels at an angle to the
longitudinal axis as it travels from the cyclone outlet to the dirt
collection chamber.
[0017] In any embodiment, separated material may travel generally
transverse to the longitudinal axis as it travels between the
cyclone outlet and impingement surface. Preferably, the space
between the cyclone outlet and impingement surface extends all that
way around the cyclone outlet (e.g., there may be an annular gap
between the impingement surface and the dirt collection chamber
sidewall)
[0018] In any embodiment, the cyclone may be frusto-conical.
[0019] In some embodiments, the cyclone is inverted such that the
dirt outlet is an upper dirt outlet.
[0020] In any embodiment, the impingement surface may be positioned
in the dirt collection chamber and may be other than a wall that
defines the volume of the dirt collection chamber.
[0021] In some embodiments, the dirt collection chamber is
positioned around at least a portion of the cyclone, the filtration
apparatus comprises a lid positioned over the dirt collection
chamber and the cyclone, and the impingement surface comprises a
portion of the lid. Preferably, the impingement surface comprises a
plate positioned above the upper dirt outlet and below the lid.
More preferably, the plate is suspended from the lid.
[0022] In some embodiments, the dirt collection chamber has a floor
and the impingement surface is spaced from the floor. Preferably,
the dirt collection chamber is positioned below the dirt outlet.
Alternately, or in addition, the dirt outlet is in a lower portion
of the cyclone.
[0023] In some embodiments, the dirt collection chamber is
positioned around at least a portion of the cyclone.
[0024] In some embodiments, the dirt collection chamber has an
openable portion and the cyclone has an openable portion, whereby
both the cyclone and the dirt collection chamber are openable such
that the dirt collection chamber and the cyclone are emptyable.
[0025] In some embodiments, the dirt collection chamber has a lower
moveable dirt collection chamber floor, the cyclone has a lower
moveable cyclone floor connected to the lower moveable dirt
collection chamber floor, whereby both the cyclone floor and the
dirt collection chamber floor are moveable concurrently such that
the dirt collection chamber and the cyclone are concurrently
emptied.
[0026] In some embodiments, the dirt collection chamber floor and
the cyclone floor comprise a pivoting bottom of the filtration
apparatus.
[0027] In some embodiments, the dirt collection chamber is
removable from the surface cleaning apparatus for emptying.
[0028] In any embodiment, the cyclone may have a longitudinal axis
that extends generally horizontally (e.g., within 30, preferably
within 15 and most preferably within 5 degrees of horizontal) when
the surface cleaning apparatus is in use.
[0029] Surprisingly, despite the teaching of the prior art, it has
been determined that the dirt separation efficiency of the cyclone
is enhanced by positioning the impingement surface between 8 and 30
mm from the dirt outlet. Preferably, the impingement surface is
positioned 12 to 25 mm from the dirt outlet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] These and other advantages of the instant invention will be
more fully and completely understood in conjunction with the
following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention
in which:
[0031] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment
of a vacuum cleaner in accordance with this design wherein the
outer casing surrounding the cyclone and forming an outer wall of a
dirt collection chamber is optionally transparent;
[0032] FIG. 2 is a perspective view from the front and the right
side of the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1;
[0033] FIG. 3 is a cross-section along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2;
[0034] FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing of the vacuum cleaner of FIG.
1 showing the airflow passage therethrough;
[0035] FIG. 5 is a perspective view from the bottom of the vacuum
cleaner of FIG. 1 wherein the bottom of the first and second
housings is open;
[0036] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the bottom of the vacuum
cleaner of FIG. 1 wherein the first and second housings are closed
but an access door is open;
[0037] FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of an alternate embodiment
of a vacuum cleaner wherein the dirt collection chamber is slidably
mountable on the cyclone housing and separately removable from the
vacuum cleaner;
[0038] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of FIG. 7;
[0039] FIG. 9 is a longitudinal section through the upper casing of
the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 7;
[0040] FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the dirt chamber of FIG. 7
with the separation plate shown in the horizontal position;
and,
[0041] FIG. 11 is a longitudinal section through an alternate
embodiment of a vacuum cleaner in accordance with this
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0042] As shown in FIGS. 1-6, a surface cleaning apparatus
comprises a vacuum cleaner 10 having a filtration apparatus having
at least one cyclone.
[0043] The filtration apparatus may be of any design or
configuration. As exemplified, surface cleaning apparatus 10 has a
first housing 12 and a second housing 14. First housing 12
comprises at least one cyclone 16 and a dirt collection chamber 18
and second housing 14 houses at least one and preferably a
plurality of filters which, preferably, in order, comprise foam
filter 20, felt filter 22 and HEPA filter 24 followed in the
downstream direction by suction motor 26. It will be appreciated
that only a single filter may be provided. Dirty air entrained in
dirty air inlet 38 travels through the filtration apparatus,
through suction motor 26 and exits the surface cleaning apparatus
via clean air outlet 60. However, a side by side construction need
not be used. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a surface cleaning
apparatus 10 has a first cyclonic cleaning stage comprising a
single cyclone 150 having a dirt collection chamber 152 and a
second cyclonic cleaning stage comprising a plurality of second
stage cyclones 154 in parallel.
[0044] It will be appreciated that, surface cleaning apparatus may
be a vacuum cleaner, a carpet extractor, a bare floor cleaner or
the like. As exemplified, the surface cleaning apparatus is hand
held. However the surface cleaning apparatus may be configured as
an upright vacuum cleaner, a stick vacuum cleaner, a canister
vacuum cleaner, a backpack or shoulder strap vacuum cleaner or
other configuration known in the art. The surface cleaning
apparatus may have a single cyclonic cleaning stage, which may be
of any construction known in the art, or a plurality of cyclonic
cleaning stages, which may be of any construction known in the art,
e.g. they may comprise a single cyclone or a plurality of cyclones
in parallel.
[0045] In accordance with this invention, cyclone 16, 150, 154 has
a dirt outlet 28 and an impingement surface 30 spaced from dirt
outlet 28 in dirt collection chamber 18. It will be appreciated
that cyclone 16 may be of any construction (e.g., it may be
cylindrical, frusto-conical or of other configuration). Cyclone 16
may be a cyclonic stage for a surface cleaning apparatus wherein
the cyclonic stage consists of a single cyclone.
[0046] Alternately, a cyclonic stage may comprise a plurality of
cyclones 16, 150, 154 in parallel, some or each of which has an
impingement surface 30. Impingement surface 30 is spaced a distance
D from outlet 28 wherein distance D is up to 50 mm, preferably 8-50
mm, more preferably 8 to 30 millimeters and, most preferably from
12 to 25 millimeters (see for example FIG. 3).
[0047] Preferably, as exemplified, impingement member 30 is spaced
from a wall of dirt collection chamber. However, in alternate
embodiments, impingement member may be a wall of dirt collection
chamber provided the wall is spaced a distance D from dirt outlet
28. As exemplified, impingement member 30 is flat. It will be
appreciated that, in alternate embodiments, it may be of varying
shapes provided it is spaced a distance D from dirt outlet 28 and
faces dirt outlet 28.
[0048] As exemplified in FIG. 3, cyclone 16 is inverted and dirt
out 28 may be an upper dirt outlet positioned in dirt collection
chamber 18 if air inlet 34 is positioned adjacent to the floor. In
such an embodiment, impingement surface 30 may be a part of lid 32
of dirt collection chamber 18, e.g., mounted to or suspended by a
post or the like from lid 32. Alternately, impingement surface may
be mounted to a sidewall of dirt collection chamber 18 and/or
cyclone 16. In further embodiments, a wall of dirt collection
chamber 18 facing dirt outlet 28 may comprise the impingement
surface 30. However, it is preferred that the impingement surface
is other then a portion of a wall of dirt collection chamber 18
facing dirt outlet 28 and is preferably spaced therefrom as
exemplified in FIG. 3. If lid 32 is removably mounted to cyclone
16, the impingement surface 30 is removable with lid 32.
[0049] If cyclone 16 is non-inverted, then dirt outlet 28 of
cyclone 16 is in a lower portion of cyclone 16, as exemplified in
FIGS. 7-10, and impingement surface may be positioned below dirt
outlet 28. In either case, impingement surface 30 is spaced from
dirt outlet 28 and the space between dirt outlet 28 and impingement
surface 30 is a passage between cyclone 16 and dirt collection
chamber 18. Cyclone 16 may have a longitudinal axis A as shown in
FIG. 9. The separated material travels at an angle to the
longitudinal axis as it travels from cyclone outlet 28 to dirt
collection chamber 18, and preferably transverse thereto.
Alternately, as shown in FIGS. 7-10, cyclone 16, 150, 154 may be
non-inverted. Alternately, as shown in FIG. 11, cyclone 16, 150,
154 may be oriented such that longitudinal axis A extends
horizontally when the surface cleaning apparatus is in use.
[0050] As exemplified in FIG. 3, cyclone 16 is an inverted cyclone.
Accordingly, cyclone 16 has a lower air inlet 34 and a lower air
outlet 36. Air inlet 34 is positioned downstream from dirty air
inlet 38 of surface cleaning nozzle 40. Surface cleaning nozzle 40
may be any surface cleaning nozzle known in the art. Air inlet 34
of cyclone 16 may be in airflow communication with surface cleaning
nozzle 40 in any manner known in the art. The exact structure of
surface cleaning nozzle 40 and the communication passage between
surface cleaning nozzle 40 and air inlet 34 will vary depending if
the surface cleaning apparatus is an upright vacuum cleaner,
canister vacuum cleaner or, as exemplified, a portable hand held
vacuum cleaner. In operation, air will enter cyclone 16 through
inlet 34 and travel upwardly, as exemplified in FIG. 4. The air
will then travel downwardly to exit cyclone 16 via outlet 34. As
shown in FIG. 4 by the hatched arrows, dirt will exit upwardly
through outlet 28 and deposit on dirt collection chamber floor 42.
In addition, some of the heavier particulate matter may not be
entrained in the air stream and may be deposited on cyclone floor
44.
[0051] In an alternate embodiment, it will be appreciated that
cyclone 16 need not be inverted but may be of any configuration or
orientation provided that impingement surface 30 or surfaces 30 are
positioned spaced from dirt outlet 28. The cyclone may accordingly
be an upright cyclone or a cyclone having a single direction of
travel of the air.
[0052] FIGS. 7-10 show an exemplary embodiment of vacuum cleaner 10
with an upright cyclone 16 wherein dirt outlet 28 is in a lower
portion of cyclone 16 and the floor of dirt collection chamber 18
is below dirt outlet 28. In operation, a user may grasp handle 54
to maneuver surface cleaning nozzle 40 over a surface to be
cleaned. The dirty air passes from inlet 38, through cleaning
nozzle 40 to spine 130, which preferably comprises a hollow tube,
and then passes into cyclone 16 via air inlet 34 before it spirals
downwards towards impingement surface 30, travels upwards into
vortex finder 36 and passes through optional filter 138, or filters
as disclosed herein, to suction motor 26. The airflow exits as
clean air through clean air outlet 60.
[0053] Material entrained in the dirty airflow separates as it
travels at an angle to longitudinal axis A as it travels from
cyclone outlet 28 to dirt collection chamber 18, and preferably
transverse thereto.
[0054] As shown in FIGS. 7-9, collection chamber 18 may be
removably mounted to facilitate emptying. To this end, dirt
collection chamber 18 may comprise a flange 132 which may be
slidably received by guide 134 for mounting dirt collection chamber
18 under cyclone 16. In operation, a user may grasp at handle 136
when removing and replacing collection chamber 18 under cyclone
16.
[0055] As exemplified in FIG. 10, impingement surface 30 may be
mounted to the sidewall of dirt collection chamber 18, producing a
substantially annular gap E between the outer wall of impingement
surface 30 and the inner wall of dirt collection chamber 18 (see
FIG. 9). In other embodiments, impingement surface 30 may be
supported from below or any other position producing an annular gap
or essentially an annular gap and, as exemplified, spaced above the
floor of dirt collection chamber 18.
[0056] As exemplified in FIGS. 1-6, cyclone 16 is a frustoconical
cyclone having cylindrical portion 46 and frustoconical portion 48.
Alternately, or in addition to the orientation of cyclone 16, it
will be appreciated that cyclone 16 may be cylindrical, entirely
frustoconical or any other shape known in the art.
[0057] As exemplified in FIG. 3, cyclone outlet 36 of cyclone 16
comprises a vortex finder that extends inwardly into the cyclone
chamber defined by cyclone 16. Outlet 36 preferably comprises a
generally cylindrical passage, i.e. vortex finder, having an inlet
50 and an outlet 52. It will be appreciated that, in an alternate
embodiment any outlet or vortex finder known in the art for
cyclones may be utilized.
[0058] In some embodiments, inlet 50 may be covered by a screen,
shroud or filter as is known in the art. However, it is preferred
that vortex finder 36 is unobstructed, i.e., no screen, shroud or
filter is provided on inlet 50. Accordingly, as exemplified in FIG.
3, vortex finder 36 is not surrounded by a screen, shroud or filter
and no physical separation member is positioned in the cyclone
chamber of cyclone 16. Accordingly, no filtration or screen member
interior of cyclone 16 requires cleaning. Elongate material such as
hair or fibre can become adhered to a shroud, requiring the shroud
to be manually cleaned. If the shroud is inside the cyclone
chamber, then the chamber may be openable sufficiently to permit a
user to insert their hand to clean the shroud, or to remove the
shroud for cleaning. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that
bottom 44 need not be openable to permit a screen or a shroud or
filter associated with inlet end 50 of outlet 36 to be cleaned.
Preferably, a screen is positioned downstream from cyclone 16 and
upstream from the pre-motor filters. For example, a screen 78 is
preferably provided. The material that would otherwise clog a
screen or shroud that surrounds inlet 50 may be retained by
optional screen 78 which may be larger than a screen in a cyclone
chamber.
[0059] As exemplified in FIGS. 1-6, vacuum cleaner 10 comprises a
hand held vacuum cleaner. Accordingly, vacuum cleaner 10 may be
provided with handle 54, which is affixed to lid 32 and lid 58 of
second housing 14. Handle 54 may alternately be affixed to any
other portion or portions of vacuum cleaner 10 as is known in the
art. Optionally, as exemplified, on/off switch 56 may be provided
on handle 54. On/off switch 56 may alternately be provided on any
other portion of vacuum cleaner 10.
[0060] As exemplified in FIG. 3, suction motor 26 is positioned in
second housing 14, preferably with a suction fan provided below the
electric motor. Clean air outlet 60 is provided downstream from
suction motor 26. An optional post-motor filter may be provided
downstream from suction motor 26, such as in post-motor filter
housing 62, which may be accessible via post motor filter housing
door 64, which could be pivotably mounted to second housing 14.
[0061] While the use of the impingement surface is exemplified in a
surface cleaning apparatus having side-by-side housings 12, 14, it
will be appreciated that this design may be used in any vacuum
cleaner configuration, such as an upright vacuum cleaner, which is
exemplified in FIGS. 7-9.
[0062] Preferably, dirt collection chamber 18 surrounds at least a
portion of and, as exemplified, preferably all of cyclone 16.
Accordingly, cyclone 16 may be positioned in dirt collection
chamber 18 and, preferably, generally centrally therein.
[0063] In accordance with this optional preferred embodiment,
vacuum cleaner 10 may be configured such that the dirt collected on
floor 44 of cyclone 16 is emptied at the same time as dirt
collected on floor 42 of dirt collection chamber 18. The following
description refers to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6 wherein the
openable end of the dirt collection camber is the dirt collection
surface (floor 42). However, in an alternate embodiment, it will be
appreciated that the openable portion need not be the dirt
collection surface. For example, referring to FIG. 11, the openable
portion may be the end of dirt collection chamber 152 to which
impingement member 30 is attached. Accordingly, the reference to
"upper" and "lower" and "floor" are for convenience in the
following discussion and relate to a preferred embodiment.
[0064] As exemplified, floor 42 and floor 44 are both movable and
connected to each other whereby both floors 42 and 44 are
concurrently movable such that dirt collection chamber 18 and
cyclone 16 are concurrently emptied. It will be appreciated that,
in an alternate embodiment, floor 42 and 44 may be separately
movable. Referring to FIG. 5, floors 42 and 44 may comprise a
pivoting bottom of first housing 12 and, alternately, of the
filtration apparatus (e.g. housings 12 and 14 of this embodiment).
Accordingly, as seen in FIG. 5, when floors 42 and 44 are opened,
both cyclone 16 and dirt collection chamber 18 may be emptied by
holding vacuum cleaner 10 in the upright position (as shown in FIG.
1). Accordingly, the dirt will fall out of collection chamber 16
and cyclone 16 and will fall downwardly off of floors 42 and
44.
[0065] As shown in FIG. 5, housings 12 and 14 have a pivoting
bottom 66, which is secured to each of housings 12 and 14 by a
pivot 68. In the closed position exemplified in FIGS. 1 and 4,
pivoting bottom 66 is secured in position by latch 70. Latch 70 may
have a button 72 which, when pressed, causes arm 74 to move
outwardly thereby disengaging a flange provided on the bottom end
of arm 74 from flange 76 provided on pivoting bottom 66. A gasket
or other sealing member may be provided at the interface of
housings 12 and 14 and pivoting bottom 66 to provide an air tight
or fluid tight seal. It will be appreciated that bottom 66 may be
moveable in any other direction by any other means known in the art
and may optionally be removable from housings 12, 14 for emptying.
Further, bottom 66 may be moveably secured in position by any other
means known in the art and need not be connected to surface
cleaning apparatus 10 for relative motion thereto.
[0066] As exemplified in FIG. 5, outlet 36 is provided as part of
floor 42, and is preferably integrally molded therewith. In an
alternate embodiment, it will be appreciated that outlet 36 need
not be removable from cyclone 16 with floor 42.
[0067] In an alternate embodiment, it will be appreciated that only
floors 42 and 44 may be pivotally mounted to housing 12. In such an
embodiment, foam filter 20 may remain sealed when cyclone 16 and
dirt collection chamber 18 are emptied. In an alternate embodiment,
a side-by-side of housings 12, 14 design as exemplified in FIG. 1
need not be utilized. In such a case, floor 42 and floor 44 may
comprise the entire floor of the filtration assembly.
[0068] If bottom 66 opens both housings 12 and 14, then it will be
appreciated that dirt positioned on the upstream surface of filter
20 may be emptied when bottom 66 is opened.
[0069] Optionally, in any embodiment, a filtration member is
provided adjacent outlet 36 and, preferably, in sealing engagement
with outlet 52. Referring to FIG. 3, filtration member 78 is
positioned on rear surface 84 of floor 44 and overlies outlet 52.
Accordingly, air that exits outlet 36 travels through filtration
member 78. The air then travels through filtration chamber 80 and
travels laterally to outlet 86, which is in air flow communication
with headspace 88 below filter 20.
[0070] Preferably, filtration member 78 comprises a screen, such as
an open mesh screen, e.g., a wire mesh screen or, alternately, a
plastic mesh screen.
[0071] An access door 82 may be provided to permit access to
filtration member 78 such that filtration member 78 may be cleaned.
Access door may be any door that is movably mounted in overlying
relationship to filtration chamber 80. As exemplified in FIG. 6,
access door 82 comprises the lower half of filtration chamber 80
and is pivotally mounted by pivot 90 to pivoting bottom 66. Access
door 82 may be opened by utilizing a latch 70, which engages flange
92 provided on the front end of access door 82. A sealing gasket or
other sealing member known in the art may be utilized to provide an
air tight or fluid tight seal for filtration chamber 80. Any other
securing member known in the art may be used. Further door 82 may
be removable and need not be connected to surface cleaning
apparatus 10 for relative motion thereto.
[0072] Preferably, filtration member 78 is mounted and, more
preferably, movably mounted and, most preferably, removably mounted
to access door 82. As shown in FIG. 6, filtration member 78 is
pivotably mounted to the inner surface of access door 82.
Accordingly, when a user desires to clean filtration member 78, it
may be pivoted in the direction shown by arrow A in FIG. 6 to an
open or cleaning position. It will be noticed that access door 82
may be opened independently of pivoting bottom 66. In an alternate
embodiment, it will be appreciated that a pivoting bottom 66 need
not be provided.
[0073] Preferably, at least a portion of and, more preferably, all
of access door 82, which as exemplified is the outer wall of
filtration chamber 80, is transparent. Accordingly, a user may lift
the vacuum cleaner, invert the vacuum cleaner or tilt the vacuum
cleaner on its side to view filtration member 78 and determine
whether filtration 78 requires cleaning or, alternately,
replacement.
[0074] It will also be appreciated that any of the aforementioned
embodiments may be used singly or in any particular combination or
sub-combination of the remaining features listed above.
[0075] Although the invention has been described in conjunction
with specific embodiments thereof, if is evident that many
alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to
those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace
all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall
within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims. In
addition, citation or identification of any reference in this
application shall not be construed as an admission that such
reference is available as prior art to the present invention.
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