[0001] This invention relates to a vacuum cleaner.
[0002] Vacuum cleaners conventionally comprise a permeable dust bag, which filters and retains
the dirt and dust drawn into the vacuum cleaner by the induced air flow. Nowadays,
it has become popular to provide vacuum cleaners, in which the separated dirt and
dust is collected in a rigid dirt receptacle that can be emptied and re-used. Such
so-called bagless cleaners alleviate the need to purchase and replace the dust bags.
However, a disadvantage of re-usable dirt receptacles is that the receptacles are
often dirty to handle and clouds of dirt and dust can be emitted into the atmosphere
when the receptacles are emptied, with the obvious health risks and resultant contamination
of the vacuum cleaner and the user's environment with a layer of dust.
[0003] Many bagless vacuum cleaners nowadays comprise a cyclonic separator, which deposits
the separated dirt and dust in a rigid dirt receptacle. Cyclonic vacuum cleaners offer
the advantage over bag-type cleaners of maintaining a more constant level of suction
performance regardless of the quantity of dirt present in their dirt receptacle.
[0004] One of the main disadvantages of known cyclonic vacuum cleaners is that the procedure
for emptying their dirt receptacles is a potentially dirty and unhygienic process.
Instead of simply removing a closed paper bag full of dirt from the vacuum cleaner,
and dropping it into a dustbin, emptying a cyclonic cleaner usually involves tipping
a mass of loose dust and dirt out of its dirt receptacle, following removal of the
receptacle from the cleaner. This emptying process can involve knocking and/or shaking
the dirt receptacle to dislodge agglomerated dust and any masses of fibrous material,
such as fluff and hairs that may be present.
[0005] This problem is exacerbated because fine dirt typically collects at the base of the
dirt receptacle, with coarse and fibrous dirt lodging in the upper region of the receptacle.
When the dirt receptacle is inverted for emptying, the entire mass of dirt falls in
an uncontrolled manner into the vessel used for its final disposal, typically a dustbin
or refuse bag. This uncontrolled discharge usually results in the lighter dirt fractions
being disturbed by the movement of the heavier fractions, whereupon the clothing and
anatomy of the vacuum cleaner user may become contaminated with dust. The attendant
escape of dust into the user's home environment is equally undesirable.
[0006] Many popular cyclonic vacuum cleaners have a simple cylindrical dirt receptacle,
usually of transparent plastic material, which is removed from the cleaner and inverted
over the dustbin for emptying. More recent cleaners have had a pivoted flap at the
bottom of their dirt receptacle, this being released by some form of manually-operated
latch to swing open for emptying under gravity or, in some cases, being spring-loaded
to aid opening. In either case, dust and fibres suddenly fall out of the dirt receptacle
when the flap opens. This flap-type emptying system exacerbates the problem of contamination,
since the fine dust falls out of the bottom of the receptacle closely followed by
the coarse and fibrous dirt, which falls through and/or lands on top of the fine dust
causing clouds of fine dust to become airborne and contaminate the environment during
the emptying process.
[0007] Thus, there is the need to provide a dirt receptacle for a cyclonic vacuum cleaner
which is clean to use and does not generate clouds of dirt and dust when emptied.
[0008] EP 1 199 023 attempts to solve the above-mentioned problems by providing a cyclonic
separator for a vacuum cleaner in which the lower region of the cylindrical dirt receptacle
is separated from the upper region by a perforated disc-shaped partition. In use,
the fine dust and dirt particles fall through the perforations in the disc and are
retained in the region below the disc. The coarser particulate and fibrous material
are retained above the disc. During emptying, the lower region of the dirt receptacle
can be opened and carefully emptied into a suitable waste receptacle for disposal.
Having emptied the fine dust, the entire dirt receptacle containing the coarse and
fibrous material, may then be inverted over the waste receptacle to complete the emptying
process.
[0009] Although the dirt receptacle emptying arrangement disclosed in EP 1 199 023 constitutes
a considerable improvement over the emptying arrangements of most commercially available
cyclonic cleaners, the receptacle is complicated and expensive in construction and
is difficult to use.
[0010] We have now devised a vacuum cleaner which alleviates the above-mentioned problems.
[0011] In accordance with this invention, there is provided a dirt receptacle for a vacuum
cleaner, the receptacle comprising a rigid container having an outlet for the emptying
of collected dirt, a closure for closing the outlet, and actuator means for moving
the closure between a closed position and an open position, said actuator means being
operable to control the position of the closure between said open and closed positions.
[0012] In use, the receptacle is emptied by initially moving the closure to a partially
opened position, in which fine dirt and dust can be emptied through the restricted
outlet in a controlled manner. The restricted size of the outlet retains any coarser
and fibrous dirt inside the receptacle. Once the fine dirt has been emptied, the closure
can be moved to its fully open position to allow the coarse dirt and fibrous matter
to be emptied from the receptacle.
[0013] The present invention thus provides a clean and hygienic way of empting the receptacle
by allowing the fine and coarse dirt to be emptied in two distinct operating stages,
thereby avoiding the problem of dust contamination when all of the dirt is released
in an uncontrolled single stage.
[0014] The restricted size of the opening also allows a more controlled release of the fine
dirt and avoids the problem of dust contamination caused by a sudden release of the
dirt.
[0015] The receptacle is simple and inexpensive in construction and is straightforward to
use.
[0016] Preferably, the closure locates at said partially opened position, in order to provide
a tactile indication to the user that the closure is in the correct position for the
emptying of fine dust.
[0017] Preferably, the outlet is provided at a position on the container which is located
at the bottom thereof when the container is in use, such that the outlet is positioned
directly adjacent the fine dirt which collects at the bottom of the container.
[0018] Preferably means are provided for retaining the closure in said open and/or closed
positions.
[0019] Preferably the closure is biassed into said fully open position.
[0020] Preferably, the container comprises an open bottom forming the outlet.
[0021] Preferably, the closure comprises a flap pivoted to the container.
[0022] Preferably the actuator comprises a handle mounted directly to said flap, preferably
adjacent the point where the flap is pivoted to the container.
[0023] Preferably the flap is also mounted to the container for translatory movement towards
and away from said outlet thereof.
[0024] Preferably means are provided to guide the translatory movement of said flap towards
and away from said outlet.
[0025] Preferably said guide means is arranged to only permit pivotal movement of the flap,
when the latter is in a partially opened position between said open and closed positions.
[0026] Preferably, the guide means is arranged to hold said flap in its fully opened position.
[0027] Also, in accordance with this invention, there is provided a vacuum cleaner comprising
a dirt receptacle as hereinbefore described.
[0028] Preferably the vacuum cleaner comprises a cyclonic separator having a cylindrical-walled
separation chamber.
[0029] Also, in accordance with this invention, there is provided a method of emptying a
dirt receptacle of a vacuum cleaner, the receptacle comprising a rigid container having
an outlet for the emptying of collected dirt, a closure for closing the outlet, the
closure being moveable between a normally closed position and an open position, the
method comprising removing the dirt receptacle from the vacuum cleaner, partially
opening the closure and empting fine dirt from the receptacle through the restricted
outlet prior to fully opening the closure and empting the remaining dirt from the
receptacle.
[0030] Embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of examples only and with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic view of a vacuum cleaner in accordance with this invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a dirt collection bin of the cleaner of Figure 1,
showing the discharge flap thereof in its closed state;
Figure 3 is a side view of the dirt collection bin of the cleaner of Figure 1, showing
the discharge flap thereof in its closed state;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of a dirt collection bin of the cleaner of Figure 1,
showing the discharge flap thereof in its partially opened state;
Figure 5 is a side view of the dirt collection bin of the cleaner of Figure 1, showing
the discharge flap thereof in its partially opened state;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of a dirt collection bin of the cleaner of Figure 1,
showing the discharge flap thereof in its fully opened state;
Figure 7 is a side view of the dirt collection bin of the cleaner of Figure 1, showing
the discharge flap thereof in its fully opened state;
Figure 8 is a perspective view of a dirt collection bin of an alternative embodiment
of vacuum cleaner in accordance with this invention, showing the discharge flap thereof
in its closed state;
Figure 9 is a perspective view of the dirt collection bin of Figure 8, showing the
discharge flap thereof in its fully opened state;
Figure 10 is a perspective view of a portion of a dirt collection bin of a preferred
embodiment of vacuum cleaner in accordance with this invention, showing the discharge
flap thereof in its closed state;
Figure 11 is a perspective view of a portion of the dirt collection bin of Figure
10, showing the discharge flap thereof in its partially opened state;
Figure 12 is a perspective view of a portion of the dirt collection bin of Figure
10, showing the discharge flap thereof in its fully opened state; and
Figure 13 is a longitudinal sectional view through a portion of the dirt collection
bin of Figure 10.
[0031] Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown an upright vacuum cleaner comprising
a wheeled suction head 10, to which a body portion 11 is pivoted for movement between
an upright position and an inclined operative position. A motor and fan are mounted
in a bottom portion 12 of the body 11 of the cleaner.
[0032] A separation unit 13 mounted in the body 11 of the cleaner comprises a cyclone separator
and a filter. In use, the fan induces an airflow through the cleaner from the suction
head 10 through the separation unit 13, where dirt and dust separated from the airflow
by the cyclone is collected in a removable dirt collection bin 14 mounted directly
below the separation unit 13. The cyclone separator comprises a cylindrical wall and
for practical purposes, the side wall of the collection bin 14 is a downward extension
of the wall of the cyclone.
[0033] The cyclonic separation action causes the finer dirt particles F to collect at the
bottom of the collection bin 14 below the coarser dirt particles and fibrous matter
C.
[0034] Referring to Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings, the collection bin 14 comprises a cylindrical
side wall 15 having an open top which communicates with the cyclone separator. The
bottom of the bin 14 is closed by a flap 16 which is pivoted by a shaft to the side
wall 15 of the bin 14 for rotation about an axis which extends perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis of the bin. A torsion spring 17 biases the flap 16 downwardly into
a position where the bottom of the bin 14 is fully open.
[0035] The flap 16 comprises a pair of spaced-apart formations 18, between which the above-mentioned
shaft extends. Each formation 18 comprises an outwardly facing abutment surface which
lies in a plane that extends parallel to both the longitudinal axis of the bin and
rotational axis of the flap 16, when the later is in its fully closed position.
[0036] An actuator 19 is slidably mounted to the outer surface of the side wall 15 of the
bin 14 for movement in a direction which extends parallel to the longitudinal axis
of the bin. The actuator 19 comprises a pair of arms having lower ends which abut
the respective flap formations 18.
[0037] A foldable handle 20 is attached to the arms of the actuator 19 for sliding the actuator
19 in the upward and downward directions shown in the drawings. In its fully downward
position, the bottom ends of the arms of the actuator 19 bear against the abutment
surface of the flap formations 18, thereby holding the flap in its closed position
and preventing the collected dirt and dust from falling out of the bottom of the bin
14 whilst the cleaner is in use and whilst the bin 14 is being carried to a waste
receptacle for emptying. The handle 20 also serves as a handle for supporting the
bin 14 whilst it is being carried.
[0038] Referring to Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings, in order to empty the bin 14, the user
slides the actuator 19 upwardly using the handle 20, thereby allowing the flap 16
to open under the spring bias, until the bottom ends of the arms of the actuator 19
engage in respective detents 21 formed in the abutment surfaces of the flap formations
18. In this position, the flap 16 is retained in the partially open position and the
fine dirt and dust F at the bottom of the bin 14 can be emptied through the small
opening at the bottom of the bin 14. Any course dirt and fibrous matter C cannot pass
through the opening and is retained inside the bin 14.
[0039] Referring to Figures 6 and 7 of the drawings, in order to fully empty the bin 14,
the user has to slide the actuator 19 more upwardly using handle 20, thereby allowing
the flap 16 to fully open under the applied spring bias. In this position, all of
the remaining dirt and dust inside the bin 14 is free to fall through the open bottom
of the bin 14.
[0040] Following emptying of the bin 14, the actuator 19 is returned to its lower position
using the handle 20, thereby closing the flap 16 against the spring bias. The body
11 of the cleaner is preferably adapted such that the bin 14 cannot be mounted to
the cleaner until the actuator 19 has been returned to the lower position, thereby
avoiding the risk of the flap 16 opening whilst the bin 14 is removed from the cleaner.
[0041] The upper surface of the flap 16 is contaminated with dirt and dust. However, it
will be appreciated that actuator 19 enables the user to open and close the flap 16
without having to touch the flap itself.
[0042] Referring to Figures 8 and 9 of the drawings, there is shown an alternative embodiment
of a bin 14, which is similar to the above-mentioned bin and like parts are given
like reference numerals. In this embodiment, a pair of pinions 42 are mounted to the
flap 16 for rotation about the rotational axis of the flap 16. A handle 40 is pivotally
mounted to the external surface of the wall 15 of the bin 14 for rotation about an
axis which extends parallel to the axis of flap rotation. A second pair of pinions
41 are mounted to the handle 40 and are engaged with respective ones of the flap pinions
42.
[0043] In order to open the flap 16, the handle 40 is rotated about its rotational axis,
causing the pinions 41 to correspondingly turn the flap pinions 42. A detent (not
shown) is provided to retain the flap 16 in its partially opened position and to provide
a tactile indication to the user that the flap 16 is in the correct position for the
emptying of fine dirt.
[0044] Referring to Figures 10 to 13 of the drawings, there is shown a preferred embodiment
of a bin 14, which is similar to the above-mentioned bins and like parts are given
like reference numerals. The flap 16 is pivotally mounted between a pair of parallel
spaced apart flanges 52 provided on the lower end of the rear of the side wall 15
of the bin 14. The flanges 52 extend parallel to each other and axially of the bin.
Each flange 52 comprises an upper slot 53 which extends axially of the bin and a lower
u-shaped slot 54 having long and short arms 54a, 54b extending axially of the bin.
[0045] The flap 16 comprises a portion 56 which extends between the flanges 52. A pair of
upper projections 55 extend outwardly from opposite sides of the flap extension 56
into the respective upper slots 53 of the flanges 52. A pair of lower projections
57 also extend outwardly from opposite sides of the flap extension 56 into the respective
lower slots 54 of the flanges 52.
[0046] A handle 58 extends over the outer surface of the flap extension 56. The lower edge
of the handle 58 is spaced away from the outer surface of the flap extension 56, so
that a user can grasp the handle 58 in the palm of their hand, with their fingers
extending around the lower edge of the handle. A concealed spring 59, connected between
the flap extension 56 and the exterior of the wall 15 of the bin 14, biasses the flap
16 upwardly. A seal 59 extends around the flap 16 to seal against the bottom edge
of the wall 15 of the bin 14.
[0047] In use, when the bin 14 is stowed on the body 11 of the vacuum cleaner, the flap
16 is in the closed position of Figure 10. The spring 59 serves to retain the flap
16 in the closed position, so that no dirt and dust can escape. The handle 58 is preferably
concealed behind the bin 14 when the latter is stowed on the body 11 of the vacuum
cleaner.
[0048] In order to empty the bin 14, the user removes the bin 14 from the body 11 of the
cleaner. The user then pushes the handle 58 downwardly, thereby allowing the flap
16 to open under the spring bias, until the projections 55,57 on the flap extension
56 reach the lowermost point of their respective slots 53,54. It will be appreciated
that the attitude of the flap 16 remains constant as the handle is pushed downwardly
as hereinbefore described.
[0049] In this position, as shown in Figure 11, the flap 16 can be retained in the partially
open position by maintaining a downward bias on the handle 58. Fine dirt and dust
at the bottom of the bin 14 can be emptied through the small opening at the bottom
of the bin 14. Any course dirt and fibrous matter cannot pass through the opening
and is retained inside the bin 14.
[0050] In order to fully empty the bin 14, the user has to pull the lower edge of the handle
58 away from the bin 14, causing the lower projections 57 to slide along the bottom
of their respective u-shaped slots 54, allowing the flap 16 to pivot further open
about an axis extending through the upper projections 55. The downwards force on the
handle 58 is then released, thereby causing the lower projections 57 to move a short
distance up the short arms 54b of the lower slots 54. The spring 59 serves to retain
the flap 16 in this fully open position, as shown in Figure 11, in which all of the
remaining dirt and dust inside the bin 14 is free to fall through the open bottom
of the bin 14.
[0051] Following emptying of the bin 14, the handle 58 is pushed downwardly and then inwardly,
thereby allowing the flap to close under the applied spring bias. The body 11 of the
cleaner is preferably adapted such that the bin 14 cannot be mounted to the cleaner
until the flap 16 has been closed, thereby avoiding the risk of dirt and dust escaping
from the bin when in use.
[0052] A bin in accordance with the present invention is simple and inexpensive in construction,
yet allows a staged discharge of fine and course dirt, thereby minimising the risks
of dust contamination during emptying.
1. A dirt receptacle for a vacuum cleaner, the receptacle comprising a rigid container
having an outlet for the emptying of collected dirt, a closure for closing the outlet,
and actuator means for moving the closure between a closed position and an open position,
said actuator means being operable to control the position of the closure between
said open and closed positions.
2. A dirt receptacle as claimed in claim 1, in which the outlet is provided at a position
on the container which is located at the bottom thereof when the container is in use.
3. A dirt receptacle as claimed in claims 1 or 2, in which means are provided for retaining
the closure in said open and/or closed positions.
4. A dirt receptacle as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the closure is biassed
into said open and/or closed positions.
5. A dirt receptacle as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the container comprises
an open bottom forming the outlet.
6. A dirt receptacle as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the closure comprises
a flap pivoted to the container.
7. A dirt receptacle as claimed in claim 6, in which the actuator comprises a handle
mounted directly to said flap.
8. A dirt receptacle as claimed in claim 7, in which the actuator comprises a handle
mounted directly to said flap adjacent the point where the flap is pivoted to the
container.
9. A dirt receptacle as claimed in any of claims 6 to 8, in which the flap is also mounted
to the container for translatory movement towards and away from said outlet thereof.
10. A dirt receptacle as claimed in claim 9, in which means are provided to guide the
translatory movement of said flap towards and away from said outlet.
11. A dirt receptacle as claimed in claim 10, in which said guide means is arranged to
only permit pivotal movement of the flap, when the latter is in a partially opened
position between said open and closed positions.
12. A dirt receptacle as claimed in claim 7, in which the guide means is further arranged
to retain said flap in a fully opened position.
13. A dirt receptacle as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the closure is arrange
to locate at a partially opened position.
14. A vacuum cleaner comprising a dirt receptacle as claimed in any preceding claim.
15. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 14, in which the vacuum cleaner comprises a cyclonic
separator having a cylindrical-walled separation chamber.
16. A method of emptying a dirt receptacle of a vacuum cleaner, the receptacle comprising
a rigid container having an outlet for the emptying of collected dirt, a closure for
closing the outlet, the closure being moveable between a normally closed position
and an open position, the method comprising removing the dirt receptacle from the
vacuum cleaner, partially opening the closure and empting fine dirt from the receptacle
through the restricted outlet prior to fully opening the closure and empting the remaining
dirt from the receptacle.