SURFACE CLEANING APPARATUS

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a surface cleaning apparatus.

[0002] US2007/209142 shows a floor care apparatus including a housing having a nozzle assembly and a canister assembly.

[0003] GB2063657 shows a vacuum cleaner having a nozzle implement connected by a suction tube to the main body.

[0004] US5560074 shows a convertible vacuum cleaner operable in both on-the-floor and above-the-floor cleaning operations.

[0005] US5477586 describes a socket provided on the upright portion of a vacuum cleaner for the insertion of a wand on the distal end of an accessory hose.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the invention we provide a surface cleaning apparatus including:

a dirt collection container;

a passage leading to the dirt collection container through which dirt-laden air is drawn by a source of suction;

a cyclonic separation device for separating dirt from the airflow passing through the apparatus (10), which device communicates with the passage (99) and with the dirt collection container (18); and

a moveable blocking member positioned in the passage;

wherein the blocking member is moveable between a blocking position, in which the passage is blocked or substantially blocked, and an unblocking position, in which air can pass through the passage,

wherein the apparatus includes a receiving formation for receiving at least a portion of the moveable blocking member when the blocking member is in its unblocking position,

wherein the receiving formation (130) is provided completely or partially in a ramp formation (135) which directs air into the cyclonic separation device, said ramp (135) directing incoming dirt-laden air such that it travels circumferentially around an inner surface (18d) of the cyclonic separation device.

[0007] Further features of the various aspects of the invention are set out in the appended claims.

[0008] Embodiments of the invention will be set out below by way of example only with reference to the accompanying figures, of which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a surface cleaning apparatus;

Figure 2 is a front view of the apparatus of figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side view of the apparatus figure 1;

Figure 4 is an opposite side view of the apparatus figure 1;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a housing of the apparatus of figure 1, which housing is operable as a handheld surface cleaning apparatus;

Figure 6 is a side view of the housing of figure 5;

Figure 7 is an opposite side view of the housing of figure 5;

Figure 8 is a further perspective view of a housing of the apparatus of figure 1, with a portion thereof cut away to show some internal components;

Figure 9 is a yet further perspective view of a housing of the apparatus of figure 1, with a portion thereof cut away to show some internal components;

Figure 10 is a close up view of a portion of figure 9;

Figure 11 is a further side view of a housing of the apparatus of figure 1, with a portion thereof cut away to show some internal components;

Figure 12 is a yet further side view of a housing of the apparatus of figure 1, with a portion thereof cut away to show some internal components;

Figure 13 an end view of the housing;

Figure 14 is a further end view of the housing;

Figure 15 is cross-sectional view of the apparatus through a central plane of a shroud thereof; and

Figures 16 and 17 are side views of a blocking member and receiving formation therefor of the apparatus with various other component parts removed for ease of viewing said components.

[0009] Referring to the figures, these show a surface cleaning apparatus 10 in accordance with the present invention. The apparatus 10 includes a floor head 12, a housing 16 and an elongate member 14 connecting the floor head 12 to the housing 16. The housing 16 in this example is operable as a handheld surface cleaning apparatus, commonly known as a hand vac, when the elongate member 14 and floor head 12 are not connected thereto. The housing 16 supports a suction source, a dirt collection container 18 and a cyclonic separator. In this example the suction source is an electric motor driving a rotatable fan, but any appropriate suction source may be used. All that is necessary is for the suction source to be able to draw air through the floor head 12 and elongate member 14 towards the dirt collection container.

[0010] In this example the housing 16 supports or contains a battery to provide electrical power to the suction motor and other components of the apparatus 10. In alternative embodiments, the apparatus 10 may be mains powered.

[0011] Whilst in the present embodiment the apparatus 10 includes a cyclonic separator to separate dirt from the air flowing through the apparatus 10, this is not essential. Indeed, embodiments are envisaged where the apparatus 10 includes a filter bag which collects dirt, or any other appropriate device to separate the dirt from the air. Other embodiments are envisaged where the dirt is collected in a container, similar to that shown in the figures, but where the flow of air in the collection chamber is not cyclonic.

[0012] The apparatus 10 includes a pivotally moveable door 18a which enables a user to empty dirt collected within the dirt collection chamber 18b.

[0013] The elongate member 14 includes a passage for carrying dirt-laden air from the floor head 12 to the dirt collection chamber 18b. In this example the floor head 12 includes a motor for driving a rotatable floor agitating member or brush, so the elongate member 14 includes a further passage through which electrical cables may extend to provide an electric connection between the housing 16 and the motor in the floor head.

[0014] The floor head 12 is disconnectable from the elongate member 14, so that, for example, another tool can be connected to the free end of the elongate member 14. The elongate member 14 is also disconnectable from the housing 16, by way of a manually operated switch 17. This enables the housing 16 to be used as handheld surface cleaning apparatus, with the option of being able to connect another tool to the location from where the elongate member 14 is removed.

[0015] The housing 16 includes a handle for holding the apparatus 10, said handle including first 20 and second 21 user-graspable portions which are connected to each other substantially at right-angles. A first end of the first user-graspable portion 20 is connected to the housing 16 and extends generally rearwardly away therefrom and from the elongate member 14. A first end of the second user-graspable portion 21 is connected to the housing 16 and extends generally upwardly therefrom. Respective second ends of the first 20 and second 21 user-graspable portions are connected to each other. Essentially, the first 20 and second 21 user-graspable portions form a handle which is L-shaped and which provides two locations each of which is sized such that it can be grasped fully by a hand of a user. A device 22, e.g. a switch, for turning the apparatus "on" is positioned at the connection of the second ends of the first 20 and second 21 user-graspable portions to each other.

[0016] In the present embodiment, the generally cylindrical body 18 has an elongate axis A and provides at one end the dirt collection chamber 18b and an adjacent a separating chamber 18c. Within the chamber 18c is positioned a cyclonic separation device including a shroud 100 which also has an elongate axis coaxial with the axis A, the axis A being that about which dirt-laden air is caused to rotate as it passes through the apparatus 10 and circulates around the shroud 100. The shroud 100 is connected to the separating chamber 18c at one end and is free at an opposite end. The body 18 includes an inlet passage 99 through which dirt-laden air is drawn into the separating chamber 18c. The inlet passage 99 is configured to direct the incoming dirt-laden air into the generally cylindrical portion of the separating chamber 18c such that it travels circumferentially around an inner surface 18d of the separating chamber 18c. The elongate axis A is substantially horizontal in normal use. Whilst in this embodiment the elongate axes of the dirt collection chamber 18b and the shroud 100 are coaxial or substantially coaxial, they need not be. They could, for examples, be parallel and offset from each other or inclined relative to each other. Alternatively, the shroud 100 could be positioned generally centrally of the generally cylindrical portion of the separating chamber 18c.

[0017] The shroud 100 includes a framework to support a mesh or the like (not shown) and is generally cylindrical with openings 104 therein for the passage of air to an outlet through which cleaner air exits the separating chamber. Other configurations of the shroud 100 are envisaged, for example removing the mesh covering and instead making the openings 104 smaller and greater in number.

[0018] The present embodiment advantageously provides a moveable blocking member 120, one purpose of which is to prevent any dirt collected in the apparatus from falling out through the inlet passage 99 when the device is not operative. It can often be the case, especially in handheld devices such as the apparatus described in the figures, that once a user has finished with the device, and thus has cut power to the source of suction, that dirt can fall out of the inlet passage under the effect of gravity. In order to prevent this from occurring the present embodiment provides the blocking member 120 which is positioned in a tangential portion of the inlet passage 99. The blocking member 120 is positioned at an entrance (in the direction of flow of dirt-laden air) to a tangential portion of the inlet passage 99, close to the connection location between the elongate member 14 and the housing 16.

[0019] The blocking member 120 is moveable between a blocking position, in which the inlet passage 99 is blocked or substantially blocked, and an unblocking position, in which air can pass thereover to the dirt collecting chamber 18b. The blocking position of the blocking member 120 is shown in figures 8, 11, 13 and 16. The unblocking position of the blocking member 120 is shown in figures 9, 10, 12, 14 and 17.

[0020] The blocking member 120 is flexible. The blocking member 120 is preferably made from a resiliently deformable material, such as, for examples, a rubber or rubber-like material. The blocking member 120 is fixed at one, lower, end 121 to a part of the housing forming the inlet passage 99 by appropriate fasteners 140 (although it could be adhered or attached in any appropriate way). The blocking member 120 has a substantially opposite free end 122 which is free to move between the blocking and unblocking positions. The blocking member 120 is angularly moveable between its blocking and unblocking positions. In one embodiment, as shown in the drawings, the blocking member 120 is pivotally moveable between its blocking and unblocking positions by virtue of its fixed end 121. In this embodiment, the blocking member 120 is pivotally moveable about an axis A which extends transversely, preferably perpendicularly, to the direction of flow of dirt-laden air which is drawn through the inlet passage 99. The free end 122 of the blocking member 120 is curved when viewed from above (see reference numeral 123).

[0021] In some embodiments, such as the one shown in the figures, the free end 122 of the blocking member 120 is arcuate, preferably shaped substantially as an arc of a circle. The advantage of such a shape will be discussed later.

[0022] The blocking member 120 is moveable towards its unblocking position under the influence of the source of suction, against its inherent resilience. The resilience of the blocking member 120, as a result of its material of manufacture, is such that the blocking member 120 is resiliently biased towards its blocking position. The blocking member 120 is therefore resiliently biased towards its blocking position, such that in the absence of any suction the blocking member 120 automatically assumes its blocking position. As shown in figures 16 and 17, the blocking member 120 includes, close to its connection to the housing, a thinned wall section 124 to assist in pivoting of the blocking member 120 towards its unblocking position. Such a thinned wall section is not essential, however.

[0023] Thus, when the source of suction is powered, the suction created causes the blocking member 120 to be pulled away from its blocking position and causes the blocking member 120 to pivot thus moving the free end 122 thereof downwardly, e.g. towards a floor surface being cleaned, in the direction of arrow D in figure 16.

[0024] Advantageously, the blocking member 120 moves towards and is at least partially received in a receiving formation 130, which acts to hide or conceal the blocking member 120 from the flow of air passing through the inlet passage 99, in an effort to reduce unwanted turbulence in the air flow. The receiving formation 130 is a recess which is shaped to correspond substantially to the shape and size of the received portion of the blocking member 120. Thus, the receiving formation has an end portion 131 which is curved in a manner similar to the free end 122 of the blocking member 120.

[0025] It will be seen from the figures that a dirt-laden air passage 110, which carries air towards the blocking member 120 and the inlet passage 99, is substantially circular in cross-section. The curved end 123 of the blocking member 120 ensures a suitable sealing of that passage 110 when the blocking member 120 is in its blocking position, which means that any dirt 150 behind the blocking member 120 is unlikely to escape.

[0026] The receiving formation 130 is provided (in some embodiments, completely or in other embodiments, partially) in a ramp formation 135 which directs air into the cyclonic separation device. Thus, incoming dirt-laden air travels circumferentially around the inner surface 18d of the cyclonic separation device. Advantageous, in the present embodiment the blocking member 120, when in its unblocking position, provides continuation of the ramp formation 135 to assist in directing incoming dirt-laden air towards the cyclonic separation device.

[0027] In some embodiments, the ramp formation 135 is located in the housing 16. Thus, the ramp formation 135 is downstream of the elongate member 14 and upstream of the cyclonic separation device. More specifically, for example, the ramp formation 135 forms part of the inlet passage 99 between a connecting portion that connects the housing 16 to the elongate member 14 (or another cleaning tool that is connected, via the connecting portion, to the housing 16) and an entrance to the cyclonic separation device. In other words, the ramp formation 135 and the inlet passage 99 provide the air flow passage between the part of the housing 16 that connects to the elongate member 14 (or another cleaning tool) and the part of the housing 16 the allows dirt-laden air into the separating chamber 18c.

[0028] The inlet passage 99 (including the ramp formation 135) is positioned outside (and generally adjacent) the main periphery of the housing 16 (i.e. the inlet passage 99 is located outside the main cylinder that forms the cyclonic separation device) and provides a passage for dirt-laden air to enter the separating chamber 18c in a generally circumferential direction.

[0029] In some embodiments, the inlet passage 99 and the connecting portion are positioned at a generally opposing side of the housing 16 (and, therefore, the cyclonic separation device) to the second user-graspable portion 21.

[0030] Whilst the advantageous blocking member and its associated receiving formation is described by reference to its use in a handheld cleaner and a handheld cleaner which is connectable to a floor head via an elongate member, it will be appreciated that the blocking member and its associated receiving formation could be utilised on any surface cleaning apparatus which relies on a source of suction to draw dirt-laden air into a collection container (or a bag positioned therein). For examples, a cylinder cleaner or an upright cleaner could utilise such a blocking member and its associated receiving formation. In addition, the position of the blocking member need not be adjacent or close to the dirt collection container of the apparatus. All that is necessary is for the blocking member and its associated receiving formation to be positioned in the airflow between the dirt collection container and the inlet passage to the apparatus which sucks up dirt from a floor surface. Thus, in the presently described embodiment, the blocking member 120 could be positioned at a lower end of the elongate member 14 (when the apparatus is used in that configuration). In addition, or alternatively still, the apparatus 10 described above could have two such blocking members - one substantially as positioned in the figures and another positioned at the lower end of the elongate member 14. This would enable the advantage of the operation of the blocking member 120 to be present irrespective of the configuration in which the user wishes to use the apparatus.

[0031] When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

[0032] The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. A surface cleaning apparatus (10) including:

a dirt collection container (18b);

a passage (99) leading to the dirt collection container (18b) through which dirt-laden air is drawn by a source of suction;

a cyclonic separation device for separating dirt from the airflow passing through the apparatus (10), which device communicates with the passage (99) and with the dirt collection container (18b); and

a moveable blocking member (120) positioned in the passage (99);

wherein the blocking member (120) is moveable between a blocking position, in which the passage (99) is blocked or substantially blocked, and an unblocking position, in which air can pass through the passage (99),

wherein the apparatus (10) includes a receiving formation (130) for receiving at least a portion of the moveable blocking member (120) when the blocking member (120)is in its unblocking position, and

characterized in that the receiving formation (130) is provided completely or partially in a ramp formation (135) which directs air into the cyclonic separation device, said ramp (135) directing incoming dirt-laden air such that it travels circumferentially around an inner surface (18d) of the cyclonic separation device.

2. An apparatus (10) according to claim 1 wherein the blocking member (120) moves towards its unblocking position under the influence of the source of suction, and/or wherein the blocking member (120) is resiliently biased towards its blocking position, preferably wherein the blocking member (120) is resiliently biased towards its blocking position, such that in the absence of any suction the blocking member (120) automatically assumes its blocking position, and

3. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the blocking member (120) is fixed at one end (121) and has a substantially opposite free end (122).

4. An apparatus (10) according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the free end (122) of the blocking member (120) is curved or arcuate, preferably shaped substantially as an arc of a circle, preferably when viewed in a direction towards the receiving formation (130).

5. An apparatus (10) according to any preceding claim wherein:

the moveable blocking member (120) is angularly or pivotally moveable between its blocking and unblocking positions; and/or

the blocking member (120) is moveable about an axis (A) which extends transversely to the direction of flow of dirt-laden air which is drawn through the passage (99); and/or

the blocking member (120) is moveable about an axis (A) which extends perpendicularly to the direction of flow of dirt-laden air which is drawn through the passage (99).

6. An apparatus (10) according to any preceding claim wherein the receiving formation (130) is a recess which is shaped to correspond substantially to the shape and size of the received portion, e.g. a free end (122), of the blocking member (120).

7. An apparatus (10) according to any preceding claim wherein the blocking member (120) is flexible, and/or wherein the blocking member (120) is formed from a rubber or rubber-like material.

8. An apparatus (10) according to any preceding claim including a dirt-laden air passage (110) which carries air towards the blocking member (120), and wherein said passage (110) is substantially circular in cross-section.

9. An apparatus (10) according to any preceding claim wherein the blocking member (120), when in its unblocking position, provides continuation of the ramp formation (135) to assist in directing incoming dirt-laden air towards the cyclonic separation device.

10. An apparatus (10) according to preceding claim wherein the ramp formation (135) is located downstream of a connecting portion, which connecting portion is connectable to an elongate member (14), and upstream of the cyclonic separation device, preferably wherein the connecting portion forms an entrance to the passage (110) for dirt-laden air to be drawn into the housing (16) of the apparatus (10), towards the cyclonic separation device.

11. An apparatus (10) according to any preceding claim wherein the passage (99) which directs dirt-laden air to the cyclonic separation device includes a tangential portion, and wherein the blocking member (120) is positioned at an entrance (in the direction of flow of dirt-laden air) to the tangential portion.

12. An apparatus (10) according to any preceding claim including:

a floor head (12);

a housing (16) supporting a suction source; and

an elongate member (14) connecting the floor head (12) to the housing (16), said elongate member (14) including a passage for carrying dirt-laden air from the floor head (12) to the dirt collection container (18b).

13. An apparatus (10) according to claim 12 where further dependent on at least one of claims 10 or 11 wherein the housing (16) comprises part of the passage leading to the dirt collection container (18b) and the ramp formation (135) is positioned in this part of the passage.

14. An apparatus according to claim 12 or claim 13 wherein the elongate member (14) is disconnectable:

a) from the floor head (12); and/or

b) from the housing; and/or

c) from the housing at a connecting portion.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the housing (16) is operable as a handheld surface cleaning apparatus when the elongate member (14) and floor head (12) are disconnected therefrom.

Ansprüche

1. Oberflächenreinigungsapparat (10), Folgendes beinhaltend:

einen Schmutzsammelbehälter (18b),

ein Durchlass (99), der zu dem Schmutzsammelbehälter (18b) führt und durch den mit Schmutz angereicherte Luft durch eine Quelle von Sog gesaugt wird,

eine Zyklonabscheidevorrichtung zum Abscheiden von Schmutz aus der Luftströmung, die durch den Apparat (10) gelangt, wobei die Vorrichtung mit dem Durchlass (99) und mit dem Schmutzsammelbehälter (18b) in Verbindung steht, und

ein bewegliches Blockierelement (120), das in dem Durchlass (99) positioniert ist,

wobei das Blockierelement (120) zwischen einer Blockierposition, in welcher der Durchlass (99) blockiert oder im Wesentlichen blockiert ist, und einer Freigabeposition, in der Luft durch den Durchlass (99) gelangen kann, beweglich ist,

wobei der Apparat (10) ein Aufnahmegebilde (130) zum Aufnehmen mindestens eines Abschnitts des beweglichen Blockierelements (120), wenn sich das Blockierelement (120) in seiner Freigabeposition befindet, beinhaltet und

dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass

das Aufnahmegebilde (130) vollständig oder teilweise in einem Rampengebilde (135) bereitgestellt ist, das Luft in die Zyklonabscheidevorrichtung lenkt, wobei die Rampe (135) eingehende mit Schmutz angereicherte Luft derart lenkt, dass sie sich umlaufend um eine Innenoberfläche (18d) der Zyklonabscheidevorrichtung bewegt.

2. Apparat (10) nach Anspruch 1, wobei sich das Blockierelement (120) unter dem Einfluss der Quelle von Sog zu seiner Freigabeposition bewegt und/oder wobei das Blockierelement (120) elastisch zu seiner Blockierposition hin vorgespannt ist, vorzugsweise wobei das Blockierelement (120) elastisch zu seiner Blockierposition hin vorgespannt ist, sodass bei Fehlen eines derartigen Sogs das Blockierelement (120) automatisch seine Blockierposition einnimmt.

3. Apparat nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Blockierelement (120) an einem Ende (121) befestigt ist und ein im Wesentlichen gegenüberliegendes freies Ende (122) aufweist.

4. Apparat (10) nach Anspruch 2 oder Anspruch 3, wobei das freie Ende (122) des Blockierelements (120) gekrümmt oder bogenförmig ist, vorzugsweise im Wesentlichen in der Form eines Kreissegments, vorzugsweise wenn in eine Richtung hin zu dem Aufnahmegebilde (130) betrachtet.

5. Apparat (10) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei:

das bewegliche Blockierelement (120) zwischen seiner Blockier- und seiner Freigabeposition winklig oder schwenkbar beweglich ist, und/oder

das Blockierelement (120) um eine Achse (A) beweglich ist, die sich schräg zu der Richtung der Strömung von mit Schmutz angereicherter Luft erstreckt, die durch den Durchlass (99) gesaugt wird, und/oder

das Blockierelement (120) um eine Achse (A) beweglich ist, die sich senkrecht zu der Richtung der Strömung von mit Schmutz angereicherter Luft erstreckt, die durch den Durchlass (99) gesaugt wird.

6. Apparat (10) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Aufnahmegebilde (130) eine Vertiefung ist, die derart geformt ist, dass sie im Wesentlichen der Form und Größe des aufgenommenen Abschnitts, z.B. eines freien Endes (122), des Blockierelements (120) entspricht.

7. Apparat (10) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Blockierelement (120) flexibel ist und/oder wobei das Blockierelement (120) aus einem Gummi oder einem gummiartigen Material gebildet ist.

8. Apparat (10) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, einen Durchlass (110) für mit Schmutz angereicherte Luft beinhaltend, der Luft zu dem Blockierelement (120) führt, und wobei der Durchlass (110) im Querschnitt im Wesentlichen kreisrund ist.

9. Apparat (10) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Blockierelement (120), wenn es sich in seiner Freigabeposition befindet, eine Fortsetzung des Rampengebildes (135) bereitstellt, um das Führen eingehender mit Schmutz angereicherter Luft zu der Zyklonabscheidevorrichtung zu unterstützen.

10. Apparat (10) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei sich das Rampengebilde (135) stromabwärts eines Verbindungsabschnitts befindet, wobei der Verbindungsabschnitt mit einem länglichen Element (14) verbunden werden kann, und stromaufwärts der Zyklonabscheidevorrichtung, vorzugsweise wobei der Verbindungsabschnitt einen Eingang in den Durchlass (99) für mit Schmutz angereicherte Luft bildet, die in das Gehäuse (16) des Apparates (10) hin zu der Zyklonabscheidevorrichtung gesaugt werden soll.

11. Apparat (10) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Durchlass (99), der mit Schmutz angereicherte Luft zu der Zyklonabscheidevorrichtung führt, einen tangentialen Abschnitt beinhaltet und wobei das Blockierelement (120) an einem Eingang (in Richtung der Strömung der mit Schmutz angereicherten Luft) in den tangentialen Abschnitt positioniert ist.

12. Apparat (10) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, Folgendes beinhaltend:

einen Bodenaufsatz (12),

ein Gehäuse (16), das eine Sogquelle trägt, und

ein längliches Element (14), das den Bodenaufsatz (12) mit dem Gehäuse (16) verbindet, wobei das längliche Element (14) einen Durchlass zum Führen von mit Schmutz angereicherter Luft von dem Bodenaufsatz (12) zu dem Schmutzsammelbehälter (18b) beinhaltet.

13. Apparat (10) nach Anspruch 12, wenn ferner abhängig von mindestens einem der Ansprüche 10 oder 11, wobei das Gehäuse (16) einen Teil des Durchlasses umfasst, der zu dem Schmutzsammelbehälter (18b) führt, und das Rampengebilde (135) in diesem Teil des Durchlasses positioniert ist.

14. Apparat nach Anspruch 12 oder Anspruch 13, wobei das längliche Element (14) trennbar ist:

a) von dem Bodenaufsatz (12) und/oder

b) von dem Gehäuse und/oder

c) von dem Gehäuse an einem Verbindungsabschnitt.

15. Apparat nach Anspruch 14, wobei das Gehäuse (16) als handgeführter Oberflächenreinigungsapparat betrieben werden kann, wenn das längliche Element (14) und der Bodenaufsatz (12) davon getrennt sind.

Revendications

1. Un appareil de nettoyage de surface (10) comportant : un conteneur de collecte de poussière (18b) ;

un passage (99) menant au conteneur de collecte de poussière (18b) à travers lequel l'air chargé de poussière est aspiré par une source d'aspiration ;

un dispositif de séparation cyclonique pour séparer la poussière du flux d'air traversant l'appareil (10), ce dispositif communiquant avec le passage (99) et le conteneur de collecte de poussière (18b) ; et

un élément de blocage mobile (120) positionné dans le passage (99) ;

l'élément de blocage (120) étant mobile entre une position de blocage, dans laquelle le passage (99) est bloqué ou sensiblement bloqué, et une position de déblocage, dans laquelle l'air peut traverser le passage (99),

l'appareil (10) comprenant une structure réceptrice (130) pour recevoir au moins une partie de l'élément de blocage mobile (120) quand l'élément de blocage (120) est dans sa position de déblocage, et

caractérisé en ce que la structure réceptrice (130) est prévue complètement ou en partie dans une structure en rampe (135) qui dirige l'air dans le dispositif de séparation cyclonique, ladite rampe (135) dirigeant l'air arrivant chargé de poussière de manière à ce qu'il se déplace circonférentiellement autour d'une surface intérieure (18d) du dispositif de séparation cyclonique.

2. Un appareil (10) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'élément de blocage (120) se déplace vers sa position de déblocage sous l'influence de la source d'aspiration, et/ou dans lequel l'élément de blocage (120) est sollicité de manière élastique vers sa position de blocage, de préférence dans lequel l'élément de blocage (120) est sollicité de manière élastique vers sa position de blocage, de manière à ce qu'en l'absence de toute aspiration, l'élément de blocage (120) se mette automatiquement sur sa position de blocage.

3. Un appareil (10) selon n'importe quelle revendication précédente, dans lequel l'élément de blocage (120) est fixé à une extrémité (121) et a une extrémité libre sensiblement opposée (122).

4. Un appareil (10) selon la revendication 2 ou la revendication 3, dans lequel l'extrémité libre (122) de l'élément de blocage (120) est courbe ou arquée, de préférence de forme sensiblement semblable à un arc de cercle, de préférence quand elle est vue en direction de la formation de réception (130).

5. Un appareil (10) selon n'importe quelle revendication précédente, dans lequel :

l'élément de blocage mobile (120) est mobile angulairement ou par pivotement entre ses positions de blocage et de déblocage ; et/ou

l'élément de blocage (120) est mobile autour d'un axe (A) qui s'étend transversalement à la direction du flux d'air chargé de poussière qui est aspiré à travers le passage (99) ; et/ou

l'élément de blocage (120) est mobile autour d'un axe (A) qui s'étend perpendiculairement à la direction du flux d'air chargé de poussière qui est aspiré à travers le passage (99).

6. Un appareil (10) selon n'importe quelle revendication précédente, dans lequel la formation de réception (130) est un renfoncement de forme correspondant sensiblement à la forme et la dimension de la partie reçue, par ex. une extrémité libre (122), de l'élément de blocage (120).

7. Un appareil (10) selon n'importe quelle revendication précédente, dans lequel l'élément de blocage (120) est flexible, et/ou dans lequel l'élément de blocage (120) est formé dans une matière de caoutchouc ou semblable à du caoutchouc.

8. Un appareil (10) selon n'importe quelle revendication précédente, comprenant un passage pour l'air chargé de poussière (110) qui porte l'air vers l'élément de blocage (120), ledit passage (110) étant de section transversale sensiblement circulaire.

9. Un appareil (10) selon n'importe quelle revendication précédente, dans lequel l'élément de blocage (120), quand il est en position de déblocage, assure une continuation de la formation en rampe (135) pour aider à diriger l'air arrivant chargé de poussière vers le dispositif de séparation cyclonique.

10. Un appareil (10) selon n'importe quelle revendication précédente, dans lequel la formation en rampe (135) est située en aval d'une partie de raccordement, cette partie de raccordement pouvant être raccordée à un élément allongé (14), et en amont du dispositif de séparation cyclonique, la partie de raccordement formant de préférence une entrée du passage (110) pour que l'air chargé de poussière (16) soit aspiré dans le logement de l'appareil (10), vers le dispositif de séparation cyclonique.

11. Un appareil (10) selon n'importe quelle revendication précédente, dans lequel le passage (99) qui dirige l'air chargé de poussière vers le dispositif de séparation cyclonique comporte une partie tangentielle, et dans lequel l'élément de blocage (120) est positionné à une entrée (dans la direction du flux d'air chargé de poussière) de la partie tangentielle.

12. Un appareil (10) selon n'importe quelle revendication précédente, dans lequel :

une tête pour sol (12) ;

un logement (16) soutenant une source d'aspiration ; et

un élément allongé (14) raccordant la tête pour sol (12) au logement (16), ledit élément allongé (14) comportant un passage pour transporter l'air chargé de poussière de la tête de sol (12) au conteneur de collecte de poussière (18b).

13. Un appareil (10) selon la revendication 12 dépendant en sus d'au moins une des revendications 10 ou 11, dans lequel le logement (16) comprend une partie du passage menant au conteneur de collecte de poussière (18b) et la formation en rampe (135) est positionnée dans cette partie du passage.

14. Un appareil (10) selon la revendication 12 ou la revendication 13, dans lequel l'élément allongé (14) est détachable :

a) de la tête pour sol (12) ; et/ou

b) du logement ; et/ou

c) du logement au niveau d'une partie de raccordement.

15. Un appareil (10) selon la revendication 14, dans lequel le logement (16) peut servir d'appareil de nettoyage de surface tenu à la main quand l'élément allongé (14) et la tête pour sol (12) en sont détachés.

Drawing