(19)
(11) EP 2 961 305 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Mention of the grant of the patent:
07.07.2021 Bulletin 2021/27

(21) Application number: 14756878.6

(22) Date of filing: 24.02.2014
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
A47L 9/32(2006.01)
A47L 5/24(2006.01)
A47L 5/22(2006.01)
A47L 9/16(2006.01)
A47L 9/12(2006.01)
(86) International application number:
PCT/CA2014/000134
(87) International publication number:
WO 2014/131105 (04.09.2014 Gazette 2014/36)

(54)

SURFACE CLEANING APPARATUS

OBERFLÄCHENREINIGUNGSVORRICHTUNG

APPAREIL DE NETTOYAGE DE SURFACE


(84) Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

(30) Priority: 27.02.2013 US 201313779370
27.02.2013 US 201313779404
27.02.2013 US 201313779533
27.02.2013 US 201313779405

(43) Date of publication of application:
06.01.2016 Bulletin 2016/01

(73) Proprietor: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
Hampton, Ontario L0B 1J0 (CA)

(72) Inventor:
  • CONRAD, Wayne Ernest
    Hampton, Ontario L0B 1J0 (CA)

(74) Representative: Pallini Gervasi, Diego et al
Notarbartolo & Gervasi GmbH Bavariaring 21
80336 Munich
80336 Munich (DE)


(56) References cited: : 
WO-A1-01/12050
WO-A1-2008/070963
US-A- 3 877 902
US-A1- 2004 237 482
US-A1- 2008 134 460
US-A1- 2011 219 576
WO-A1-2004/093631
US-A- 3 320 727
US-A1- 2004 103 495
US-A1- 2005 138 763
US-A1- 2009 173 365
   
  • None
   
Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


Description

FIELD



[0001] The specification relates to surface cleaning apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, the surface cleaning apparatus comprises a portable surface cleaning apparatus, such as a hand vacuum cleaner or a pod.

BACKGROUND



[0002] The following is not an admission that anything discussed below is part of the prior art or part of the common general knowledge of a person skilled in the art.

[0003] Various types of surface cleaning apparatus are known. Surface cleaning apparatus include vacuum cleaners. Currently, a vacuum cleaner typically uses at least one cyclonic cleaning stage. More recently, cyclonic hand vacuum cleaners have been developed. See for example, US 7,931 ,716 and US 2010/0229328. Each of these discloses a hand vacuum cleaner which includes a cyclonic cleaning stage. US 7,931 ,716 discloses a cyclonic cleaning stage utilizing two cyclonic cleaning stages wherein both cyclonic stages have cyclone axis that extends vertically. US 2010/0229328 discloses a cyclonic hand vacuum cleaner wherein the cyclone axis extends horizontally and is co-axial with the suction motor. In addition, hand carriable (e.g., pod style) cyclonic vacuum cleaners are also known (see US 8,146,201). The United States Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0134460 A1 discloses a surface cleaning apparatus in accordance with the preamble of claim 1.

SUMMARY



[0004] In accordance with the present invention, it is provided a hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 1.

[0005] Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined by the appended dependent claims 2-15.

[0006] It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that a surface cleaning apparatus may embody any one or more of the features contained herein and that the features may be used in any particular combination or sub-combination; the scope of protection being only limited by the appended claims.

DRAWINGS



[0007] The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples of articles, methods, and apparatuses of the teaching of the present specification and are not intended to limit the scope of what is taught in any way.

[0008] In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an example of a hand held surface cleaning apparatus;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of Figure 1 attached to a cleaning tool;

Figure 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is another partially exploded perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 is bottom perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of Figure 1 with the bottom door in an open position;

Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of the surface cleaning apparatus of Figure 1 , taken along line 6-6 in Figure 1 ;

Figure 7 is the cross sectional view of Figure 6 with the surface cleaning apparatus tilted forward;

Figure 8 is the cross sectional view of Figure 6 with the surface cleaning apparatus tilted backward;

Figure 9 is a side view of the surface cleaning apparatus of Figure 1 ;

Figure 10 is a side view of another embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus with the cyclone bin assembly and handle removed for emptying;

Figure 11 is a rear perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a schematic top plan representation of an example of a cyclone bin assembly;

Figure 13 is a schematic top plan representation of another example of a cyclone bin assembly;

Figure 14 is a schematic top plan representation of another example of a cyclone bin assembly;

Figure 15 is a schematic top plan representation of another example of a cyclone bin assembly;

Figure 16 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus;

Figure 17 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus;

Figure 18 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus;

Figure 19 is a perspective view from the front of another embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus;

Figure 20 is another perspective view from the rear of the surface cleaning apparatus of Figure 19;

Figure 21 is a partially exploded perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of Figure 19;

Figure 22 is a perspective view of a portion of the surface cleaning apparatus of Figure 19;

Figure 23 is a cross sectional view of the Figure 22, taken along line 23-23 in Figure 22;

Figure 24 is the cross sectional view of Figure 23 with a bottom door in an open position;

Figure 25 is a bottom perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of Figure 19;

Figure 26 is a cross sectional view of the surface cleaning apparatus of Figure 19, taken along line 26-26 in Figure 19;

Figure 27 is a cross sectional view taken along line 27-27 in Figure 19;

Figure 28 is a perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of Figure 19 with a cover open;

Figure 29 is the perspective view of Figure 28 with a filter cartridge removed;

Figure 30 is the perspective view of Figure 29 with a filter removed from the filter cartridge;

Figure 31 is a cross sectional view of a portion of another embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus;

Figure 32 is a cross sectional view of a portion of another embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus;

Figure 33 is the perspective view of Figure 29 with a different embodiment of a filter cartridge; and,

Figure 34 is a cross sectional view of the filter cartridge taken along line 34-34 in Figure 33 with the filter cartridge in the surface cleaning apparatus.


DETAILED DESCRIPTION



[0009] Referring to Figure 1, an embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus 900 is shown. In the embodiment illustrated, the surface cleaning apparatus 900 is a hand carriable or hand-held vacuum cleaner. It will be appreciated that surface cleaning apparatus 900 could be carried by a hand of a user, a shoulder strap or the like and could be in the form of a pod or other portable surface cleaning apparatus. Surface cleaning apparatus 900 could be a vacuum cleaner, an extractor or the like. All such surface cleaning apparatus are referred to herein as a hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus. Optionally, surface cleaning apparatus 900 could be removably mounted on a base so as to form, for example, an upright vacuum cleaner, a canister vacuum cleaner, a stick vac, a wet-dry vacuum cleaner and the like. Power can be supplied to the surface cleaning apparatus 900 by an electrical cord (not shown) that can be connected to a standard wall electrical outlet. Alternatively, or in addition, the power source for the surface cleaning apparatus can be an onboard energy storage device, including, for example, one or more batteries.

[0010] The surface cleaning apparatus 900 comprises a main body 901 having a handle 902, a dirty air inlet 903, a clean air outlet 904 (see for example Figure 6) and an air flow path extending therebetween. In the embodiment shown, the dirty air inlet 903 is the inlet end 905 of connector 906. Optionally, the inlet end can be used to directly clean a surface. Alternatively, the inlet end 905 can be connected to the downstream end of any suitable hose, cleaning tool or accessory, including, for example a wand 907 that is pivotally connected to a surface cleaning head 908 (Figure 2), a nozzle and a flexible suction hose. In the configuration illustrated in Figure 2, the surface cleaning apparatus 900 can be used to clean a floor or other surface in a manner analogous to conventional upright-style vacuum cleaners.

[0011] Referring again to Figure 1, the connector 906 may be any suitable connector that is operable to connect to, and preferably detachably connect to, a hose, cleaning tool or other accessory. Optionally, in addition to providing an air flow connection, the connector 906 may also include an electrical connection. Providing an electrical connection may allow cleaning tools and accessories that are coupled to the connector to be powered by the surface cleaning apparatus 900. For example, the surface cleaning unit 900 can be used to provide both power and suction to a surface cleaning head, or other suitable tool. In the illustrated embodiment, the connector 906 includes an electrical coupling in the form of a female socket member 909, and a corresponding male prong member may be provided on the hose, cleaning tool and/or accessory that is connected to inlet end 905. Providing the female socket 909 on the electrified side of the electrical coupling may help prevent a user from inadvertently contacting the electrical contacts. In other embodiments, socket member 909 may include male connectors. In such a case, it is preferred that the male connectors are deenergized when exposed (i.e., they are not plugged into a female connector).

[0012] From the dirty air inlet 903, the air flow path extends through an air treatment member. The air treatment member may be any suitable member that can treat the air in a desired manner, including, for example, removing dirt particles and debris from the air. In the illustrated example, the air treatment member includes a cyclone bin assembly 910. Alternatively, the air treatment member can comprise a bag, a filter or other air treating means. In the illustrated embodiment, the cyclone bin assembly forms part of the main body 901 of the surface cleaning apparatus. A suction motor 911 (see Figure 6) is mounted within a motor housing 912 portion of the main body 901 and is in fluid communication with the cyclone bin assembly 910. In this configuration, the suction motor 911 is downstream from the cyclone bin assembly 910 and the clean air outlet 904 is downstream from the suction motor 911.

CYCLONE BIN ASSEMBLY



[0013] The following is a description of a cyclone and a cyclone bin assembly that may be used by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features disclosed herein.

[0014] Referring to Figures 5 and 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the cyclone bin assembly 910 includes a cyclone chamber 913 and a dirt collection chamber 914. The cyclone chamber 913 and the dirt collection chamber 914 may be of any suitable configuration.

[0015] In the illustrated embodiment the dirt collection chamber 914 is positioned outside or exterior to and substantially below the cyclone chamber 913. Preferably, a least a portion, if not all, of the dirt collection chamber is below the cyclone chamber. The dirt collection chamber 914 comprises a sidewall 915, a first end wall 916 and an opposed second end wall 917. The dirt collection chamber 914 extends along a dirt collection axis 918.

[0016] The dirt collection chamber 914 may be emptyable by any means known in the art and is preferably openable concurrently with the cyclone chamber 913. Preferably, the second dirt collection chamber end wall 917 is moveably (e.g., pivotally) connected to e.g., the dirt collection chamber sidewall 915, for example using hinge 919. In this configuration, the second dirt collection chamber end wall 917 functions as an openable door to empty the dirt collection chamber 914 and can be opened as shown in Figure 5 to empty dirt and debris from the interior of the dirt collection chamber 914. The second dirt collection chamber end wall 917 can be retained in the closed position by any means known in the art, such as by a releasable latch 919a. In the illustrated example, the hinge 919 is provided on a back edge of the end wall 917 and the latch 919a is provided at the front of the end wall 917 so that the door swings backwardly when opened. Alternatively, the hinge and latch may be in different positions, and the door may open in a different direction or manner. Optionally, instead of being pivotal or openable, the end wall may be removable.

[0017] In the embodiment shown, the cyclone chamber 913 extends along a cyclone axis 920 and is bounded by a sidewall 921. The cyclone chamber 913 includes an air inlet 922 and an air outlet 923 and two dirt outlets 924a and 924b in communication with the dirt collection chamber 914. The air inlet, air outlet and dirt outlets may be of any design known in the art. Preferably, the air inlet 922 is generally tangentially oriented relative to the sidewall 921, so that air entering the cyclone chamber 913 will tend to swirl and circulate within the cyclone chamber 913, thereby dis-entraining dirt and debris from the air flow, before leaving the chamber via the air outlet 923. The air inlet 922 extends along an inlet axis 925 that may be generally perpendicular to the cyclone axis 920, and in the illustrated example is generally parallel to and offset above a suction motor axis 926.

[0018] In the illustrated example, the cyclone air outlet 923 comprises a conduit member or vortex finder 927. Optionally, a screen 928 can be positioned over the vortex finder 927 to help filter lint, fluff and other fine debris. Preferably, the screen 928 can be removable. Optionally, the screen 928 can be tapered such that the distal, inner or free end 930 of the screen 928 has a smaller diameter 931 than the diameter 932 at the base 933 of the screen 928 and/or the air inlet 922.

[0019] Optionally, the screen 928 can be configured so that the diameter 931 of the free end 930 of the screen is between about 60% and about 100% of the diameter 932 of the base 933 of the screen 928 and/or the air inlet 922, and may be between about 60%-90%, about 70-80% and preferably is between about 63-67% of the base diameter 932 and/or the air inlet 922.

[0020] The air inlet 922 has an inlet diameter 934, and a related inlet flow cross-sectional area (measure in a plane 935 perpendicular to the inlet axis 925). Preferably, the air outlet 923 is sized so that the diameter 936 of the air outlet 923, and therefore the corresponding flow area of the air outlet, is the same as the diameter 934 of the air inlet 922. Alternatively, the air outlet diameter 936 may be between about 50% and about 150%, and between about 85-115% of the air inlet diameter 934.

[0021] In the example illustrated the cyclone bin assembly 910 and the cyclone chamber 913 are arranged in a generally vertical, inverted cyclone configuration. In this configuration, the air inlet 922 and the air outlet 923 are provided toward the upper end of the cyclone chamber 913. Alternatively, the cyclone bin assembly 910 and cyclone chamber 913 can be provided in another orientation, including, for example, as a horizontal cyclone or in other configurations, e.g., with the dirt collection chamber beside the cyclone chamber and/or with the inlet and outlets at differing positions.

[0022] Optionally, some or all of the sidewall 921 can coincide with portions of the external sidewalls of the cyclone bin assembly 910 and the dirt collection chamber sidewall 915 (see Figures 5 and 6). This may help reduce the overall size of the cyclone bin assembly. Alternative, the sidewall 921 may be distinct from the sidewalls. In alternative embodiments, the cyclone chamber 915 may include only a single dirt outlet 924, or more than two dirt outlets.

[0023] Referring to Figure 7, in the illustrated embodiment, the cyclone chamber 913 includes a first or upper end wall 937. The end wall 937 is connected to the upper end of the sidewall 921 to enclose the upper end of the cyclone chamber 913. In the illustrated example, a juncture 938 between the end wall 937 and the side wall 921 includes a curved surface 939. The radius 940 of the curved surface 939 may be selected to be similar to the radius (i.e. half of the diameter 934) of the air inlet 922, and optionally may be selected so that the juncture surface 939 has the same radius as the air inlet.

[0024] Optionally, the juncture 941 between the end wall 937 and the vortex finder 927 may also be curved, and preferably is sized to have a radius 942 that is similar to or is the same as the radius 940 of the juncture between the end wall 937 and the sidewall 921. Providing curved surfaces at one or both of the junctures 938, 941 may help reduce backpressure and may help improve cyclone efficiency. Optionally, the upper end wall 937 of the cyclone chamber 913 can be openable or removable to allow access to the interior of the cyclone chamber 913 from above.

[0025] Referring also to Figure 5, a deflector or arrestor plate 943 may be positioned at the lower end of the cyclone chamber 913, at the interface between the cyclone chamber 913 and the dirt collection chamber 917. The arrestor plate 943 is preferably sized to cover substantially all of the lower end of the cyclone chamber 913, and to abut the lower end of the cyclone sidewall 921 to form a lower end wall of the cyclone chamber. When the arrestor plate 943 abuts the lower ends of the sidewall 921 it helps define the gaps or slots that form the dirt outlets 924a, 924b. In this configuration, the dirt outlet slots 924a, 924b are bound on three sides by the cyclone chamber sidewall 921 and on a fourth side by the arrestor plate 943. Alternatively, the dirt outlet slots 924a, 924b may be entirely bounded by the sidewall 921 and may be spaced apart from the arrestor plate 943. In the illustrated example the dirt outlets 924a, 924b are vertically spaced apart from the air inlet 922 and air outlet 923 and are positioned at the opposite, lower end of the cyclone chamber 913.

[0026] In the illustrated embodiment, the arrestor plate 943 forms the bottom of the cyclone chamber and may be of any suitable configuration. Optionally the arrestor plate 943 may be fixed in its position adjacent the sidewall 921, or may be moveable or openable. Providing an openable arrestor plate 943 may help facilitate emptying of the cyclone chamber 913. Optionally, the arrestor plate 943 may be openable concurrently with another portion of the surface cleaning apparatus, including, for example, the dirt collection chamber 917.

[0027] In the illustrated embodiment, the arrestor plate 943 is mounted to and supported spaced from the openable wall 917 by a support member 944. The support member 944 may be of any suitable configuration and may be formed from any suitable material that is capable of supporting the arrestor plate 943 and resisting stresses exerted on the arrestor plate 943 by the air flow in the cyclone chamber or dirt particles exiting the cyclone chamber 913. In this configuration, the arrestor plate 943 is openable concurrently with the end wall 917, so that opening the end wall 917 simultaneously opens the dirt collection chamber 914 and the cyclone chamber 913. Alternatively, the arrestor plate 943 may be mounted to the sidewall 921 (or other portion of the surface cleaning apparatus) and need not open in unison with the end wall 917.

[0028] Referring to Figure 8, each dirt outlet 924a and 924b is a slot that includes an upper edge 945 and a lower edge 946 spaced apart from each other by a slot height 947, measured axially. The slot height 947 may be any suitable distance, including for example, between 1mm and 49mm or more, and preferably is between about 3mm and about 25mm. Each slot 924a, 924b also includes two side edges 948 (Figure 5) spaced apart by a slot width 949, measured along the perimeter of the cyclone chamber sidewall 921. Each slot width may be between about 5% and about 50% of the perimeter of the cyclone chamber sidewall 921, and preferably may be between about 10% and about 35% and may be about 25%. In the illustrated embodiment the cyclone chamber sidewall 921 is circular in axial cross-sectional shape, and the angle 950 Figure 5) subtended by the dirt outlet 924b may between about 20° and about 180°, and may be between about 35° and 125°, and between about 45° and 90°. In the illustrated embodiment the angle 950 between the dirt outlets 924a and 924b, measured from the centre line of the slots (Figure 5) is 180°. Optionally, the dirt outlets 924a, 924b may be generally identical. Alternatively, the dirt outlets 924a and 924b may be of different configurations (i.e. may have different heights and/or widths). Optionally, slot 924a, which is at the same end as the cyclone air inlet, is smaller than the opposed dirt outlet 924b and may be about half the size.

[0029] Referring to Figure 12, a cross-sectional schematic representation of an alternate embodiment of a cyclone bin assembly 2910 is shown. The cyclone bin assembly 2910 is generally similar to cyclone bin assembly 910 and analogous features are indicated using like reference characters indexed by 2000. This schematic illustrates a top view of an example of a circular cyclone chamber 2913 positioned within a generally square dirt collection chamber 2914. The cyclone chamber 2913 includes a tangential air inlet 2922 and an air outlet 2923. Two dirt outlets 2924a and 2924b are provided in the cyclone chamber sidewall 2921. The angle 2951 between the dirt outlets 2924a, 2924b is about 180°. In this embodiment, the angle 2952a between the air inlet 2922 (measured from the point of tangential intersection between the air inlet and the cyclone chamber sidewall 2921) and the first dirt slot 2924a, in the direction of air circulation (arrow 2953), is approximately 90°, and the angle 2952b between the air inlet 2922 and the second dirt slot 2924b is about 270°. Alternatively, angles 2952a and 2952b may be different.

[0030] In the illustrated configuration, each slot subtends an angle 2950a, 2950b that is about 45°, the leading edge (in the direction of air circulation) of dirt slot 2924a is aligned with the leading edge of dirt slot 2924b, and the trailing edge (in the direction of air circulation) of dirt slot 2924a is aligned with the trailing edge of dirt slot 2924b.

[0031] Referring to Figure 13, a cross-sectional schematic representation of another alternate embodiment of a cyclone bin assembly 3910 is shown. Cyclone bin assembly 3910 is generally similar to cyclone bin assembly 910, and analogous features are identified using like reference characters indexed by 3000. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment of Figure 12, except that the position of the dirt outlets 3924a and 3924b has been shifted by 90° relative to the air inlet 3922. In this configuration, the angle 3951 between the dirt outlets 3924a, 3924b remains 180°, but the angle between the dirt outlet 3924a and the air inlet is 0° and the angle 3952b between the dirt outlet 3924b and the air inlet is 180°.

[0032] Referring to Figure 14, a cross-sectional schematic representation of another alternate embodiment of a cyclone bin assembly is shown. Cyclone bin assembly 4910 is generally similar to cyclone bin assembly 910, and analogous features are identified using like reference characters indexed by 4000. In this example, the individual dirt slots 4924a and 4924b have the same configuration as the slots illustrated in Figures 12 and 13, but are positioned differently. In this configuration, the first dirt slot 4924a is positioned generally adjacent the air inlet 4922, and the angle 4952a between the air inlet 4922 and the first dirt slot 4924a is about 30° downstream from the air inlet, and the angle 4952b between the first dirt slot and the second dirt slot 4924b is about 90°. In this configuration, both dirt slots 4924a and 4924b are positioned on the same side of the cyclone chamber 4913 (i.e. within 180° of each other).

[0033] Referring to Figure 15, a cross-sectional schematic representation of another alternate embodiment of a cyclone bin assembly is shown. Cyclone bin assembly 5910 is generally similar to cyclone bin assembly 910, and analogous features are identified using like reference characters indexed by 5000. In this example, the dirt slots 5924a and 5924b are opposite each other (i.e. the angle 5951 is about 180°) but each dirt slot 5924a and 5924b is much wider than the other illustrated examples, such that the angles 5950a and 5950b subtended by each dirt slot is about 150°. In this configuration, the dirt slots 5924a and 5924b represent more than 50% of the total perimeter of the cyclone chamber 5913. Also in this embodiment, portions of the cyclone chamber sidewall 5921 are coincident with the dirt collection chamber sidewalls 5916. Optionally, if the cyclone chamber walls 5921 extend the entire height of the dirt collection chamber 5914, in this configuration the cyclone chamber 5913 may sub-divide the dirt collection chamber 5914 into two different portions 5914a and 5914b, separated by the cyclone chamber 5913. Each dirt collection region 5914a and 5914b is in communication with a respective one of the dirt slots 5924a and 5924b. Also, in this illustrated embodiment, the air inlet axis 5925 is not tangentially oriented (i.e. is not parallel to a tangential plane 5954). Instead, the air inlet 5922 is arranged at an angle 5955, relative to the tangential plane 5954. This may alter the characteristics of the air flow entering the cyclone chamber.

[0034] Referring again to Figure 7, in the illustrated embodiment the dirt outlets 924a and 924b are arranged generally opposite each other, are arranged at approximately 180° from each other (measured as a centre-to-centre angle 951 in Figure 5). In this configuration, dirt outlet 924a is positioned at the front of the cyclone chamber 913 (e.g. in a portion of the sidewall that is located toward the connector and air inlet) and the dirt outlet 924b is positioned at the back of the cyclone chamber 913. When the surface cleaning apparatus 900 is in use, dirt and debris may accumulate within the dirt collection chamber 914 and when the surface cleaning apparatus is manipulated by a user, dirt within the dirt collection 914 chamber may tend to shift and may collect toward the lowest portion of the dirt collection 914 chamber due to gravity. For example, when the surface cleaning apparatus is tipper forward, so that the connector is angled downward and the handle is lifted (Figure 7), dirt 956 may tend to collect toward the front of the dirt collection chamber 914. If the level of the dirt 956 is sufficiently high it may partially or completely block the front dirt outlet 924a as illustrated. In this configuration the first dirt outlet 924a may be blocked, but the rear dirt outlet 924b remains free. Similarly, if the surface cleaning apparatus is tipped rearward, the dirt may tend to collect in a rear portion of the dirt collection chamber (Figure 8) and may partially or completely block the rear dirt outlet 924b. In this configuration the rear dirt outlet 924b is blocked, but the front dirt outlet924a is free. Providing two dirt outlets 924a and 924b on opposite sides of the cyclone chamber may help ensure that at least one outlet 924a and 924b remains free and unblocked to allow dirt to exit the cyclone chamber 913even if the surface cleaning apparatus 900 is tilted forward or backward. Alternatively, instead of being provided toward the front and back of the cyclone chamber, the dirt slots may be positioned in other locations. For example, the cyclone chamber may be configured to have a rear dirt outlet and a side dirt outlet, or two side outlets provided toward the left and right sides of the cyclone chamber.

PRE-MOTOR FILTER



[0035] Optionally, one or more pre-motor filters may be placed in the air flow path between the cyclone bin assembly and the suction motor. Alternatively, or in addition, one or more post-motor filters may be provided downstream from the suction motor. The following is a description of a pre-motor filter housing construction that may be used by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features disclosed herein.

[0036] Referring to Figure 3, in the illustrated embodiment a pre-motor filter chamber or housing 956 is provided as a portion of the body 901 of the surface cleaning apparatus 900, above the cyclone bin assembly 910. Referring also to Figure 8, the pre-motor filter chamber 956 is bounded by a bottom wall 957, a sidewall 958 and an upper wall 958a. In the illustrated example the upper wall 958a is provided by an upper cover 959. Preferably, at least one of the bottom wall, sidewall and upper cover are openable to allow access to the interior of the pre-motor filter chamber. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper cover 959 is removable (Figure 3) to provide access to the interior of the chamber 956. Alternatively, instead of being removable the upper cover may be pivotally openable or otherwise moveably coupled to the main body.

[0037] One or more filters may be positioned within the pre-motor filter chamber 956 to filter fine particles from the air stream exiting the air outlet, before it flows into inlet of the suction motor. The filters may be of any suitable configuration and formed from any suitable materials. In the illustrated embodiment, a foam filter 960 and a downstream felt filter 961 are positioned within the pre-motor filter chamber 956.

[0038] In the illustrated example, the bottom wall 957 includes a plurality of upstanding support ribs 962 to support the filters 960, 961 positioned within the chamber 956. The support ribs 962 may hold the filters 960, 961 above the surface 963 of the bottom wall 957 to define a lower header or headspace 964, to allow for air to flow laterally between the bottom surface 965 of filter 961 and the bottom wall 957. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower or downstream headspace 964 is defined between the outer surface 965 of the felt 961 and the surface 963 of the bottom wall 957.

[0039] To help reduce the overall size of the surface cleaning apparatus, in the illustrated embodiment the pre-motor filter chamber 956, and the filters therein 960, 961, is positioned above the cyclone chamber 913 and covers the upper end of the cyclone chamber 913. In this configuration, a plane 966 containing the foam filter 960 is generally parallel and spaced above a plane 967 containing the air outlet 923 of the cyclone chamber 913, and both planes 966, 967 are generally perpendicular to the cyclone axis 920. Arranging the filters in this configuration results in the upstream side of the pre-motor filter (in this example the upper side 968 of the foam filter 960) being spaced further apart from the cyclone chamber 913 than the downstream side of the pre-motor filter (in this example the lower surface 965 of the felt filter 961). Alternatively, in other embodiments, the pre-motor filter chamber may cover only a portion of the upper end of the cyclone chamber and/or may be laterally spaced apart from the cyclone chamber and/or may be inclined with respect to plane 967.

[0040] In the illustrated embodiment, the pre-motor filter chamber or downstream header 956 is configured so that the upstream side 968 of the foam filter 960 is provided toward the top of the chamber, and air flows generally downwardly through the filters. In this configuration, the upper cover 959 is shaped so that when it is closed (Figure 8) an upper or upstream headspace or header 970 is provided between the inner surface of the upper cover 959 and the upstream side 968 of the foam filter 960. To provide air flow communication between the cyclone air outlet 923 and the upstream headspace 970, it is preferred that the vortex finder 927 or an extension thereof extends through the pre-motor filters and preferably extends into the interior of the pre-motor filter chamber 956, through the filters 960, 961 therein, and has an outlet end 971 that is located within the upstream head space 970 and above filters 960, 961. To accommodate the extension of the vortex finder 927, each filter includes a correspondingly shaped conduit aperture 972 (Figure 4). It will be appreciated that other flow paths may be used to connect vortex finder 927 in air communication with upstream headspace 970.

[0041] When the surface cleaning apparatus is in use, air exiting the cyclone chamber 913 may flow into the upstream head space 956 via the vortex finder 927. Within the upstream headspace the air can flow laterally across the upstream surface 968 of the foam filter 960, and down through the filters 960, 961 into the downstream head space 964.

[0042] In this configuration, the upper side 988 of the foam filter 960 is exposed to the dirty air exiting the cyclone air outlet 923, and may become dirty or soiled during use. Optionally, the upper cover 959 may include at least one transparent region overlying the upper side 968 of the filter 960. For example, some or all of the upper cover may be formed from a transparent material (such as plastic) or one or more windows may be provided within the upper cover member. Providing a transparent region allows a user to visually inspect the condition of the upstream side 698 of the filter 960 without having to open the upper cover 959. Alternatively, the upper cover 959 need not include any type of transparent portion or inspection region, and a user may inspect the upstream side 968 of the filter 960 when the upper cover 959 is opened or removed.

[0043] Alternatively, the pre-motor filter may be provided laterally from the vortex finder. For example, referring to Figure 16, a cross sectional view of another embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus 6900 is shown. Apparatus 6900 is similar to apparatus 900, and analogous features are identified using like reference numerals indexed by 6000. In this embodiment, the pre-motor filter 6960 is spaced laterally from the vortex finder 6927. An extension 6927a of the vortex finder extends above the top of filter 6960 to define a dirt collection area, which may be emptied when the lid is opened and the surface cleaning apparatus is inverted.

DOWNFLOW CONDUIT



[0044] Optionally, the inlet of the suction motor is positioned along the length of one side (preferably the rear side) of the cyclone bin assembly. The following is a description of a flow path that may be used by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features disclosed herein.

[0045] The suction motor preferably has an axis that is generally perpendicular to the cyclone axis and has an air inlet between the upper end and lower end of the cyclone bin assembly and preferably, between the upper end and the lower end of the cyclone chamber. Accordingly, from the downstream head space 964, the air may flow to the inlet 973 of the suction motor 911 via an internal air conduit 974 formed within the body 901. Air may be drawn through the suction motor 911 and then be exhausted from a motor outlet 975, and expelled via the clear air outlet 904 (see also Figure 6).

[0046] In the illustrated embodiment, the internal air conduit 974 is formed within the main body 901 and is external the cyclone chamber 913 and the dirt collection chamber 914 and is partially bounded by an exterior surface of the cyclone chamber sidewall 921 and an exterior surface of the dirt collection chamber sidewall 915. The air conduit 974 extends generally vertically between the pre-motor filter chamber 956 and the suction motor 911, and is positioned laterally intermediate the suction motor 911 and the cyclone chamber 913. The suction motor 911 is positioned at an elevation where its air inlet 973 is vertically between the upper and lower ends of the cyclone chamber 913, and the motor axis 926 passes through the cyclone chamber 913 (above the dirt collection chamber - see Figure 6). In the illustrated embodiment the inlet axis 925 intersects the air conduit 974 and is positioned below and does not intersect the pre-motor filter chamber 956.

[0047] The internal air conduit 974 may extend downwardly at an angle to the vertical. It may or may not be bounded on one side by the sidewall of the cyclone chamber and/or the dirt collection chamber.

BLEED VALVE



[0048] Optionally, a bleed valve 976 may be provided to supply bleed air to the suction motor inlet 973 in case of a clog in the air flow path upstream from the suction motor 911. When the surface cleaning apparatus is in use, the air flow path may become clogged or otherwise blocked in a number of different ways, including, for example if a cleaning wand and/or suction hose becomes blocked with debris, if the cyclone chamber becomes fouled with debris and/or if the pre-motor filters are soiled to an extent that it significantly impedes airflow through the filters. Preferably the bleed valve 976 can be positioned and configured to supply bleed air into the airflow path at a location that is upstream from the suction motor inlet 973 and downstream from the likely clog or blockage locations.

[0049] The following is a description of the positioning and orientation of a bleed valve that may be used by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features disclosed herein.

[0050] For example, the bleed valve 976 may be positioned to supply bleed air to the air flow path 974 between the pre-motor filter chamber 956 and the suction motor inlet 973. The bleed valve 976 may be any suitable valve, including a pressure sensitive valve that is opened automatically when there is a blockage in the air flow path upstream from the suction motor 911.

[0051] In the illustrated embodiment, the bleed valve 976 extends along a valve axis 977 that is generally parallel to the suction motor axis 926, and is generally orthogonal to the cyclone axis 920. To provide outside air, a port 978 is provided in the main body 901, in air flow communication with the inlet end of the bleed valve 976. The outlet end of the bleed valve is in communication with the air conduit 974.

[0052] In the illustrated embodiment, the bleed valve 976 is located at an elevation between the pre-motor filter chamber 956 and the suction motor 911, partially laterally underlies the pre-motor filter chamber 956 (and the filters 960, 961 therein) and partially laterally overlies the suction motor 911 and its housing 912. Alternatively, the bleed valve 976 may be located at a different elevation (for example below the suction motor and/or in line with or above the pre-motor filter chamber) and need not laterally overlap the suction motor, pre-motor filter chambers or the filters therein.

[0053] Alternatively, instead of extending laterally through the main body of the surface cleaning apparatus, the bleed valve may be provided in a different location. Referring to Figure 16, a cross sectional view of another embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus 6900 is shown. Apparatus 6900 is similar to apparatus 900, and analogous features are identified using like reference numerals indexed by 6000. In this embodiment, the bleed valve 6976 is positioned within the pre-motor filter chamber 6956 and is generally vertically oriented, along axis 6977. In the illustrated example, the bleed valve 6976 is generally co-axial with the cyclone chamber. To supply outside air to the bleed valve, a port 6978 is provided in the upper cover 6959 of the pre-motor filter housing 6956 and is in air flow communication with the inlet end of the bleed valve 6976. The outlet end of the bleed valve 6976 is in air flow communication with the air conduit 6974 via a conduit 6979 or optionally via the downstream headspace 6964, to supply the outside air to the suction motor in the event that the pre-motor filters are blocked. The conduit 6979 can be any suitable conduit and can be sized to supply a desired quantity of air to the suction motor 6911.

[0054] As exemplified in Figure 16, the pre-motor filter or filters 6960 in the pre-motor filter chamber 6956 may partially overlie the upper end wall of the cyclone chamber 6913 and each filter may include an axially extending aperture that may be spaced from and aligned with, or may be generally laterally registered with the vortex finder 6927 and air outlet 6923 (i.e. in a direction generally orthogonal to the cyclone axis 6920). In the illustrated configuration, the apertures have a larger diameter than the bleed valve 6976. In this configuration, the bleed valve 6976 is recessed/nested within the filter apertures and the inlet port on the bleed valve 6976 is may be generally flush with/co-planar with the upstream side of the filter 6960. At least partially axially nesting the bleed valve 6976 within the pre-motor filters may help reduce the overall size of the housing required to accommodate the pre-motor filter of filters and the bleed valve. It will be appreciated that the bleed valve may be nested within a pre-motor filter regardless of the position or orientation of the pre-motor filter.

HANDLE



[0055] In accordance with the present invention, the surface cleaning apparatus is provided with one or more handles to allow a user to grasp and manipulate the surface cleaning apparatus. Each handle has one or more grip portions and is configured to allow the user to grasp the handle in one or more configurations and/or orientations. Providing a generally upright or pistol-grip style handle in accordance with the present invention allows a user to grasp the surface cleaning apparatus while keeping his/her wrist in a comfortable, ergonomic position.

[0056] The following is a description of the positioning and orientation of a handle in accordance with the present invention that may be used by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features disclosed herein.

[0057] Referring to Figure 9, in the illustrated embodiment, in accordance with the present invention handle 902 is configured as a generally upright handle and includes a grip portion 980 that is configured as a pistol-grip style handle. The handle 902 has a first or bottom end 981 that is adjacent the suction motor housing 912 (e.g., the upper surface thereof) and a second or upper end 982 that is spaced above from the lower end 981. The upper end 982 of the handle is positioned adjacent the rear side wall of the housing of the pre-motor filter chamber 956 or is attached to bridge portion that extends rearwardly from the pre-motor filter housing.

[0058] The hand grip portion 980 may extend along a handle axis 983. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle axis 983 is inclined slightly forwardly, and forms and angle 983a, relative to a vertical axis. The angle 983a can be any suitable angle, and preferably is between about 0-45°, and may be between about 20-35°. The handle axis 983 intersects the cyclone axis, the suction motor axis 926 and suction motor housing 912 and a bridge portion 901a of the main body that is an extension of the pre-motor filter housing 956.

[0059] When grasping the hand grip portion 980, a user's fingers may pass through an opening 984 in front of the hand grip portion 980. In the illustrated embodiment, the perimeter of the opening 984 is formed by an upper portion 912a (Figure 7) of the suction motor housing 912, the front surface 980a of the hand grip portion 980, a rear portion of the pre-motor filter chamber sidewall 958 and connecting portions of the main body. Optionally, the air inlet port for the bleed valve 976 may be formed in one of the surfaces forming the perimeter of the handle opening 984.

[0060] Preferably, the primary on/off power switch for the surface cleaning apparatus is positioned proximate the handle 902, so that a user may turn the vacuum cleaner on or off while holding it by the handle 902. Referring to Figures 4 and 7, in the illustrated embodiment, the primary power switch 985 is provided on the upper end of the handle 902 and is configured so that it can be pressed by the thumb of a user while holding the hand grip portion 980. The hand grip portion 980 can include an internal passage for routing electrical wires or mechanical linkages to provide communication between the primary power switch and the electrical circuit powering the suction motor 911. Optionally, the primary power switch 985 can be positioned so that it is intersected by the handle axis 9083. Alternatively, the primary power switch 985 may be provided at another suitable location.

[0061] Optionally, the handle 902 can be positioned so that the hand weight of the surface cleaning apparatus when held in a horizontally disposed position (e.g., axis 988 is horizontal) is less than 2 lbs, preferably less than 1 lbs and more preferably about 0 lbs, thereby reducing the stress on a user's wrist. Accordingly, the user may experience only a slight down force even though the motor is below the handle. The handle 902 may accordingly be positioned so that it is behind the centre of gravity of the surface cleaning apparatus. Preferably, the handle may also be configured so that all or a portion of it (e.g., the portion gripped by a user) is located at a higher elevation than the centre of gravity.

[0062] Positioning the handle behind and optionally above the centre of gravity may result in the surface cleaning apparatus tending to tip forwardly when being held horizontally by a user. This may tend to rotate the front of the surface cleaning apparatus downwardly when the surface cleaning apparatus is in use and may allow at least a portion of the weight of the surface cleaning apparatus to be carried by a surface cleaning head (or other tool) that rollingly contacts the floor.

[0063] For example, referring to Figure 9, in the embodiment illustrated, the centre of gravity 986 is located in a vertical plane 987 that is forward of the handle and horizontal plane 988 that lies below the lower end 981 of the handle 902. In the illustrated embodiment the handle axis 983 does not intersect the centre of gravity of the surface cleaning apparatus.

DETACHABLE MOTOR HOUSING



[0064] The following is a description of detachable motor housing may be used by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features disclosed herein.

[0065] Optionally, the suction motor and at least a portion of its surrounding motor housing may be detachable from the main body of the surface cleaning apparatus. Referring to Figures 10 and 11, an alternate embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus 7900 is shown. Apparatus 7900 is generally similar to apparatus 900 and analogous features are identified using like reference characters indexed by 7000. In this embodiment the suction motor housing 7912 can be detachably connected to the main body 7901, so that the suction motor housing 7912, and the suction motor therein, can be separated from the cyclone bin assembly 7910, handle 7902 and, preferably, pre-motor filter housing 7956. The suction motor and related electrical components may form a significant portion of the weight of the surface cleaning apparatus 7900. Separating the suction motor housing 7912 from the main body 7901 may allow a user to manipulate the main body 7901 and empty the dirt collection chamber 7914 and cyclone 7913 using the handle 7902 without having to carry around the extra weight of the suction motor.

[0066] The detachable suction motor housing module 7912 may removably coupled to the main body 7901 using any suitable attachment mechanisms. In the illustrated embodiment the attachment mechanism is a latch 7990 that can be triggered by a user. In this embodiment, the suction motor module 7912 includes an air inlet port 7991 that is configured to be coupled to a reciprocal air outlet port 7992 on the main body 7901. The ports 7991, 7992 may be of any compatible configurations, and one or more seals or gasket members may be provided at their interface to help provide an airtight connection.

[0067] If the primary on/off switch 7985 is provided on the main body portion (as described above) in addition to the air flow connection, the suction motor module 7912 also includes at least one control/ electrical connection that is configured to mate with a corresponding control port on the main body 7901. In the illustrated example, the on/off switch 7985 on the main body 7901 is an electrical switch, and the control connection between the suction motor module 7912 and the main body includes mating electrical connectors (e.g., male prongs 7993 and a female electrical socket 7994) to supply electricity to the switch 7985. Alternatively, primary on/off switch 7985 may be a mechanical switch that is connected to the suction motor module via a mechanical linkage. In such a configuration, the control connection can include a mechanical linkage to translate movements of the on/off switch to open and close an electrical circuit in the suction motor housing. Alternatively, control signals may be transmitted wireless (e.g. via radio signal) or in any other suitable manner between the on/off switch and the suction motor housing. In such configurations, the suction motor module and the main body need not include a physical control connection.

[0068] Optionally, the surface cleaning apparatus 7900 can be configured so that most or all of the electrical components are located within the suction motor housing 7912. In such a configuration, when the motor housing 7912 is separated from the main body 7901, substantially all of the components remaining in the main body 7901 may be washed without exposing the suction motor and other electrical components to water or other cleaning materials. This may help prevent inadvertent damage to the electrical components when washing the surface cleaning apparatus 7900.

OTHER SURFACE CLEANING APPARATUS



[0069] Optionally, instead of a hand-held or carriable surface cleaning apparatus, the surface cleaning apparatus may be an upright-style surface cleaning apparatus or a canister-style cleaning apparatus that includes a cyclone bin assembly having some or all of the features described herein. Referring to Figure 17, an alternate embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus 8900 is shown. Apparatus 8900 includes a dirty air inlet 8903, a clean air outlet 8904 and a cyclone bin assembly 8910 mounted to a suction motor housing 8912. A pre-motor filter chamber 8956 is defined between the cyclone bin assembly 8910 and the motor housing 8912. The cyclone bin assembly 8910, suction motor housing 8912 and pre-motor filter chamber 8956 may include some or all of the features described herein, alone or in combination with each other.

[0070] Referring to Figure 18, an alternate embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus 9900 is shown. Apparatus 9900 includes a dirty air inlet 9903, a clean air outlet 9904 and a cyclone bin assembly 9910 mounted to a suction motor housing 9912. A pre-motor filter chamber 9956 is defined between the cyclone bin assembly 9910 and the motor housing 9912. The cyclone bin assembly 9910, suction motor housing 9912 and pre-motor filter chamber 9956 may include some or all of the features described herein, alone or in combination with each other.

ALTERNATE HAND CARRIABLE SHURFACE CLEANING APPARATUS



[0071] The following description exemplifies a number of the features disclosed herein in an alternate construction for a hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus. Referring to Figure 19, another embodiment of a hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus 10900 is shown. The surface cleaning apparatus 10900 is similar to surface cleaning apparatus 900, and like features are indicated using analogous reference numbers indexed by 10,000.

[0072] The surface cleaning apparatus 10900 includes a main body 10901 having a handle 10902, a dirty air inlet 10903, a clean air outlet 10904 (see for example Figure 26) and an air flow path extending therebetween. In the embodiment shown, the dirty air inlet 10903 is the inlet end of connector 10906. Optionally, the inlet end can be used to directly clean a surface. Alternatively, the inlet end can be connected to the downstream end of any suitable cleaning tool or accessory, including, for example a wand, a nozzle and a flexible suction hose.

[0073] The connector 10906 may be any suitable connector that is operable to connect to, and preferably detachably connect to, a cleaning tool or other accessory. Optionally, in addition to provide an air flow connection, the connector may also include an electrical connection 10909 (Figure 20). Providing an electrical connection 10909 may allow cleaning tools and accessories that are coupled to the connector 10906 to be powered by the surface cleaning apparatus 10900. For example, the surface cleaning unit 10900 can be used to provide both power and suction to a surface cleaning head, or other suitable tool. In the illustrated embodiment, the connector 10906 includes an electrical coupling in the form of a female socket member, and a corresponding male prong member may be provided on the cleaning tools and/or accessories. Providing the female socket on the electrified side of the electrical coupling may help prevent a user from inadvertently contacting the electrical contacts.

[0074] Referring to Figure 21, a construction technique that may be used by itself or with any other feature disclosed herein is exemplified. In this embodiment, the main body portion 10901 of the surface cleaning apparatus includes a core cleaning unit 11000 and an outer shell 11001. In the illustrated example, the core cleaning unit 11000 is a generally, self-contained functional unit that includes the dirty air inlet 10903, air treatment member 10910, pre-motor filter chamber 10956, suction motor 10911 and clean air outlet 10904. The outer shell includes mating side panels 11002, the handle portion 11003 of the surface cleaning apparatus (including the primary power switch 10985) and an openable pre-motor filter chamber cover 10959. When the outer shell 11001 is assembled around the core cleaning unit 11000 the exposed outer surfaces of the surface cleaning apparatus 10900 are formed from a combination of portions of the core cleaning unit 11000 and the outer shell 11001. For example, the external suction motor housing 10912 and handle 10902 are provided by the outer shell 11001, whereas the shell is shaped so that portions of the cyclone bin assembly 10910 sidewalls remain visible in the assembled configuration. If these portions are at least partially transparent, they can allow a user to see into the dirt collection chamber 10914 to determine if the dirt collection chamber 10914 is getting full.

[0075] From the dirty air inlet 10903, the air flow path extends through the cyclone bin assembly 10910 which forms part of the main body of the surface cleaning apparatus. A suction motor 10911 (see Figure 26) is mounted within a motor housing frame 11004 (Figure 21) of the core cleaning unit 11000 and is in fluid communication with the cyclone bin assembly 10910. In this configuration, the suction motor 10911 is downstream from the cyclone bin assembly 10910 and the clean air outlet 10904 is downstream from the suction motor 10911.

[0076] Referring to Figures 23 and 26, a uniflow cyclone and/or a cyclone with rounded junctures, and/or a cyclone with an insert member any of which may be used by itself or with any other feature disclosed herein is exemplified. In the illustrated embodiment, the cyclone bin assembly 10901 includes a cyclone chamber 10913 and a dirt collection chamber 10914. The dirt collection chamber 10914 comprises a sidewall 10915, a first end wall 10916 and an opposing second end wall 10917. The dirt collection chamber 10914 may be emptyable by any means known in the art and is preferably openable concurrently with the cyclone chamber 10913. Preferably, the second dirt collection chamber end wall 10917 is pivotally connected to the dirt collection chamber sidewall by hinge 10919. The second dirt collection chamber end wall 10913 functions as an openable door to empty the dirt collection chamber 10914 and can be opened (Figures 24 and 25) to empty dirt and debris from the interior of the dirt collection chamber 10914. The second dirt collection chamber end wall 10917 can be retained in the closed position by any means known in the art, such as by a releasable latch 10919a. In the illustrated example, the hinge 10919 is provided on a back edge of the end wall 10917 and the latch 10919a is provided at the front of the end wall 10917 so that the door swings backwardly when opened. Alternatively, the hinge 10919 and latch 10919a may be in different positions, and the door 10917 may open in a different direction or manner. Optionally, instead of being openable, the end wall 10917 may be removable.

[0077] In the embodiment shown, the cyclone chamber 10913 extends along a cyclone axis 10920 and is bounded by a sidewall 10921. The cyclone chamber 10913 includes an air inlet 10922 and an air outlet 10923 that is in fluid connection downstream from the air inlet 10922 and one dirt outlet 10924 in communication with the dirt collection chamber 10914. In this embodiment, the dirt collection chamber 10914 is positioned adjacent the cyclone chamber 10913 and at least partially surrounds the cyclone chamber 10913 in a side-by-side configuration.

[0078] Preferably, the air inlet 10922 is generally tangentially oriented relative to the sidewall 10921, so that air entering the cyclone chamber will tend to swirl and circulate within the cyclone chamber 10913, thereby dis-entraining dirt and debris from the air flow, before leaving the chamber via the air outlet 10923. The air inlet 10922 extends along an inlet axis 10925 that is generally perpendicular to the cyclone axis 10920, and in the illustrated example is generally parallel to and offset above the suction motor axis 10926.

[0079] In the illustrated example, the cyclone air outlet 10923 includes a vortex finder 10927. Optionally, a screen 10928 can be positioned over the vortex finder 10927 to help filter lint, fluff and other fine debris. Preferably, the screen 10928 can be removable.

[0080] The air inlet 10922 has an inlet diameter 10934, and a related inlet flow cross-sectional area (measure in a plane perpendicular to the inlet axis). Preferably, the air outlet 10923 is sized so that the diameter 10932 of the air outlet 10923, and therefore the corresponding flow area of the air outlet 10923, is the same as the diameter of the air inlet. Alternatively, the air outlet diameter 10932 may be between about 50% and about 150%, and between about 85-115% of the air inlet diameter 10925.

[0081] In the example illustrated the cyclone bin assembly 10910, and the cyclone chamber 10913 are arranged in a generally vertical, uniflow cyclone configuration. In a uniflow cyclone, the air inlet is located toward one end of the cyclone chamber and the air outlet is provided toward the other end of the cyclone chamber. In this configuration, air enters one end of the cyclone chamber and generally exits via the other end of the cyclone chamber, as opposed to the cyclone chamber illustrated in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 18, in which air enters and exits the cyclone chamber via the same end. In the illustrated example, the air inlet 10922 is provided toward the lower end of the cyclone chamber 10913 and the air outlet 10923 is provided toward the upper end of the cyclone chamber 10913, such that air flows into the bottom of the cyclone chamber 10913 and exits at the top of the cyclone chamber 10913. Alternatively, the locations of the air inlet and outlet can be reversed.

[0082] Optionally, instead of a vertical configuration, the cyclone bin assembly 10910 and cyclone chamber 10913 can be provided in another orientation, including, for example, as a horizontal cyclone.

[0083] Optionally, some or all of the cyclone sidewall 10921 can coincide with portions of the external sidewalls of the cyclone bin assembly 10910 and the dirt collection chamber sidewall 10915. Referring to Figure 23, in the illustrated embodiment the front portion of the cyclone chamber sidewall 10921 is coincident with the outer sidewall of the cyclone bin assembly 10910, and the rear portion of the cyclone sidewall 10921 helps separate the cyclone chamber 10913 from the dirt collection chamber 10914. This may help reduce the overall size of the cyclone bin assembly 10910. Alternative, the sidewall 10921 may be distinct from the sidewalls 10915. In alternative embodiments, the cyclone chamber 10913 may include only two dirt outlets 10924, or more than two dirt outlets.

[0084] In the illustrated embodiment, the cyclone chamber 10913 includes a first or upper end wall 10937 (Figure 23) and a second or lower end wall 10943. The upper end wall 10937 is connected to the upper end of the sidewall 10921. In the illustrated example, a juncture 10938 between the end wall 10937 and the side wall 10921 is a relatively sharp corner that does not include any type of angled or radiused surface. In contrast, the lower end wall 10943 meets the lower end of the cyclone sidewall 10921 at a juncture 11005 that includes a curved juncture surface 11006 (see also Figure 27). The radius 11007 of the curved surface 11006 may be selected based on the radius of the air inlet (e.g. half of the diameter 10934), and optionally may be the selected so that the juncture surface 11006 has the same radius as the air inlet 10922.

[0085] The curved juncture surface can be provided as a portion of the sidewall or as a portion of the endwall. In the illustrated embodiment, the curved juncture surface 11006 is provided as part of an insert member 11008 that is provided on the bottom end wall and extends upward into the interior of the cyclone chamber 10913. The insert member also includes an upwardly extending projection member 11009 that extends into the interior of the cyclone chamber and engages the distal end 10930 of the screen (Figure 23). Together, the vortex finder 10927, screen 10928 and projection member 11009 form a generally continuous internal column member that extends between the first and second end walls 10937 and 10943 of the cyclone chamber 10910. Providing the projection member 11009 may help direct air flow within the cyclone chamber, and may help support and/or stabilize the distal end 10930 of the screen 10928.

[0086] Optionally, the juncture 11010 between the end wall 10943 and the projection member 11009 may include a curved surface 11011 (see Figures 23 and 26), and preferably is sized so that the surface 11011 has a radius 11012 that is the same as radius 11007. Providing curved surfaces 11006 and 11011 at the junctures between the end wall 10943 and the sidewall 10921, may help reduce backpressure and may help improve cyclone efficiency. Preferably, the two curved juncture surfaces 11006 and 11011 are separated by a generally flat, planar transition surface 11013, having a width 11014. Providing a flat transition surface 11013 may help improve air flow, and/or reduce back pressure to help improve cyclone efficiency.

[0087] In the illustrated embodiment, the second end wall 10943 of the cyclone chamber 10913, and the insert member 11008 provided thereon, is integral with the openable bottom door 10917 that provides the bottom wall of the dirt collection chamber 10914. In this configuration, opening the door simultaneously opens the cyclone chamber 10913 and the dirt collection chamber 10914 (see for example Figures 24 and 25) for emptying.

[0088] In the illustrated embodiment, the dirt outlet 10924 is in the form of a slot having bottom and side edges provided by the cyclone chamber sidewall 10921, and a top edge provided by the upper end wall 10937. Alternatively, all four edges of the slot 10924 may be provided by the cyclone chamber sidewall 10921. The dirt slot 10924 is positioned at the back of the cyclone chamber 10921 and is generally opposite the air inlet 10922. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper wall 10937 of the cyclone chamber is integral with the upper wall 10916 (Figures 23 and 26) of the dirt collection chamber 10914.

[0089] Optionally, one or more pre-motor filters may be placed in the air flow path between the cyclone bin assembly 10910 and the suction motor 10911. Alternatively, or in addition, one or more post-motor filters may be provided downstream from the suction motor.

[0090] Referring to Figures 27, a filter housing construction that may be used by itself or with any other feature disclosed herein is exemplified. In the illustrated embodiment a pre-motor filter chamber or housing 10956 is provided between the upper walls 10937, 10916 of the cyclone 10913 and dirt collection chambers 10914 and the openable cover 10959. In this configuration, the bottom wall 10957 of the pre-motor filter chamber 10956 is integral with the upper walls 10937, 10916 of the cyclone 10913 and dirt collection chambers 10914, and the upper wall 10958a and sidewall 10958 of the pre-motor filter chamber 10956 are provided via a filter cartridge housing 11015 (see also Figure 28). The filter cartridge housing 11015 is separate from the openable cover 10959. One or more filters may be positioned within the pre-motor filter chamber to filter fine particles from the air stream exiting the air outlet, before it flows into inlet of the suction motor. The filters may be of any suitable configuration and formed from any suitable materials. In the illustrated embodiment, a foam filter 10960 and a felt filter 10961 (Figure 30) are positioned within the pre-motor filter chamber 10956.

[0091] Referring to Figures 27-30, the filter cartridge is a generally dome shaped member that includes a upper wall 10958a and a sidewall 10958 extending downwardly from the upper wall to surround the pre-motor filters 10960, 10961. The pre-motor filters 10960, 10961 are shaped to fit within the cartridge member 11015, and when inserted within the cartridge member (Figure 29) the downstream side 10965 of the felt filter 10961 forms the bottom surface of the filter cartridge 11015. When the filter cartridge 11015 is inserted in its use position (Figure 28) the downstream side 10965 of the pre- motor filter rests on the support ribs 10962 (see Figure 29) on the bottom wall 10957, and the downstream headspace 10964 (Figure 27) is defined between the downstream side 10965 of the filter 10961 and the bottom wall10957.

[0092] In this embodiment, the upstream headspace 10970 (Figure 27) is provided between the upstream side 10968 of the pre-motor filter 10960 and the upper wall 10958a of the cartridge housing 11015 (instead of being formed by the cover 10959). To provide air into the upstream headspace 10970, the vortex finder 10927 projects upwardly from the bottom wall 10957 and the filters 10960 and 10961 are provided with a corresponding aperture 10972 to receive the vortex finder 10927. Preferably, a plurality of spacing ribs 11016 (Figure 30) are provided on the inner surface of the upper wall 10958a to keep the upstream surface 10968 of the filter 10960 spaced apart from the inner surface of the upper wall 10958a to maintain the upstream headspace 10970.

[0093] The lower rim 11017 of the filter cartridge 11015 housing is configured to seal against the bottom wall 10957 (for example via snap fit or by using any type of suitable gasket or sealing member) to provide a generally air tight pre-motor filter chamber 10956. The sealed chamber 10956 is then covered by openable chamber cover 10959. As the filter cartridge housing 11015 provides a sufficiently air tight connection to the bottom wall, the chamber cover 10959 need not be air tight. Preferably, at least a portion of both the chamber cover 10959 and the filter cartridge 11015 housing is transparent so that a user can inspect the upstream side 10968 of the pre-motor filter 10960 without having to remove it from the chamber 10956. Optionally, both the chamber cover 10959 and filter cartridge housing 11015 may be formed from transparent plastic.

[0094] When a user wishes to remove, clean, change or otherwise access the pre-motor filter 10960, 10961 he/she may open the chamber cover 10959 (Figure 30) to expose the filter cartridge housing 11015. The user may then detach the filter cartridge housing 11015 and separate it from the bottom wall 10957. Preferably, the pre-motor filters 10960, 10961 are snugly received within the filter cartridge housing 11015 (or otherwise retained therein) so that the filters 10960, 10961 are removed with the filter cartridge housing 11015 and remain inside the filter cartridge housing 11015 until removed by a user. In this embodiment, the dirty, upstream side 10968 of the filter 10960 remains enclosed by the filter cartridge housing 11015 when separated from the core cleaning unit 11000, and only the relatively clearer downstream side 10965 of the filter 10961 is exposed. This may help prevent dirt on the upstream side 10968 of the filter 10960 from spilling or from otherwise contacting the user. When at a desired location, for example at a trash receptacle or a sink, a user can grasp the clean, downstream side 10965 of the filter and remove it from the filter cartridge housing 11015. The upstream side 10968 of the filter can then be cleaned and inspected as desired.

[0095] To assist a user, the upper side 1958a of the filter cartridge housing 11015 may be provided with a grip member, for example the flange 11018 in the illustrated embodiment (Figure 28), which may allow a user to firmly grasp and manipulate the filter cartridge housing 11015. The grip member 11018 may be of any suitable configuration and optionally may be provided on other portions of the filter cartridge housing (for example as a ridge or groove in the sidewall). Alternatively, the filter cartridge housing 11015 need not include a separate grip member.

[0096] To help reduce the overall size of the surface cleaning apparatus, in the illustrated embodiment the pre-motor filter chamber 10956, and the filters therein, is positioned above the cyclone chamber 10913 and covers the upper end of the cyclone chamber 10913. In this configuration, a plane 10966 (Figure 26) containing the foam filter 10960 is generally parallel and spaced above a plane 10977 containing the air outlet 10923 of the cyclone chamber 10913, and both planes 10966, 10967 are generally perpendicular to the cyclone axis 10920. Arranging the filters 10960, 10961 in this configuration results in the upstream side of the pre-motor filter (in this example the upper side 10968 of the foam filter 10960) being spaced further apart from the cyclone chamber 10913 than the downstream side of the pre-motor filter (in this example the lower surface 10965 of the felt filter 10961). Alternatively, in other embodiments, the pre-motor filter chamber 10956 may cover only a portion of the upper end of the cyclone chamber and/or may be laterally spaced apart from the cyclone chamber.

[0097] When the surface cleaning apparatus is in use, air exiting the cyclone chamber 10913 can flow into the upstream head space 10970 via the vortex finder 10927. Within the upstream headspace 10970 the air can flow laterally across the upstream surface 10968 of the foam filter 10960, and down through the filters into the downstream head space 10964. From the downstream head space 10964, the air can flow to the inlet 10973 of the suction motor via an internal air conduit 10974 (Figure 26) formed within the body 10901. In the illustrated embodiment, the internal air conduit 10974 is formed within the main body 10901 and is external the cyclone chamber 10913 and the dirt collection chamber 10914 and is partially bounded by an exterior surface exterior surface of the dirt collection chamber sidewall 10915. The air conduit 10974 extends generally vertically between the pre-motor filter chamber 10956 and the suction motor 10911, and is positioned laterally intermediate the suction motor 10911 and the cyclone chamber 10913. The suction motor 10911 is positioned at an elevation where its air inlet 10973 is vertically between the upper and lower ends of the cyclone chamber 10913, and the motor axis passes 10926 through the cyclone chamber 10913 and the dirt collection chamber 10914.

[0098] Optionally, the cartridge member 11015 can be provided with a bottom cover 11030 to encase the filters 10960 and 10961 and to provide a self-contained pre-motor filter chamber 10956. Referring to Figures 33 and 34, in such a configuration, the bottom cover 11030 may provide the bottom wall 10957 of the pre-motor filter chamber 10956, and may be provided with internal ribs 10962 to support the filters 10960, 10961 and to provide the downstream headspace 10964. An outlet port 11031 provided in the bottom cover 11030 allows air to exit the cartridge enclosure 11015 and flow into conduit 10974. Providing a sealed cartridge may help further contain dirt within the cartridge prior to emptying, and may help keep the filters 10960 and 10961 in position.

[0099] Referring to Figure 20, in the illustrated embodiment, handle 10902 has a first or bottom end 10981 that is adjacent the suction motor housing 10912, a second or upper end 10982 that is spaced above from the lower end 10981 and a grip portion 10980 extending therebetween. When grasping the hand grip portion 10980, a user's fingers may pass through an opening 10984.

[0100] Referring to Figure 31, a sectional view of an alternate embodiment cyclone bin assembly portion 12910 of a core cleaning unit 13000 that may be used by itself or with any other feature disclosed herein is exemplified. The cyclone bin assembly 12910 is similar to bin assembly 10910, and like features are identified using like reference numerals indexed by 2000. The cyclone bin assembly 12910 is illustrated in isolation with the outer shell, filter cartridge member and the suction motor removed. In this embodiment the cyclone chamber 12913 is flared such that the cross-sectional area taken in a plane 13020 that passes through the air inlet 12922 (toward the bottom of the cyclone chamber 12913) is smaller than the cross-sectional area taken in a plane 13021 that passes through the dirt outlet 12924, and is smaller than the cross-section area of the upper end wall 12937 of the cyclone chamber 12913 (which includes the air outlet 12923). In this configuration, the cyclone chamber sidewall 12921 includes a vertical portion 13022 and a generally frusto-conical portion 13023 positioned above the vertical portion 13022. In this embodiment the volume of the cyclone chamber 12913 increases toward the top to the cyclone chamber, which may help improve cyclone efficiency and/or may help dis-entrained dirt exit via the dirt outlet.

[0101] Referring to Figure 32, a sectional view of an alternate embodiment cyclone bin assembly 14910 portion of the core cleaning unit 15000 that may be used by itself or with any other feature disclosed herein is exemplified. The cyclone bin assembly 14910 is similar to cyclone bin assembly 10910, and like elements are represented using analogous reference numbers indexed by 4000. The cyclone bin assembly 14910 is illustrated in isolation with the outer shell, filter cartridge member and the suction motor removed. In this embodiment the cyclone chamber 14913 is tapered such that the cross-sectional area taken in a plane 15020 that passes through the air inlet 14922 (toward the bottom of the cyclone chamber 14913) is larger than the cross-sectional area taken in a plane 15021 that passes through the dirt outlet 14924, and is larger than the cross-section area of the upper end wall 14937 of the cyclone chamber 14913 (which includes the air outlet 14923). In this configuration, the cyclone chamber sidewall 14921 includes a vertical portion 15022 and a generally inwardly-tapering frusto-conical portion 15023 positioned above the vertical portion. In this embodiment the volume of the cyclone chamber 14913 decreases toward the top to the cyclone chamber, which may help improve cyclone efficiency and/or may help dis-entrained dirt exit via the dirt outlet.

[0102] What has been described above has been intended to be illustrative of the invention and non-limiting and it will be understood by persons skilled in the art that other variants and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims appended hereto. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments and examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.


Claims

1. A hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus (900) having a top and a bottom and comprising:

(a) a dirty fluid inlet (903);

(b) an air treatment member downstream of the dirty fluid inlet (903) and comprising a lower end, an upper end, an air inlet (922) and an air outlet (923) at the upper end;

(c) a pre-motor filter positioned in a pre-motor filter housing (956) having an openable upper cover (959), the pre-motor filter is positioned above the upper end and downstream of the air treatment member and the pre-motor filter overlies at least a portion of the upper end of the air treatment member when the bottom is resting on a horizontal surface;

(d) a suction motor positioned within a motor housing (912), downstream of the pre-motor filter and rearward of the air treatment member;

(e) an air flow path extending from the pre-motor filter housing (956) to the suction motor; and,

(f) a clean air outlet (904) downstream of the suction motor;

characterized in that the cleaning apparatus further comprises
(g) a pistol-grip style handle (902) having an upper end (982) that is positioned adjacent the rear side wall of the housing (956) of the pre-motor filter, or that is attached to a bridge portion that extends rearwardly from the pre-motor filter housing (956); a lower bottom end (981) that is positioned rearward of the upper end (982) and adjacent the motor housing (912); and a grip portion (980) extending between the upper end (982) and the bottom end (981), and a finger gap to receive the fingers of a user is provided between the grip portion (980) and the pre-motor filter housing (956).
 
2. The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus (900) of claim 1 wherein the cover (959) is openable without moving the pre-motor filter.
 
3. The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus (900) of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the upstream side is spaced further from the air treatment member than the downstream side.
 
4. The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus (900) of any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the openable cover (959) has an outer surface that forms an outer surface of the surface cleaning apparatus (900) and a forward portion that is inclined forwardly whereby a front end of the outer surface is lower than a rear end of the outer surface when the bottom of the surface cleaning apparatus (900) is resting on a horizontal surface.
 
5. The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus (900) of claim 4, wherein the pre-motor filter housing (956) has an upper rim that is sealed by the opeanable cover (959), and wherein the upper rim lies in a plane that is inclined forwardly so that a front end of the upper rim is lower than a rear end of the upper rim when the bottom of the surface cleaning apparatus (900) is resting on a horizontal surface.
 
6. The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus (900) of any one of claims 1 - 5 wherein the upper end of the handle (902) is adjacent the top of the surface cleaning apparatus (900) and adjacent a rear end of the pre-motor filter housing (956).
 
7. The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus (900) of any one of claims 1 - 6 wherein the cover (959) is openable when the air treatment member is mounted to the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus (900) and without moving the handle (902).
 
8. The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus (900) of any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the pre-motor filter housing (956) is positioned above the air treatment member, and the handle (902) extends between the suction motor housing (912) and the pre-motor filter housing (956).
 
9. The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus (900) of any one of claims1 to 7 wherein the handle (902) has a suction motor housing (912) end that is spaced rearward of the air treatment member and below the pre-motor filter housing (956).
 
10. The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus (900) of any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the suction motor has a suction motor inlet that is positioned between the lower and upper ends of the air treatment member.
 
11. The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus (900) of any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the air treatment member comprises a cyclone chamber (913) and a dirt outlet (924a, 924b) of the cyclone chamber (913) is provided at the lower end of the cyclone and a dirt collection chamber (914) is positioned below the cyclone chamber (913).
 
12. The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus (900) of any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein the air flow path has a portion that is exterior to and extends part way along an exterior wall of the air treatment member to a suction motor inlet.
 
13. The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus (900) of any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the air treatment member comprises a cyclone.
 
14. The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus (900) of claims 13 further comprising the dirt collection chamber (214) being positioned exterior to the cyclone chamber (913), the air flow path has a portion that extends part way along an exterior wall of the dirt collection chamber (214) to a suction motor inlet.
 
15. The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus (900) of any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein the pre-motor filter comprises a foam filter (10960).
 


Ansprüche

1. Mit der Hand tragbare Oberflächenreinigungsvorrichtung (900) mit einer Oberseite und mit einer Unterseite und die umfasst:

(a) einen Einlass (903) für verschmutztes Fluid;

(b) ein Luftbehandlungselement auslassseitig des Einlasses (903) für verschmutztes Fluid und das ein unteres Ende, ein oberes Ende, einen Lufteinlass (922) und einen Luftauslass (923) an dem oberen Ende umfasst;

(c) einen dem Motor vorgeschalteten Filter, der in einem Gehäuse (956) des dem Motor vorgeschalteten Filters positioniert ist und eine zu öffnende obere Abdeckung (959) aufweist, wobei der dem Motor vorgeschaltete Filter über dem oberen Ende und auslassseitig des Luftbehandlungselements positioniert ist und wobei der dem Motor vorgeschaltete Filter wenigstens über einem Abschnitt des oberen Endes des Luftbehandlungselements liegt, wenn die Unterseite auf einer horizontalen Oberfläche aufliegt;

(d) einen Saugmotor, der innerhalb eines Motorgehäuses (912), auslassseitig des dem Motor vorgeschalteten Filters und hinter dem Luftbehandlungselement positioniert ist;

(e) einen Luftströmungsweg, der von dem Gehäuse (956) des dem Motor vorgeschalteten Filters zu dem Saugmotor verläuft; und

(f) einen Auslass (904) für saubere Luft auslassseitig des Saugmotors;

dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Reinigungsvorrichtung ferner umfasst:
(g) einen Handgriff (902) im Pistolengriffstil mit einem oberen Ende (982), das benachbart zu der Rückseitenwand des Gehäuses (956) des dem Motor vorgeschalteten Filters positioniert ist oder das an einem Brückenabschnitt befestigt ist, der von dem Gehäuse (956) des dem Motor vorgeschalteten Filters nach hinten verläuft; einem unteren Unterseitenende (981), das hinter dem oberen Ende (982) und benachbart zu dem Motorgehäuse (912) positioniert ist; und einem Griffabschnitt (980), der zwischen dem oberen Ende (982) und dem unteren Ende (981) verläuft, und wobei zwischen dem Griffabschnitt (980) und dem Gehäuse (956) des dem Motor vorgeschalteten Filters ein Fingerzwischenraum zum Aufnehmen der Finger eines Nutzers vorgesehen ist.
 
2. Mit der Hand tragbare Oberflächenreinigungsvorrichtung (900) gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei die Abdeckung (959) geöffnet werden kann, ohne den dem Motor vorgeschalteten Filter zu bewegen.
 
3. Mit der Hand tragbare Oberflächenreinigungsvorrichtung (900) gemäß Anspruch 1 oder Anspruch 2, wobei die Einlassseite weiter als die Auslassseite von dem Luftbehandlungselement beanstandet ist.
 
4. Mit der Hand tragbare Oberflächenreinigungsvorrichtung (900) gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, wobei die zu öffnende Abdeckung (959) eine Außenoberfläche, die eine Außenoberfläche der Oberflächenreinigungsvorrichtung (900) bildet, und einen vorderen Abschnitt, der nach vorn geneigt ist, aufweist, wobei ein vorderes Ende der Außenoberfläche tiefer als ein hinteres Ende der Außenoberfläche ist, wenn die Unterseite der Oberflächenreinigungsvorrichtung (900) auf einer horizontalen Oberfläche aufliegt.
 
5. Mit der Hand tragbare Oberflächenreinigungsvorrichtung (900) gemäß Anspruch 4, wobei das Gehäuse (956) des dem Motor vorgeschalteten Filters einen oberen Rand aufweist, der durch die zu öffnende Abdeckung (959) abgedichtet ist, und wobei der obere Rand in einer Ebene liegt, die nach vorn geneigt ist, so dass ein vorderes Ende des oberen Rands tiefer als ein hinteres Ende des oberen Rands ist, wenn die Unterseite der Oberflächenreinigungsvorrichtung (900) auf einer horizontalen Oberfläche aufliegt.
 
6. Mit der Hand tragbare Oberflächenreinigungsvorrichtung (900) gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1-5,
wobei das obere Ende des Handgriffs (902) zu der Oberseite der Oberflächenreinigungsvorrichtung (900) benachbart ist und zu einem hinteren Ende des Gehäuses (956) des dem Motor vorgeschalteten Filters benachbart ist.
 
7. Mit der Hand tragbare Oberflächenreinigungsvorrichtung (900) gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1-6, wobei die Abdeckung (959) geöffnet werden kann, wenn das Luftbehandlungselement an der an der Hand tragbaren Oberflächenvorrichtung (900) angebracht ist, und ohne den Handgriff (902) zu bewegen.
 
8. Mit der Hand tragbare Oberflächenreinigungsvorrichtung (900) gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 7, wobei das Gehäuse (956) des dem Motor vorgeschalteten Filters über dem Luftbehandlungselement positioniert ist und wobei der Handgriff (902) zwischen dem Saugmotorgehäuse (912) und dem Gehäuse (956) des dem Motor vorgeschalteten Filters verläuft.
 
9. Mit der Hand tragbare Oberflächenreinigungsvorrichtung (900) gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 7, wobei der Handgriff (902) ein Ende des Saugmotorgehäuses (912) aufweist, das hinter dem Luftbehandlungselement und unter dem Gehäuse (956) des dem Motor vorgeschalteten Filters beabstandet ist.
 
10. Mit der Hand tragbare Oberflächenreinigungsvorrichtung (900) gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 9, wobei der Saugmotor einen Saugmotoreinlass aufweist, der zwischen dem unteren und dem oberen Ende des Luftbehandlungselements positioniert ist.
 
11. Mit der Hand tragbare Oberflächenreinigungsvorrichtung (900) gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 10, wobei das Luftbehandlungselement eine Zyklonkammer (913) umfasst und wobei an dem unteren Ende des Zyklons ein Schmutzauslass (924a, 924b) der Zyklonkammer (913) vorgesehen ist und wobei unter der Zyklonkammer (913) eine Schmutzsammelkammer (914) positioniert ist.
 
12. Mit der Hand tragbare Oberflächenreinigungsvorrichtung (900) gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 11, wobei der Luftströmungsweg einen Abschnitt aufweist, der außerhalb einer Außenwand des Luftbehandlungselements ist und teilweise ihr entlang zu einem Saugmotoreinlass verläuft.
 
13. Mit der Hand tragbare Oberflächenreinigungsvorrichtung (900) gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 12, wobei das Luftbehandlungselement einen Zyklon umfasst.
 
14. Mit der Hand tragbare Oberflächenreinigungsvorrichtung (900) gemäß Anspruch 13, die ferner umfasst, dass die Schmutzsammelkammer (214) außerhalb der Zyklonkammer (913) positioniert ist, wobei der Luftströmungsweg einen Abschnitt aufweist, der teilweise entlang einer Außenwand der Schmutzsammelkammer (214) zu einem Saugmotoreinlass verläuft.
 
15. Mit der Hand tragbare Oberflächenreinigungsvorrichtung (900) gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 14, wobei der dem Motor vorgeschaltete Filter einen Schaumfilter (10960) umfasst.
 


Revendications

1. Appareil de nettoyage de surface portable (900)
ayant une partie supérieure et une partie inférieure et
comprenant :

(a) une entrée de fluide sale (903) ;

(b) un élément de traitement d'air en aval de l'entrée de fluide sale (903) et comprenant une extrémité inférieure, une extrémité supérieure, une entrée d'air (922) et une sortie d'air (923) au niveau de l'extrémité supérieure ;

(c) un filtre prémoteur positionné dans un logement de filtre prémoteur (956) ayant un couvercle supérieur ouvrable (959), le filtre prémoteur est positionné au-dessus de l'extrémité supérieure et en aval de l'élément de traitement d'air et le filtre prémoteur recouvre au moins une partie de l'extrémité supérieure de l'élément de traitement d'air lorsque la partie inférieure repose sur une surface horizontale ;

(d) un moteur d'aspiration positionné à l'intérieur du logement de moteur (912), en aval du filtre prémoteur et postérieur à l'élément de traitement d'air ;

(e) un chemin d'écoulement d'air s'étendant du logement de filtre prémoteur (956) au moteur d'aspiration ; et,

(f) une sortie d'air propre (904) en aval du moteur d'aspiration ;

caractérisé en ce que l'appareil de nettoyage comprend en outre
(g) une poignée de type à pistolet (902) ayant une extrémité supérieure (982) qui est positionnée adjacente à la paroi latérale arrière du logement (956) du filtre prémoteur, ou qui est fixée à une partie pont qui s'étend à l'arrière du logement de filtre prémoteur (956) ; une extrémité inférieure (981) qui est positionnée à l'arrière de l'extrémité supérieure (982) et adjacente au logement de moteur (912) ; et une partie de préhension (980) s'étendant entre l'extrémité supérieure (982) et l'extrémité inférieure (981), et un espace pour doigts pour recevoir les doigts d'un utilisateur est prévu entre la partie de préhension (980) et le logement de filtre prémoteur (956).
 
2. Appareil de nettoyage de surface portable (900) selon la revendication 1 où le couvercle (959) est ouvrable sans déplacer le filtre prémoteur.
 
3. Appareil de nettoyage de surface portable (900) selon la revendication 1 ou la revendication 2 où le côté en amont est espacé davantage de l'élément de traitement d'air que du côté en aval.
 
4. Appareil de nettoyage de surface portable (900) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3 où le couvercle ouvrable (959) a une surface extérieure qui forme une surface extérieure de l'appareil de nettoyage de surface (900) et une partie avant qui est inclinée vers l'avant par laquelle une extrémité avant de la surface extérieure est plus basse qu'une extrémité arrière de la surface extérieure lorsque la partie inférieure de l'appareil de nettoyage de surface (900) repose sur une surface horizontale.
 
5. Appareil de nettoyage de surface portable (900) selon la revendication 4, où le logement de filtre prémoteur (956) a un bord supérieur qui est scellé par le couvercle ouvrable (959), et où le bord supérieur se trouve dans un plan qui est incliné vers l'avant de manière à ce qu'une extrémité avant du bord supérieur est plus basse qu'une extrémité arrière du bord supérieur lorsque la partie inférieure de l'appareil de nettoyage de surface (900) repose sur une surface horizontale.
 
6. Appareil de nettoyage de surface portable (900) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5
où l'extrémité supérieure de la poignée (902) est adjacente à la partie supérieure de l'appareil de nettoyage de surface (900) et adjacente à une extrémité arrière du logement de filtre prémoteur (956).
 
7. Appareil de nettoyage de surface portable (900) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6 où le couvercle (959) est ouvrable lorsque l'élément de traitement d'air est monté sur l'appareil de nettoyage de surface portable (900) et sans déplacer la poignée (902).
 
8. Appareil de nettoyage de surface portable (900) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7 où le logement de filtre prémoteur (956) est positionné au-dessus de l'élément de traitement d'air et la poignée (902) s'étend entre le logement de moteur d'aspiration (912) et le logement de filtre prémoteur (956).
 
9. Appareil de nettoyage de surface portable (900) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7 où la poignée (902) a une extrémité de logement de moteur d'aspiration (912) qui est espacée vers l'arrière de l'élément de traitement d'air et en dessous du logement de filtre prémoteur (956).
 
10. Appareil de nettoyage de surface portable (900) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 9 où le moteur d'aspiration a une entrée de moteur d'aspiration qui est positionnée entre les extrémités inférieure et supérieure de l'élément de traitement d'air.
 
11. Appareil de nettoyage de surface portable (900) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 10 où l'élément de traitement d'air comprend une chambre à cyclone (913) et une sortie de poussière (924a, 924b) de la chambre à cyclone (913) est prévue au niveau de l'extrémité inférieure du cyclone et une chambre de collecte de poussière (914) est positionnée en dessous de la chambre à cyclone (913).
 
12. Appareil de nettoyage de surface portable (900) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 11 où le chemin d'écoulement d'air a une partie qui se trouve à l'extérieure de et s'étend à mi-chemin le long d'une paroi extérieure de l'élément de traitement d'air à une entrée de moteur d'aspiration.
 
13. Appareil de nettoyage de surface portable (900) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 12 où l'élément de traitement d'air comprend un cyclone.
 
14. Appareil de nettoyage de surface portable (900) selon la revendication 13 comprenant en outre une chambre de collecte de poussière (214) étant positionnée à l'extérieur de la chambre à cyclone (913), le chemin d'écoulement d'air a une partie qui s'étend à mi-chemin le long d'une paroi extérieure de la chambre de collecte de poussière (214) à une entrée de moteur d'aspiration.
 
15. Appareil de nettoyage de surface portable (900) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 14 où le filtre prémoteur comprend un filtre en mousse (10960).
 




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Cited references

REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

Patent documents cited in the description