A recovery tank (22) for a surface cleaning device of the type having a motor (30) generating a flow of air through the device on a flow path between a suction inlet and an exhaust outlet, the recovery tank (22) being positioned on the flow path between the suction inlet and the motor (30), the recovery tank (22) defining a volume for storing dirty liquid separated from an incoming flow of air, and comprising a separator (34) providing: an inlet arrangement for receiving a flow of dirty fluid into the recovery tank (22); an outlet arrangement via which air leaves the recovery tank; and a closure member (86) configured to move linearly between an open configuration in which the outlet arrangement is open to receive air leaving the recovery tank, and a closed configuration in which the outlet arrangement is closed to inhibit fluid leaving the recovery tank.
A47L 11/34 - Machines for treating carpets in position by liquid, foam, or vapour, e.g. by steam
A47L 11/40 - Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups , or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers or levers
A separator (34) for a surface cleaning device (40) of the type having a motor (30) generating a flow of air through the device on a flow path between a suction inlet and an exhaust outlet, the separator (34) being positioned on the flow path between the suction inlet and the motor for separating dirt and liquid from a flow of fluid through the surface cleaning device, and the separator configured to be provided within a recovery tank (22) of the cleaning device, the separator providing: an inlet arrangement comprising an inlet passage (58) configured to channel dirty fluid, and an inlet mouth (72A) forming an opening in the inlet passage and configured to expel dirty fluid into the recovery tank (22), and an outlet arrangement via which air leaves the recovery tank; wherein the outlet passage (52) is spaced from the inlet passage (58) in a first direction (G), and the inlet mouth (72A) is defined in a portion of a wall of the inlet passage (58) facing away from the outlet passage (52), configured such that fluid is expelled from the inlet passage (58) via the inlet mouth (72A) generally in a second direction (F), the second direction (F) being offset from the first direction (G) by an angle greater than 90°, and having a component of motion in the direction opposite to the first direction (G).
A47L 11/34 - Machines for treating carpets in position by liquid, foam, or vapour, e.g. by steam
A47L 11/40 - Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups , or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers or levers
A surface cleaning device including: • a floor head forming a suction inlet; • a motor (30) for creating a flow of air on a flow path through the device between the suction inlet and an exhaust outlet, the motor having a motor housing and comprising a shaft and an impeller supported on the shaft for rotation about a motor axis defined by the shaft, and the motor housing providing an intake opening (50) through which an air flow is drawn into the motor in an axial direction, • a recovery tank (42) and separator (34) disposed on the flow path between the suction inlet and the motor, the separator providing an outlet passage (52) through which air flows from the recovery tank towards the intake opening of the motor, wherein the outlet passage is formed as a straight passage within the recovery tank; and • multiple ground-engaging rollers configured to support the device on a plane defining a floor surface; • wherein the intake opening is disposed below the recovery tank, and configured such that the motor axis is inclined relative to the plane at an angle in range of 45° to 90°.
A47L 11/34 - Machines for treating carpets in position by liquid, foam, or vapour, e.g. by steam
A47L 11/40 - Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups , or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers or levers
A recovery tank (22) for a surface cleaning device of the type having a motor (30) generating a flow of air through the device on a flow path between a suction inlet (14) and an exhaust outlet (32), the recovery tank (22) being positioned on the flow path between the suction inlet (14) and the motor (30), the recovery tank (22) providing: • a housing having (44) a bottom wall and one or more side walls (42) extending upwards from the bottom wall, the housing forming a volume for storing dirt and/or liquid separated from an incoming flow of dirty air, and • a separator (34) comprising: • an inlet arrangement (36) for receiving a flow of dirty fluid into the recovery tank; and an outlet arrangement (38) via which air leaves the recovery tank; wherein the separator is disposed at a position spaced apart from the side walls.
A47L 11/34 - Machines for treating carpets in position by liquid, foam, or vapour, e.g. by steam
A47L 11/40 - Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups , or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers or levers
A recovery tank (22, 122) and separator (100) for a carpet cleaning device of the type having a motor (30) generating a flow of air through the device on a flow path between a suction inlet and an exhaust outlet, the separator being positioned on the flow path between the suction inlet and the motor, and separator (100) providing: a cyclone housing providing a cyclone chamber (106) formed between an outer wall and an inner wall; an inlet formed in the outer wall for receiving a flow of fluid comprising a mixture of air with dirty liquid recovered from a carpet, into the cyclone housing; a dirt outlet (120) formed in a lower portion of the outer wall from which dirty liquid separated from a swirling flow of fluid within the cyclone chamber leaves the cyclone housing; and an outlet arrangement (38) provided by one or more openings formed in the inner wall, through which air is drawn from the cyclone chamber into an outlet passage.
A47L 11/34 - Machines for treating carpets in position by liquid, foam, or vapour, e.g. by steam
A47L 11/40 - Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups , or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers or levers
A47L 9/16 - Arrangement or disposition of cyclones or other devices with centrifugal action
A separator (34) for a surface cleaning device of the type having a motor (30) generating a flow of air through the device on a flow path between a suction inlet and an exhaust outlet, the separator (34) being positioned on the flow path between the suction inlet and the motor, and the separator configured to be provided within a recovery tank (22) of the cleaning device, the separator providing: an inlet (14) for receiving a flow of dirty fluid into the recovery tank; and an outlet arrangement spaced from the inlet (14), via which air leaves the recovery tank (22); wherein the outlet arrangement provides an intake portion (60) and an outlet passage (52), wherein the intake portion is formed within a passage wall from which a deflecting surface (62) extends, the deflecting surface is configured to cause the air flow passing through the intake portion towards the outlet passage to adopt a swirling motion.
A47L 11/34 - Machines for treating carpets in position by liquid, foam, or vapour, e.g. by steam
A47L 11/40 - Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups , or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers or levers
A recovery tank (22) for a surface cleaning device of the type having a motor (30) generating a flow of air through the device on a flow path between a suction inlet (14) and an exhaust outlet (32), the recovery tank being positioned on the flow path between the suction inlet and the motor, the recovery tank providing: a separator (34) for separating dirt and/or liquid from an incoming flow of dirty fluid, a housing (44) in which the separator is disposed, the housing forming a volume for storing the separated dirt and/or liquid, an inlet passage (58) configured to channel dirty fluid to the separator, and an outlet passage (38) configured to channel air from the separator for fluid connection with the motor, wherein a portion of the inlet passage and a portion of the outlet passage are formed as a unitary component for assembly within the recovery tank housing as a single piece.
A47L 11/34 - Machines for treating carpets in position by liquid, foam, or vapour, e.g. by steam
A47L 11/40 - Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups , or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers or levers
With reference to Figure 4, we provide a suction cleaner, including: a nozzle defining a suction inlet; a motor for creating a suction flow of air through the cleaner between the suction nozzle and an exhaust outlet; a separator assembly for separating dirt from the air flow between the suction inlet and the motor; and an exhaust assembly for separating fine contaminants from the air flow between the motor and the exhaust outlet, the exhaust assembly including a filter having a filter housing defining a filter inlet opening having a first cross- sectional area and a filter outlet opening having a second cross-sectional area, and including a filter medium, wherein the first cross-sectional area of the filter inlet is less than the second cross-sectional area of the filter outlet.
With reference to Figure 8 of the drawings, we provide a floor cleaning head for a suction cleaner, the floor cleaning head including: a lead agitator chamber in which a rotary lead agitator is supported; and a suction chamber defining a suction inlet through which air and entrained dirt is drawn into the suction chamber, a suction outlet for fluid connection to a suction flow path of the suction cleaner, and a rotary rear agitator supported within the suction chamber; the suction chamber being disposed rearwardly of the lead agitator chamber and separated from it by a dividing wall; wherein a sealing material is provided on a lower part of the dividing wall.
A47L 9/00 - Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating actionStoring devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereofCarrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
A47L 9/04 - Nozzles with driven brushes or agitators
With reference to Figure 9, we provide a floor cleaning head for a suction cleaner, the floor cleaning head providing a housing having a suction inlet, and the housing providing: an agitator chamber having ends forming a pair of side walls disposed on opposing sides of the floor cleaning head, and an agitator configured such that each end of the agitator is supported between and enclosed by the side walls and configured to rotate about a lengthways central rotational axis, wherein an end of the agitator chamber provides a ramp extending around a portion of a periphery of the agitator and inwardly from the side wall, the ramp providing a deflecting surface configured to deflect dirt particles inwardly from the side wall towards a central portion of the floor cleaning head.
We provide a latch mechanism for a cleaning device, the latch mechanism being provided on a portion of the cleaning device for releasable engagement with a keep, the latch mechanism comprising: a frame supporting a latch member and an actuating assembly, and providing an end wall; the latch member being moveable linearly along an axis X between an extended position and a retracted position, the latch member being biased by a first spring towards its extended position; and the actuating assembly providing a contact member moveable between an initial position and an actuating position, and being biased by a second spring to its initial position; wherein the latch mechanism is configured such that a head of the latch member extends beyond the end wall of the frame when the latch member is in its extended position, and wherein a contact portion of the contact member abuts an engagement surface of the latch member, the engagement surface being disposed at an angle offset from the axis X such that movement of the contact member against the engagement surface in a direction transverse to the axis X causes movement of the latch member towards its retracted position so as to retract the head of the latch member to a position level with or recessed from the end wall of the frame.
We provide a handle assembly of a cleaning device, the handle assembly comprising: a handle body having a first end and a second end, the handle body providing a user-graspable portion by which a user may grasp and hold the handle, the handle body being pivotably attached to a body of the cleaning device at a first end of the handle, and a deployment assembly for moving the handle body from a first stowed position towards a second deployed position, wherein in its first position the handle body lies against the body of the cleaning device or within a recess defined by the body of the cleaning device, and in its second position the user graspable portion of the handle is spaced from the body of the cleaning device so as to be graspable by a user.
A surface cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface including: a housing supporting: a suction source; a dirt separation device for separating dirt from dirt-laden air; a dirt separation device including a dirt collection chamber for receiving dirt from the dirt separation device, wherein the dirt collection chamber has an elongate axis (A); a user graspable handle having an elongate axis (C), a passage member for transporting dirt-laden air to the dirt separation device, the passage member having an elongate axis (B); a coupling device moveable between a first position in which detachment of the body from the housing is inhibited and a second position in which detachment of the body is permitted; an actuator member for effecting movement of the coupling device between its first and second positions, wherein the elongate axis (B) of the passage member and the elongate axis (C) of the user graspable handle lie in a plane (P1), and the elongate axis (A) of the dirt collection chamber intersects the plane (P1).
A surface cleaning apparatus including: a housing supporting: a suction source; a cyclonic separator device for separating dirt from dirt- laden air, wherein the cyclonic separator device has an elongate axis (A) which lies in a plane (Q1); a user graspable handle having an elongate axis (C), a passage member for transporting dirt-laden air to the dirt separation device, the passage member having an elongate axis (B), wherein the elongate axis (B) of the passage member and the elongate axis (C) of the user graspable handle lie in a plane (P1), and the elongate axis (A) of the body intersects the plane (P1), and wherein the cyclonic separator device includes: a first separating chamber fluidly connected to the passage member for separating relatively coarse dust or debris from any dirt- laden air received from the passage member; an inlet through which dirt-laden air is drawn into the first dirt separating chamber; a first dirt collection chamber for receiving dirt separated by the first separating chamber; a shroud; an outlet through which cleaner air exits the first separating chamber; a baffle positioned in the first dirt collection chamber which lies in a plane (R1), and wherein, in side view, the plane (Q1) is perpendicular to the vertical and the baffle is positioned above the plane (Q1) such that, in normal use, dirt collected in the first dirt collection chamber reaches the plane (Q1) before the dirt reaches the baffle.
A cyclonic separator device for removing dust or debris from dirt-laden air, the device including: a first separating chamber for separating relatively coarse dust or debris from the dirt-laden air; an inlet through which dirt-laden air is drawn into the first separating chamber; a first dirt collection chamber in communication with the first separating chamber; a shroud; a second separating chamber positioned generally within the shroud for separating relatively fine dust or debris from the dirt-laden air cleaned by the first separating chamber, a second dirt collection chamber in communication with the second separating chamber; an outlet through which cleaner air exits the second separating chamber; wherein the first separating chamber includes a generally cylindrical portion with a central axis and wherein the inlet is configured to direct the incoming dirt-laden air into said generally cylindrical portion such that it travels circumferentially around an inner surface of the first separating chamber, wherein the shroud is positioned generally centrally of the generally cylindrical portion of the first separating chamber and the shroud has a generally cylindrical portion with openings therein for the passage of air therethrough towards the second separating chamber, wherein the second dirt separating chamber includes: an inlet through which cleaned dirt-laden air exiting the first separating chamber is drawn into the second separating chamber; a generally frusto-conical portion with a central axis and the frusto-conical portion has an end-part in communication with the second dirt collection chamber through which fine dust or debris exits therethrough into the second dirt collection chamber, and wherein the inlet of the second separating chamber is configured to direct the incoming said cleaned dirt-laden air such that it travels circumferentially around an inner surface of the generally frusto-conical portion, and wherein the second dirt collection chamber includes: a first portion which surrounds an outer surface of the end part of the frusto-conical portion to define a space S1 therebetween; and a second portion connected to the first portion, wherein the first portion has a greater cross-sectional area than the second portion.
A dirt separation device for a surface cleaning apparatus including: a separator for separating dirt from dirt-laden air; an inlet through which dirt-laden air is drawn into the separator; an outlet through which cleaner air exits the separator; a dirt collection chamber for receiving separated dirt; a cover member movable between a first position in which the cover member inhibits access to the dirt collection chamber and a second position in which the cover member permits access to the dirt collection chamber; an actuator device coupled to the cover member for effecting movement of the cover member from the first position to the second position, wherein the actuator device is rotationally movable, or an engagement part operably connected to the actuator device is rotationally movable, to effect movement of the closing member from the first position to the second position.
A separator assembly for removing dirt from an air flow in a suction cleaner, the separator assembly including: a first cyclone assembly including a first cyclone separator for separating coarse dirt from an air flow; and a second cyclone assembly including: a plurality of second cyclone separators arranged fluidly in parallel for separating fine dirt from an air flow, each providing a body with a cyclone inlet towards an upper end and a dirt outlet formed at a lower end; a lower sealing plate surrounding the lower ends of the second cyclone separators and configured such that the body of each second cyclone separator extends through a respective opening in the lower sealing plate, such that the dirt outlets of the second cyclone separators lie below the sealing plate, an upper sealing plate disposed adjacent the upper ends of the second cyclone separators, an intermediary chamber configured such that partially cleaned air is drawn into the intermediary chamber from the first cyclone assembly and subsequently into the inlets of the second cyclone separators, the upper end of the intermediary chamber being sealed by the upper sealing plate, and a securing member formed between and securable to each of the upper sealing plate and lower sealing plate.
A separator assembly for removing dirt from an air flow in a suction cleaner, the separator assembly including a plurality of cyclone separators arranged fluidly in parallel for separating fine dirt from an air flow, each providing: a body defining a lengthwise axis, configured to receive from a cyclone inlet towards a first end a swirling flow of air within a volume defined by the body, the body providing a dirt outlet formed at a second end, an end wall at the first end of the body, and an annular vortex finder that extends coaxially with the lengthwise axis, defining a passage from a vortex finder inlet disposed within the volume of the body to a vortex finder outlet formed in the end wall, wherein the diameter of the passage is narrower at the vortex finder inlet than at the vortex finder outlet.
A separator assembly for removing dirt from an air flow in a suction cleaner, the separator assembly including: a first cyclone assembly including a first cyclone separator for separating coarse dirt from an air flow; a second cyclone assembly including a plurality of cyclone separators arranged fluidly in parallel for separating dirt from an air flow, each providing a body with a cyclone inlet towards an upper end and a dirt outlet formed at a lower end; an upper sealing plate forming an end wall of each of the second cyclone separators, and each cyclone separator extending through a respective opening defined in a lower sealing plate, such that the dirt outlets of the cyclone separators lie below the sealing plate, wherein an outlet of the first cyclone assembly is in fluid connection with an intermediary chamber formed between the upper sealing plate and the lower sealing plate, from which air and dirt is drawn into the inlets of the cyclone separators of the second cyclone assembly, and the first cyclone assembly is disposed below the lower sealing plate.
A separator assembly for removing dirt from an air flow in a suction cleaner, the separator assembly including a plurality of cyclone separators arranged fluidly in parallel for separating fine dirt from an air flow, each providing: a body defining a central lengthwise axis, having a first portion at a first end that is substantially cylindrical, adjoining a second portion at a second end that is substantially frustoconical, the first and second portions defining a volume; a cyclone inlet towards the first end, configured to receive a swirling flow of air within the volume, a dirt outlet formed at the second end, and an end wall closing the volume at the first end around an annular vortex finder that extends coaxially with the lengthwise axis, defining a passage from a vortex finder inlet disposed within the volume of the body to a vortex finder outlet formed in the end wall, the dimensions of the cyclone separators conforming to the rule 0.3≤ Dx / D≤ 0.42, wherein D represents the diameter of the first portion of the cyclone body, and Dx represents the diameter of vortex finder.
A separator assembly for removing dirt from an air flow in a suction cleaner, the separator assembly including: a first cyclone assembly including a first cyclone separator for separating coarse dirt from an air flow, the separator including a filter for blocking the passage of coarse dirt from the first cyclone separator, and a second cyclone assembly including a plurality of second cyclone separators arranged fluidly in parallel for separating fine dirt from an air flow, each providing a body with a cyclone inlet towards an upper end and a dirt outlet formed at a lower end; and a sealing plate that surrounds a portion of each of the second cyclone separators, configured such that each of the second cyclone separators extends through a respective opening defined in the sealing plate so that the dirt outlets of the second cyclone separators lie below the sealing plate and the cyclone inlets lie above the sealing plate, wherein a flow path is defined between the filter of the first cyclone separator through which air is drawn from the first cyclone separator, to the inlets of the second cyclone separators, at least a portion of the flow path being bounded by at least a portion of an upper surface of the sealing plate.
A separator assembly for removing dirt from an air flow in a suction cleaner, the separator assembly including a separation chamber having: an inlet for receiving a flow of air and dirt into the separation chamber, a shroud structure configured such that air entering the chamber is caused to swirl around the shroud, the shroud structure including a plurality of struts spaced about a central axis, and defining a plurality of openings between adjacent pairs of the struts, a screen providing a plurality of apertures, the screen being disposed across one or more of the openings of the shroud for blocking the passage of coarse dirt through the shroud, and an outlet for connection to a source of suction and downstream of the shroud structure, through which air is drawn from the separation chamber, wherein at least one of the struts of the shroud structure defines a recess in which an adhesive is provided, and a portion of the screen is attached to one or more of the struts by the adhesive.
An upholstery tool for use with a surface cleaning apparatus, the apparatus including a source of suction, wherein the tool includes a body including a dirty air inlet in a tool surface which faces a surface to be cleaned in use, wherein the dirty air inlet includes a first inlet section which extends across the surface and terminates in peripheral bleed air inlets a second inlet section which extends across the surface and terminates in peripheral bleed air inlets; and a third inlet section which fluidly connects the first and second inlet sections; and an outlet for fluid communication with the source of suction fluidly connected to the dirty air inlet.
An accessory tool for a surface cleaning apparatus, the apparatus including a source of suction, the tool including a body including a dirty air inlet in a tool surface which faces a surface to be cleaned in use; and a neck connected to the body, the neck including first and second passages fluidly connected to each other; wherein the first passage has a smaller cross sectional area than the second passage; wherein the dirty air inlet is fluidly connected to the first and second passages; wherein the first passage has a cross sectional area which is formed by first and second sides connected by third and fourth sides; and wherein the third and fourth sides generally extend towards each other as they extend from the second side to the first side.
A tool for a surface cleaning apparatus, including: a floor head including a floor facing surface which defines an inlet for receiving dirt-laden air, which inlet is generally positioned in a first plane P; a passage for carrying dirt-laden air from the floor head to the apparatus; a connecting member for connecting the tool to a surface cleaning apparatus, wherein the floor head and connecting member are pivotally connected about an axis A; and a blocking device for inhibiting pivotal movement of the connecting member about axis A, wherein the blocking device is moveable to a blocking condition in which pivotal movement of the connecting member downwardly outside of a pre-determined use condition is inhibited.
A47L 5/26 - Hand-supported suction cleaners with driven dust-loosening tools
A47L 5/22 - Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum with rotary fans
A47L 5/28 - Suction cleaners with handles and nozzles fixed on the casings, e.g. wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle
A47L 9/04 - Nozzles with driven brushes or agitators
A47L 9/00 - Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating actionStoring devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereofCarrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
A surface cleaning apparatus (10) is described including: a dirt collection container (18b); an inlet passage (99) leading to the dirt collection container (18b) through which dirt-laden air is drawn by a source of suction; and a moveable blocking member (120) positioned in the passage (99); wherein the blocking member (120) is moveable between a blocking position, in which the passage (99) is blocked or substantially blocked, and an unblocking position, in which air can pass through the passage (99), wherein the apparatus includes a receiving formation (130) for receiving at least a portion of the moveable blocking member (120) when the blocking member is in its unblocking position.
A47L 9/16 - Arrangement or disposition of cyclones or other devices with centrifugal action
A47L 5/22 - Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum with rotary fans
patents