Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner comprising a vac-motor for drawing dirty air in through a floor-engaging cleaner head on the vacuum cleaner, a separating apparatus for separating dirt from the dirty air, an elongate air duct for carrying air to or from the separating apparatus, and a suction wand which is stored on the vacuum cleaner and which can be connected to the separating apparatus via a hose as required to clean above the floor. The external surface of the air duct defines an elongate recess for receiving the stored suction wand such that the air duct partly surrounds the stored wand. This provides a compact configuration.

Abstract: A cyclonic separator comprising a cyclone chamber defined between an outer wall and a shroud. The shroud comprises an inlet opening through which fluid enters the cyclone chamber, and a plurality of perforations through which fluid exits the cyclone chamber. Fluid within the cyclone chamber is then free to spiral about the shroud and over the inlet opening.

Abstract: A hand held appliance, such as a hairdryer, includes a body, a duct, a fluid flow path extending through the duct from a first fluid inlet of the appliance to a first fluid outlet of the appliance. A primary fluid flow path extends from a second fluid inlet through which a primary fluid flow enters the appliance to a second fluid outlet. A fan unit is located in the primary fluid flow path for drawing fluid through the second fluid inlet. A filter is located in the primary fluid flow path. Fluid is drawn through the fluid flow path by fluid emitted from the second fluid outlet. A heater is provided in the body and extends at least partially along and around the duct.

Abstract: A fan assembly for creating an air current includes an air outlet mounted on a stand. The stand includes a base and a body tiltable relative to the base. Each of the base and the body has an outer surface shaped so that adjoining portions of the outer surfaces are substantially flush when the body is in the untilted position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hand dryer for drying a user's hands by means of an airflow discharged through an air outlet on the hand dryer. The airflow is generated by a motor-driven fan unit. The hand dryer comprises a plurality of air intakes, the air intakes being connected to the fan unit to form a plurality of parallel air-intake paths. Each air intake path is provided with a separate air-filter. The air-filters may be replaceable for individual replacement as required.

Abstract: A cleaning appliance includes separating apparatus for separating dirt from a dirt-bearing fluid flow, a floor engaging rolling assembly housing a motor driven fan unit for drawing the fluid flow through the separating apparatus, a chassis connected to the rolling assembly, and a duct for conveying the fluid flow to the separating apparatus. To improve the stability of the appliance, the duct has an inlet section which is connected to the chassis for pivoting movement relative to the chassis as the appliance is maneuvered over a floor surface. An outlet section for coupling the inlet section to the separating apparatus is releasably connected to the rolling assembly to facilitate the removal of any blockages within the duct.

Abstract: A cyclonic separator comprising a cyclone chamber defined between an outer wall and a shroud. The shroud comprises an inlet opening through which fluid enters the cyclone chamber, and a plurality of perforations through which fluid exits the cyclone chamber. Fluid within the cyclone chamber is then free to spiral about the shroud and over the inlet opening.

Abstract: A dental cleaning appliance includes a handle, and a cleaning tool detachably connected to the handle. The cleaning tool includes a nozzle for delivering a burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user, a stem extending between the handle and the nozzle, and a fluid reservoir for storing working fluid. The fluid reservoir is connected to, and extends around, the stem.

Abstract: A dental cleaning appliance includes a handle, and a cleaning tool detachably connected to the handle. The cleaning tool includes a nozzle for delivering a burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user, a stem extending between the handle and the nozzle, and a fluid reservoir for storing working fluid. The fluid reservoir is connected to, and extends around, the stem.

Abstract: A fan assembly for creating an air current is described, the fan assembly having a nozzle, a system for creating an air flow through the nozzle and a filter for removing particulates from the air flow, the nozzle having an interior passage, a mouth for receiving the air flow from the interior passage, and a Coanda surface located adjacent the mouth and over which the mouth is arranged to direct the air flow, wherein the fan provides an arrangement producing an air current and a flow of cooling air created without requiring a bladed fan, i.e. air flow is created by a bladeless fan.

Abstract: A hair care appliance including a body, and a handle having a first end in fluid communication with the body and a second end comprising a primary fluid inlet into the appliance wherein the primary fluid inlet includes a first aperture extending at least partially around the handle and a second aperture extending through the second end of the handle. The handle can include an end wall that is substantially orthogonal to the handle at the second end with the second aperture extending through the end wall. The first aperture may be adjacent the second end. The handle may include a fan unit for drawing fluid into the primary fluid inlet upstream of the primary fluid inlet. The first aperture may include a plurality of apertures extending at least partially around and along the handle. The second aperture may include a plurality of apertures extending through the handle end.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wall-mountable hand dryer of the type which uses an air-knife to wipe the water from a user's hand. In accordance with the invention, the hand dryer is configured to have a maximum depth, front-to-back, of less than 150 mm when it is surface-mounted on—not recessed within—the wall. The air-knife is discharged downwardly through one or more discharge apertures on the dryer. These discharge apertures are configured so that the air-knife is discharged in front of the wall or a rear part of the dryer, and is discharged forwards towards the user at a downward angle. The downward angle of the air-knife is such that the air-knife projects to a distance of at least 75 mm in front of the wall or, as the case may be, in front of the rear part of the dryer.

Abstract: A hair care appliance comprising a body, a fluid flow path extending through the body from a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet and a PCB extending about the fluid flow path. The PCB may be annular. The PCB may be isolated from the fluid flow path. The PCB may comprise a first layer and a second layer. The first layer may extend substantially continuously about the fluid flow path and the second layer may extend partially about the fluid flow path. The second layer may be adjacent the first layer and may be downstream of the first layer. The body may comprise a duct and the fluid flow path extends through the duct. The PCB may extend about the duct. The body may comprise a primary fluid flow path extending about the duct which may be in fluid communication with the PCB.