Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed that pick up and clean landscape rock using air under vacuum pressure. This apparatus provides a means for cleaning and reusing rock that has become aesthetically unattractive instead of removing the old landscape rock and replacing it with new rock. The invention also includes a device for separating debris from the vacuum airstream. This device may be used in combination with the device for picking up and cleaning landscape rock or may be used independently.

Abstract: A cyclonic separating apparatus for a cleaning appliance includes a plurality of cyclonic separators arranged in series for separating particles from a dirt- and dust-laden airflow, at least two or three collectors for collecting separated dirt and dust, and a closure member movable between a closed position in which the closure member closes an end of each collector and an open position in which separated dirt and dust can be emptied from the collectors. The ends of the collectors are separated by dividing walls. A expandable seal is provided between the closure member and the dividing walls to seal when the closure member is in the closed position. The expandable seal is able to seal effectively even if the closure member is misaligned, incorrectly fitted or if dirt and dust is present between the surfaces to be sealed.

Abstract: A multi-cyclone dust separator is provided, including a first cyclone unit that centrifugally separates dust from dust-laden air drawn into the first cyclone unit through a first air inlet, and a second cyclone unit that is formed inside the first cyclone unit, wherein the second cyclone unit includes a second cyclone body that has a second air inlet through which the air, from which the dust is separated by the first cyclone unit, enters the second cyclone body, and a guide unit that enables the air entering the second cyclone unit to be rotated.

Abstract: A dust collection unit for a vacuum cleaner includes a first dust collection part for filtering foreign objects in air, a second dust collection part for filtering foreign objects in the air that has passed through the first dust collection part, and a dust collection container having first and second dust collection chambers that correspond to the first and second dust collection parts, respectively. The first and second dust collection chambers store the foreign objects filtered by the respectively first and second dust collection parts in a state where parts of the respective first and second dust collection parts are received in the respective first and second dust collection chambers and the first and second dust collection chambers are provided in a line.

Abstract: A dust separating apparatus for a vacuum cleaner which is compact in configuration and is capable of preventing dirt from piling up on an entrance channel is provided. The dust separating apparatus includes a dust collecting receptacle adapted to collect dirt, and a cyclone unit eccentrically disposed in the dust collecting receptacle and adapted to whirl air drawn in through an inflow channel thereof, and the inflow channel may have an inclined upper surface which slopes downward toward a bottom of the dust collecting receptacle by a predetermined angle.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a vacuum cleaner body, a cyclone unit which is mounted at the vacuum cleaner body, and separates dust from drawn air, a dust separating unit which is engaged with a lower end of the cyclone unit, said dust separating unit being configured to collect separated dust, said dust separating unit being detachable from the cyclone, and said dust separating unit comprising a compressing plate compressing the collected dust; and a driving unit which is disposed at a lower end of the dust separating unit, said driving unit being configured to ascend and descend the dust separating unit to be detachably connected to the cyclone unit and drives the compressing plate.

Abstract: A dust-collecting unit for a vacuum cleaner is provided which detachably connected with a cleaner body of the vacuum cleaner. The dust-collecting unit includes a dust receptacle which is disposed under a dust separator disposed in the cleaner body, for collecting dust separated from air by the dust separator and dropping down from the dust separator, a dust receptacle ascending/descending part which is disposed under the dust receptacle and is pivoted in a direction or a reverse direction to ascend or descend the dust receptacle and to press-lock or unlock the dust receptacle to or from the dust separator, and a handle which extends from one side of the dust receptacle ascending/descending part along a lengthwise direction of the dust receptacle and has a gap with respect to a circumferential surface of the dust receptacle.

Abstract: A cyclonic separating apparatus includes a first cyclonic separating unit including at least one first cyclone, a second cyclonic separating unit located downstream of the first cyclonic separating unit and including at least one second cyclone, and a third cyclonic separating unit located downstream of the second cyclonic separating unit and including at least one third cyclone. The separation efficiency of the second cyclonic separating unit is substantially the same as the separation efficiency of either the first cyclonic separating unit or the third separating unit, providing an apparatus which achieves a higher separation efficiency than known separation apparatus.

Abstract: A cyclone dust collector is provided, including a cyclone unit that includes a first cyclone unit including a cyclone chamber to separate dust from dust-laden air, and a second cyclone unit, which is mounted in the first cyclone unit, including a plurality of cones to separate fine dust, and a cover unit that is formed on the cyclone unit to gather air discharged from the second cyclone unit and guide the air outside the cyclone dust collector, wherein the first cyclone unit includes a blocking plate at a lower part of the first cyclone unit, the blocking plate including a plurality of holes that are in fluid communication with the plurality of cones.

Abstract: A multi cyclone collector with an improved structure is disclosed for providing the highest number of second cyclone collector (300) by disposing a plurality of second cyclone collector (300) in a non circular shape (400) arrangement along a first cyclone collector, thereby increasing collecting efficiency.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner with a cyclone module assembly comprises a cyclone separation chamber for separating dust and debris from air, a dirt cup for collecting dust and debris that is separated from the air in the cyclone separation chamber, and a vortex stabilizer. The vortex stabilizer can be pivotally mounted to the cyclone separation chamber to allow access to the cyclone separation chamber when the dirt cup is removed from the cyclone module assembly.

Abstract: A portable vacuum cleaner having at least first and second cleaning stages wherein the first cleaning stage has a dirt collection member and the second cleaning stage comprises a plurality of cyclones and at least one dirt collection chamber, wherein the first and second cleaning stages are emptied separately. One cleaning stage can be removably mounted from the vacuum cleaner without removing another cleaning stage.

Abstract: A dust separating apparatus of a vacuum cleaner includes cyclone units connected such that air passes from one cyclone unit to another cyclone unit in sequence. Each of the cyclone units receives air, swirl the air, and separate dust from the air. The cyclone units are placed within another cyclone unit from which it receives the air.

Abstract: An indoor vacuum cleaner comprises a dirty air inlet, a handle, a cyclone separator having an outer wall, a fluid inlet downstream from the dirty air inlet and a fluid outlet, a plate having a cyclone chamber surface and positioned to substantially divide the cyclone separator into a cyclone chamber and a dirt collection chamber, each of the cyclone chamber and the dirt collection chamber having an outer wall, the outer wall of each of the cyclone chamber and the dirt collection chamber having an outer perimeter, the dirt collection chamber having a cyclone chamber end spaced from a dirt collection floor, a passage extending between the cyclone chamber and the dirt collection chamber, the passage configured such that separated dirt travels at least outwardly as the dirt travels through the passage and, an air flow motor.

Abstract: A multi-cyclone dust separating apparatus includes a cyclone unit and a separable filter assembly adapted to be disposed at least partially in a discharge path of the cyclone unit. The cyclone unit includes a main cyclone, a secondary cyclone adapted to be disposed at substantially a same plane as the main cyclone, and a dust collecting casing adapted to substantially surround the main cyclone and the secondary cyclone. The dust collecting casing includes a dust chamber to collect dust separated at the main cyclone and the secondary cyclone.

Abstract: A dust-collecting apparatus of a vacuum cleaner includes a first dust-collecting unit, a second dust-collecting unit, and a dust receptacle. The second dust-collecting unit is adapted to be mounted to one side of the first dust-collecting unit. The dust receptacle is adapted to be mounted on a lower part of both the first and the second dust-collecting units, and the dust receptacle is adapted to store dust separated by the first and the second dust-collecting units. The first and second dust-collecting units are arranged so that air discharged from the first dust-collecting unit enters the second dust-collecting unit.

Abstract: A purge exhaust processor includes an inlet chamber receiving a purge exhaust. A portion of the purge exhaust including at least one of moisture, air, and oil is passed from the inlet chamber to a sump volume. A heat source changes a phase of the moisture from liquid to gas. A wick transfers the oil from the sump volume to an oil collector.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a dust collector that compresses dust stored inside a dust container to minimize the volume of the dust. The dust collector would include one or more pressing plates that are used to compress the dust stored in dust collector. Various methods are used to control movements of the movable pressing plates to facilitate the compression operations. Also, various methods are used to determine when the dust collector is full and needs to be emptied.

Abstract: A dust collecting apparatus for a vacuum cleaner is provided. The dust collecting apparatus includes a dust collecting unit detachably mounted in a main body of the vacuum cleaner, to separate and collect dust from drawn-in air flowing therein; a filter unit disposed above the dust collecting unit, the filter unit comprising a filter to filter fine dust particles contained in air from which the dust has been separated by the dust collecting unit; a top cover to cover the filter unit and to discharge the air filtered through the filter; a rotating unit, which is disposed inside the filter unit, to strike a portion of the filter and to remove the fine dust particles attached to the filter; and a dust compression plate to compress the collected dust while being moved up and down inside the dust collecting unit by power transferred from the rotating unit.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a dirt inlet, a handle, a cyclone separator having an outer wall, a fluid inlet downstream from the dirt air inlet and a fluid outlet, a plate having a cyclone chamber surface and positioned to substantially divide the cyclone separator into a cyclone chamber and a dirt collection chamber, the plate being removably mounted in the cyclone separator, a passage extending between the cyclone chamber and the dirt collection chamber and a fluid flow motor.

Abstract: Provided is a dust collector of a vacuum cleaner. The dust collector includes a dust separating unit forming a separation space for separating dust from air, a collector body forming a dust storage for storing the dust separated in the dust separating unit, and a dust guide passage connecting the separation space to the dust storage and guiding the separated dust to be discharged from the separation space in a tangential direction.

Abstract: A cyclone dust-separating apparatus of a vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The cyclone dust-separating apparatus includes at least one cyclone having a cyclone body, which rotates air to separate dust or dirt therefrom, which has an air inflow part and an air discharging part, and which is installed in such a manner that a longitudinal axis thereof is substantially horizontally arranged, and a dust collecting unit to store the dust or dirt separated by the cyclone unit. The cyclone body is formed in a convex cylinder shape, so that a diameter thereof in the vicinity of an entrance of the air discharging part through which the air is discharged comes maximum.

Abstract: The multi-cyclone dust separating apparatus includes a first cyclone unit having a body and including an air inlet disposed at a side of the body, a first cyclone chamber adapted to form a first space for whirling air from the air inlet to separate dust form the air; a second cyclone unit adapted to be detachably disposed at the body of the first cyclone unit and including, a second air inlet to draw the air from the first cyclone chamber, at least one cyclone for whirling the air from the first cyclone chamber to provide a second separation of dust from the air; and a dust bin adapted to be detachably mounted to at least one of the second cyclone unit and the first cyclone unit.

Abstract: A separator assembly for removing material that is entrained in a gas stream. The separator assembly comprises a housing having a head part which provides the upper end of the housing and a body part which provides the lower end of the housing. The separator assembly also comprises a shield which extends across the housing towards the lower end thereof so as to leave a collection space between it and the lower end in which material that is separated from the gas stream can collect. There is at least one opening in or around the shield through which the material can flow past the shield into the collection space. The separator assembly further comprises a liner sleeve which covers at least a part of the inside wall of the body part between the shield and the upper end of the body part.

Abstract: The apparatus serves for the separation of liquid from a fluid flow loaded with liquid droplets, which can be directed through separator structures in counterflow to separated liquid. The separated liquid flows away on surfaces of the separator structures into a collector located at the inlet are of a separator structure. The collectors are, in turn, connected to a collection line via a collection passage.

Abstract: A cyclonic separating apparatus includes a chamber for separating dirt and dust from an airflow, an inlet to the chamber and a shroud. The shroud includes a wall having inner and outer surfaces and a multiplicity of through-holes forming an outlet from the chamber. Each through-hole has an axis. The inner surface of the wall has a serrated profile having a plurality of serrations arranged around at least a part of the circumference of the wall, each serration having a first face and a second face. At least one through-hole passes through the first face of at least one serration. By providing a plurality of serrations around the inner circumference of the wall, the airflow is forced to follow a longer path through each through-hole for when compared to conventional arrangements. This reduces the amount of dirt and dust which is able to pass through the shroud.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a debris receiving drawer is mounted in a receptacle bay slideable between a single closed position and an open position, wherein the drawer includes a basin, a channel from the basin, and an outlet from the channel. The basin is configured to guide debris entering the basin toward the channel and the channel is configured to channel debris to the outlet.

Abstract: The bagger attachment for a leaf blower has a large container that accommodates full size trash bags. The container is a barrel mounted on a wheeled cart and includes a cover that is hinged to the container and securely closed by a C-clamp. The exhaust conduit of a leaf blower is secured in an aperture in the cover. A filter is mounted on the cover to allow air from the vacuum to escape the container, permitting the collected leaves and debris to remain inside the container. A flexible hose is attached to the suction end of the blower for pulling the leaves and debris into the container. A trash bag is placed in the container. The container also includes a pivoting platform inside the barrel for supporting the trash bag thereon. A door is provided for allowing access to the interior of the container.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a dirt inlet, a handle, at least a first cleaning stage comprising a plurality of cyclones in parallel and a plurality of dirt collection chambers that are emptied concurrently wherein the plurality of cyclones and the plurality of dirt collection chambers are removable as a unit from the surface cleaning apparatus, and an air flow motor.

Abstract: A robot cleaner that has a dust collection unit with a cyclone part generating an ascending rotary air current from the dust-laden air being drawn in through a lower part thereof, separating the dust from the air using a centrifugal force, and discharging the dust-separated air to the lower part through a center part, and a collection part surrounding the cyclone part to receive the dust being centrifugally separated.

Abstract: A cyclone dust-separating apparatus is disclosed. The dust-separating apparatus includes a cyclone unit having an air inlet and an air outlet so as to remove dust or dirt from air, and a dust bin joined to a bottom end of the cyclone unit so as to store the dust or dirt separated by the cyclone unit. The cyclone unit is installed in such a manner that a longitudinal axis thereof is substantially horizontally arranged. The dust bin is installed in such a manner that a longitudinal axis thereof is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cyclone unit. The dust bin has an air outflow passage connected with the air outlet, so that air discharged from the cyclone unit passes through the dust bin and then discharges in a bottom end direction of the dust bin.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a dust collector that compresses dust stored inside a dust container to minimize the volume of the dust. The dust collector would include one or more pressing plates that are used to compress the dust stored in dust collector. Various methods are used to control movements of the movable pressing plates to facilitate the compression operations. Also, various methods are used to determine when the dust collector is full and needs to be emptied.

Abstract: A cyclone separating apparatus for a vacuum cleaner includes a first cyclone having an inclined part and adapted for separating dust and air; a first dust chamber adapted to be disposed substantially around the first cyclone and to be in fluid communication with the first cyclone; at least one second cyclone for separating dust and air adapted to be disposed above the first cyclone and to be in fluid communication with the first cyclone; and a second dust chamber adapted to be in disposed within the first cyclone and to be in fluid communication with the second cyclone.

Abstract: A cyclonic separator assembly for a vacuum cleaner, the assembly including a first cyclonic separator for effecting a first stage of dust separation from the suction airflow of the cleaner, and at least one further cyclonic separator for further separation of dust from the air flow following the first separator, and a receptacle for separated dust, the receptacle including respective receiving portions for receiving dust separated by the first separator and the further separator(s), wherein the respective portions of the dust receptacle are able to be emptied separately from one another.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a dirt inlet, a handle, a cyclonic cleaning unit comprising a plurality of cyclones and at least one dirt collection chamber, each of the plurality of cyclones having an outer wall, an interior, a fluid inlet downstream from the dirt inlet and a fluid outlet, the at least one dirt collection chamber having an outer wall and an interior, wherein the surface cleaning apparatus is constructed such that the interior of the at least one dirt collection chamber is visible from a position exterior to the surface cleaning apparatus and a fluid flow motor. The surface cleaning apparatus may have a filter with a housing that is at least partially transparent.

Abstract: A removable dust collecting receptacle for use in a dust compartment of a vacuum cleaner, comprising a dust separator, which functions according to the centrifugal force principle and which has a dust collecting compartment for collecting a dust fraction separated out of the air by the dust separator. The suction power of the vacuum cleaner is maintained over a long period of time by virtue of the fact that the dust collecting receptacle has at least one second dust collecting compartment for collecting at least one second dust fraction separated out by a separating device. The fine dust collected in the second dust collecting compartment via the separating device can no longer reach the filter, and the filter surface is prevented or largely prevented from being clogged by fine dust.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an assembly including a receptacle having a drawer slidable in the receptacle for receiving debris into a suction debris collection system; the drawer includes: a floor; walls extending up from the floor, the floor and the walls defining a chamber having a forward part and a rearward part; an outlet from the rearward part of the chamber; and a seal configured to prevent the passage of air through an opening to the suction system when the drawer is in a closed position and suction is supplied to the opening.

Abstract: A cyclone collector is provided that includes a body having an inlet that draws air therein, a cyclone provided inside of the body, and an outlet that discharges air from the body. The outlet includes a passage portion having a passage and a closed portion under the passage portion.

Abstract: A separating apparatus for a cleaning appliance, such as a vacuum cleaner, includes a separator for separating dirt and dust from a fluid flow and a collecting chamber arranged to collect dirt and dust separated by the separator. A first catch for opening a closure member on the collecting chamber is provided, with first releasing means for releasing this catch. There is also provided a second catch for releasing the collecting chamber from the separator and second releasing means for releasing the second catch. The second releasing means is inaccessible when the first catch is engaged. A cover associated with the first releasing means obscures the second releasing means until the first catch has been released. The invention prevents the user from accidentally releasing the collecting chamber from the separator when it was the user's intention simply to empty dirt and dust from the collecting chamber.

Abstract: A cyclone dust collecting apparatus for a vacuum cleaner includes a first cyclone, a second cyclone disposed inside the first cyclone, and an air guiding member to form an entrance of the second cyclone through which semi-clean air discharged from the first cyclone enters. The air guiding member includes a grill member to have a plurality of holes, and a plurality of guiding blades disposed inside the grill member.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus having an outer surface and comprises a dirt inlet, a handle, a cyclone separator having a cyclone separator interior and an outer wall having an inner surface, the cyclone separator comprising a cyclone chamber and a dirt collection chamber, the dirt collection chamber and the cyclone chamber each having an outer wall, the surface cleaning apparatus is constructed such that the cyclone separator interior is visible from a position exterior to the surface cleaning apparatus, an illumination member positioned to provide illumination to at least a portion of the cyclone separator interior, and a fluid flow motor.

Abstract: A pneumatic cleaner that can be worn as a backpack has a reduced unit overall depth. The impeller shaft is mounted at an acute angle. Tangential airflow chambers are disposed around the motor assembly and substantially surround the impeller. Two of the airflow chambers extend substantially the entire overall unit depth, and have lateral lengths that exceed the overall unit depth.

Abstract: A cyclone dust-separating apparatus includes a cyclone unit having air inflow and air outflow parts that separate dust or dirt from air, the cyclone unit being installed such that a longitudinal axis thereof is substantially horizontally arranged; a dust bin joined to a bottom end of the cyclone unit that collects the dust or dirt separated by the cyclone unit, the dust bin installed in such a manner that a longitudinal axis thereof is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cyclone unit; a nonporous envelope detachably disposed in the dust bin that stores the dust or dirt collected into the dust bin; and a pressure difference-generating passage to communicate an outlet of the air outflow part and the dust bin with each other so as to allow the nonporous envelope to come in contact with an inner surface of the dust bin by a pressure difference between the dust bin and the air outflow part.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner attachment useful to collect dispersed packing particulates and the like comprises a thin-walled polymeric enclosure defined by a plurality of generally planar panels surrounding at their free edges a receiving opening through which the particulates are collected by the vacuum draw against a perforated screening structure. As the particulates accumulate in the enclosure the large pressure drop across the outer ranks thereof produces inward pressure forces across the panels, resulting in the inward flexures thereof to assist in the retention of the particulates in the enclosure as it is moved over a collection receptacle.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner with cyclonic dirt separation and a bottom discharge dirt cup beneath the cyclone separator and a filter beneath the dirt cup and between the dirt cup and a suction motor inlet. A separator plate separates the cyclone separator from the dirt cup. Fins project from a sidewall of the dirt cup, and fingers projecting from a bottom wall of the dirt cup. A hollow standpipe in the dirt cup transports working air from the cyclone separator outlet to the filter.

Abstract: A purge exhaust processor includes an inlet chamber receiving a purge exhaust. A portion of the purge exhaust including at least one of moisture, air, and oil is passed from the inlet chamber to a sump volume. A heat source changes a phase of the moisture from liquid to gas. A wick transfers the oil from the sump volume to an oil collector.

Abstract: A portable well treating fluid mixing system includes: a supply tank having an inlet receiving pneumatically conveyed dry treating material; a cyclone separator having an inlet coupled to the supply tank and receiving dust laden air from the supply tank, and having a first outlet venting clean air and having a second outlet venting solids; a collection container having a first inlet coupled to the cyclone separator second outlet and receiving solids from the cyclone separator and having an outlet; and, a pump having an inlet coupled to the collection container outlet and a pump outlet coupled to the supply tank. In operation, the system continuously conveys dust from the collection container back into the supply tank to maintain the separator in proper operating condition and minimizes venting of dust during the transfer of material to the supply tank.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a drawer for receiving debris into a suction debris collection system includes: a floor; walls extending up from the floor, the floor and the walls defining a chamber having a forward part and a rearward part; an outlet from the rearward part of the chamber; and a seal configured to prevent the passage of air through an opening to the suction system when the drawer is in a closed position and suction is supplied to the opening.

Abstract: A dust collecting apparatus which is removably connected to a cleaner body is provided. The apparatus includes a cyclone body which forms a cyclone chamber and is in fluid communication with an air inlet passage on one side thereof; an exit pipe which is protruded from a bottom of the cyclone body to an upper side of the cyclone chamber; and a dust canister body which forms a dust collection chamber between the cyclone body and the dust canister body. The cyclone body is arranged eccentrically within the dust collection chamber so that a portion of the cyclone body has a common portion in contact with a portion of the dust canister body. The common portion is made of transparent materials to see through the cyclone chamber.

Abstract: This dust collecting unit for use in a cleaner includes an inlet port through which air and dust is taken in, a dust catch room into which the air and dust taken in through the inlet port is led, an air flow path for separating a part of air taken in through the inlet port and ensuring air flow, an air outlet port through which the air having passed through the dust catch room and the air flow path is discharged, and a filter provided on the upstream side of the air outlet port for preventing dust from flowing to the air outlet port from the dust catch room and the air flow path.