Abstract: A bagless vacuum cleaner includes a separating unit for separating dirt and dust from a dirt-laden airflow which is drawn in by the cleaner. The separating unit has a chamber with a collection area for collecting dirt and dust which is separated from the airflow. A base of the separating unit is movable between a closed position and an open position. The base is released by a trigger and a linking mechanism. A seal fits against the base and, in use, wipes a portion of the surface against which it seals as the base moves towards the closed position.

Abstract: A hose and wand assembly for a domestic appliance includes a flexible hose portion, a rigid wand portion and a handgrip portion. The hose terminates in a curved end portion which couples to the wand in such a manner that the hose is able to swivel about the longitudinal axis of the wand. The end portion has an outlet which communicates with the interior of the wand. A support is located on the outer wall of the end portion upstream of the outlet. The support is capable of pivotal movement about the longitudinal axis of the rigid wand portion. The hose is also rotatable with respect to the wand about the longitudinal axis of the hose.

Abstract: The invention provides cyclonic separating apparatus comprising an upstream cyclone unit and a downstream cyclone unit, the upstream cyclone unit including at least one cyclone having a first end and a second end, and the downstream cyclone unit including at least one cyclone having a first end and a second end. The upstream and downstream cyclone units of the cyclonic separation apparatus are arranged relative to one another so that the orientation of at least one cyclone of the downstream cyclone unit is substantially inverted with respect to the orientation of at least one cyclone of the upstream cyclone unit. The arrangement provides an apparatus in which good separation efficiency is achieved as well as low pressure drop across the apparatus as a whole.

Abstract: A bagless vacuum cleaner includes a separating unit for separating dirt and dust from a dirt-laden airflow which is drawn in by the cleaner. The separating unit has a chamber with a collection area for collecting dirt and dust which is separated from the airflow. A base of the separating unit is movable between a closed position and an open position. The base may be released by a trigger and a linking mechanism. The releasing mechanism is operable to apply an opening force to the base to push the base open, thereby allowing a tightly fining seal to be fitted to the base.

Abstract: The invention provides a cyclonic separating apparatus that includes a plurality of cyclones, each having an inlet and being arranged in parallel with one another, and a passageway arranged upstream of the cyclones for carrying an airflow to the inlets of the cyclones, wherein dividers are provided in the passageway for dividing the airflow within the passageway into a number of separate flowpaths, the number of flowpaths being equal to the number of cyclones, and wherein the cross-sectional area of each flowpath (142a), decreases along the direction of air flow.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner with an external surface incorporates a cyclonic separating apparatus that includes a plurality of cyclones arranged in parallel with one another. The cyclones each have a tapered body with an outside wall and are arranged so that at least a part of each outside wall forms part of the external surface of the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: The invention provides a mechanism suitable for lifting an appliance, particularly a domestic appliance. The mechanism (2) comprises a generally cylindrical body (8) having a wall (50) and a longitudinal axis (16) which extends in an upward direction. At least one rolling support member (20) is rotatably mounted on an axle (100) beneath the body (8). A housing (6) having a generally cylindrical socket portion (200) with an inner surface (208) receives the body (8). The wall (50) and the inner surface (208) incorporate opposing camming surfaces (62) (210) such that when the body (8) is rotated about the axis (16) with respect to the socket portion (200), the camming surfaces (62) (210) co-operate. The housing (6) is moved axially with respect to the body (8) and away from the at least one rolling support member (20). The mechanism (2) lifts the appliance (400) from a resting position and into an elevated position ready for manoeuvring.

Abstract: The invention provides a washing machine (10) having a front panel (11), a tube (14) for containing articles to be washed, a water inlet (16) for admitting water to the tub, a water outlet (26) for discharging water from the tub (14), a pump (50) for pumping water from the tub (14) to the water outlet (26) and a cointrap (60) located in the water outlet (26) between the tub (14) and the pump (50), characterised in that the cointrap (60) is positioned within the front panel (11) to allow the contents of the cointrap (60) to be viewed.

Abstract: The invention provides refrigerating apparatus (10;100) for chilling an object (26), the refrigerating apparatus (10;100) comprising a chamber (12;112) having a longitudinal axis (18;118), an inlet (22;122) and an outlet (24;124) spaced along the longitudinal axis (18;118), the refrigerating apparatus (10;100) further comprising means for generating a fluid flow, characterised in that notation means (128) are provided for causing the fluid flow to follow a helical path about the longitudinal axis (18;118) within the chamber (12;112) between the inlet (22;122) and the outlet (24;124).

Abstract: The invention provides drying apparatus including a first chamber for receiving articles to be dried and having an outlet, a second chamber having an outlet, and a fan having a fan inlet and a fan outlet, the fan inlet communicating with the outlet of the first chamber and the fan outlet communicating with the second chamber. The apparatus further includes a vacuum pump communicating with the outlet of the second chamber so that transfer of thermal energy can take place between the first and second chambers. The invention also provides a method of drying including placing articles into a first chamber, evacuating a significant proportion of the air from the first chamber and from a second chamber, evacuating water vapor from the first chamber to the second chamber, allowing the water vapor to condense in the second chamber, and transferring thermal energy from the second chamber to the first chamber.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of manufacturing a laundry appliance (10) which comprises the steps of: a) manufacturing and assembling, in a first location, a laundry appliance (10) comprising an outer casing (12) in which is mounted a means for washing and/or drying laundry (102), the outer casing (12) including a fascia (20), the fascia (20) being removable from the outer casing (12); b) transporting the laundry appliance (10) to a second location; c) manufacturing at least one alternative fascia attachable to the outer casing (12) of the laundry appliance (10), the or each alternative fascia differing from the fascia (20) by colour material or finish; d) transporting the or each alternative fascia to the second location; e) selecting the or an alternative fascia; and f) replacing the fascia (20) with the selected alternative fascia so as to change the final appearance of the laundry appliance (10). The invention provides a further method of manufacturing a laundry appliance (10).

Abstract: The invention provides a method of operating a laundry appliance (10) comprising an outer casing (12) and a drum (50) rotatably mounted within the outer casing (12), the drum (50) having at least two rotatable portions (60, 70) which are capable of being rotated in either a synchronized mode or a non-synchronized mode, the method comprising the steps of: (a) introducing water to the interior of the drum (50); (b) heating the water to a desired temperature; (c) rotating the drum (50) to effect a washing action; and (d) spinning the drum (50) at a relatively high speed so as to remove water therefrom. In one aspect, the drum (50) is rotated in the non-synchronized mode either during or immediately after the step of introducing water to the interior of the drum (50). This helps to distribute the washing liquid throughout the wash load.

Abstract: A filter housing (60) comprises an inlet for receiving airflow, a cavity for receiving a filter (70) and an airflow passage between the inlet and the filter (70). At least one vane (65a, 65b, 65c) is positioned in the airflow passage for partitioning the airflow passage into a plurality of ducts (51, 52, 53). Each vane (65a, 65b) has a non-linear shape in the direction of flow through the airflow passage. This helps to reduce acoustic emissions from the machine since sound waves emitted by the fan and/or motor are caused to bounce off the vanes (65a, 65b), which allows the vanes (65a, 65b) to absorb some of the sound energy. The filter housing (60) can form part of a vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A filter housing includes an inlet for receiving an airflow, a cavity for receiving a filter and an airflow passage between the inlet and the cavity. At least one vane, positioned in the airflow passage, partitions the airflow passage into a plurality of ducts. The vanes lie adjacent to, or contact, the upstream surface of the filter such that each duct communicates with a separate portion of the upstream surface of the filter. The airflow passage extends in a direction which is inclined to the upstream surface of the filter. The vanes help to distribute the flow of air more evenly across the surface of the filter and also help to reduce acoustic emissions from the machine of which the filter housing forms a part.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus comprising a drum for containing and agitating an article, wherein the drum comprises at least two rotatable portions in rotatable connection with one another, a rotator member in connection with each rotatable portion for rotating the portion about an axis. The apparatus is preferably a washing machine, and the method of operating the apparatus comprises inserting at least one article, preferably a plurality of articles, into the drum; and rotating each rotatable portion independently of one another to agitate the article or articles.