Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a dirt chamber. The dirt chamber comprises a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the dirt chamber is transparent and the second portion has an increased opacity compared to the first portion to simulate a dirt fill line.

Abstract: A surface cleaning head for a vacuum cleaner comprises an open sided air flow passage upstream of an n enclosed air flow passage extending from an opening in the surface cleaning head to an air outlet. The open sided airflow chamber comprising an upper wall and a rear depending wall extending downwardly from the upper wall. The rear depending wall has a lower end that is positioned above the lower end of wheels. The opening is provided in a rear half of the upper wall of the air flow chamber forwardly of the rear depending wall and inwardly of the sides.

Abstract: A hand vacuum cleaner comprises at least one cyclone and at least one dirt collection chamber. The dirt collection chamber has an openable door positioned at the front end of the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A hand vacuum cleaner comprises an airflow passage extending from a nozzle having a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet. A first cyclone unit is positioned in the airflow passage. The first cyclone unit comprises at least one cyclone having a cyclone inlet and at least one dirt collection chamber. A suction motor is positioned in the airflow passage. The dirt collection chamber and the nozzle are removable from the surface cleaning apparatus.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises at least one cyclone and at least one dirt collection chamber.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has a front, an upper portion and a lower portion. The vacuum cleaner comprises an air flow passage extending from a nozzle having a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet. A cyclone unit comprises at least one cyclone having a cyclone air inlet positioned in the air flow passage. A suction motor is positioned in the air flow passage. In one aspect, the vacuum cleaner is a hand vacuum cleaner and the nozzle is positioned at a lower portion of the hand vacuum cleaner and preferably below the vacuum cleaner. In another aspect, the vacuum cleaner is a hand vacuum cleaner and the nozzle includes a lower open sided passage. In accordance with another aspect, the vacuum cleaner has an air treatment member that is positioned at least partially above the air inlet.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a suction motor and fan housing wherein at least a portion of the suction motor and fan housing forms part of an outer casing of the surface cleaning apparatus and a portion of the housing is recessed inwardly.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises at least one cyclone and at least one dirt collection chamber. The at least one cyclone has a cyclone air inlet, a cyclone air outlet and a removably mounted shroud surrounding the cyclone air outlet. The at least one dirt collection chamber comprises an opening and an openable door covering the opening. The shroud is removable through the opening when the door is open.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus may comprise a surface cleaning head having a dirt inlet and an upright section moveably mounted to the surface cleaning head. The upright section may comprise an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower upper portion may be rotatable relative to the lower portion about an axis that intersects a longitudinal axis of at least one of the upper and lower portions. The upright surface cleaning apparatus may also comprise a wheel provided on the upright section.

Abstract: Various uses and constructions for an open sided nozzle for a surface cleaning apparatus are provided. Alternate constructions for a surface cleaning head are also provided.

Abstract: A surface cleaning head comprises an upper section and a lower section. A front portion of the upper section extends forwardly of the lower section. At least a section of the front portion is transparent.

Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus comprises a platform that is configured to support the portable surface cleaning apparatus when the platform is placed on a floor, wherein a dirty air inlet positioned other than on the platform. A component of the portable surface cleaning apparatus may be removable or openable. The removable portion is preferably at an end opposed to the platform. The openable portion is also preferably located at an end opposed to the platform. The platform therefore provides a base on which a vacuum cleaner may be disassembled or serviced.

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 surface cleaning apparatus comprises a filtration apparatus comprising at least one cyclone and at least one filter mounted in a filter housing. The filter housing has a lower portion, such as a bottom door, that is openable and the filter is visible, and a dirt collection area upstream of the filter is emptyable, when the lower portion is opened.

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: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a floor cleaning unit and an upright section comprising a handle drivingly connected to the surface cleaning head. The surface cleaning apparatus also comprises a cyclone mounted on the upright section and positioned in the air flow passage. The cyclone is inverted and/or has an external dirt collection chamber.

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 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 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.