Abstract: The invention provides a vacuum cleaner (2) having a cleaner head (8) comprising a dirty air inlet (12) and a passage 20) forming an airflow path for dirty air entering the dirty air inlet (12). Access means (24, 26) are provided for allowing access to the airflow path (20) to facilitate cleaning thereof and or removal of blockages therefrom. A transparent portion is provided in an outer casing (22) of the cleaner head (8) to allow the interior of the airflow path (20) to be visually inspected. The improved vacuum cleaner facilitates use and maintenance of the vacuum cleaner (2) by enabling a user to easily and quickly detect and remove blockages in the airflow path (20) between the dirty air inlet (12) and dust separating apparatus (6).

Abstract: A bleed valve (30) for introducing bled fluid to a mainstream fluid through apparatus (16) across which a pressure differential occurs, characterized in that the bleed valve (30) is adapted to open so as to bleed fluid into the mainstream fluid when the pressure differential across the apparatus (16) falls below a predetermined value. This arrangement is particularly appropriate to vacuum cleaners incorporating cyclonic dust-separating apparatus in that the bleed valve is more reliably operated in response to a reduction in airflow. This ensures efficient functioning of the cyclonic dust-separating apparatus and reduces the risk of overheating of the motor.

Abstract: The invention provides a domestic vacuum cleaner comprising separating means and particle collecting means, the particle collecting means comprising a side wall (22) and a base (20), wherein the base (20) is releasably connected to the side wall (22) to facilitate disposal of particles separated from the airflow by the separating means and collected in the particle collecting means and further comprises sealing means (44) for sealing the said separated particles within the base (20).

Abstract: The invention provides a vacuum cleaner having an airflow path, dust separating apparatus (16) arranged in the airflow path and a motor (24) arranged in the airflow path downstream of the dust separating apparatus (16), a pre-motor filter (20) located immediately upstream of the motor (24) and downstream and separate from the dust separating apparatus (16), and a bleed valve (18) located upstream of the pre-motor filter (20) to allow air to be bled into the airflow path in the event of a blockage occurring upstream of the bleed valve (18), wherein signalling means (30, 32, 34) responsive to a change in an operating condition of the motor (24) are provided to indicate that a blockage has occurred at or downstream of the pre-motor filter (20).

Abstract: The invention provides a vacuum cleaner (10) having a housing (12) containing an apparatus (22) for separating dirt and dust from an airflow. The vacuum cleaner is configured so as to allow the cleaner to be positioned on a flight of stairs. The forward end (32) of the housing is shaped so as to facilitate the sliding of the vacuum cleaner over the flight of stairs in an upward direction.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus (10) for separating dirt or dust from an airflow including a frustoconical cyclone (12) having a tangential air inlet (16) located at or adjacent the end of the cyclone having the larger diameter and a cone opening (18) located at the end of the cyclone having the smaller diameter. A collector (20) is arranged so as to surround the cone opening and has a base surface (24) facing towards the cone opening. According to the invention, at least a portion (24a) of the base surface is conical or frusto-conical in shape and a dust-retaining wall (30) is provided spaced from the center of the base surface.

Abstract: The invention provides a shroud (10; 40) for use in apparatus incorporating a cyclonic dust separation divice for separating dirt and dust from an airflow, the shroud (10; 40) having a perforated portion (14; 44) having a multiplicity of perforations (30; 46) for allowing the airflow to pass therethrough. According to the invention, the upstream edge of each perforation (30) meets the upstream surface (28) of the shroud (10) at a sharply defined angle. The invention improves the performance of the dust separation apparatus in conjunction with which the shroud (10; 40) is utilized.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for separating dirt or dust from an airflow comprising a frustoconical cyclone (12) having a tangential air inlet (16) located at or adjacent the end of the cyclone (12) having the larger diameter and a cone opening (18) located at the end of the cyclone (12) having the smaller diameter is described. A collector (20) is arranged so as to surround the cone opening (18) and has a base surface (24) facing towards the cone opening (18). The distance between the cone opening (18) and the base surface (24) is between 4 and 6 mm or between 45 and 60 mm. The apparatus (10) is reduced in size without substantially affecting the separation efficiency.

Abstract: The invention provides a shroud (10; 40) for use in apparatus incorporating cyclonic dust separation structure for separating dirt and dust from an airflow, the shroud (10; 40) including a perforated portion (14; 44) having a multiplicity of perforations (30; 46) for allowing the airflow to pass therethrough. According to invention, the perforated portion (14) has a lower edge (16) and a lip (18) depending therefrom, the lip (18) including a parallel-sided portion (34) having an inclined distal end and a step (38) formed radially inwardly of the parallel-sided portion (34) and at the proximal end thereof. The invention improves performance of the dust separation apparatus in conjunction with which the shroud (10; 40) is utilized.

Abstract: The invention provides dust separating apparatus (10) including a cyclone (14) having an outer wall (14a) and an air inlet (12), a shroud (16) and an airflow path, the airflow path being arranged so as to direct an airflow flowing, in use, in the dust separating apparatus into the cyclone (14) via the air inlet (12) and out of the cyclone through the shroud (16). The air inlet (12) of the cyclone (14) is formed by a conduit (12a) projecting into the cyclone (14) between the outer wall (14a) and the shroud (16). This allows a swivel coupling to be attached to the air inlet (12) providing greater flexibility and maneuverability of the dust separating apparatus (10).

Abstract: The invention provides a vacuum cleaner (100) including an airflow path, dirt and dust collecting device arranged in the airflow path, a motor or fan unit (110) for causing air to flow along the airflow path and also arranged therein, a first filter (112) arranged immediately upstream of the motor or fan unit (110) and a second filter (114) arranged downstream of the motor or fan unit (110), wherein the arrangement is such that, when in use the dirt and dust collecting device are made accessible or removed for emptying or replacement, both filters (112, 114) are visible to the user. This arrangement encourages the user of the vacuum cleaner to regularly maintain both filters (112, 114), thus improving the performance of the vacuum cleaner (100).

Abstract: A portable cleaning apparatus (10) for use with stair treads (20) is described. The apparatus includes a recess (30) which is raised away from the stair tread and is supported on either side of the recess by the body (12) so that the recess is not in contact with the stair tread.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner including a dirty air inlet (12, 14) communicating with a clean air outlet by way of an airflow path has a cyclone (18) arranged in the airflow path. In use, air flowing along the airflow path from the dirty air inlet (12, 14) to the clean air outlet passes through the cyclone (18). At least one bleed valve (20) is arranged in the wall of the airflow path upstream of the cyclone (18). Preferably, three bleed valves (20) are located in the wall of the airflow path and, more preferably, the bleed valves (20) are substantially identical to one another. Control may be provided for controlling the amount of air bled through the bleed valve (76) when a single bleed valve is provided.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus including cyclones (11, 52, 81, 107) connected to a uniquely configured receiving chamber (12, 53, 99, 112) is described. The chamber has a diameter furthest from the cone opening (32, 75, 98, 118) at least 3 times the diameter of the cone opening such that dirt is not re-entrained from the chamber. Also described is an apparatus with a sealing member (33, 76, 100, 117) between the receiving chamber and cyclone which provides a seal during air flow and which allows separation of the chamber and cyclone for dirt removal. Also described is a ring second sealing member (34, 104) around an open portion of the receiving chamber which allows removal of the chamber from an outer container (10, 80) to facilitate emptying dirt.

Abstract: A unitary liner (36) for use in a dual inner and outer cyclonic vacuum cleaning apparatus (10) is described. The liner has a rigid receiver member (38) that collects dirt separated from the airflow by the inner cyclone (12). The receiver is integrally bonded to a flexible container portion (37) that lays over the inner surface (11D) of the outer cyclone (11) to collect dirt separated from the airflow by the outer cyclone. The container portion (41) can also be a rigid member bonded to a rigid receiver (42). Also, the rigid container portion (45) can provide the outer cyclone and be bonded to a rigid receiver (46). The liner collects separated dirt from the inner and outer cyclones and is easy to remove and replace from the cleaning apparatus by removing the cover (13) which supports the inner cyclone, from the outer cyclone to expose the liner when the vacuum cleaner becomes full of dirt. A liner (130) for a tank type, dual inner and outer cyclonic vacuum cleaning apparatus (110 ) is also described.