Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a dust-collecting chamber that is separated from the vacuum cleaner's motor chamber by a partition. The dust-collecting chamber is provided with disposable and reusable filters that separate and collect dusts and dirt from the air that is drawn into the dust-collecting chamber through an air inflow hole in the partition. The filters are supported by fixing guides disposed at sidewalls of an air inflow hole of the dust-collecting chamber.

Abstract: A cyclone-type dust collecting apparatus having a dust removing portion for removing from the grill portion the dust and foreign substances that become attached to the grill portion of the grill member while the grill portion is rotated by the vortex air of the cyclone body. The dust removing portion includes rotating means disposed at a lower portion of the grill member for rotation by an air current passing therethrough; a rotary member rotatably connected to the rotating means, and disposed separate from an end of the grill member by a predetermined distance; and a brush member having one side connected to the rotary member and the other side being disposed in contact with the grill portion of the grill member for removing the dust and foreign substances from the grill portion. As the cleaning operation starts, the brush member inside of the cyclone-type dust collecting apparatus is rotated by the vortex current generated therein, to remove dust or contaminants from the grill portion of the grill member.

Abstract: A combination trash can and vacuum cleaner in which the base of a trash can contains a battery operated vacuum cleaner that is activated by any one of a number of foot pedals. The vacuum is contained in a housing with an internal fan, a debris collection chamber, and an electrically controlled trap door for emptying debris. The device allows for in-room storage of a vacuum cleaner in an aesthetically pleasing manner and for the collection of debris without the need for a dustpan and/or a conventional vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: Device for fastening a dust box to a cyclone vacuum cleaner, including an accommodating part having a space in a body of the cyclone vacuum cleaner, a dust box mounted in the accommodating part selectively, for collecting various foreign matters separated from air, and fastening means for moving the dust box in the accommodating part in up and down directions selectively for putting, or taking the dust box into/out of the accommodating part, whereby permitting smooth putting in and taking out the dust box with simple operation, and preventing escape of various foreign matters from the dust box during putting or taking the dust box in/out of the cleaner.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner attachment and method of use thereof provides an effective cleaning system for fungi and the like. A vacuum paddle extension enables the attachment to travel into narrow cracks and crevices where fungus may grow and by use of an abrasive and porous pad dislodges such fungus or fungi. When attached to a vacuum system, such as a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air-Filtered) vacuum system, the debris and particulate matter generated by the abrasive process is drawn into the vacuum attachment and into the vacuum system where it is removed from the air which is then expelled by the vacuum system. Better cleaning of surfaces afflicted with fungi, molds, and the like is then achieved in a manner that is safer and more effective.

Abstract: The invention is a floor care appliance such as vacuum cleaner having a pivoting valve arrangement for maintaining suction from the appliance housing to the suction nozzle. A valve is provided for sealing off suction to the suction nozzle when the housing is in the upright or off the floor mode position. When the housing is in the upright position maximum suction is directed to the accessory hose. When the housing is moved to the floor mode maximum the valve is moved to the open position and suction is directed to the suction nozzle for floor cleaning. The valve is located in a valve body assembly pivotally connected over the rear duct of the suction nozzle. The valve body is partially located in the housing and pivots with the housing. A roller and cam arrangement cause the valve located in the valve body to move back and forth between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A suction brush assembly of a vacuum cleaner has a housing having a suction duct to provide a suction passage for dust, a rotation roller having a plurality of ribs formed at an outer circumference, a wheel disposed at the housing, and a power transmission unit to rotate the rotation member by exerting a rotation force of the wheel to the rotation member when the wheel is rotated. The wheel and the rotation member are rotated in directions opposite to each other by the power transmission unit. When a user wants to clean fabrics such as bedclothes or a carpet, the effect of hitting of the ribs can be firmly secured due to the rotation of the rotation rollers. Therefore, the effect of removing dust remarkably increases.

Abstract: An injection lance for injecting a fluid over a predefined target area within a system includes a support block with an inlet side and an outlet side. A plurality of channels are disposed non-parallel with respect to each other within the support block and extend between the inlet and outlet sides of the support block so as to receive fluid at the inlet side and deliver fluid through the support block for injection from the outlet side of the support block over the target area. At least two channels extend from the inlet side toward the outlet side in a direction away from a central axis of the support block, where the central axis intersects the outlet side. The target area includes a plurality of consecutively aligned sectors, and the channels are oriented within the support block so that a central axis of a fluid stream injected from each channel over the target area is centered between longitudinal boundaries defined by a respective sector.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner for collecting liquid material is capable of continuously operating while periodically discharging liquid from an outlet. The vacuum cleaner includes a tank having first and second chambers and divided by an intermediate apertured wall and a vent located on the second chamber. A pressure responsive drain valve member is associated with a tank outlet. A pressure responsive control valve member associated with the aperture having a normally open position in which the liquid material is allowed to flow through and having a closed position to close off the aperture when a high liquid level is present in the second chamber. The vent reduces the partial vacuum level in the second chamber, thereby to discharge liquid material from the second chamber through the outlet. A reset assembly is provided for reestablishing the partial vacuum level in the tank second chamber.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner with a cyclonic airflow path includes a floor-engaging base unit, a body unit pivotally mounted to the base unit and a motor/fan assembly mounted on one of the base unit or body units. A dirt collecting enclosure is also mounted on the body unit and includes a first large chamber and a second smaller chamber. A filter unit is disposed in the first large chamber. Dirt laden air is introduced into the first large chamber in a tangential manner so as to impart a cyclonic action to the airflow. The filter in the first large chamber is effective for removing larger particles of debris from the airflow. The remaining airflow is communicated to the second chamber where smaller particles of debris are removed. Airflow from the second smaller chamber is then communicated through a cyclonic chamber disposed above and transverse to the dirt collecting enclosure, to a third chamber where a second filter is disposed.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a joint assembly to selectively rotate an extension pipe with respect to a handle. The joint assembly has a joint body removably installed between the extension pipe and the handle to allow the extension pipe 130 to rotate with respect to the handle 140 within a predetermined range. Also included on the joint assembly is a supplemental handle protruding from an outer surface of the joint body. The joint assembly and supplemental handle allow the user to clean under a bed or a desk without having to bend his/her back too much. Therefore, the user is not easily fatigued even when he/she cleans under the desk or bed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dust collection unit for use in a vacuum cleaner. According to the present invention, there is provided a dust collection unit for use in a vacuum cleaner which comprises a cylindrical casing in which air introduced through an inlet port is formed into spiral flow and of which an upper end is open; a cover for opening and closing the upper end of the casing; a filter which is installed on a bottom surface of the cover and formed in the shape of a cylinder having a predetermined length and by which fine foreign substances can be filtered out when the air is introduced from the exterior thereof, and through which the air is discharged downwardly; and an exhaust duct which comes into close contact with a bottom surface of the filter and including an exhaust port on a side surface of the casing to discharge the air from the filter to the exterior of the casing. It is preferred that the exhaust port of the casing be formed at a lower portion of the side surface of the casing.

Abstract: A self-moving cleaner has a main body and comprises an intake opening for suctioning dust, an electric blower for generating airflow to suction dust, a dust receiver for collecting the dust suctioned by the electric blower, rollers driven by drive motors, a power source for supplying electric power to the electric blower and the drive motors, and sensors for optically detecting a distance to an obstacle. An enclosure surrounds the main body, the electric blower, the dust receiver, the power source, and the sensors, wherein the enclosure is transparent or semi-transparent, and the sensors transmit and receive light through the enclosure.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes an upright housing section and a nozzle section. A cyclonic airflow dirt and dust separating chamber is defined in said upright housing section. A suction source pulls air and entrained dirt, dust, and other contaminants through a main suction opening formed in the underside of the nozzle and into the cyclonic airflow chamber. The cyclonic airflow chamber causes the suction airstream to travel in a cyclonic path such that the entrained contaminants are separated therefrom and deposited into a dirt container that defines the chamber. A main filter element filters residual contaminants from the suction airstream between the chamber and the suction source. The main filter element is preferably made from high-density polyethylene porous filter media.

Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus comprises a fluid dispensing system including at least one fluid supply tank, a dispensing nozzle for applying a cleaning fluid to a surface to be cleaned, and a block heater for heating the fluid to be applied to the surface to be cleaned to a temperature less than boiling; a fluid recovery tank for holding recovered fluid; a suction nozzle; a working air conduit extending between the recovery tank and the suction nozzle; and a vacuum source in fluid communication with the recovery tank for generating a flow of working air from the suction nozzle through the working air conduit and into the recovery tank to thereby recover fluid from the surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: The disposable tooth cleaning article for manually cleaning tooth surfaces is disclosed. The disposable tooth cleaning article extends in a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, and has a wearer's finger faced surface and an outer surface. The disposable tooth cleaning article comprises a first sheet and a second sheet. The first sheet and the second sheet form a pouch with an opening. The disposable tooth cleaning article has a distal portion extending opposite to the pouch beyond the opening in the longitudinal direction. The distal portion is wound about the wearer's finger when the disposable tooth cleaning article is used. The finger faced surface is provided with a first attachment means and a second attachment means. The first attachment means is located on the finger faced surface of the distal portion adjacent to one transverse edge of the opening to maintain the wound configuration of the distal portion.

Abstract: A device for ash removal comprising a lid that can be attached to a bucket. A filter panel is positioned within the bucket, the filter panel separates an ash compartment and a coal compartment. A down-spout communicates with the coal compartment and can be connected to conventional vacuum adapters. A vacuum inlet communicates with the ash compartment, the vacuum inlet can be connected to conventional vacuum adapters.

Abstract: A hand held vacuum with a housing having a handle adapted to enable a user to manually adjust an angle of contact between the hand held vacuum and the surface being cleaned is provided. An arcuate gliding surface is associated with the housing and adapted to contact and glide over the surface being cleaned. A fluid discharge aperture associated with the arcuate gliding surface is adapted to discharge fluid adjacent the surface being cleaned. The arcuate gliding surface is adapted to selectively locate the fluid discharge aperture in a position in contact with the surface being cleaned and in a position away from the surface being cleaned by altering the angle of the hand held vacuum while maintaining the arcuate gliding surface in contact against the surface being cleaned.

Abstract: A clog reduction structure for a squeegee assembly for removing solution from a floor surface with a surface maintenance vehicle. The clog reduction structure includes an inlet in fluid communication with a vacuum chamber, an outlet in fluid communication with a vacuum conduit, and a configured surface between said inlet and said outlet, wherein said inlet has a substantially larger cross sectional area than said outlet. The clog reduction structure may include a variety of shapes or transitions between the inlet and outlet of the squeegee assembly. Efficient passage of larger debris from the vacuum chamber into a vacuum conduit is provided by the clog reduction structure.

Abstract: A device and method of use for cleaning a ground surface with pressurized cleaning solution is disclosed. The device includes a transportable deck having at least a first chamber and a second chamber, each first and second chamber being in open communication with the surface, said first chamber having a nozzle for directing a pressurized cleaning solution toward the ground surface, and said second chamber having a vacuum outlet for removing cleaning solution and debris from the surface. Additional embodiments of the present invention may include a solution recycling system for reusing recovered solution.