Abstract: A removable dirt separation system for a vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The dirt separation system includes a dirt cup having a number of outer walls having a first portion defined by a filter assembly and a second portion with a first translucent panel to allow viewing material which accumulates within the dirt cup. The dirt cup further includes a top opening allow emptying of the dirt cup and an inlet in fluid communication with a suction nozzle of the vacuum cleaner. The dirt separation system further includes a lid for sealing the upper opening of the dirt cup. The dirt separation system yet further include a dirt duct for routing air which exits the filter assembly to an exit opening of the dirt separation system. A method of operating a removable dirt separation system for a vacuum cleaner is also disclosed.

Abstract: A removable dirt separation system for a vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The dirt separation system includes a dirt cup having a number of outer walls having a first portion defined by a filter assembly and a second portion with a first translucent panel to allow viewing material which accumulates within the dirt cup. The dirt cup further includes a top opening allow emptying of the dirt cup and an inlet in fluid communication with a suction nozzle of the vacuum cleaner. The dirt separation system further includes a lid for sealing the upper opening of the dirt cup. The dirt separation system yet further include a dirt duct for routing air which exits the filter assembly to an exit opening of the dirt separation system. A method of operating a removable dirt separation system for a vacuum cleaner is also disclosed.

Abstract: A novel construction of a disposable filtration bag made from a sheet of composite material comprised of at least one layer of expanded polythtraflouroethylene (ePTFE) and at least one substrate layer. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a conventional disposable filtration bag is provided for use in floor care appliances such as upright and canister vacuum cleaners. In an alternate embodiment, a “pillow case” type disposable filtration bag is provided for use in floor care appliances such as upright and canister vacuum cleaners. Two methods of construction of the “pillow case” type disposable filtration bag are provided wherein in one method of construction the composite sheet is folded twice and sealed, and in the other, the composite sheet is folded once and sealed to form the disposable filtration bag.

Abstract: A hard bag cleaner door is disclosed having air directing rib vanes integral with its inner surface. These vanes take the form of, alternately, angled J-shaped ribs and short straight interleaved ribs. All the ribs are stepped so that the flow passage for air moving along the interior side of the bag door diverges as more bag air is introduced to it so that it directs efficiently air flow to a lower disposed motor-fan section of an adjoining hard bag portion. In a second embodiment, an exhaust opening is formed in the hard bag cleaner door below the air directing rib vanes and is covered by a final filter and final filter door. The air moving along the interior side of the bag door is directed out the exhaust opening, through the final filter which filters small dust particles which may be present in the exhaust air and out vent openings formed in the final filter door.

Abstract: A hard bag cleaner door is disclosed having air directing rib vanes integral with its inner surface. These vanes take the form of, alternately, angled J-shaped ribs and short straight interleaved ribs. All the ribs are stepped so that the flow passage for air moving along the interior side of the bag door diverges as more bag air is introduced to it so that it directs efficiently air flow to a lower disposed motor-fan section of an adjoining hard bag portion.