Abstract: A bagless vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle assembly having a suction nozzle for picking up dirt and debris from a surface to be cleaned and a canister assembly including a cavity. A dust collection assembly is received and held in that cavity. The dust collection assembly includes a filtering subassembly and a dust container. The dust container has an open top, a bottom wall, a first cylindrical sidewall, an inlet, and a downwardly directed outlet extending through the bottom wall. An airstream conduit is provided for conveying a vacuum airstream between the suction nozzle and the inlet. A suction fan and suction fan drive motor carried on either the nozzle assembly or the canister assembly generates the vacuum airstream for drawing dirt and debris through the suction nozzle, the airstream conduit and the dust container.

Abstract: A floor cleaning appliance includes a housing carrying both a suction generator and a dirt cup. The dirt cup includes a sidewall, a top wall and a dump door. A latch is provided to secure the dump door in a closed position. An actuator for releasing that latch is remotely positioned on the top wall. A linkage is carried on the sidewall and operatively connects the actuator with the latch.