Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a dirt separation system that has a dirt cup retaining a filter assembly having a screen element, an exit, and a filter element disposed between the screen element and the exit. A nozzle disposed in the dirt cup directs an airstream generally parallel to the surface of the screen element so that particles in the airstream are primarily separated by the screen element and, as the airstream ultimately travels towards the exit in the dirt cup, are secondarily separated by the filter element.

Abstract: A filter assembly for a removable dirt separation system is disclosed. The filter assembly includes a wall support attached to a wall of the dirt separation system and a screen panel having a number of screen elements. The filter assembly further includes a filter element which is selectively releasable from the screen panel. The screen panel and filter element can be selectively secured to the wall support. A fine particle separation chamber is at least partially defined by the screen elements and the filter element. A portion of the walls of a dirt cup within the dirt separation system is formed by the filter assembly. A method of operating a filter assembly for a removable dirt separation system is also disclosed.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The upright vacuum cleaner includes a carpet engaging nozzle base and an upper housing pivotally attached to the nozzle base. The upright vacuum cleaner further includes a removable bucket releasably secured to the upper housing and a bucket handle rotatably attached to the bucket and movable between a first position and a second position. The upright vacuum cleaner yet further includes a latch adapted to secure the bucket to the upper housing when the handle is in the first position and release the bucket from the upper portion when the handle is in a second position. The bucket may be removed from the upper housing when the latch is released from the upper housing. The bucket is re-secured to the upper housing by returning the bucket handle to the first position. A method of operating a upright 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: An upright vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The upright vacuum cleaner includes a carpet engaging nozzle base and an upper housing pivotally attached to the nozzle base. The upright vacuum cleaner further includes a removable bucket releasably secured to the upper housing and a bucket handle rotatably attached to the bucket and movable between a first position and a second position. The upright vacuum cleaner yet further includes a latch adapted to secure the bucket to the upper housing when the handle is in the first position and release the bucket from the upper portion when the handle is in a second position. The bucket may be removed from the upper housing when the latch is released from the upper housing. The bucket is re-secured to the upper housing by returning the bucket handle to the first position. A method of operating a upright vacuum cleaner is also disclosed.

Abstract: A filter assembly for a removable dirt separation system is disclosed. The filter assembly includes a wall support attached to a wall of the dirt separation system and a screen panel having a number of screen elements. The filter assembly further includes a filter element which is selectively releasable from the screen panel. The screen panel and filter element can be selectively secured to the wall support. A fine particle separation chamber is at least partially defined by the screen elements and the filter element. A portion of the walls of a dirt cup within the dirt separation system is formed by the filter assembly. A method of operating a filter assembly for a removable dirt separation system 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 carpet extractor is disclosed having a first cleaning liquid conduit that communicates a supply reservoir with a cleaning liquid distributor via a first valve and a second cleaning liquid conduit that communicates the supply reservoir with the liquid distributor via a second valve. The first valve is actuated by a main trigger and the second valve is actuated by a surge button, both of which are conveniently located in the hand grip on the handle of the machine for propelling the machine over a floor surface. A first normal flow of cleaning liquid is obtained for normal cleaning by depressing the trigger and a second greater flow of cleaning liquid is obtained by depressing the button and the trigger simultaneously. A mechanism is preferably included that will open the first valve in the event an operator depresses only the surge button.

Abstract: A novel carpet extractor is disclosed having a first cleaning liquid conduit that communicates a supply reservoir with a cleaning liquid distributor via a first valve and a second cleaning liquid conduit that communicates the supply reservoir with the liquid distributor via a second valve. The first valve is actuated by a main trigger and the second valve is actuated by a surge button, both of which are conveniently located in the hand grip on the handle of the machine for propelling the machine over a floor surface. A first normal flow of cleaning liquid is obtained for normal cleaning by depressing the trigger and a second greater flow of cleaning liquid is obtained by depressing the button and the trigger simultaneously. A mechanism is preferably included that will open the first valve in the event an operator depresses only the surge button.

Abstract: A novel carpet extractor is disclosed having a first cleaning liquid conduit that communicates a supply reservoir with a cleaning liquid distributor via a first valve and a second cleaning liquid conduit that communicates the supply reservoir with the liquid distributor via a second valve. The first valve is actuated by a main trigger and the second valve is actuated by a surge button, both of which are conveniently located in the hand grip on the handle of the machine for propelling the machine over a floor surface. A first normal flow of cleaning liquid is obtained for normal cleaning by depressing the trigger and a second greater flow of cleaning liquid is obtained by depressing the button and the trigger simultaneously. A mechanism is preferably included that will open the first valve in the event an operator depresses only the surge button.

Abstract: An air/liquid separator is provided in a hollow, preferably transparent, removable lid on a recovery tank of a wet pickup suction cleaner. The lid has a wall therein dividing the lid into an inlet/separating chamber and an exit chamber. Liquid and dirt entrained working air enters the inlet chamber and flows horizontally across the inlet chamber over a plurality of discharge openings passing through the lid bottom plate, such that the stream of dirty liquid and air is redirected downward through the discharge openings into the recovery tank. The plurality of discharge openings in the lid bottom plate are arranged generally progressively along the stream of liquid and air entering and flowing across the inlet chamber. The discharge openings preferably increase in size moving downstream in the inlet chamber, i.e. away from the entry into the inlet chamber. The exit chamber fluidly communicates with the interior of the recovery tank through an exit opening passing through the lid bottom plate.