Abstract: The invention provides a filter assembly for use in a vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner includes an airflow path (18), a dirt and dust collecting device arranged in the airflow path (18), a motor or fan unit (10) for causing air to flow along the airflow path (18). A first filter (12) is arranged immediately upstream of the motor or fan unit (10) and a second filter (14) is arranged downstream of the motor or fan unit (10), wherein the first and second filters (12, 14) are connected together so as to form the single filter assembly. The connection of the filters (12, 14) encourages the user of the vacuum cleaner to regularly maintain both filters (12, 14) thus improving the performance of the vacuum cleaner.

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.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling dispensing of "dry" powdered compositions particularly carpet cleaning compositions wherein the confined finely divided particles descend in a stream under gravity and have oscillatory movement imparted thereto next before discharge through an orifice leading therefrom so as to agitate, separate and propel the particles therethrough; and in the case of carpet cleaning operations depositing the finely divided discharged particles onto the surface of the fibres in a substantially uniform pattern thereover followed by working same into the fibres through the application thereto of a rotary brush or beater and thereafter recovering the residues by a suitable suction or vacuum unit utilizing a rotary brush or beater and an associated two stage cyclone separator.

Abstract: A one piece plastic liner (40) for use in cyclonic vacuum cleaner (10) is described. The liner preferably fits inside of an outer cyclone or container (11) around an inner cyclone (12) and is held in place by the dirt receiver (13), the inner cyclone and the cover (15). The liner collects separated dirt from both cyclones and is easy to remove and replace by removing the cover, the inner cyclone and the receiver when the vacuum cleaner becomes full of dirt.

Abstract: A disc-shaped shroud having a cylindrical section (50c, 132) adjacent to an inner surface (15b, 111b) of a cyclonic container (15, 111) including a preferred combined shroud and disc unit (50) for use in a dual inner and outer cyclonic vacuum cleaner (10) is described. The combined shroud and disc unit fits on the outside surface (20c) of the inner cyclone (20) and aids in removal of dirt and fibrous matter from the airflow in the outer cyclone (15). Improved airflow between the outer cyclone (15) and inner cyclone (20) is achieved because of the shroud and disc unit (50).

Abstract: A dual cyclonic vacuum cleaner device (10) including outer cylcone (11), inner cyclone (12), collecting receiver (13) and motor (14) and a valve (46) in a housing (38) which preferably closes a passage into an inlet scroll (27) leading to the inner cyclone when the outer cyclone is full is described. The valve rises to meet a ring stop (47) to cause the closure because of the differential pressure (.DELTA.P) between a pressure at an opening (45) and a pressure inside of the housing. The valve (46) prevents dirt laden air from entering directly into the shroud 31 which could plug the inner cyclone, put dirt in the vacuum motor and expel dirt laden air to the atmosphere.