Abstract: A vacuum accessory tool has a nozzle body with upper and lower housings, a working air conduit provided on the nozzle body and adapted to be connected to a suction source remote from the nozzle body, a suction nozzle in fluid communication with the working air conduit, and a rotatable retaining ring securing the upper and lower housings together.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a suction nozzle and a dirt separating and collecting system. The dirt separating and collecting system can include a bagless filter module and a bagged filter module that can be interchanged to convert the dirt separating and collecting system between a bagless configuration and a bagged configuration.

Abstract: A vacuum accessory tool has a nozzle body with upper and lower housings, a working air conduit provided on the nozzle body and adapted to be connected to a suction source remote from the nozzle body, a suction nozzle in fluid communication with the working air conduit, and a rotatable retaining ring securing the upper and lower housings together.

Abstract: A vacuum accessory tool comprises a nozzle body defining an interior, with an opening formed in the nozzle body and a working air conduit provided on the nozzle body in fluid communication with the opening via the interior. A hair removal assembly is associated with the nozzle body, and can include nubs from a flexible polymeric material adapted to generate an electrostatic charge when the tool moves over and in contact with a carpet surface.

Abstract: A motor driven roller support assembly includes a motorized roller having a cylindrical outer surface that is configured to rotate, a support frame within which the roller is mounted, and a roller support connected to the support frame and engaging the outer surface of the motorized roller. The roller support may include a pair of support wheels for contacting the outer surface of the motorized roller, and include a pivot whereby the roller support is moveable relative to the support frame. The assembly may be integrated with a transfer conveyor, such as a right angle transfer having transfer blades that include belts driven by the motorized roller. The roller support engages the motorized roller in a direction that is generally opposite from the direction in which the belts engage the motorized roller to thereby counteract forces imparted by the belts on the motorized roller.

Abstract: A motor driven roller support assembly includes a motorized roller having a cylindrical outer surface that is configured to rotate, a support frame within which the roller is mounted, and a roller support connected to the support frame and engaging the outer surface of the motorized roller. The roller support may include a pair of support wheels for contacting the outer surface of the motorized roller, and include a pivot whereby the roller support is moveable relative to the support frame. The assembly may be integrated with a transfer conveyor, such as a right angle transfer having transfer blades that include belts driven by the motorized roller. The roller support engages the motorized roller in a direction that is generally opposite from the direction in which the belts engage the motorized roller to thereby counteract forces imparted by the belts on the motorized roller.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a suction nozzle and a dirt separating and collecting system. The dirt separating and collecting system can include a bagless filter module and a bagged filter module that can be interchanged to convert the dirt separating and collecting system between a bagless configuration and a bagged configuration.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a dirt separating and collecting system. The dirt separating and collecting system can include an air-permeable filter material, and a helical inlet guide. Dirt entering the helical inlet guide within a working airstream is visible to the user through an at least partially transparent housing.

Abstract: A vacuum accessory tool comprises a nozzle body defining an interior, with an opening formed in the nozzle body and a working air conduit provided on the nozzle body in fluid communication with the opening via the interior. A hair removal assembly is associated with the nozzle body, and can include nubs from a flexible polymeric material adapted to generate an electrostatic charge when the tool moves over and in contact with a carpet surface.

Abstract: An accessory tool for a vacuum cleaner comprises an elongated body having a plurality of furrows for imparting flexibility to the accessory tool. The elongated body is further be made of a material that is selected to impart flexibility to the accessory tool so that the longitudinal axis of the elongated portion can be bent about a radius through an angle up to 45° without kinking or breaking in a direction transverse to and laterally of elongated cross-sectional configuration.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a dirt separating and collecting system. The dirt separating and collecting system can include an air-permeable filter material, and a helical inlet guide. Dirt entering the helical inlet guide within a working airstream is visible to the user through an at least partially transparent housing.

Abstract: A vacuum accessory tool comprises a housing that defines a suction nozzle and a hair removal assembly associated with the suction nozzle. In one embodiment, the vacuum accessory tool further comprises an agitator assembly located in the suction nozzle and driven by an air turbine. In another embodiment, an impeller associated with the air turbine is weighted to prevent build-up of hair and other debris at the impeller.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner and vacuum cleaner system comprises a dirt separating and collecting system. The dirt separating and collecting system can include a filter module having a filter bag, wherein the inlet to the filter bag is helical and dirt entering the filter bag is visible to the user. Optionally, the filter bag filter module can be interchanged with a bagless filter module, which may include a conventional cyclone separator.

Abstract: A cleaning composition for treating a surface comprises a purified enzyme and an enzyme denaturant system. The enzyme denaturant system is configured to denature the purified enzyme such that any residue remaining on the surface after the treatment of the surface is virtually free of active purified enzymes.

Abstract: A cleaning composition for treating a surface comprises a purified enzyme and an enzyme denaturant system. The enzyme denaturant system is configured to denature the purified enzyme such that any residue remaining on the surface after the treatment of the surface is virtually free of active purified enzymes.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a base assembly with an upper housing, an agitator mounted in fixed position relative to the upper housing, an agitator height control mechanism for selectively adjusting the vertical height of the agitator relative to the surface to be cleaned, and a sole plate. The sole plate includes a suction nozzle opening for the base assembly and during operation of the agitator height control mechanism, the sole plate moves relative to the upper housing so that the distance between the suction nozzle opening and the surface to be cleaned remains essentially the same, regardless of the position of the agitator.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner and vacuum cleaner system comprises a dirt separating and collecting system. The dirt separating and collecting system can include a filter module having a filter bag, wherein the inlet to the filter bag is helical and dirt entering the filter bag is visible to the user. Optionally, the filter bag filter module can be interchanged with a bagless filter module, which may include a conventional cyclone separator.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner has a compact, cylindrical exhaust filter assembly that is easily accessible by a user. The filter is removably mounted in a housing between an exhaust outlet aperture and a suction source outlet. A filter locking lug is associated with the filter element and the housing for removably securing the filter element to the housing to the filter frame. An upright vacuum cleaner has a pre-motor filter assembly that is highly visible to a user and accessible thereby.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a base assembly with an upper housing, an agitator mounted in fixed position relative to the upper housing, an agitator height control mechanism for selectively adjusting the vertical height of the agitator relative to the surface to be cleaned, and a sole plate. The sole plate includes a suction nozzle opening for the base assembly and during operation of the agitator height control mechanism, the sole plate moves relative to the upper housing so that the distance between the suction nozzle opening and the surface to be cleaned remains essentially the same, regardless of the position of the agitator.

Abstract: A filter assembly for a vacuum cleaner comprises a filter carrier and a filter element. The filter carrier has a curved rear surface and a pair of protrusion for mounting the filter carrier to the vacuum cleaner.