Abstract: A separating apparatus including a first cyclonic separating unit that includes a first cyclonic separator having a separator axis, a second cyclonic separating unit that includes a second cyclonic separator, the second cyclonic separating unit being movable between a first position and a second position with respect to the first separating unit in a direction which is parallel with the separator axis, a screen disposed within the first cyclonic separator such that it extends parallel with the separator axis. The screen is connected to the second cyclonic separating unit for movement with the second cyclonic separating unit. The separating apparatus includes a wipe for cleaning the screen, wherein the wipe is secured to the first cyclonic separating unit such that movement of the second cyclonic separating unit from the first position to the second position moves the screen relative to the wipe thereby cleaning debris from the screen.

Abstract: A separating apparatus including a first cyclonic separating unit that includes a first cyclonic separator having a separator axis, a second cyclonic separating unit that includes a second cyclonic separator, the second cyclonic separating unit being movable between a first position and a second position with respect to the first separating unit in a direction which is parallel with the separator axis, a screen disposed within the first cyclonic separator such that it extends parallel with the separator axis. The screen is connected to the second cyclonic separating unit for movement with the second cyclonic separating unit. The separating apparatus includes a wipe for cleaning the screen, wherein the wipe is secured to the first cyclonic separating unit such that movement of the second cyclonic separating unit from the first position to the second position moves the screen relative to the wipe thereby cleaning debris from the screen.

Abstract: A cleaning appliance comprising a body that is connectable to a separating apparatus at an interface that defines an axis. The interface includes a first interface portion and a second interface portion that are connected to one another by a connector, wherein the connector includes at least one radially interlocking region extending about at least a portion of the interface.

Abstract: A hand dryer for drying a user's hands by means of airflow discharged through an air outlet on the hand dryer. The airflow is generated by a motor-driven fan unit which is spring-mounted on a fixed part of the hand dryer via a plurality of coil springs.

Abstract: A cleaning appliance comprising a body that is connectable to a separating apparatus at an interface that defines an axis. The interface includes a first interface portion and a second interface portion that are connected to one another by a connector, wherein the connector includes at least one radially interlocking region extending about at least a portion of the interface.

Abstract: The invention provides an ingredient dispensing apparatus (100; 200) comprising first and second hoppers (102, 104; 202, 204) for storage of an ingredient, first and second dispensers (120, 124; 214, 224) for dispensing an ingredient from the respective hopper (102, 104; 202, 204) and a drive mechanism (128; 228) for rotatably driving the first and second dispensers (120, 124; 214, 224). The first and second dispensers (120, 124; 214, 224) are arranged such that, in a first direction (D1) of rotation of the drive mechanism (128; 228), the first dispenser (120; 214) dispenses an ingredient from the first hopper (102; 202) and in a second direction (D2) of rotation of the drive mechanism (128; 228), the second dispenser (124; 224) dispenses an ingredient from the second hopper (104; 204).

Abstract: A cyclonic vacuum cleaner includes a separating unit for separating dirt and dust from a dirt-laden airflow which is drawn in by the cleaner. The separating unit has a chamber with a collection area for collecting dirt and dust which is separated from the airflow. A base of the separating unit is movable between a closed position in which the closure member seals the chamber and an open position by operation of a releasing means. The releasing means is inhibited from releasing the base when the unit is stowed on the chassis of the cleaner.

Abstract: A bagless vacuum cleaner includes a separating unit for separating dirt and dust from a dirt-laden airflow which is drawn in by the cleaner. The separating unit has a chamber with a collection area for collecting dirt and dust which is separated from the airflow. A base of the separating unit is movable between a closed position and an open position. The base is released by a trigger and a linking mechanism. A seal fits against the base and, in use, wipes a portion of the surface against which it seals as the base moves towards the closed position.

Abstract: The invention provides cyclonic separating apparatus comprising an upstream cyclone unit and a downstream cyclone unit, the upstream cyclone unit including at least one cyclone having a first end and a second end, and the downstream cyclone unit including at least one cyclone having a first end and a second end. The upstream and downstream cyclone units of the cyclonic separation apparatus are arranged relative to one another so that the orientation of at least one cyclone of the downstream cyclone unit is substantially inverted with respect to the orientation of at least one cyclone of the upstream cyclone unit. The arrangement provides an apparatus in which good separation efficiency is achieved as well as low pressure drop across the apparatus as a whole.

Abstract: The invention provides a cyclonic separating apparatus that includes a plurality of cyclones, each having an inlet and being arranged in parallel with one another, and a passageway arranged upstream of the cyclones for carrying an airflow to the inlets of the cyclones, wherein dividers are provided in the passageway for dividing the airflow within the passageway into a number of separate flowpaths, the number of flowpaths being equal to the number of cyclones, and wherein the cross-sectional area of each flowpath (142a), decreases along the direction of air flow.

Abstract: A cyclonic vacuum cleaner (10) comprises a separating unit (20) for separating dirt and dust from a dirt-laden airflow which is drawn in by the cleaner. The separating unit (20) has a chamber (205) with a collection area for collecting dirt and dust which is separated from the airflow. A base (210) of the separating unit (20) is movable between a closed position (FIG. 3) in which the closure member (210) seals the chamber and an open position by operation of a releasing means (220, 222, 230, 260). The releasing means is inhibited from releasing the base (210) when the unit (20) is stowed on the chassis (50) of the cleaner.

Abstract: A bagless vacuum cleaner (10) comprises a separating unit (20) for separating dirt and dust from a dirt-laden airflow which is drawn in by the cleaner. The separating unit (20) has a chamber (205) with a collection area for collecting dirt and dust which is separated from the airflow. A base (210) of the separating unit (20) is movable between a closed position (FIG. 3) and an open position. The base (210) is released by a trigger (220) and a linking mechanism (222, 230, 260). A seal (213) fits against the base (210) and, in use, wipes a portion of the surface against which it seals as the base (210) moves towards the closed position.

Abstract: The invention provides cyclonic separating apparatus (100) comprising a plurality of cyclones (104), each having an inlet and being arranged in parallel with one another, and a passageway (142) arranged upstream of the cyclones (142) for carrying an airflow to the inlets of the cyclones (104), wherein dividing means (170) are provided in the passageway (142) for dividing the airflow within the passageway (142) into a number of separate flowpaths (142a), the number of flowpaths (142a) being equal to the number of cyclones (104), and wherein the cross-sectional area of each flowpath (142a) decreases in the direction of flow therealong.

Abstract: The invention provides cyclonic separating apparatus comprising an upstream cyclone unit and a downstream cyclone unit, the upstream cyclone unit including at least one cyclone having a first end and a second end, and the downstream cyclone unit including at least one cyclone having a first end and a second end. The upstream and downstream cyclone units of the cyclonic separation apparatus are arranged relative to one another so that the orientation of at least one cyclone of the downstream cyclone unit is substantially inverted with respect to the orientation of at least one cyclone of the upstream cyclone unit. The arrangement provides an apparatus in which good separation efficiency is achieved as well as low pressure drop across the apparatus as a whole.