Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus has a surface cleaning head having a pivoting connector, an upper end of the pivoting connector providing an air outlet of the surface cleaning head. A support consisting of an upflow duct is pivotally mounted to the surface cleaning head by the pivoting connector. A surface cleaning unit is vertically removably mounted to an upper end of the support. The surface cleaning unit comprises a cyclone unit, a pre-motor filter, a suction motor and flexible hose.

Abstract: A cooking appliance including a combustion zone and a cooking zone. The combustion zone has a combustion zone air flow path extending from a combustion zone air inlet to a combustion zone air outlet. The cooking zone overlies the combustion zone, and the cooking zone includes a closed cooking volume having a cooking surface and an openable lid. Combustion products produced in the combustion zone are isolated from the closed cooking volume.

Abstract: A cooking appliance has a combustion zone air flow path which includes a combustion zone. A first cooking zone is positioned in thermal communication with the combustion zone. During operation of the cooking appliance, combustion products produced in the combustion zone indirectly heat air whereby heated air is produced that is then introduced into the combustion zone and/or the first cooking zone.

Abstract: A hand vacuum cleaner has a cyclonic stage comprising an openable front wall provided at the front end of the cyclonic stage. A pre-motor filter is positioned in the air flow passage downstream from the cyclone air outlet and rearward of the cyclone sidewall. The pre-motor filter has a diameter in a direction transverse to the cyclone axis that is larger than a diameter of the cyclone air outlet in the direction transverse to the cyclone axis. The pre-motor filter has an outer perimeter defining a volume and the cyclone axis and the motor axis each extend through a centre of the volume. The cyclone axis is generally parallel to the motor axis. When the openable front wall is opened, the front end of the cyclone stage is opened and has an opening, the opening has a diameter in the direction transverse to the cyclone axis, and the rear end of the cyclonic stage has a diameter that is generally equal to the diameter of the opening.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus has a cyclone chamber having a longitudinal cyclone axis of rotation wherein the dirt outlet is defined by a gap between the sidewall of the cyclone and a plate positioned at the dirt outlet end of the cyclone.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a floor comprises providing an autonomous surface cleaning apparatus, positioning a plurality of docking stations at different locations on the floor wherein a first docking station has an absence of an evacuation mechanism and actuating the autonomous surface cleaning apparatus whereby the autonomous surface cleaning apparatus travels across the floor to clean at least a portion of the floor and recharges at the first docking station.

Abstract: An arrangement of multiple environmental control systems for a multi-unit structure has a first environmental control system installed in a first unit, a second environmental control system installed in a second unit, a system monitor in communication with each of the environmental control systems and a firewall. Each environmental control system has a control unit coupled to the system monitor through the firewall that prevents unauthorized devices from accessing the respective control unit and a HVAC system device coupled to the respective control unit through the firewall. For each unit, a local user device that is located inside the unit is coupled to the control unit through a local communication interface, and an external user device that is located outside the unit communicates with the control unit through the firewall.

Abstract: A hand vacuum cleaner has an air treatment member positioned in the air flow path downstream of a dirty air inlet. A motor and fan assembly produces an air flow through the air flow path. A handle is moveable between a first use position and a second use position.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises an air treatment chamber having a first end, an axially opposed second end, an axis extending between the first and second axially opposed ends and an axially extending air treatment chamber sidewall. The air treatment chamber air outlet is provided at the second opposed end and the first opposed end is moveably mounted between a closed position and an open position in which the air treatment chamber is open. The air treatment chamber has a stationary portion and an openable portion and the openable portion is moveably mounted between a closed position and an open position in which the air treatment chamber is open. When the openable portion is in the closed position, the openable portion and the stationery portion abut along peripheral edges that extend along a length of the air treatment chamber sidewall.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet with an air treatment member positioned in the air flow path. The air treatment member comprises a dirt collection region which has an openable door. A pre-motor filter is positioned downstream of the chamber and upstream of the suction motor and a suction motor is provided in the air flow path downstream of the chamber. The air flow path comprises a downstream portion extending from the pre-motor filter to the suction motor, and, during an emptying mode of operation, the openable door is opened and the downstream portion of the air flow path is closed.

Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus has a main body and air treatment member assembly is removably mounted to the main body. The air treatment member assembly air outlet and/or the suction motor inlet end is provided at the lower end of the air treatment member assembly when the surface cleaning apparatus is located on a floor and a pre-motor filter underlies the air treatment member assembly and/or the suction motor.

Abstract: An HVAC system for a multi-unit building having a riser stack in flow communication with a single unit HVAC system. The single unit HVAC system has a first heat exchanger thermally connected to the riser stack, a second heat exchanger thermally connected to a fluid distribution system within the unit, and a closed loop fluid flow path extending between the first and second heat exchangers. The first heat exchanger exchanges heat between a riser stack fluid in the riser stack and the closed loop fluid in the closed loop fluid flow path and the second heat exchanger exchanges heat between the closed loop fluid and a distribution fluid of the fluid distribution system.

Abstract: An air cleaning system which produces an electric field through which people move is provided.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus has an air flow path from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet. The air flow path comprising an air inlet conduit which extends downstream from the dirty air inlet. The Surface cleaning apparatus has a first stage cyclone and a second stage cyclone downstream from the first stage cyclone, the second stage cyclone having a plurality of air inlets. The cyclone axis of rotation of the first stage cyclone extends through the air outlet of the second stage cyclone. the first stage cyclone, the second stage cyclone having a plurality of air inlets, an air outlet and a cyclone axis of rotation. A plane that is transverse to the axis of rotation of the second stage cyclone extends through the inlet conduit and the air outlet of the second stage cyclone.

Abstract: A plastic patio paver block comprises a top panel, a sidewall depending downwardly from a periphery of the top panel, a plurality of internal support members that depend downwardly from an inner face of the top panel and that are spaced inwardly from the sidewall, a plurality of drainage openings provided in the top panel, and a granular UV resistant material embedded into an upwardly facing plastic face of the top panel, wherein a portion of the granular UV resistant material is partially embedded in the upwardly facing plastic face.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus having an air flow path; a suction motor positioned in the air flow path; an air treatment chamber provided in the air flow path; and a porous filter provided in the air treatment chamber and including an outlet passage from the air treatment chamber. An air impermeable impact wall in the air treatment chamber is opposed to an inlet into the air treatment chamber. At least a portion of the impact wall or a deflecting portion of a wall defining part of the front end of the air treatment chamber imparts a circular flow to air entering the air treatment chamber.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has a portable cleaning unit that is removably mounted to the surface cleaning head. The vacuum cleaner is operable in a floor cleaning configuration in which the portable cleaning unit is mounted to the surface cleaning head and is part of the air flow path through the vacuum cleaner. The portable cleaning unit is also useable in a portable cleaning configuration in which the portable cleaning unit is removed from the surface cleaning head and the suction motor is powered by an energy storage member.

Abstract: A hand vacuum cleaner has an air treatment chamber comprising an air inlet, an air outlet, a front end comprising a front door and a rear end. The front door is moveable between an open position in which the air treatment chamber is opened and a closed position. The air treatment chamber further comprises a stationary portion and a moveable portion, the moveable portion is moveable with respect to the stationary portion between an open position in which the air treatment chamber is opened and a closed position.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus has first and second cleaning stages, a pre-motor filter and a suction motor. The second cleaning stage comprises at least one cyclone. The components are laterally and vertically spaced with respect to other components.

Abstract: A reconfigurable surface cleaning apparatus includes a floor cleaning unit comprising a surface cleaning head, and a portable cleaning unit. The reconfigurable surface cleaning apparatus is operable in an above floor cleaning mode in which the portable cleaning unit is removed from the floor cleaning unit and in a floor cleaning mode in which an upflow duct is received in the portable cleaning unit and defines the air flow passage upwardly through the portable cleaning unit to a cyclone chamber air inlet.