Agitator For Suction Nozzle In Vacuum Cleaner

Abstract

An agitator (100) for a suction nozzle (10) in a vacuum cleaner is disclosed for largely improving efficiency of the vacuum cleaner, the agitator (100) including a body rotatably provided at an inlet (12) of the suction nozzle (10), and at least one blade assembly (120) including a plurality of blades (121) configured to come in contact with a surface to be cleaned, and mounted at the body (110) along a length direction thereof.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner, and more particularly, to an agitator provided at a suction nozzle of a vacuum cleaner.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, a vacuum cleaner is an apparatus for cleaning a floor or a carpet. The vacuum cleaner basically generates a suction force and includes a body configured to pass the air sucked in, and a suction nozzle connected to the body and sucking in outside air. The suction nozzle is, if necessary, connected to the body by a coupling pipe having a predetermine distance.

The vacuum cleaner sucks in outside air using a suction device provided in the body, separately collects objects such as dust from the air sucked in by a collecting is device, and discharges refreshed air outside of the vacuum cleaner.

The vacuum cleaner further includes an agitator moving along a surface to be cleaned and sucking in air so as to suck in dust on the floor together with other objects. The agitator is normally rotatably mounted at an inlet of the suction nozzle and includes a brush adhered on an outer circumferential surface thereof. Accordingly, when the agitator is rotated, the brush sweeps the floor and separates the dust and other objects from the floor so as to be easily flowed into the inlet.

The brush includes a plurality of bristles. Owing to many clearances between the plurality of bristles, the brush comes into unequal contact with the surface to be cleaned and thus is unable to sweep many objects on the surface to be cleaned.

On the contrary, the brush characteristically scatters light dust. Accordingly, a conventional agitator is unable to effectively suck in the dust and other objects on the surface to be cleaned.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an agitator for a suction nozzle of a vacuum cleaner that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

An object of the present invention is to provide an agitator for a suction nozzle of a vacuum cleaner, for effectively sucking in dust and other objects on a surface to be cleaned.

Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, an agitator for a suction nozzle in a vacuum cleaner, comprising a body rotatably provided at an inlet of the suction nozzle; and at least one blade assembly including a plurality of blades configured to come in contact with a surface to be cleaned, and mounted at the body along a length direction thereof.

The body is rotated by friction between the blade assembly and the surface, or forcibly rotated by a driving mechanism. It is preferable that the body be formed in a cylindrical shape.

The plurality of blades comprises flexibility. The plurality of blades is spaced for a predetermined distance from one another. The plurality of blades is serially disposed. The plurality of blades comprises a plurality of square sections. The free ends of the plurality of blades have reduced sections, the free ends coming in contact with the surface to be cleaned. The plurality of blades comprises triangle sections or trapezoid sections.

The plurality of blades is connected with one another. The plurality of blades is formed as one body. The blade assembly further comprises a strip member connecting the plurality of blades to one another. The strip member connects supporting ends of the plurality of blades and is inserted into the body.

The blade assembly is configured to lead objects to a particular location of an inlet with a relatively strong suction force, the objects to be sucked in. The blade assembly is configured to gather objects to a particular location of an inlet with a relatively strong suction force, the objects to be sucked in. The blade assembly is configured to lead objects to a center portion of the inlet, the objects to be sucked in.

The blade assembly is configured to gather the objects to a center portion of the inlet, the objects to be sucked in. The blade assembly comprises a first assembly and a second assembly sloped to a predetermined degree and extended respectively from both sides of the body toward central axis of the body.

The first and second assemblies arm extended so as to be joined, and a joining portion where the first and second assemblies are joined is disposed at the center portion of the inlet. The first and second assemblies are respectively extended in an opposite direction to a rotation direction of the body. The joining portion follows both ends of the blade assembly in a rotation direction of the body.

The blade assembly comprises a first assembly and a second assembly sinking toward a center portion from both ends of the body. The first and second assemblies are extended to be joined with each other. The first and second assemblies are respectively extended in an opposite direction to a rotation direction of the body. It is preferable that the joining portion follow both ends of the blade assembly in a rotation direction of the body.

Meanwhile, the blade assembly is converged on a center portion from both ends of the body. A conversion member of the blade assembly is disposed at the center portion of the inlet. The blade assembly is extended in an opposite direction to the rotation direction of the body from both ends of the body toward the center portion thereof. A conversion member of the blade assembly follows the both ends of the blade assembly in the rotation direction of the body.

The blade assembly is disposed to form a recess portion or an indent portion. The recess member is disposed at a center portion of the inlet. The blade assembly is extended in an opposite direction to the rotation direction of the body from both ends of the body toward the center portion thereof. It is preferable that the recess member follows both ends of the blade assembly in the rotation direction of the body, and the first and second assemblies are extended straight.

Meanwhile, the body comprises a groove for accommodating the blade assembly. The groove is configured to be geared with the blade assembly. The groove comprises a reduced section at an entrance thereof. In more detail the groove comprises at least one projecting member formed at an entrance thereof and having the blade assembly caught thereon. The groove comprises a section being gradually reduced from a bottom member to the entrance thereof.

The blade assembly is configured to be tightly fitted in the groove. A section of a supporting end of the blade assembly has a same shape as a section of the groove having the supporting end caught thereon. In more detail, the blade assembly comprises at least one projecting member caught on the projecting member of the groove. The blade assembly is at least partially tapered so as to be coupled with the groove.

The groove is configured to allow the blade assembly to be inserted in a lateral direction of the body from an end of the body. The groove is passed through one end of the body.

Due to the present invention, almost all objects on the surface to be cleaned are sucked in through the suction nozzle, and efficiency of the vacuum cleaner is largely improved.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention.

In the drawings;

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a vacuum cleaner with an agitator in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a floor plan showing a floor of a suction nozzle having an agitator mounted thereon;

FIGS. 3A to 3B illustrate exploded cross sectional views showing embodiments of an agitator in accordance with the present invention and taken along the line I-I of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4A to 4C illustrate cross sectional views showing modified embodiments of a blade mounted at the agitator in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 5A to 5B illustrate schematic views showing profiles of a blade assembly mounted at the agitator in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 6A to 6B illustrate cross sectional views showing modified embodiments of recesses included in a body of the agitator in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 7A to 7B illustrate cross sectional views showing modified embodiments of a string member included in the blade assembly of the agitator in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a floor plan showing a method for mounting the blade assembly to a body in the agitator in accordance with the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

A vacuum cleaner is classified into a canister type vacuum cleaner and an upright type vacuum cleaner. In the canister type vacuum cleaner, a suction nozzle is connected with a body via a coupling pipe. In the upright type vacuum cleaner, the body is directly connected with the suction nozzle.

Although the present invention is described referring to embodiments applied to the canister type vacuum cleaner, it is obvious that the present invention may also be applied to the upright type vacuum cleaner without any substantial modification.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a vacuum cleaner with an agitator in accordance with the present invention, and FIG. 2 illustrates a floor plan showing a floor of a suction nozzle having an agitator mounted thereon.

As illustrated in the drawings, the vacuum cleaner of the present invention includes a suction nozzle 10, a body 20, and a coupling pipe 30 provided between the suction nozzle 10 and the body 20. The suction nozzle 20 moves along a surface to be cleaned and sucks in various objects i.e., dust and other objects larger than dust.

The body 20 includes a suction device (not shown), and a collecting device for separating the objects from the air and storing the objects. The coupling pipe 30 connects the suction nozzle 10 and the body 20, as well as guides the air sucked in through the suction nozzle to the collect device 21.

Electric devices (not shown) for controlling the vacuum cleaner as well as a motor and a fan and so on are mounted in the body 20. A pair of wheels 22 is rotatably provided on both sides of the body 20 such that the body 20 is smoothly moved. The body 20 includes a space for separably accommodating the collecting device 21. A cyclone mechanism or a filtering device may be applied to the collecting device 21 so as to separate the dust and other objects from the air.

The coupling pipe 30 includes an extension pipe 31 connected to the suction nozzle 10, a coupling hose 32 made of a soft material and connected respectively to the extension pipe 31 and the body 20, and a handle 33 provided between the extension pipe 31 and the coupling hose 32.

As well illustrated in FIG. 2 including a floor that faces the surface to be cleaned, the suction nozzle 10 includes a housing 11, an inlet 12 formed on a floor of the housing 11, and an agitator 100 disposed in the inlet 12. The housing 11 includes a predetermined space therein, and a passage is disposed in the space so as to guide the air sucked in from the inlet 12 to the extension pipe 31. In addition, a pair of wheels 11a is rotatably provided at a bottom member of the housing 11 so as to easily move the suction nozzle 10. The inlet 12 is extended on both sides of the bottom member as illustrated.

The agitator 100 rotates and sucks in dust and other objects on the surface to be cleaned, together with the air. In the present invention, the agitator 100 includes a body 100, and at least one blade assembly 120 mounted at the body 100. The agitator 100 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 2 and the following drawings.

First of all, the body 100 is rotatably mounted at the inlet 12 and formed in a cylindrical form so as to be smoothly rotated. The body 100 may be freely rotated between the blade assembly 120 and the surface to be cleaned. In other words, as illustrated in FIG. 2, when the suction nozzle 1 moves in an arrow direction, frictional force is applied to the body 110 in an opposite direction of the arrow direction so as to rotate the body 110. Since a rotation direction of the body 100 is changed according to a forward direction and a backward direction of the suction nozzle 10, efficiency of the agitator 100 may be changed according to a moving direction of the suction nozzle 10. On the other hand, the body may be rotated by an additional driving mechanism. The driving mechanism includes an impeller (not shown) mounted in the housing 11, and a belt (not shown) coupled with the impeller and the body 110. Accordingly, the impeller as well as the body 110 connected by a belt is rotated by the air sucked in. Since the driving mechanism enables to continuously rotate the body 110 in a predetermined direction, it is desirable that predetermined efficiency of the agitator is secured. The blade assembly 120 plays a role of separating dust and other objects from the surface to be cleaned such that the dust and other objects are sucked in through the inlet 12 [8-3]. In order to improve cleaning efficiency of the vacuum cleaner, a plurality of blade assembly 120 is mounted at the body 110. As illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B taken along the line I-I of FIG. 2, the blade assembly 120 includes a plurality of blades 121 and extended from the body 110 in a length direction thereof. Each of the plurality of the blades 121 is configured to come in contact with the surface to be cleaned. Accordingly, each of the plurality of the blades 121 is made of a soft material and has a body that is continuous and solid. Accordingly, contrary to a conventional brush, the blades 121 uniformly come into contact with the surface to be cleaned, thereby wiping out the almost entire surface when the body 110 is rotated. Therefore, each of the plurality of the blades 121 separates almost all objects from the surface and then suck in through the inlet 12.

When the blade assembly 120 includes only one blade formed in a continuous form, the body 110 may not be smoothly rotated because of excessive friction against the surface to be cleaned. Accordingly, the blade assembly 120 includes a plurality of blades 121, and the plurality of blades 121 are spaced for a predetermined space.

When the blades 121 are overlapped each other, great friction is caused against the surface in the same way. Therefore, the blades 121 are serially disposed along the body 110. As illustrated in FIG. 4A, the blades may generally have square sections. In order to reduce the friction against the surface, it is advantageous that each end of the blades 121 being in contact with the surface has a reduced section so as to decrease the friction against the surface.

In other words, the blades 121 have a trapezoid section as illustrated in FIG. 4B, or a triangle section as illustrated in FIG. 4C. The blades 121 may smoothly rotate the body 110 under a substantially small friction. The blades 121 are more flexibly made such that the reduced sections come in uniform contact with the surface.

As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the blade assembly 120 may include only blades 121 which are independent and separable. It however requires a long time and complicated work to install the blades 121 to the body 110. Accordingly, it is desirable that the blades 121 be coupled with each other so as to be easily mounted at the body 110 as illustrated in FIG. 3B. In more detail, the blade assembly 120 includes a strip member 122 connecting the blades 121 with one another. In other words, the blades 121 are formed as one body by the strip member 122. Shapes of a free end and a middle portion of each of the blades 121 may be changed to a certain degree so as to come into contact with the surface to be cleaned. Accordingly, the strip member 122 connects supporting ends, that is, ends of the blades 121 mounted at the body 110 so as to allow the shape change. The strip member 122 may be mounted on a surface of the body 110, but desirably inserted into the body 110 as illustrated in the drawing. When the blade assembly 120 includes only the blades 121, the blades 121 are mounted on the surface of the body 110 or in the body 110.

Besides, suction forces are different according to parts of the inlet 12. Accordingly, in order to suck in the dust and other objects larger than dust better, it is desirable that the blade assembly 120 induce the objects to a place of the inlet, with a strong suction force. Substantially, in order to induce the objects, the blade assembly 120 needs to have an appropriate and a profile or contour.

The profiles of the assembly are illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B. To meet the convenience in describing, the blade assembly 120 in FIGS. 5A and 5B [10-6] includes a first assembly 120a and a second assembly 120b connected with each other.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the first assembly 120a and the second assembly 120b are sloped and extended respectively from both sides of the body 110 toward a central axis (C) of the body 110. The first and second assemblies 120a and 120b are extended in opposite directions so as to be connected with each other at a predetermined point 120c. Alternatively, the first and second assemblies 120a and 120b may be regarded as sunken toward the center portion from both ends of the body 110 so as to be connected with each other at the point 120c. On the other hand, the blade assembly 120 illustrated in the drawings may be regarded as including a predetermined conversion member 120C converged on the center portion from the both ends of the body 110. Similarly, the blade assembly 120 illustrated in the drawings may also be regarded as disposed on the body 110 so as to have a recess portion 120c. All the aspects mentioned above considered, when the first and second assemblies 120a and 120b are respectively extended straight as illustrated in FIG. 5A, the blade assembly 120 is disposed simply in a “V” shape. When the first and second blades 120a and 120b have a predetermined curvature as illustrated in FIG. 5B, the blade assembly 120 is disposed in a “U” shape. Due to the curvature, the blade assembly 120 enables to smoothly induce and gather the objects on the surface to be cleaned without large friction.

Substantially, the suction force of the inlet 12 is strongest at the center portion thereof and the first and second assemblies 120a and 120b are disposed to join at a predetermined point of the body 120 corresponding to the center portion of the inlet 12. In other words, the point 120c is located at the center portion of the inlet 12, and similarly the conversion member or the recess member 120c is located at the center of the inlet 12. Accordingly, when the blade assembly 120 is rotated along with the body 110 in the arrow direction, the objects on the surface is induced to the center portion of the inlet 12 by the first and second assemblies 120a and 120b as illustrated as a heavy arrow. At the same time, the objects are gathered to a point where the first assembly 120a and the second assembly 120b are joined, that is, the center of the inlet 12.

Thereafter, the objects gathered to the point are sucked into the center portion of the inlet 12 by the strong suction force of the inlet 12. In other words, the blade assembly 120 of the present invention is configured to guide and gather the objects to the center of the inlet 12 with the strong suction force such that the objects are sucked in well.

[11-20] When the first and second assemblies 120a and 120b are extended respectively from the both ends of the body 110 in a direction same as the rotation direction and as illustrated as a dotted line in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the objects on the surface to be cleaned are guided to ends of the inlet 12 along the first and second assemblies 120a and 120b. Accordingly, the objects are unable to be sucked into the inlet 12. Therefore, it is desirable that the blade assembly 120 is extended from the both ends of the body 110 toward the center portion thereof in an opposite direction to the rotation direction of the body 110.

When the first and second assemblies 120a and 120b are extended in the same direction as the rotation direction of the body 110, the joining point 120c, i.e., the conversion member and the recess member, is ahead of the both ends of the blade assembly 120 as illustrated as the dotted line. Accordingly, with the same reason, it is desirable that the joining point 120c (the conversion member and the recess member) follows the both ends of the blade assembly 120 in the rotation direction of the body 110.

Meanwhile, the blade assembly 120 may be directly adhered to the surface of the body 110 or inserted into the body 110 so as to be firmly coupled thereto. For this reason, the body 110 includes a groove 111 for partially accommodating the blade assembly 120.

It is desirable that the groove 111 be configured to be geared with the blade assembly 120 so as to be firmly geared with the blade assembly 120. In more detail, as illustrated in FIG. 6A, the groove 111 includes at least one projecting member 111a extended inwardly from the inlet of the groove 111, and the coupled blade assembly 120 is latched on the projecting member 111a. As illustrated in FIG. 6B, the groove 111 has a section gradually reduced from a bottom member to an entrance thereof [12-20]. In other words, the groove 111 has a side wall, that is, a taper member 111b, and the blade assembly 120 is latched on the taper member 111b. Consequently, the groove 111 illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B has a reduced section at the entrance thereof so as to be geared with the blade assembly 120. Therefore, the blade assembly 120 is firmly coupled with the body 120 without coming out therefrom.

In the same manner, the blade assembly 120 is configured to be tightly fitted in the groove 111. In order to be tightly fitted in the groove 111, a part of the blade assembly 120, i.e., a section of the support end is has the same shape as the section of the groove 111. II more detail, the as illustrated in FIG. 7A, the blade assembly 120 may include at least one projecting member 122a caught by the projecting member 111a of the groove 111 illustrated in FIG. 6A. As illustrated in FIG. 7B, the blade assembly may also include a tapering member 122b so as to be fitted in the groove 111. The projecting member 122a and the tapering member 122b are shown as to be formed at the strip member 122. When the blade assembly 120 includes only the blade 121 without the strip member 122 as illustrated in FIG. 3A, the projection member 122a and the tapering member 122b are formed respectively at the blade 121.

As mentioned above, when the groove 111 is formed as illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the blade assembly 120 may be firmly coupled with the body 110 without using glue or a fixing member. With the same reason, the blade assembly 120 may be laterally inserted from an end of the body 110. In this case, in order to laterally insert the blade assembly 120, the groove 111 needs to be passed through one end of the body 111 as illustrated as “A.” Accordingly, the blade assembly 120 is firmly and easily coupled with the body 110.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

In the agitator of the present invention mentioned above, a blade assembly includes a plurality of blades. Accordingly, an entire surface to be cleaned is uniformly wiped out. The blade assembly is separable from the surface to be cleaned such that all the objects can be sucked into the suction nozzle. The blade assembly also includes an optimum profile so as to guide and to gather the objects to a particular point of the inlet with a strong suction force. Accordingly, almost all objects are sucked into the suction nozzle. Therefore, efficiency of the vacuum cleaner is largely improved by the agitator of the present invention.

Claims

1. An agitator for a suction nozzle in a vacuum cleaner, comprising:

a body rotatably provided at an inlet of the suction nozzle; and

at least one blade assembly including a plurality of blades configured to come in contact with a surface to be cleaned, and mounted at the body along a length direction thereof.

2. The agitator of claim 1, wherein the body is rotated by friction between the blade assembly and the surface.

3. The agitator of claim 1, wherein the body is forcibly rotated by a driving mechanism.

4. The agitator of claim 1, wherein the body is formed in a cylindrical shape.

5. The agitator of claim 1, wherein the plurality of blades are flexibility.

6. The agitator of claim 1, wherein the plurality of blades are spaced a predetermined distance from one another.

7. The agitator of claim 1, wherein the plurality of blades are serially disposed.

8. The agitator of claim 1, wherein the plurality of blades comprises a plurality of square sections.

9. The agitator of claim 1, wherein free ends of the plurality of blades have reduced sections, the free ends coming in contact with the surface to be cleaned.

10. The agitator of claim 1, wherein the plurality of blades comprise triangular sections.

11. The agitator of claim 1, wherein the plurality of blades comprise trapezoidal sections.

12. The agitator of claim 1, wherein the plurality of blades are separated from one another.

13. The agitator of claim 1, wherein the plurality of blades are connected with one another.

14. The agitator of claim 1, wherein the plurality of blades are formed as one body.

15. The agitator of claim 1, wherein the blade assembly further comprises a strip member connecting the plurality of blades to one another.

16. The agitator of claim 15, wherein the strip member connects supporting ends of the plurality of blades.

17. The agitator of claim 15, wherein the strip member is inserted into the body.

18. The agitator of claim 15, wherein the blade assembly is configured to lead objects to a particular location of an inlet with a relatively strong suction force, thereby causing the objects to be sucked in.

19. The agitator of claim 1, wherein the blade assembly is configured to gather objects to a particular location of an inlet with a relatively strong suction force, thereby causing the objects to be sucked in.

20. The agitator of claim 1, wherein the blade assembly is configured to lead objects to a center portion of the inlet, the objects to be sucked in.

21. The agitator of claim 1, wherein the blade assembly is configured to gather objects to a center portion of the inlet, thereby causing the objects to be sucked in.

22. The agitator of claim 1, wherein the blade assembly comprises a first assembly and a second assembly sloped to a predetermined degree and extended respectively from both sides of the body toward a central axis of the body.

23. The agitator of claim 22, wherein the first and second assemblies are extended so as to be joined, and a joining portion where the first and second assemblies are joined is disposed at a center portion of the inlet.

24. The agitator of claim 22, wherein the first and second assemblies are respectively extended in a direction opposite a rotational direction of the body.

25. The agitator of claim 23, wherein the joining portion follows both ends of the blade assembly in a rotational direction of the body.

26. The agitator of claim 1, wherein the blade assembly comprises a first assembly and a second assembly sinking toward a center portion from both ends of the body.

27. The agitator of claim 26, wherein the first and second assemblies are extended to be joined with each other.

28. The agitator of claim 26, wherein the first and second assemblies are respectively extended in a direction opposite to a rotational direction of the body.

29. The agitator of claim 27, wherein a joining portion follows both ends of the blade assembly in a rotational direction of the body.

30. The agitator of claim 1, wherein the blade assembly converges at a portion central to both ends of the body.

31. The agitator of claim 1, wherein a conversion member of the blade assembly is disposed at a center portion of the inlet.

32. The agitator of claim 30, wherein the blade assembly is extended in a direction opposite a rotational direction of the body from both ends of the body toward the center portion thereof.

33. The agitator of claim 30, wherein a conversion member of the blade assembly follows the both ends of the blade assembly in a rotational direction of the body.

34. The agitator of claim 1, wherein the blade assembly is disposed to form a recess portion or an indent portion.

35. The agitator of claim 34, wherein the recess member is disposed at a center portion of the inlet.

36. The agitator of claim 34, wherein the blade assembly is extended in a direction opposite a rotational direction of the body from both ends of the body toward the center portion thereof.

37. The agitator of claim 34, wherein the recess member follows both ends of the blade assembly in a rotational direction of the body.

38. The agitator of claim 22, wherein the first and second assemblies are straight.

39. The agitator of claim 22, wherein the first and second assemblies comprise a predetermined curvature.

40. The agitator of claim 1, wherein the blade assembly is disposed in a “V” shape.

41. The agitator of claim 1, wherein the blade assembly is disposed in a “U” shape.

42. The agitator of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a groove for accommodating the blade assembly.

43. The agitator of claim 42, wherein the groove is configured to be geared with the blade assembly.

44. The agitator of claim 42, wherein the groove comprises a reduced section at an entrance thereof.

45. The agitator of claim 42, wherein the groove comprises at least one projecting member formed at an entrance thereof and having the blade assembly caught thereon.

46. The agitator of claim 42, wherein the groove comprises a section being gradually reduced from a bottom member to an entrance thereof.

47. The agitator of claim 42, wherein the blade assembly is configured to be tightly fitted in the groove.

48. The agitator of claim 42, wherein a section of a supporting end of the blade assembly has a similar shape to a section of the groove having the supporting end caught thereon.

49. The agitator of claim 45, wherein the blade assembly comprises at least one projecting member caught on the projecting member of the grove.

50. The agitator of claim 46, wherein the blade assembly is at least partially tapered so as to be coupled with the groove.

51. The agitator of claim 42, wherein the groove is configured to allow the blade assembly to be inserted in a direction lateral to the body from an end of the body.

52. The agitator of claim 42, wherein the groove is passed through one end of the body.

53. The agitator of claim 26, wherein the first and second assemblies are straight.

54. The agitator of claim 26, wherein the first and second assemblies comprise a predetermined curvature.