COMPACTING WASTE RECEPTACLE FOR VACUUM CLEANER

Abstract

A waste receptacle design is described that includes a substantially cylindrical body (or an elongated body) that is designed to slide longitudinally (e.g., along the length of the vacuum cleaner) around a filter/motor housing such that a front part of the filter/motor housing compacts any dirt or debris within the waste receptacle. The waste receptacle may include an inner chamber and a body around the inner chamber with space between the inner chamber and the body. Dirt and debris may be collected within the inner chamber while air passes into the inner chamber and out through a mesh or screen on the walls of the inner chamber to the space between the inner chamber and the body. When sliding the waste receptacle back towards the filter/motor housing, a distal wall of the filter/motor housing moves through the inner chamber of the waste receptacle to compact dirt and debris.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/457,553, filed Apr. 6, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Cleaning tools such as vacuum cleaners have been used for decades to aid in cleaning dirt and other debris from floors. Most vacuum cleaners have a built-in motor to facilitate air suction and an area to collect dirt, but the units are often heavy and bulky, thus making it difficult to deftly maneuver the unit around a given floorspace. It can also be difficult to efficiently remove the debris from the waste receptacle or maximize the available space within a waste receptacle. Accordingly, there exist some drawbacks and other unsolved issues that limit the convenience of vacuum cleaners.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of embodiments of the claimed subject matter will become apparent as the following Detailed Description proceeds, and upon reference to the Drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric, three-dimensional view of a vacuum cleaner, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a three-dimensional view of a waste receptacle sliding along the vacuum cleaner, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view through the waste receptacle, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4A illustrates a three-dimensional view of the airflow path through the waste receptacle and filter/motor housing, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4B illustrates a cross-sectional view through the waste receptacle and filter/motor housing using another filter structure design, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the airflow path through the waste receptacle and filter/motor housing of FIG. 4B, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate cross-sectional views of the sliding waste receptacle, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5C illustrates a three-dimensional view of the separated waste receptacle, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 6A-6D illustrate three-dimensional views of the sliding operation of the waste receptacle around the filter/motor housing, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate three-dimensional views of the filter structure, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 7C and 7D illustrate three-dimensional views of another filter structure, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 8A-8C illustrate three-dimensional views of an operation to remove the filter structure from the filter/motor housing, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9A-9C illustrate three-dimensional views of the sliding operation of another waste receptacle design around the filter/motor housing, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 10A-10C illustrate three dimensional views of a pivoting operation of the filter/motor housing to remove the waste receptacle, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic of air flowing from the inside to the outside of a filter in a given filter structure, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12A illustrates a three-dimensional view of the handle of the vacuum cleaner, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12B illustrates another three-dimensional view of the handle of the vacuum cleaner, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate three dimensional views of different battery arrangements within the handle, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Although the following Detailed Description will proceed with reference being made to illustrative embodiments, many alternatives, modifications, and variations thereof will be apparent in light of this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As noted above, there are some non-trivial issues with the designs of most vacuum cleaners. Many of the issues pertain to matters of convenience for the user. For example, vacuum cleaners include a waste receptacle for holding the debris picked up by the suction. These waste receptacles often have a particular geometry to fit the given vacuum cleaner and may be difficult to empty completely based on their geometry. This may be due to inefficient use of the volume within the waste receptacle. For example, dirt and other debris may be stuck in areas of the waste receptacle not near the door, or may be stuck against the filter screen in parts of the waste receptacle that are difficult to access.

Thus, and in accordance with some embodiments, a waste receptacle design is described that includes a substantially cylindrical body (or an elongated body) that is designed to slide longitudinally (e.g., along the length of the vacuum cleaner) around a filter/motor housing such that a front part of the filter/motor housing compacts any dirt or debris within the waste receptacle like a piston. The waste receptacle may include an inner chamber and a body having an outer wall with space between the inner chamber and the outer wall. Dirt and debris may be collected within the inner chamber while air passes into the inner chamber and out through a mesh or screen (or generally any openings) on the walls of the inner chamber to the space between the inner chamber and the outer wall. When sliding the waste receptacle back towards the filter/motor housing, a distal wall of the filter/motor housing moves through the inner chamber of the waste receptacle to compact the dirt and debris towards a door at a distal end of the waste receptacle. According to some embodiments, the distal wall of the filter/motor housing is a part of a filter structure that includes an air filter before the air is drawn into the motor.

According to an embodiment, a vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle assembly at a distal end of the vacuum cleaner, a handle at a proximal end of the vacuum cleaner, a waste receptacle having an inner chamber and an outer wall around the inner chamber, a motor configured to draw air through the nozzle assembly and into the waste receptacle, and a filter structure having a filter coupled thereto. The waste receptacle and the filter structure are configured to move relative to one another such that the filter structure moves through the inner chamber of the waste receptacle. The filter structure may be housed within a filter/motor housing such that the filter/motor housing along with the filter structure moves through the inner chamber of the waste receptacle. In one example, the waste receptacle is fixed while the filter structure and filter/motor housing moves through the inner chamber of the waste receptacle. In another example, the filter structure and filter/motor housing are fixed in place while the waste receptacle moves around the filter/motor housing such that an end of the filter structure moves through the inner chamber.

According to an embodiment, a waste receptacle designed for use on a vacuum cleaner includes a body and an inner chamber within the body. The body has a first wall with an outer diameter and an inner diameter and the inner chamber has a second wall with an outer diameter and an inner diameter. The inner diameter of the first wall is larger than the outer diameter of the second wall, such that the inner chamber is nested within the body, according to some embodiments. An annular region exists between the inner diameter of the first wall and the outer diameter of the second wall.

According to some embodiments, an inlet passes through both the first and second walls to allow access into the inner chamber. The inlet is designed to be aligned with an air suction tube, such that air is drawn from the air suction tube through the inlet and into the inner chamber. According to some embodiments, one or more portions of the second wall include a screen having a plurality of holes (or generally any openings) that allow air within the inner chamber to be drawn through the screen and into the annular region between the first and second walls.

According to an embodiment, a filter system for use in a vacuum cleaner includes a filter structure having a first end with a wall and an open end, a filter coupled to the filter structure and extending between the first end and the second end of the filter structure, one or more first engagement features on an outer surface of the wall, and a filter removal tool having a grip and an end surface. The end surface comprises one or more second engagement features that are shaped to engage with the one or more first engagement features on the wall of the filter structure.

According to an embodiment, a handle configured for use on a vacuum cleaner includes a grip sized for a human hand, a base, and one or more handle structures extending between the grip and the base. The grip includes one or more energy storage elements, and the base includes one or more electrical connections configured to be coupled to the vacuum cleaner.

According to an embodiment, a filter structure for use in a vacuum cleaner includes a filter coupled around a scaffold, and a cyclone stage adjacent to the filter. The cyclone stage and the filter are configured to be removable from the vacuum cleaner as a single unit.

According to an embodiment, a vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle assembly at a distal end of the vacuum cleaner, a handle at a proximal end of the vacuum cleaner, a waste receptacle having an inner chamber and a body around the inner chamber, a motor configured to draw air through the nozzle assembly and into the waste receptacle, and a filter structure having a filter coupled thereto. The waste receptacle is configured to move relative to the filter structure such that the inner chamber of the waste receptacle slides around at least a portion of the filter structure.

According to an embodiment, a vacuum cleaner includes a waste receptacle, a motor configured to draw air into the waste receptacle, a wall at a proximal end of the waste receptacle, and a door at a distal end of the waste receptacle. The waste receptacle is configured to move relative to the wall such that the waste receptacle is configured to slide around the wall. In this way, the wall may be at the end of a piston arranged at one end of the waste receptacle and that the waste receptacle slides around to compact dirt and debris within the waste receptacle, or to push dirt and debris out of the waste receptacle.

These and other such embodiments will be described in more detail herein.

The description uses the phrases “in an embodiment” or “in embodiments,” which may each refer to one or more of the same or different embodiments. Furthermore, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like, as used with respect to embodiments of the present disclosure, are synonymous. When used to describe a range of dimensions, the phrase “between X and Y” represents a range that includes X and Y.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. The spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. The apparatus may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may likewise be interpreted accordingly.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective three-dimensional view of a vacuum cleaner 100, according to an embodiment. Vacuum cleaner 100 has the general shape of a stick vacuum, however, it should be understood that the embodiments described herein with regards to the waste receptacle may be used on any type of vacuum cleaner, such as a stick vacuum cleaner, canister vacuum cleaner, or upright vacuum cleaner. In some embodiments, vacuum cleaner 100 includes a nozzle assembly 102 at a distal end of vacuum cleaner 100 while a handle 104 may be coupled to a proximal end of vacuum cleaner 100. Nozzle assembly 102 can include a rotatable brush head or any other type of cleaning head for facilitating the gathering of debris from the floor or other surfaces.

According to some embodiments, vacuum cleaner 100 includes an air suction tube 106 that extends between nozzle assembly 102 and a waste receptacle 108. Nozzle assembly 102 may include various elements that aid in lifting dirt and debris from a floor surface. In other examples, nozzle assembly 102 is a simple opening or attachment at the end of a hand-held vacuum cleaner. Nozzle assembly may include one or more adapter features to connect with various cleaner attachments. Generally speaking, nozzle assembly 102 refers to the distal end of any vacuum cleaner where air is initially drawn into the vacuum cleaner. During operation, air is drawn from nozzle assembly 102 through air suction tube 106 into waste receptacle 108 where dirt and other debris is deposited. A filter/motor housing 110 may be located between waste receptacle 108 and handle 104 and includes both the vacuum motor and one or more filters designed to remove particles from the air before it is drawn into the motor. The motor may be any suitable vacuum motor, such as a brushed or brushless DC motor, that draws air up through nozzle assembly 102 and into waste receptacle 108. As will be discussed in more detail herein, waste receptacle 108 is designed to slide longitudinally (in the direction of the arrows) around the outside of filter/motor housing 110. In some other examples, filter/motor housing 110 slides longitudinally through waste receptacle 108.

According to some embodiments, waste receptacle 108 may have a substantially cylindrical shape to fit with the overall form factor of vacuum cleaner 100. Waste receptacle 108 may have any suitable elongated geometry. In some embodiments, filter/motor housing 110 also has a substantially cylindrical shape.

FIG. 2 illustrates a closer three-dimensional view of waste receptacle 108 and filter/motor housing 110, according to some embodiments. Waste receptacle 108 may include a body 201 having a substantially cylindrical shape (or any other suitable elongated shape). Body 201 may have a transparent or translucent material to allow for viewing any debris within waste receptacle 108. An air inlet 202 may be included along a side of body 201. According to some embodiments, air (along with any debris brought with it) is drawn through air inlet 202 and into an inner chamber within body 201 where the debris is trapped. The inner chamber is not shown in this view but is described in later figures.

Air may be drawn into nozzle assembly 102, through air suction tube 106, and through inlet 202 into waste receptacle 108. In this example, nozzle assembly 102 represents an opening for air and debris to be drawn into. In some embodiments, nozzle assembly 102 includes one or more adapter elements to be coupled to various cleaning extensions.

According to some embodiments, waste receptacle 108 includes a slidable ring 204 along an outside circumference of body 201. Slidable ring 204 may be attached to a seal 206 adjacent to inlet 202, such that a longitudinal sliding movement of slidable ring 204 also slides seal 206 over inlet 202 thus blocking or at least reducing airflow through inlet 202. Seal 206 may be any suitable material such as a thermoplastic elastomer, silicone, or some combination of fabrics, elastomers, and rigid materials.

Waste receptacle 108 also includes a door 208 at a distal end of body 201. Door 208 may be shaped to cover the end of body 201, and thus may have a substantially circular shape to cover the end. According to some embodiments, door 208 may be attached to body 201 via one or more hinges to allow for door 208 to swing open or shut about the one or more hinges. A latch 210 on a side of body 201 may be pressed or otherwise actuated in some fashion to cause door 208 to swing open.

As noted above, waste receptacle 108 is designed to slide back and forth as indicated by the double ended arrow around the outside of filter/motor housing 110. According to some embodiments, body 201 is slidably coupled to a track 212 that allows for the sliding movement of waste receptacle 108. A proximal end of the vacuum cleaner (e.g., adjacent to handle 104) may include any number of vents 214 for venting the air after it has passed through the motor within filter/motor housing 110. In some embodiments, slidable ring 204 is gripped and slid back and forth to cause a corresponding lateral movement of body 201 back and forth on track 212.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-section view through a portion of waste receptacle 108 demonstrating a general path taken by particles (solid arrows) and air (dashed arrows), according to some embodiments. Air along with any debris is drawn through air suction tube 106 and through inlet 202 into an inner chamber 302. According to some embodiments, inner chamber 302 has a smaller diameter compared to the diameter of body 201 such that an annular region 303 exists between inner chamber 302 and body 201. In some examples, inner chamber 302 is coaxially aligned within body 201.

According to some embodiments, at least a portion of a wall of inner chamber 302 includes a screen 304 having a plurality of holes for allowing air (and small enough particles) to pass through. In some examples, any openings may be provided through the wall of inner chamber 302 to allow air (and small enough particles) to pass through. The air passes first into inner chamber 302 and through screen 304 (or generally through any openings) to annular region 303 between inner chamber 302 and body 201 where it continues to be drawn upwards towards filter/motor housing 110. Any debris or particles larger than the size of the holes remain within inner chamber 302. Any particles that pass through screen 304 may either fall towards door 208 (indicated by the solid arrows) or continue with the airflow (indicated by dashed arrows) towards filter/motor housing 110 depending on various factors, such as the size and/or density of the particles and the influence of the air stream on those particles.

FIG. 4A illustrates another view of the airflow path inside both waste receptacle 108 and filter/motor housing 110, according to some embodiments. The airflow is generally illustrated by the arrows as it passes through air suction tube 106 and into inner chamber 302, then through screen 304 to the outside of inner chamber 302, then along the space around inner chamber 302 up towards filter/motor housing 110, then through a filter structure 402 before being drawn into a motor 404. Both filter structure 402 and motor 404 may be housed within filter/motor housing 110.

According to some embodiments, filter structure 402 includes a filter 406 arranged on a rigid scaffold 407 that extends between a first end and a second end of filter structure 402. Filter 406 may be a pleated filter (e.g., made from polyester, cotton, and/or paper), a foam filter, or any other appropriate filter media. The air may travel along the outside of and towards a center of filter 406 before being drawn towards motor 404 as illustrated. In some other embodiments, the air flows through the center of filter 406 and then flows outwards away from filter 406 before being drawn towards motor 404.

According to some embodiments, a first end of filter structure 402 includes a wall 408 while a second end of filter structure 402 is open to airflow. Accordingly, when waste receptacle 108 slides back along the outside of filter/motor housing 110, wall 408 of filter structure 402 compacts dirt and other debris within inner chamber 302. In some embodiments, wall 408 is also used to push dirt and other debris out of inner chamber 302 when door 208 is open.

According to some embodiments, inlet 202 is aligned over a central longitudinal axis of inner chamber 302 to reduce or eliminate creating an air vortex within inner chamber 302. Put another way, a first central longitudinal axis of inlet 202 may intersect a second central longitudinal axis of inner chamber 302. In some other examples, inlet 202 is aligned over any part of inner chamber 302 and need not be centrally aligned.

FIG. 4B illustrates a cross-section view through both waste receptacle 108 and filter/motor housing 110 of another design, according to some embodiments. In this example, a filter structure 410 includes both filter 406 on scaffold 407 and also a cyclone stage 412. According to some embodiments, air may be drawn into cyclone stage 412 where a vortex is created before the air is drawn towards filter 406. In some examples, cyclone stage 412 is angled (e.g., at least 15 degrees, at least 20 degrees, at least 30 degrees, or at least 45 degrees) with respect to a central axis running coaxially through waste receptacle 108 and filter/motor housing 110. The vortex created within cyclone stage 412 causes small dust particles or other debris that passed through screen 304 (or generally through any openings) to be separated from the airflow. It should be noted that in this design, screen 304 may include one or more transparent or translucent windows 413 to allow for visual inspection into inner chamber 302. According to some embodiments, this separated debris passes through an outlet 414 into a collection chamber 416. In some examples, collection chamber 416 is provided beneath inner chamber 302. According to some embodiments, a wall 417 separates collection chamber 416 from the primary waste receptacle area housing inner chamber 302. In this way, larger debris may be trapped within inner chamber 302 while smaller debris may be trapped within collection chamber 416. According to some embodiments, door 208 covers both inner chamber 302 and collection chamber 416 and reveals both inner chamber 302 and collection chamber 416 when it is opened in order to empty the contents of inner chamber 302 and collection chamber 416 at the same time.

According to some embodiments, filter structure 410 also includes a tab 418 at wall 408 of filter structure 410. Note that wall 408 of filter structure 410 functions in substantially the same way as wall 408 of filter structure 402 to compact dirt and other debris within inner chamber 302 when waste receptacle 108 slides back. Tab 418 may be any suitable shape and may be provided to facilitate the removal and/or installation of filter structure 410. For example, a user may reach into inner chamber 302, grip tab 418, and twist tab 418 to unlock filter structure 410 from its mechanical engagement within waste receptacle 108 and/or filter/motor housing 110. Once unlocked, filter structure 410 may be removed as a single piece (e.g., both cyclone stage 412 and filter 406). The steps may generally be performed in the reverse order to reinstall filter structure 410 back within waste receptacle 108 and/or filter/motor housing 110. Waste receptacle 108 may first be slid back towards motor 404 to bring tab 418 closer to the entrance of waste receptacle 108 for easier access.

FIG. 4C illustrates a view of an example airflow path through waste receptacle 108 and through filter structure 410, according to some embodiments. The airflow is generally illustrated by the arrows as it passes through inlet 202 and into inner chamber 302, then through screen 304 (or generally through any openings) to the outside of inner chamber 302, then along the space around inner chamber 302 up towards filter structure 410. The air may be drawn through openings 420 around the filter/motor housing 110 and then through openings around the outside of cyclone stage 412 where the air spins within cyclone stage 412 before being drawn through a central portion of cyclone stage 412 towards filter 406. The air is passed along the outside of filter 406 and through the thickness of filter 406 before being drawn into motor 404.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show closer views of inlet 202 and how inlet 202 may be blocked using seal 206, according to some embodiments. FIG. 5A illustrates seal 206 along with slidable ring 204 in a first position with seal 206 away from inlet 202. FIG. 5B illustrates seal 206 along with slidable ring 204 in a second position after moving slidable ring 204 back towards filter/motor housing 110 with seal 206 now covering inlet 202. According to some embodiments, the sliding movement of slidable ring 204 may engage with a latch 502 that releases a hold on waste receptacle 108 and allows for the sliding of waste receptacle 108 back around filter/motor housing 110.

According to some embodiments, the distal wall 408 of filter structure 402 may include one or more scraping structures 504. Scraping structures 504 may be set against and around the circumference of wall 408, such that scraping structures 504 scrape along the inside surface of inner chamber 302 as waste receptacle 108 is drawn back around filter/motor housing 110. In this way, scraping structures 504 may help remove debris or other material from the walls of inner chamber 302. For example, any material trapped on screen 304 can be pushed off using scraping structures 504. Scraping structures 504 may be any compliant material, such as a polymer material.

FIG. 5C illustrates a view of waste chamber 108, according to some embodiments. In this example, inlet 202 does not include a sliding seal such as that described with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, but rather a flexible flap 506. According to some embodiments, flexible flap 506 may be a compliant polymer-based material that opens during the suction of air to allow passage into waste receptacle 108. Flexible flap 506 may close against inlet 202 to prevent debris escaping through inlet 202 when the motor is not operating to pull air through the vacuum cleaner, or when waste receptable 108 has been removed from the vacuum cleaner. In another embodiment, a rigid door may be used along with a flexible seal to close inlet 202 when waste receptacle 108 has been pulled back on its track. The rigid door may be held in place using a spring or mechanical linkage coupled to slidable ring 204.

FIGS. 6A-6D illustrate three-dimensional views of the sliding operation of waste receptacle 108 as it moves around filter/motor housing 110, according to some embodiments. FIG. 6A illustrates waste receptacle 108 and slidable ring 204 in a first state where slidable ring 204 is in a position around the outside of waste receptacle 108 such that the inlet into waste receptacle 108 is open. In this first state, the vacuum may be operating normally with air being drawn through waste receptacle 108 towards the motor.

At any time, a user may pull slidable ring 204 back towards filter/motor housing 110, which may seal inlet 202 as shown in FIG. 6B. Note that this movement of slidable ring 204 may not yet move waste receptacle 108, such that waste receptacle 108 does not move any closer to filter/motor housing 110. According to some embodiments, the movement of slidable ring 204 to the second state may trip a switch or sensor that turns off the motor of the vacuum cleaner. In other examples, slidable ring 204 does not create a portion of inlet 202 and does not contain a sealing element that closes inlet 202.

Once slidable ring 204 has been moved into place, the entire waste receptacle 108 may be pulled back around filter/motor housing 110 as shown in FIG. 6C. According to some embodiments, the sliding movement of waste receptacle 108 compacts dirt and debris within waste receptacle 108 via wall 408 of the filter structure. Accordingly, wall 408 may compact anything within the inner chamber 302 of waste receptacle 108 towards door 208 like a piston. In some examples, wall 408 defines the end wall of a piston structure that is separate from filter structure 402 or 410.

The waste receptacle 108 may be moved back until it reaches a fourth state where it cannot move any further back along filter/motor housing 110 as shown in FIG. 6D. This fourth state may be determined by a hard stop or other structure that prevents further movement of waste receptacle 108 towards the proximal end of filter/motor housing 110. In some examples, the amount of dirt and debris compacted within the distal end of waste receptacle 108 presses against wall 408 and prevents further movement of waste receptacle 108. A user may move waste receptacle 108 back and forth several times to compact the dirt and debris within the inner chamber before moving the waste receptacle 108 and slidable ring 204 back to the first state. Once moved back to its first state, the user may either manually start the motor again or the motor may automatically start pulling air through inlet 202 and into waste receptacle 108. In some embodiments, door 206 may be opened such that wall 408 pushes the dirt and debris out of waste receptacle 108 when transitioning between the third state and the fourth state.

It should be understood that the description of the movement of waste receptacle 108 around the outside of filter/motor housing 110 to compact debris within waste receptacle 108 may also be applied in the reverse situation where the waste receptacle 108 is fixed and filter/motor housing 110 is disengaged from the proximal end of the vacuum cleaner and moved through waste receptacle 108 to compact the debris within waste receptacle 108. In such an embodiment, front wall 408 is still used to compact the debris within the inner chamber 302 of waste receptacle 108.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate two views of filter structure 402, according to some embodiments. Filter structure 402 includes filter 406 and a closed end with wall 408 as discussed previously. According to some embodiments, wall 408 includes one or more engagement features 702. These one or more engagement features 702 may generally have any indented or protruding shape and be designed to engage with corresponding features of a filter removal tool. Filter 406 may extend between wall 408 and an open end 704 of filter structure 402. According to some embodiments, when used within vacuum cleaner 100, air passes through the outside surface of filter 406 towards the center of filter structure 402 and continues to flow out open end 704 towards motor 404.

FIGS. 7C and 7D illustrate two views of filter structure 410, according to some embodiments. As discussed above, filter structure 410 includes a filter stage having filter 406 and a cyclone stage 412. According to some embodiments, cyclone stage 412 includes slit-like openings 706 around its outer surface to draw air through. The air may swirl around a central column 707 before passing through a hollow region 708 within central column 707 and towards the filter stage. According to some embodiments, a member 710 extends across a portion of the outlet of cyclone stage 412 to disrupt the circular movement of the air. As discussed above, dust or other small debris may fall out of the airflow and be directed through outlet 414. According to some embodiments, cyclone stage 412 may be a single injection-molded piece of hard plastic or any other suitable polymer-based material. According to some embodiments, all parts of filter structure 410 are coupled together as a single unit when removed from or installed into the vacuum cleaner. In some examples, filter 406 is separately removable from scaffold 407. In some examples, filter 406 and scaffold 407 may be removed together from cyclone stage 412.

FIGS. 8A-8C illustrate different three-dimensional views of an example operation performed to remove filter structure 402 from filter/motor housing 110, according to some embodiments. FIG. 8A illustrates a filter removal tool 802 that may include a grip 804 and a front-facing wall 806. Grip 804 may be substantially cylindrical in shape or ergonomically shaped for a comfortable hold with a human hand. Front-facing wall 806 may include one or more engagement features 808 that are shaped to couple with the corresponding one or more engagement features on wall 408 of filter structure 402. In operation, wall 408 of filter structure 402 may be more easily accessed after waste receptacle 108 has been drawn back as far as it can go around filter/motor housing 110 (e.g., the fourth state as illustrated in FIG. 6D).

Filter removal tool 802 may be brought into contact with filter structure 402 such that the corresponding engagement structures on each of filter removal tool 802 and filter structure 402 are mechanically coupled together as shown in FIG. 8B. In one example, filter removal tool 802 is rotated after engaging with the features on filter structure 402 to lock filter removal tool 802 in place with filter structure 402. In some examples, the rotation of filter removal tool 802 causes a corresponding rotation of filter structure 402 that allows it to slide out from filter/motor housing 110. For example, filter structure 402 may be locked in place within filter/motor housing 110 using any suitable locking mechanism, such as a bayonet lock. The rotation of filter structure 402 may disengage the locking mechanism and allow filter structure 402 to slide out from filter/motor housing 110. Similarly, rotating filter structure 402 in the opposite direction may reengage the lock that holds filter structure 402 in place within filter/motor housing 110. According to some embodiments, a trigger, button, or switch on filter removal tool 802 may be pressed or actuated by the user to move one or more of the engagement features 808 on filter removal tool 802 to engage with corresponding features on filter structure 402.

Once filter removal tool 802 has been engaged with wall 408 of filter structure 402, filter removal tool 802 may be drawn back along with filter structure 402 to remove it from filter/motor housing 110, as shown in FIG. 8C. With filter structure 402 removed, filter 406 may be cleaned without ever needing to touch filter 406 (as it may be handled via filter removal tool 802). Filter structure 402 along with filter 406 may be placed back into filter/motor housing 110 by sliding it back into place using filter removal tool 802 and disengaging filter removal tool 802 from filter structure 402. In some examples, filter removal tool 802 is disengaged from filter structure 402 by rotating filter removal tool 802 in the opposite direction from how it was rotated to engage. In some examples, a trigger, button, or switch on filter removal tool 802 may be pressed or actuated by the user to move one or more of the engagement features 808 on filter removal tool 802 to disengage with corresponding features on filter structure 402.

FIGS. 9A-9C illustrate three-dimensional views of the sliding operation of another waste receptacle 902 having a different inlet design as it moves around filter/motor housing 110, according to some embodiments. According to some embodiments, waste receptacle 902 may be similar to the design of waste receptacle 108 (such as both having the same inner chamber 302), but waste receptacle 902 includes an extended inlet 904 that eliminates the need for a slidable ring. Extended inlet 904 receives air from air suction tube 106 and directs the air at an angle (such as at least a 45°, 60°, or 90° angle) into inner chamber 302 of waste receptacle 902. An open track 906 may be provided behind extended inlet 904 to give it room to slide when waste receptacle 902 is slid back and forth around filter/motor housing 110.

As shown in FIG. 9B, waste receptacle 902 can slide back across filter/motor housing 110 such that wall 408 of filter structure 402 compacts dirt and debris within inner chamber 302. Extended inlet 904 also slides back along open track 906. All other description with regards to the motion of waste receptacle 902 is similar to that discussed above for waste receptacle 108. FIG. 9C illustrates waste receptacle 902 slid as far back as it can go around filter/motor housing 110. Similar to the description above, the motor may be shut off when waste receptacle 902 begins moving backwards towards filter/motor housing 110. In some embodiments, a flap may cover the entry into inner chamber 302 from extended inlet 904 to reduce airflow through extended inlet 904 while waste receptacle 902 is moved around filter/motor housing 110. The flap may be any polymer or fabric-based material. In some examples, the movement of wall 408 towards the distal end of inner chamber 302 can push the flap into place to cover the entrance from extended inlet 904 into inner chamber 302.

FIGS. 10A-10C illustrate three-dimensional views of an example operation to remove the waste receptacle from the vacuum cleaner. This operation may apply to any of the waste receptable designs described herein. In its first state, the waste receptacle is first slid back towards filter/motor housing 110. According to some embodiments, the waste receptacle is first slid backwards, as shown in FIG. 10A, to allow extended inlet 904 to clear the front of air suction tube 106. In some embodiments, the waste receptacle does not need to be first slid backwards to disengage the waste receptacle as generally illustrated in FIG. 10B. The proximal end of filter/motor housing 110 may be pivoted or rotated downwards via one or more flexible hinges or pivotably mounted hinges 1002, as shown in FIG. 10B. According to some embodiments, a latch or button may be pressed to disengage the waste receptacle from the sliding track that it is coupled to and to allow the waste receptacle to be tilted downwards. The waste receptacle may then be pulled away from and ultimately off of filter/motor housing 110 as shown in FIG. 10C.

According to some embodiments, filter structure 402 or 410 may be designed in such a way that air flow passes from the inside of the filter towards the outside of the filter (such that dirt is trapped on the inside surface of the filter). FIG. 11 illustrates another filter structure 1102, according to some embodiments. Like filter structure 402 or 410, filter structure 1102 may include a distal wall 1104 and scraper structures 1106 to compact dirt/debris and scrap along the inner walls of inner chamber 302. Air flows from inner chamber 302 along the walls of inner chamber 302 back towards filter structure 1102 where it hits a baffle structure 1108 and is directed towards a central portion of filter structure 1102. According to some embodiments, a filter 1110 is wrapped around the central portion of filter structure 1102 such that air passed from the inside surface to the outside surface of filter 1110 before being drawn into motor 404, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 11. Filter 1110 may be similar to filter 406.

FIG. 12A illustrates a closer view of handle 104. According to some embodiments, handle 104 may include a grip 1202 and a base 1204. In some embodiments, handle 104 is designed to be detachable via a coupling mechanism 1206 at a proximal end of the vacuum cleaner that engages with base 1204. Grip 1202 may be coupled to base 1204 via any number of structures, such as a lower structure 1208a and an upper structure 1208b. Furthermore, grip 1202 may house one or more energy storage devices such as battery cells, and different handles may have different energy storage capacities and/or grip designs. Accordingly, base 1204 may also include any number of electrical connections to couple with corresponding electrical connections at the end of vacuum cleaner 100 for providing power to vacuum cleaner 100.

According to some embodiments, handle 104 may be removably coupled to the end of vacuum cleaner 100, such that handle 104 can be easily replaced with any number of other grip designs and/or battery configurations. In some examples, certain handles may have a higher energy storage capacity than other handles. In situations where two handles are used, the battery cells within one handle may be charged while the other handle is coupled to the end of vacuum cleaner 100 to provide power. The battery cells may be permanently fixed within a given handle or may be designed to be removable and replaceable.

In some embodiments, handle 104 is configured to slide off of the proximal end of the vacuum cleaner. FIG. 12B illustrates handle 104 with a track 1210a that slidably engages with a corresponding track 1210b at the proximal end of the vacuum cleaner. A button or latch on handle 104 may be pressed to mechanically disengage handle 104 from the proximal end of the vacuum cleaner and allow it to be slid away with its track 1210a. Sliding handle 104 back onto track 1210b may cause it to mechanically latch or lock into place at the distal end of the vacuum cleaner. As discussed above, electrical connections may be made between handle 104 and the proximal end of the vacuum cleaner to power the vacuum cleaner using one or more storage devices housed in handle 104.

FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate different examples of handles with energy storage elements, according to some embodiments. FIG. 13A illustrates a handle with four battery cells 1302 arranged within grip 1202 and two additional cells 1304 arranged within lower structure 1208a. Grip 1202 may not be large enough to house all of the energy storage cells needed, so additional cells 1304 may be arranged within lower structure 1208a. FIG. 13B illustrates a similar situation where additional cells 1306 are arranged within upper structure 1208b. In some embodiments, energy storage cells may be arranged in any or all of grip 1202, lower structure 1208a, upper structure 1208b, or base 1204.

It should be understood that the example waste receptacle designs described herein could be utilized within any type of vacuum cleaner to compact debris within the waste receptacle. For example, the waste receptacle designs described herein can be used within any standard upright vacuum cleaner, any stick vacuum cleaner, or any canister vacuum cleaner.

Numerous specific details have been set forth herein to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. It will be understood in light of this disclosure, however, that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known operations and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments. It can be appreciated that the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein may be representative and do not necessarily limit the scope of the embodiments. In addition, although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described herein. Rather, the specific features and acts described herein are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner, comprising:

a waste receptacle;

a motor configured to draw air into the waste receptacle;

a wall at a proximal end of the waste receptacle; and

a door at a distal end of the waste receptacle;

wherein the waste receptacle is configured to move relative to the wall such that the waste receptacle is configured to slide around the wall.

2. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the waste receptacle comprises a body and an inner chamber nested within the body, such that a diameter of the inner chamber is less than a diameter of the body.

3. The vacuum cleaner of claim 2, wherein a wall of the inner chamber comprises a plurality of openings.

4. The vacuum cleaner of claim 3, wherein air can pass from the inner chamber through the plurality of openings to a region between the inner chamber and the body.

5. The vacuum cleaner of claim 2, wherein the wall moves through the inner chamber of the waste receptacle.

6. The vacuum cleaner of claim 2, wherein the vacuum cleaner comprises:

a nozzle assembly; and

an air suction tube coupled between the nozzle assembly and an inlet into the inner chamber of the waste receptacle.

7. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the waste receptacle is configured to laterally slide along a track.

8. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the motor and filter structure are housed together in a filter/motor housing.

9. The vacuum cleaner of claim 8, wherein the filter/motor housing has a proximal end coupled to the proximal end of the vacuum cleaner, and the filter/motor housing is configured to rotate or pivot about its proximal end.

10. The vacuum cleaner of claim 8, wherein the waste receptacle is configured to be detachable from the filter/motor housing.

11. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, further comprising:

a handle; and

one or more energy storage cells disposed within the handle.

12. The vacuum cleaner of claim 11, wherein the handle is configured to be detachable from the vacuum cleaner.

13. The vacuum cleaner of claim 12, wherein the handle is slidably detachable from the vacuum cleaner.

14. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the wall is a distal wall of a filter structure comprising a filter.

15. The vacuum cleaner of claim 14, wherein the filter structure comprises a filter stage having the filter and a cyclone stage adjacent to the filter stage.

16. The vacuum cleaner of claim 15, wherein the cyclone stage is tilted at an angle with respect to a central axis passing axially through the waste receptacle.

17. The vacuum cleaner of claim 15, wherein the cyclone stage comprises an outlet coupled to a collection chamber.

18. The vacuum cleaner of claim 17, wherein the waste receptacle comprises a body and an inner chamber nested within the body, and the collection chamber is arranged beneath the inner chamber.

19. A vacuum cleaner, comprising:

a nozzle assembly at a distal end of the vacuum cleaner;

a handle at a proximal end of the vacuum cleaner;

a waste receptacle having an inner chamber and a body around the inner chamber;

a motor configured to draw air through the nozzle assembly and into the waste receptacle; and

a filter structure having a filter coupled thereto;

wherein the waste receptacle is configured to move relative to the filter structure such that the inner chamber of the waste receptacle slides around at least a portion of the filter structure.

20. A vacuum cleaner, comprising:

a nozzle assembly at a distal end of the vacuum cleaner;

a handle at a proximal end of the vacuum cleaner;

a waste receptacle;

a motor configured to draw air through the nozzle assembly and into the waste receptacle; and

a filter structure having a wall at a first end of the filter structure and a filter coupled between the first end of the filter structure and a second end of the filter structure;

wherein the waste receptacle and the filter structure are configured to move relative to one another such that the wall at the first end of the filter structure moves through the waste receptacle.