Combined, E.g., With Signal Or Indicator Patents (Class 15/339)
  • Patent number: 8938850
    Abstract: A stair vacuum device for automatically vacuuming stairs includes a pair of vacuum units coupled together by a connector. Each vacuum unit comprises a vacuum housing having a slot extending through a bottom surface of the vacuum housing. A plurality of side rollers is coupled to the vacuum housing for moving the vacuum housing in a first direction. A plurality of forward rollers is coupled to the vacuum housing for moving the vacuum housing in a second direction transverse to the first direction. A suction device is coupled to and positioned in the vacuum housing such that the suction device provides suction through the slot in the vacuum housing. The connector couples the vacuum units together in spaced relationship wherein the vacuum units move in tandem to vacuum the adjacent stair surfaces simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Inventor: Arelis C. Velez
  • Patent number: 8931135
    Abstract: A vacuum system having a housing with a hose end, a filter end, and an attachment end, wherein the filter end is at least partially open, having a vacuum mechanism in an inner cavity of the housing which comprises a vacuum fan in an inner channel that extends from the hose end to near a filter end, the vacuum fan is operatively connected to a motor that functions to control the vacuum fan, having a hose which is fluidly connected to the inner channel, having an attachment brace which functions to help attach the outer end of the hose to a computer system, having a filter, having an attachment means which functions to help temporarily attach the housing to a computer system, having a power button operatively connected to the motor which functions to turn the motor on and off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Inventor: Eujene D. Sangster
  • Patent number: 8925141
    Abstract: A suction nozzle for use in a vacuum cleaner includes a suction opening through which air is drawn in from a surface to be cleaned, a sterilization chamber having at least one inlet and at least one outlet, the sterilization chamber being in fluid communication with the suction opening through the at least one inlet, and a sterilization unit disposed in the sterilization chamber to sterilize the air drawn into the sterilization chamber. The air drawn into the sterilization chamber revolves while moving from the at least one inlet to the at least one outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-ha Kim, Joung-soo Park, Sung-tae Joo, Hyun-ju Lee, Dong-houn Yang
  • Patent number: 8918951
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a blower vacuum device and in particular to a blower vacuum device for use in the collection of garden debris. The device is preferably one which is operable in a blowing mode to generate an air stream for blowing the debris into piles and also operable in a vacuum mode to suck debris into the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Stones, Jonathan Armstrong
  • Publication number: 20140366311
    Abstract: A cyclone dust collector includes a cyclone chamber to centrifugally separate dust by creating rotating airflow, and a ring-shaped indicator provided to the cyclone chamber to rotate due to the rotating airflow in the cyclone chamber. The indicator visualizes the rotating airflow by rotating when the rotating airflow is created. The user may easily check condition of the rotation airflow and take proper action in the case that the cleaner malfunctions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LT.D
    Inventors: Jung Gyun HAN, Joung Soo Park, Dong Won So, Jong Gook Lim, Kyong Hui Jeon
  • Publication number: 20140352101
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner with a reduced frictional force between a vacuum base and a cleaning medium is described. The vacuum has a handle, yoke, body, and base. A handle and yoke distinct from, and behind, the base provides a moment arm anterior to the base when a force is applied. The handle and yoke assembly reduce the friction between the cleaning surface and the vacuum, allowing for larger motor and debris capturing capabilities, with easier handling and maneuverability resulting in advanced and superior cleaning capabilities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventor: Charles J. Morgan
  • Patent number: 8898854
    Abstract: An plug storage structure of a cleaning robot is presented. A charging structure includes a charging base and a main body of an electronic device. The charging base includes a charging terminal and a projecting portion. The main body has an external housing, charging plugs and an plug storage device. When the main body reaches the charging base, the projecting portion triggers the plug storage device, so that the charging plugs protrude from the external housing, so as to be connected to the charging terminal. When the main body leaves the charging base, the plug storage device automatically receives the charging plugs inside the external housing, so as to keep the plugs of the cleaning robot received inside the external housing during cleaning, thereby preventing the plugs of the cleaning robot from colliding with and damaging adjacent furniture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: MSI Computer (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tse-Ying Tso, You-Wei Teng
  • Patent number: 8887350
    Abstract: The Vacuum Cleaner is designed with a unique shape which allows it to be placed in a stable position on a flight of stairs and which overcomes the problem of instability when positioned on stairs but also remains suitable for use on a flat surface such as a floor. This shape also enables easy upward movement on stairs and overcomes the problem of maneuverability. The Vacuum Cleaner has one or more rotating ground engaging members which can be locked to allow rotation in a forward direction only, which overcomes the problem that previous Vacuum Cleaners have of being insecure when positioned on stairs and it may have one or more rotating members which can engage with a stair riser to allow traversing in an upward direction with very little hindrance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Siddons Furniture Limited
    Inventor: Alexander Gareth Miles
  • Patent number: 8866336
    Abstract: A line voltage device with an auxiliary power connection for a bathing installation. An exemplary embodiment of the device includes a housing structure, and a primary electrical power connection connected to the housing structure and including a primary wiring cable for connection to a line voltage source. A load system is disposed within or adjacent the housing and configured for powered operation by electrical power from the primary electrical power connection. An auxiliary power connection is provided for electrical connection to a separate bathing installation device to provide power to the separate device. A wiring circuit is disposed within or adjacent the housing structure and electrically couples the primary electrical power connection and the auxiliary power connection so that line voltage power is shared between the load system and the separate bathing installation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Balboa Water Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Graham J. Campbell
  • Publication number: 20140304939
    Abstract: A dust collector interlocking system includes a transmitter provided in the electric power tool and capable of transmitting a radio signal, and a receiver provided in the suction hose of the dust collector and capable of receiving the radio signal from the transmitter of the electric power tool. The transmitter transmits a drive signal of the electric power tool, and the receiver receives the drive signal of the electric power tool from the transmitter to turn on a start switch of the dust collector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hitoshi SUZUKI
  • Patent number: 8857010
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a cleaner body including a suction source configured to generate a suction force, a suction inlet body configured to inhale dust on a surface to be cleaned using the suction force of the suction source, a dust bucket detachably installed on the cleaner body, a cyclonic unit formed inside the dust bucket and configured to centrifuge the dust from air flowed in through the suction inlet body, and a paper-shredder installed on a top of the dust bucket and configured to communicate with the top of the dust bucket so that shredded pieces of paper are dropped inside a dust collecting space of the dust bucket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jang-keun Kim, Kang Kim, Chang-hyun Park, Jae-jin Aum, Yong-jae Yong, Sung-cheol Lee, Jun-hwa Lee, Jun-hoo Choe
  • Publication number: 20140298610
    Abstract: A bagless vacuum cleaner includes a dust container including a chromogenic material so as to have a controllable transparency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventor: Miele & Cie. KG
  • Publication number: 20140289997
    Abstract: The invention disclosed herein provides for high particle removal rate and/or heat transfer from surfaces. The device removes particulate matter from a surface using a bounded vortex generated over the surface, with suction in the vortex center and jets for blowing air along the periphery. The jets are tilted in the tangential direction to induce vortex motion within the suction region. The vortex is said to be bounded because streamlines originating in the downward jets are entrained back into the central vortex.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Marshall, Darren Hitt, Jun-ru Wu, Nicholas M. Vachon, Di Chen
  • Patent number: 8844092
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a cleaning device for a ceiling transport facility in which a plurality of locations to be cleaned can be cleaned appropriately while avoiding having insufficient suction power for the plurality of cleaning suction portions. A travelling guide portion for a transport carriage is provided on the ceiling side. The cleaning carriage that can travel along the travelling guide portion is provided with a plurality of cleaning suction portions for performing suctioning action on a plurality of locations to be cleaned in the travelling guide portion and a vacuum cleaner which is in communication with the plurality of cleaning suction portions. The plurality of cleaning suction portions are divided to a plurality of functioning units. And an interrupting device is provided for selectively permitting and preventing the communication of each of the plurality of the functioning units with the vacuum cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichi Morimoto, Tadahiro Yoshimoto, Yuji Baba
  • Publication number: 20140283329
    Abstract: A method of adjusting the power of a vacuum cleaner fan comprising a vacuum switch having a single switching point includes using the vacuum switch to create a signal indicative of a vacuum pressure created by the vacuum cleaner fan. The method also includes filtering the signal to obtain a resulting signal, the resulting signal being a measure of the vacuum pressure. The method further includes using the resulting signal as a controlled variable for adjusting the fan power with an electronic control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: MIELE & CIE. KG
    Inventor: Otto BRAUN
  • Publication number: 20140271004
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes and teaches a drill safety system including a magnetic unit, a vacuum unit, and an improved hole saw drill set. The various parts of the drill safety system may be used individually or in combination with one another. The user may use the magnetic unit to surround the drilling site so that metal drill shavings on the drill surface may be collected by the magnetic unit. In addition, the magnetic unit includes a flippable top mechanism, allowing convenient disposal of the debris. The vacuum unit is fitted to the inner surface of the drilling site, collecting debris that fall through. The improved hole saw prevents over-penetrating by the drill, reducing the likelihood of damaging equipments underneath the drill site. This makes the drill particularly suitable for drilling holes during electrical work.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Christopher R. Bialy, Richard C. Vroman, JR.
  • Patent number: 8826489
    Abstract: A suction body for a cleaner is provided that can generate electric energy by itself using air drawn in by the cleaner. A suction body includes an ultraviolet sterilizer that radiates ultraviolet rays toward a surface to be cleaned and sterilizes the surface to be cleaned, a lighting device that emits light, a displaying device that displays a cleaning state, a fan that rotates by drawn-in air, and a generator that converts rotary energy of the fan into electric energy so as to supply the electric energy to the ultraviolet sterilizer, the lighting device, and the displaying device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jang-Keun Oh, Hyun-Ju Lee, Seung-Yong Cha
  • Publication number: 20140223688
    Abstract: A cleaning system comprising a rotor; an agitator; a rechargeable battery having a housing and at least two cells within the housing; a suction motor receiving power from the rechargeable battery, the suction motor coupled to the rotor; a brush motor receiving power from the rechargeable battery, the brush motor coupled to the agitator; a user-controlled switch configured to generate a user-activated signal in response to user manipulation; and a controller. The controller configured to output a first pulse-width modulated signal at a first duty cycle to control the suction motor, output a second pulse-width modulated signal at a second duty cycle to control the brush motor at a first speed, receive the user-activated signal, and upon receiving the user-activated signal, output the second pulse-width modulated signal at a third duty cycle to control the brush motor at a second speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventors: Mark Reindle, Brett Reed
  • Patent number: 8800101
    Abstract: Disclosed are a robot cleaner and a self testing method thereof. The robot cleaner performs a self test when being initially operated or when required by a user. This may prevent malfunctions or breakdowns of the robot cleaner. Furthermore, the robot cleaner senses states of components and sensors mounted therein, and performs a self test based on characteristics, output values, etc. of the components and the sensors. This may prevent accidents or errors which may occur as the robot cleaner operates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Siyong Kim, Yongju Kim, Jihoon Sung, Hyungtae Yun
  • Patent number: 8793835
    Abstract: A system and method for capturing resultant dust from power tool operation are disclosed. The system comprises a device that includes a housing with a substantially cylindrical shape. The housing has a first end that tapers to an opening for a tool bit and at least one suction port that opens into an interior volume of the housing. The housing has a second end configured to couple to a power tool. An air intake passage attaches to the exterior surface of the housing body such that an interior volume of the air intake passage connects to an interior volume of the housing. An exit passage is coupled to the air intake passage and is configured to couple to a vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Inventor: Jack M. King, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140196245
    Abstract: The principles and embodiments of the presently claimed invention related to a surface cleaning apparatus, such as a vacuum cleaner, having a wireless communication and control system including two or more wireless radio frequency communication devices configured to transmit and receive control instructions and responses to control the operation of various electrical components disposed within or attached to the surface cleaning apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited
    Inventor: Charles Andrew Liter
  • Patent number: 8779391
    Abstract: An exemplary sterilization system includes a self-propelled robotic mobile platform for locating and eradicating infectious bacterial and virus strains on floors (and objects thereon), walls, cabinets, angled structures, etc., using one or more ultraviolet light sources. A controller allows the system to adjust the quantity of ultraviolet light received by a surface by, for example, changing the intensity of energy input to a ultraviolet light source, changing a distance between a ultraviolet light source and a surface being irradiated, changing the speed/movement of the mobile platform to affect time of exposure, and/or by returning to contaminated areas for additional passes. The mobile platform may include a sensor capable of detecting fluorescence of biological contaminants irradiated with ultraviolet light to locate contaminated areas. The system is thus capable of “seek and destroy” functionality by navigating towards contaminated areas and irradiating those areas with ultraviolet light accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Teckni-Corp
    Inventors: Patrick Flaherty, Bruce L. Winkler, Robert J. Gold
  • Patent number: 8776308
    Abstract: A robot cleaner having a static-charge removal device to prevent deterioration in performance or damage to an interior circuit of the cleaner due to static charge. The robot cleaner includes a conductive trap member to trap frictional static charge, a discharge member electrically connected to the trap member to discharge the static charge, trapped by the trap member, into another kind of energy, for example, light, sound, or kinetic energy, and a ground member located on the robot cleaner while being connected to the discharge member. The robot cleaner prevents adherence of dust, loose debris, etc. as well as damage to an interior circuit thereof due to static charge, thereby efficiently performing a cleaning operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun Soo Jung, Dong Won Kim, Seung Il Han, Hwi Chan Jang, Jun Hwa Lee
  • Patent number: 8776307
    Abstract: The invention relates to an air volume flow and pushing force control device for a vacuum cleaner that has at least a motor, a dust receptacle and a suction nozzle, comprising a controller for controlling the motor power, a first sensor for detecting the air volume flow, which in conjunction with the controller forms a first control loop in order to maintain the air volume flow at a prescribed air volume flow value on the basis of the signal of the first sensor. The control device further comprises a second sensor for detecting a pushing force that is required for pushing the suction nozzle, and in conjunction with the controller, forms a second control loop in order to maintain the pushing force below a prescribed value on the basis of the signal of the second sensor, and a control loop selection device that activates one of the two control loops as a function of the signals of the two sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventors: Detlef Schulz, Thomas Strehler, Rudolf Hermann, Roland Illig, Peter Lehmann, Silvio Hamm
  • Publication number: 20140189976
    Abstract: A cleaning robot that discharges, upwards and from an exhaust port (7), airflow having dust removed therefrom, and comprises: a main case (2) having a suction port (6) opened in the bottom surface thereof and the exhaust port (7) opened in the upper surface thereof, and that is self-propelled on a floor surface (F); an electric fan (22) arranged inside the main case (2); and a dust collection unit (30) that collects dust in airflow sucked in from the suction port (6) by the driving force of the electric fan (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuhji Ohnishi, Jitsuo Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 8774970
    Abstract: A floor cleaning device that is manually trainable for subsequent automatic operation. Prior to automatic operation, a user trains the cleaning device by manually manipulating the device through one or more desired cleaning paths. After training of the device, the device is configured to automatically initiate subsequent cleaning operations in accordance with the trained routine(s). Preferably, the training routine includes user specification of one of a number of cleaning modalities that are supported by the flooring cleaning device. In addition to automatic navigation, the floor cleaning device is configured to initiate a desired cleaning modality as a function of the device's position with respect to one or more of the trained routine(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy F. Knopow, David Curtis, Everett F. Carter, Jr., Ted Larson, Bob Allen
  • Patent number: 8756751
    Abstract: In a cleaning system, dust stored in a dust box is suspended in air introduced into the dust box through a first opening formed through a robot cleaner, and is then discharged to a second opening formed through a maintenance station through the first opening of the robot cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun Soo Jung, Dong Won Kim, Jun Hwa Lee, Jun Pyo Hong, Sang Sik Yoon
  • Publication number: 20140165325
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum-ceaning apparatus comprising a vacuum cleaner and a filter bag made of non-woven fabric, wherein the vacuum cleaner has a nominal electric input power of less than 1200 W, preferably less than 1100 W, more preferably less than 900 W, wherein the vacuum cleaner comprises a motor-fan unit and a controlling device controlling the vacuum cleaner such that the airflow is kept substantially constant at a value of at least 34 l/s, preferably substantially constant at a value of at least 37 l/s, more preferably substantially constant at a value of at least 40 l/s when the filter bag is loaded with DMT8 test dust analogous to EN 60312, and wherein the filter bag is a disposable filter bag made of non-woven fabric which has an airflow drop of less than 15%, preferably less than 10%, more preferably less than 5% in tests demonstrating the reduction of the maximum airflow with a partially filled dust container analogous to EN 60312.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Eurofilters Holding N.V.
    Inventors: Ralf Sauer, Jan Schultink
  • Patent number: 8752240
    Abstract: A suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner includes one or more sensor(s) to sense an obstacle near or proximate to the suction nozzle. A side brush can be rotated or a working air path can be diverted based on a signal from the sensor(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason W. Pruiett
  • Patent number: 8752235
    Abstract: A control system for a vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The control system includes a control pad for generating a number of user inputs. The control system further includes a serial controller for reading the state of the number of inputs and generating serial data in response thereto. The control system yet further includes a processor adapted to receive the serial data and generate control signals that controls a number of electric devices on the vacuum cleaner. A method of operating a vacuum cleaner is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited
    Inventor: Evan A. Gordon
  • Patent number: 8745816
    Abstract: A lightweight cleaning device including a vacuum component combined with a broom is described herein. The vacuum is connected to the handle of the broom opposite the bristle portion of the broom. The handle may be inserted into the vacuum or the vacuum may be inserted into the handle portion of the broom. The vacuum may be removably attached to the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Inventor: Greg Salvato
  • Publication number: 20140150824
    Abstract: An air-blown cleaning system for cleaning a photomask includes an image capturing module, an identification and control module, and an air knife device. The image capturing module captures an image of the photomask and divided the image into a plurality of sections for the identification and control module to identify particular sections with contaminants for subsequent cleaning and to store such data into a database. The air knife device includes at least one air knife module which receives data from the database and controls the air knife module to air blow the particular sections with contaminants. The instant disclosure also includes a method of air blow cleaning for cleaning a photomask.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventors: YUNG-CHIN PAN, TSUNG-YI YANG, LIANG-WEI LAI
  • Patent number: 8742926
    Abstract: A debris monitoring system includes a receptacle, a first and a second emitter, and a first receiver. The receptacle defines an opening to receive debris into the receptacle. The first and second emitter are each arranged to emit a signal across at least a portion of the opening. The first receiver is proximate to the first emitter to receive reflections of the signal emitted by the first emitter, and the first receiver is disposed toward the opening to receive an unreflected portion of the signal emitted by the second emitter across at least a portion of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Steven Schnittman, Michael Todd Rosenstein
  • Patent number: 8732899
    Abstract: The embodiments disclose a vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner includes a suction nozzle capable to adjusting the height with regard to the bottom surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sang-Jun Park, Young-Min Hyun, Hyuk-Joo Kwon, Hyo-Churl Shin, Hae-Seock Yang, Jin-Wook Seo
  • Patent number: 8732896
    Abstract: A cleaning device includes a housing configured with a working element. The device also includes a motor configured for urging motion of the working element. The device also includes a power control module which may be electrically connected with at least one of the motor, a first power source configuration and a second power source configuration. Electric current is provided to the motor by the first and/or the second power source configurations. The first power source configuration may be electrically connected to a battery assembly having a DC power output. The second power source configuration may be electrically connected to a power inverter which may receive AC power and output DC power to the second power source configuration. The motor may be one of a permanent magnet DC (PMDC) motor, a universal motor and an induction motor, the motor receiving power via the power control module from at least one of the first power source configuration and the second power source configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: MTD Products Inc
    Inventors: Delbert E. Lucas, Justin Lucas, Ryan J. Lucas, Paul Brent Boyd, Lance Servais
  • Patent number: 8732900
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner lint brush accessory system having a lint brush and cradle. The lint brush has longitudinally opposed handle and brush portions. The brush portion has a brush material adapted to remove fibrous substances from a surface to be cleaned. The cradle has a chamber opening leading to a chamber. The chamber extends in the longitudinal direction and is adapted to longitudinally receive at least the brush portion of the lint brush, the chamber has at least one brush cleaning pad adapted to engage the brush material and remove the fibrous substances from the brush material. The chamber further includes an air outlet spaced from the chamber opening. The air outlet is selectively connectable to a vacuum passage of a vacuum cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Care Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Niederman, Thomas Josefsson, John C. Morphey, Brian Wang Sun
  • Patent number: 8732901
    Abstract: Provided is a robot cleaner, and more particularly to a robot cleaner for shielding particularly an air inlet of a foreign material storage unit. The robot cleaner includes a main body including a drive unit for providing a suction force, a main cover for shielding a side of the main body, a foreign material storage unit separably disposed on the main cover, the foreign material storage unit having an air inlet for introducing air containing foreign materials, a foreign material cover disposed on the main cover, the foreign material cover selectively shielding a side of the foreign material storage unit, and a shield member disposed on the foreign material storage unit, the shield member selectively shielding the air inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: In-Bo Shim, Sung-Guen Kim, Byung-Doo Yim, Bong-Ju Kim, Ji-Hoon Sung
  • Patent number: 8726454
    Abstract: A surface treatment robot includes a chassis having forward and rear ends and a drive system carried by the chassis. The drive system includes right and left driven wheels and is configured to maneuver the robot over a cleaning surface. The robot includes a vacuum assembly, a collection volume, a supply volume, an applicator, and a wetting element, each carried by the chassis. The wetting element engages the cleaning surface to distribute a cleaning liquid applied to the surface by the applicator. The wetting element distributes the cleaning liquid along at least a portion of the cleaning surface when the robot is driven in a forward direction. The wetting element is arranged substantially forward of a transverse axis defined by the right and left driven wheels, and the wetting element slidably supports at least about ten percent of the mass of the robot above the cleaning surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Duane L. Gilbert, Jr., Marcus R. Williams, Andrea M. Okerholm, Elaine H. Kristant, Sheila A. Longo, Daniel E. Kee, Marc D. Strauss
  • Patent number: 8726457
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a foot, a handle pivotally attached to the foot, a suction source, and a display disposed on one of the handle and the foot. The foot includes a suction nozzle. The handle is pivotal relative to the foot about an axis of rotation. The suction source is in fluid communication with the suction nozzle. The display is for displaying content in a first orientation relative to the display and a second orientation relative to the display based on the position of the handle relative to the foot. The second orientation is different than the first orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Q. Liu, Susan S. Roberts, Steven W. Kostreba
  • Patent number: 8720000
    Abstract: Vacuum cleaner including a container (1, 101) provided with a suction mouth (8, 108), motor elements (2, 20) and at least one suction fan (3, 103), in which the vacuum cleaner includes at least one additional machine (4, 10, 104) connected to the motor elements through transmission elements (7, 11) that can be activated selectively. A particularly preferred application has a ‘canister’ type of vacuum cleaner that additionally includes a high-pressure pump unit, fitted on the opposite side to the vacuum cleaner fan or on the same side, in axis or off axis, and driven by the motor by an idle gear and a speed reduction unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: ITAL Research & Innovation S.R.L.
    Inventor: Marino Pedrazzini Bertolazzi
  • Publication number: 20140124000
    Abstract: A manure-removal vehicle and an assembly thereof having a manure-discharging location. The vehicle comprises a pump and a tank having an air discharge. The vehicle collects manure by means of a scraper and this is subsequently suctioned up via a manure extraction opening in the tank. The pump works at low power and in particular at low pressure, due to the fact that a constant stream of manure is collected in front of the opening, in particular if a sealing plate is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: LELY PATENT N.V.
    Inventors: Mikael HILLFORTH, Huibrecht Johannes Arjen VAN DEN BEUKEL, Peter Henry CLEMENTS
  • Patent number: 8713748
    Abstract: Disclosed are an autonomous mobile cleaner, and a method for moving the same. A user's intention may be estimated based on a size and a direction of a tensile strength applied to the air pipe, and a cleaner body may move according to the user's intention. This can allow the cleaner to autonomously move. Besides, the autonomous mobile cleaner can always and precisely detect a user's operation without having interference with obstacles, using a displacement of the air pipe. Further, the fabrication costs can be reduced and displacements in all directions can be calculated, by using a hall sensor and a magnet member. Further, a user's efforts to operate the cleaner can be minimized, and can be prevented damages of the air pipe, a connection part between the air pipe and the cleaner body, etc. due to an excessive force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sangho Yoon, Jaehark Park
  • Patent number: 8713813
    Abstract: The industrial tumble dryer comprises a casing (1) enclosing a drum (2) to contain the clothes to be dried by means of drying air introduced into it, a low-pressure chamber (3) to extract drying air from the drum (2) and a filtering device (4) interposed in the low-pressure chamber (3). The filtering device (4) comprises a filtering element (5), means to detach fuzz from said filtering element (5) and a build-up enclosure (6) to collect the detached fuzz. In the casing (1) there is an opening (7) communicated with the build-up enclosure (6) and configured to receive a suction nozzle (8a) of an external suction device (8) to remove the fluff from the build-up enclosure (6) through suction without the need to remove the filtering element (5) or to access it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: GIRBAU, S.A.
    Inventor: Ramon Sans Rovira
  • Publication number: 20140109337
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner with a separation module includes an advanceable filter media for filtering a debris-containing working airstream. The filter media can extend over an exhaust grill having openings through which air may pass. The filter media can be mounted on a pair of moveable reels, such that the filter media can periodically be replaced with new filter media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan J. Krebs
  • Publication number: 20140101887
    Abstract: A cordless, battery-powered system of cleaning products. The system of cleaning products includes devices such as upright vacuums (e.g., a stick vacuum, a lightweight upright vacuum, etc.), a hand-held vacuum, a carpet-cleaner, a canister vacuum, and the like. Each of the devices is powered by a battery pack which is interchangeable among the devices. The battery pack includes a combination of hardware and software for connecting to, identifying, and communicating with the cleaning products to ensure that each of the products receives the power necessary to ensure optimal performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited
    Inventors: Brett Reed, Markus Allemann, Doug Rukavina, Mark Reindle, Norm Siegel, Jack W. Gee, Jamie Horvath, Mark Butts
  • Patent number: 8695156
    Abstract: The aero-acoustic duster invention disclosed herein provides for high particle removal rate from surfaces with low energy expenditure relative to competing vacuum-based devices. The device removes particulate matter from a surface using a two-step process: 1. Acoustic radiation is used to break the adhesive bonds between dust and the surface, forcing particles into a mode where they continuously bounce up and down on the surface; and, 2. A bounded vortex is generated over the surface, with suction in the vortex center and jets for blowing air along the periphery. The jets are tilted in the tangential direction to induce vortex motion within the suction region. The vortex is said to be bounded because streamlines originating in the downward jets are entrained back into the central vortex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Marshall, Di Chen, Nicholas Mario Vachon, Darren Hitt, Junru Wu
  • Patent number: 8689398
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a cleaning apparatus and detecting method thereof. The cleaning apparatus includes a fan, a motor, a detecting device and a control unit. The motor drives the fan to create an air flow through the cleaning apparatus. The detecting device is electrically connected to the motor, and is utilized detected an impedance of the motor. The control unit is electrically connected to the motor and the detecting device respectively, for comparing the impedance of the motor with a predetermined value and outputting a signal indicative of a comparison result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Yu-Liang Chung, Tung-Chuan Wu, Chun-Chieh Wang, Long-Der Chen
  • Patent number: 8683645
    Abstract: An air quality monitoring system is associated with a housing of a vacuum cleaner and includes at least one sensor for measuring data of an air quality parameter and a display, such as a color screen, for presenting information regarding the air quality parameter that is measured by the at least one sensor. The air quality monitoring system may be a self contained unit that may be removed from the housing of the vacuum cleaner or may be included as an integral part of the vacuum cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Sears Brands, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Ellen Tave Glassman
  • Publication number: 20140078497
    Abstract: A film inspection apparatus for inspecting the state of a film includes a transfer unit that fixes the film in a flat state and that transfers the film, and includes an inspection unit that inspects the film transferred through the transfer unit. The transfer unit includes a carrier that is movable to a direction of the inspection unit, a tray in the carrier and for mounting the film thereto, and an adsorption unit that is in the carrier and that adsorbs the film to maintain the film mounted to the tray in the flat state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventors: Kyu-Bum KIM, Jae-Seok PARK
  • Patent number: 8671508
    Abstract: In a dust collector, a main body includes a motor and a rotary fan. The rotary fan is to be driven by the motor to suck air from outside through an intake port provided at the main body. A receptacle unit configured to allow a battery pack to be attached thereto and an exhaust port configured to allow a dust bag to be detachably attached thereto are provided at the main body. A handle capable of being grasped and a belt fastening part configured to allow a belt to be fastened thereto are also provided at the main body. At an underside of the main body, a supporting surface is provided which is configured to allow the dust collector with the dust bag and the battery pack attached to the exhaust port and to the receptacle unit respectively to be placed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventors: Hidenori Nagasaka, Takeshi Kamiya