With Dust Or Dirt Handling Or Storing Or Separating, E.g., Filter Bags Patents (Class 15/347)
  • Publication number: 20120159737
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The vacuum cleaner includes a body having a vacuum motor provided therein; a dust collection device provided in the body to collect dust; a dust compression device expandable or contractible selectively; a passage switching device configured to selectively communicate the dust compression device with a low pressure part having a lower pressure than a pressure of the dust collection device and a high pressure part having a higher pressure than a pressure of the dust collection device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: Kietak HYUN, Geunbae Hwang, Jaedal Lee
  • Patent number: 8205295
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner assembly is disclosed. The vacuum cleaner assembly includes a housing assembly having a motor connected to a vacuum source, a particulate collection pan interconnected to the housing and a base and an illumination source for illuminating the particulate collection pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Rexair, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Howie, Jeffrey R. Kassien, Alan Belville
  • Publication number: 20120151709
    Abstract: A dust collection container, capable of being installed in a vacuum cleaner, includes a case body and a blocking member. The blocking member is disposed in the case body to separate the case body into a dust chamber and a diversion chamber, a suction inlet corresponding to the dust chamber and an exhaust opening corresponding to the diversion chamber are disposed in the case body, and a barrier piece is disposed at the blocking member opposite to the suction inlet, so as to form a slow flow area between the barrier piece and the suction inlet to effectively disperse dirt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: Micro-Star Int'l Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ya-Lun Tang, Li-Lu Chen, Hsin-Yi Pai
  • Publication number: 20120151711
    Abstract: Provided is a vacuum cleaner for bedding. The vacuum cleaner for bedding includes a casing defining an outer appearance, a dust movement device moving dust into the casing, a dust collection member disposed accessible into the casing, the dust collection member collecting the dust moved into the casing by the dust movement device, a drawing device drawing the dust collection member received in the casing to the outside of the casing, and a locking device preventing the drawing device from be voluntarily moved in a direction in which the dust collection member is drawn to the outside of the casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Changook LEE, Changdo Park, Taekyung Kim
  • Publication number: 20120151712
    Abstract: A dust collector includes a centrifugal separator, a discharge unit having a filtered dust collecting space provided with a discharge unit discharge hole at a discharging side of the centrifugal separator and an intake passage communicating with a bottom of the discharge unit discharge hole, a filter unit provided with a filter member and mounted at the discharge unit discharge hole, and a sealing member including a dust removing device mounted on the filter unit and a dust container formed on a bottom surface of the centrifugal separator, wherein the sealing member opens the filtered dust collecting space and the intake passage by means of the weight thereof and closes the filtered dust collecting space and the intake passage by means of negative pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jang Keun Oh
  • Publication number: 20120151710
    Abstract: A vacuum uses reverse pulses from the vacuum motor to clean the filter associated therewith. Vacuum filters may be cleaned quickly and efficiently without expelling collected debris from the vacuum. Vacuums with two motors may be operated from 220 or 110 volt sources without a loss of power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventor: Glen Allen Yarbrough
  • Publication number: 20120145597
    Abstract: The present invention relates to hydrocarbon extraction method and apparatus therefor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Awazel International Company W.L.L.
    Inventors: MANSOUR ALI AL-SUGAIR, Khaled Seafan
  • Publication number: 20120144618
    Abstract: A system includes a vacuum cleaner with a dust chamber having ribs and a dust bag including a fleece disposed on a supporting structure. The fleece includes a plurality of fleece corrugations, with a distance between the fleece corrugations being matched to a distance between the dust chamber ribs. The resultant matching of the fleece corrugation spacing and the spacing of the dust chamber rib prevents partial or large-area contact of portions of the dust bag with an inner surface of the dust chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: MIELE & CIE. KG
    Inventors: Eduard Sailer, Martin Kornberger, Guenther Ennen, Stefan Tiekoetter
  • Publication number: 20120137467
    Abstract: Suction appliance for cleaning purposes, comprising a dirt collecting container with a suction outlet on which a filter is held, a suction unit for acting upon the dirt collecting container with negative pressure, a suction chamber between the suction unit and the filter with an external air inlet, via which external air can flow into the suction chamber to act upon the filter on the clean-space side, a valve device with a valve seat forming the external air inlet, a movable valve body to seal and release the valve seat, and an actuating member to cause the valve body to be transferred from a closed position to an open position. The appliance can comprise an energy storage device, to which energy to be stored can be supplied by actuating the actuating member. Stored energy can be released for transferring the valve body from the closed position to the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: Alfred Kaercher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Felix Treitz
  • Patent number: 8192515
    Abstract: A cyclone separator assembly comprises at least one cyclone casing defining a cyclone chamber. The cyclone casing comprises a fluid inlet, a separated material outlet, and a fluid outlet. A separated material chamber is in communication with the separated material outlet. The cyclone chamber is openable by movement of a first movable portion, and the separated material chamber is openable by movement of a second movable portion separate from the first movable portion. A surface cleaning apparatus utilizing this construction is also provided. This construction is particularly useable if the separated material chamber is aligned with and below the cyclone chamber. Accordingly, the cyclone chamber and the separated material chamber may be sequentially or concurrently opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: G.B.D. Corp
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Publication number: 20120131763
    Abstract: Disclosed is a detachable dust receptacle for collecting dust in a vacuum cleaner, and a vacuum cleaner equipped with such a receptacle. The dust receptacle comprising an inlet port connectable to a hose joint in the vacuum cleaner for receiving dust-laden air, a suction port, to which a source of vacuum is connectable, a first sealing element arranged for establishing an effective sealing of the inlet port against the hose joint, and a second sealing element arranged for establishing an effective sealing of the suction port against the source of vacuum, wherein at least one of the sealing elements is a lip seal. The dust receptacle can be detached/attached from/to the vacuum cleaner body, irrespective of the direction of the detachment/attachment relative the seal and irrespective of the number of sealing connections used to seal the receptacle to the vacuum cleaner body, without damaging of the sealing element and with maintained sealing effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: Tomas Hedlund, Torkel Ingre
  • Patent number: 8186006
    Abstract: A distribution unit for a dust separating apparatus of a vacuum cleaner is provided. The distribution unit distributes air and dust to the dust separation unit includes a body having an inlet for introducing the air and dust to the body, a plurality of branch passages for distributing the air introduced into the body to the dust separation unit, and a main passage for connecting the inlet with the branch passages, and wherein a passage cross-sectional area of the main passage at the branch passage is greater than a passage cross-sectional area of the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kie-Tak Hyun, Hae-Seock Yang, Kyeong-Seon Jeong, Chang-Hoon Lee, Seong-Koo Cho, Geun-Bae Hwang, Jin-Wook Seo, Heon-Pyeong Ji, Man-Tae Hwang, Young-Ho Kim, Hyo-Churl Shin, Jin-Hyouk Shin, Hoi-Kil Jeong, Moo-Hyun Ko
  • Patent number: 8186005
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum cleaning device comprising a dirt collection container which has a suction inlet and is in flow connection with at least one suction unit via at least one filter and at least one suction line, and comprising at least one external air inlet which opens into the suction line downstream of the at least one filter and is adapted to be closed by means of at least one closing valve, the closing valve having a movable valve body which, in a closed position, bears against at least one valve seat so as to form one or more sealing lines, the at least one sealing line delimiting an area which, in the closed position of the closing valve, is acted upon by a differential pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Alfred Kaercher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christian Stewen, Uli Haeussermann
  • Patent number: 8182563
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a separating apparatus for separating particles from a fluid flow. Particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a vacuum cleaner having such a separating apparatus for removing dust particles from a dust laden airstream. The separating apparatus includes a first cyclonic cleaning stage, a second cyclonic cleaning stage arranged downstream from the first cyclonic cleaning stage, and an elongate filter arranged downstream from the second cyclonic cleaning stage, wherein the filter is at least partially surrounded by the first cyclonic cleaning stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Lucas Horne, Matthew Robert Jupe, David Colin Worker, Guillaume Kristian Steadman
  • Publication number: 20120117753
    Abstract: A cyclone dust collecting apparatus for a vacuum cleaner includes a first chamber; an entering passage disposed above the first chamber, the entering passage guiding outer air to form a downwardly whirling air current in the first chamber; a second chamber formed at a position higher than that of an outlet of the entering passage above the first chamber, the second chamber in which the outer air entering from the first chamber whirls; a contaminants-blocking member disposed to be spaced apart from a bottom surface of the first chamber at a center of the first chamber, the contaminants-blocking member preventing contaminants and water separated in the first chamber from moving into the second chamber; and a grill disposed inside the second chamber to be in fluid communication with an air discharging port through which clean air is discharged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Min-ha Kim, Joung-soo Park, Sung-tae Joo, Hyun-ju Lee, Dong-houn Yang
  • Publication number: 20120117754
    Abstract: A truck configured to support one or more vacuum systems including one or more vacuum pick-up devices for vacuuming debris from a roadway, street, runway, parking lot or similar surface. One or more air nozzles positioned aft of a vacuum pick-up housing serve to disrupt the debris such that the vacuum pick-up devices are more efficiently able to vacuum the debris through vacuum ducts and ultimately into a debris container. Flaps forward of vacuum housings further contain disrupted debris so that the vacuum pick-up devices are able to vacuum the debris. The system is used by driving the truck over a subject area and activating an air source to disrupt debris on the subject area. The disrupted debris is then suctioned or vacuumed into vacuum ducts and deposited into a debris container. The debris container includes an exhaust fan for disseminating clean air separated from debris including dirt and dust.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventor: Robert L. Mendenhall
  • Patent number: 8176596
    Abstract: Several alternate improvements of a vacuum cleaner are provided. In one aspect, the vacuum cleaner utilizes interchangeable components. In another aspect, the vacuum cleaner comprises a chamber having a top, and a first cleaning stage and suction motor are provided on the top. In another aspect, the vacuum cleaner utilizes a reconfigurable divider plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: G.B.D. Corp.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Publication number: 20120110775
    Abstract: A housing has a suction inlet thereon and a suction source associated with the housing, in fluid communication with the suction inlet to produce a working airflow therethrough and a dirt container in fluid communication with the suction inlet and suction source. The housing further comprises a body defined by a central portion and a pair of extension arms that extend laterally outwardly from the central portion, wherein each extension comprises a mount, which receives a rotatable agitator thereon. A drive assembly is configured to counter-rotate each agitator with respect to the other agitator, and wherein the suction inlet is positioned on the housing rearward of, and between, each of the axes of rotation of each agitator. The counter-rotating agitators are operable to cooperate with the suction source to direct dust and debris outside the periphery of the housing along a converging debris path, towards the suction inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: BISSELL HOMECARE, INC.
    Inventor: Alan J. Krebs
  • Publication number: 20120110776
    Abstract: Disclosed is a detachable dust container for collecting dust in a bagless vacuum cleaner, and a vacuum cleaner equipped with such a container. The dust container comprises a receptacle with a cover for selective opening and closing of the receptacle, enabling emptying of the receptacle. A sealing element consisting of a lip seal is arranged between the cover and the dust receptacle for establishing a substantially air tight and dust tight sealing between the dust receptacle and the cover. This sealing put lower demands than prior art solutions on a tight fit between the cover and the receptacle and allows for variations in the manufacturing of the two parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Tomas Hedlund, Torkel Ingre
  • Publication number: 20120102670
    Abstract: A robot cleaner provided with a shutter to open or close an inlet of a dust box when the dust box is separated from a body of the robot cleaner. Another robot cleaner, which docks with an automatic exhaust station, is also disclosed, together with the automatic exhaust station. The latter robot cleaner includes a shutter to be automatically opened by air discharged from the automatic exhaust station in a docked state of the robot cleaner to exhaust dust from the dust box, in order to allow even heavy dust to be easily exhausted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hwi Chan Jang, Dong Won Kim, Hyun Soo Jung, Jun Hwa Lee
  • Publication number: 20120102671
    Abstract: Provided is a vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner includes a cleaner main body, a dust container including a dust collection body separably disposed on the cleaner main body to define a dust storage chamber for storing dusts and a lower cover disposed under the dust collection body to open and close the dust storage chamber, a pressing member movably disposed inside the dust collection body to compress the dusts within the dust storage chamber, the pressing member including a rotation shaft and a pressing plate connected to the rotation shaft, a transmission part disposed under the lower cover to transmit a power transmitted from the outside, and a connection member disposed above the lower cover to transmit the power transmitted from the transmission part into the rotation shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventor: Hyuk-Joo Kwon
  • Patent number: 8167964
    Abstract: A cyclonic chamber for use in air filtration devices. The chamber includes an apex opposite a base with sidewalls extending therebetween. The cyclonic chamber is preferably parabolic in cross-section or tubular with a hemi-spherical cap. The base contains an outflow passage and a conical filter extending therefrom. An inflow passage is provided proximate the apex. The inflow and outflow passages are parallel but not aligned. The chamber interior is smooth. The smooth interior and offset relationship of the inflow and outflow passages causes air to take a cyclonic path between the inflow passage and the filter. Debris in the airstream is pushed outward—away from the filter—by centripetal force. Eddies form proximate the base. Debris escapes the airstream there, where it either remains or, depending upon the chamber's orientation relative to gravity, falls back into the airflow where it is again directed away from the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Inventor: Lau Ying Wai
  • Publication number: 20120096671
    Abstract: A floor cleaning device employing a brush assembly is provided. The brush assembly includes a front brush and a rear brush that spin about an axis line generally parallel to the surface being cleaned. The spinning rotation of the brush along with the configuration of the housing help provide an airflow path that sucks debris from the surface being cleaned. The debris is directed to a hopper wherein larger items are captured and smaller items are suctioned into a vacuum bag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: Karcher North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel C. Venard, Robin Hein, Scott Joseph Pyne
  • Patent number: 8161599
    Abstract: An upright cyclonic vacuum cleaner comprises juxtaposed first and second filters for filtering a working airstream on both the inlet and outlet sides of a vacuum motor. The first and second filters can be mounted in a common frame in the upright housing of the vacuum cleaner. The first and second filters can be juxtaposed to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron P. Griffith, Alan J. Krebs
  • Patent number: 8161597
    Abstract: A shop vacuum cleaner has a series of dust separation stages, with the large majority of the dust being preseparated in a cyclonic separator and deposited into a first drum or barrel. The remaining dust is carried in the air stream is filtered out in a pre-filter in a second vacuum cleaner drum. A final filter cartridge is fitted onto the intake of the vacuum head. The vacuum cleaner machine exhausts clean, filtered air into the ambient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Oneida Air Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Witter, Jeffrey Hill
  • Publication number: 20120090105
    Abstract: A surface cleaning device having a steering assembly is provided. The surface cleaning device includes a foot, a handle assembly with a user manipulated handle, and a steering assembly coupling the handle assembly to the foot. The steering assembly includes a means for biasing the foot with respect to the handle assembly. Movement of the handle assembly stores energy within the biasing means so that the biasing means exerts a corresponding force on the foot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventor: Gregg A. Henderson
  • Publication number: 20120090130
    Abstract: A suction cleaning apparatus comprising a dirt collection container which has a suction inlet and is fluidly connected to at least one suction unit via at least one filter and at least one suction channel is provided. The suction cleaning apparatus further has at least one external air inlet which opens out into the suction channel downstream of the at least one filter and which is selectively closable and openable by means of a closing body. In order to reduce the installation space of the closing body required for proper filter cleaning, the suction channel has an external air inlet wall with at least one external air inlet. The closing body, sliding along the outer side of the external air inlet wall, is reciprocatingly movable between a closed position closing the at least one external air inlet and an open position opening the at least one external air inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: Alfred Kaercher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Daniel Eckstein
  • Publication number: 20120090129
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a collection cavity into which air is drawn by a vacuum drive for the collection of air entrained detritus. The cavity has an inlet vent for entry of dirty air, a base portion for collecting detritus and an outlet, enabling the vacuum drive to-draw air into the cavity. The inlet vent comprises a stub pipe which enters the cavity. A filter bag is disposed in the base portion and includes an aperture for the entry of air-entrained detritus. The bag aperture includes a sliding fit over the stub pipe to engage with the inlet vent so the stub pipe empties into the bag. The bag includes a retaining tie which may be clamped to the aperture back along the stub pipe to prevent disengagement of the bag with the vent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: NUMATIC INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventor: Ian Daniel LAWRENCE
  • Patent number: 8157879
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner filter bag with an inlet opening and a deflection device arranged in the area of the inlet opening, which is configured in such a way that an air stream flowing through the inlet opening can be deflected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Eurofilters Holding N.V.
    Inventors: Ralf Sauer, Jan Schultink
  • Patent number: 8152878
    Abstract: Cyclonic separating apparatus for a cleaning appliance such as a vacuum cleaner has a longitudinal axis, an upstream cyclonic separator and a downstream cyclone assembly. The downstream cyclone assembly comprises a plurality of cyclones arranged in parallel with one another. The downstream cyclones are arranged in a first set in which each cyclone has a longitudinal axis inclined at a first angle (?) to the longitudinal axis of the cyclonic separating apparatus and a second set, in which each cyclone has a longitudinal axis inclined at a second angle (?) to the longitudinal axis of the cyclonic separating apparatus. The second angle (?) is greater than the first angle (?). The invention allows the downstream cyclone assembly to be compactly packaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventor: David Andrew McLeod
  • Patent number: 8151407
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus is disclosed. The surface cleaning apparatus comprises a dirt inlet, a clean air outlet and a fluid flow path extending between the dirt inlet and the clean air outlet. The surface cleaning apparatus further comprises first and second side by side housings. The first housing comprises a cyclonic cleaning stage in the fluid flow path. The cyclonic cleaning stage comprises a cyclone having a dirt outlet. An associated dirt collection chamber is positioned below the dirt outlet. The dirt collection chamber extends under at least a portion of the first and second housings. The surface cleaning apparatus further comprises a fluid flow motor in the fluid flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: G.B.D. Corp
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 8151409
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided in which detachment of a dust collection device and compression of dust may be selectively performed. The vacuum cleaner may include a main body, a dust collection device selectively mounted on the main body, and a dust separation device selectively coupled to the dust collection device by operation of a lever assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Gun Ho Ha, Young Gun Min, Man Tae Hwang
  • Publication number: 20120079675
    Abstract: Provided is a vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner includes a cleaner main body and a dust container communicating with the cleaner main body, the dust container storing dusts separated from air. The dust container includes a dust collection body including a dust storage part for storing the dusts, a pressing member for compressing the dusts stored in the dust collection body, and a cleaning member contacting an inner surface of the dust collection body to clean the inner surface of the dust collection body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Inventors: Gun-Ho Ha, Ji-Hoon Kim, Seung-Heun Lim
  • Publication number: 20120079673
    Abstract: A cleaning appliance includes separating apparatus for separating dirt from a dirt-bearing fluid flow, a floor engaging rolling assembly housing a motor driven fan unit for drawing the fluid flow through the separating apparatus, a chassis connected to the rolling assembly, and a duct for conveying the fluid flow to the separating apparatus. To improve the stability of the appliance, the duct has an inlet section which is connected to the chassis for pivoting movement relative to the chassis as the appliance is maneuvered over a floor surface. An outlet section for coupling the inlet section to the separating apparatus is releasably connected to the rolling assembly to facilitate the removal of any blockages within the duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Adam Andrew WISHNEY, Damian Henri Lee, James Dyson, Peter David Gammack
  • Publication number: 20120079674
    Abstract: A cleaning appliance includes cyclonic separating apparatus for separating dirt from a dirt-bearing fluid flow. The separating apparatus is mounted on a main body which includes a fluid inlet for receiving a fluid flow from the separating apparatus, a system for drawing the fluid flow into the rolling assembly, and a plurality of rolling elements rotatable relative to the main body and which define with the main body a substantially spherical floor engaging rolling assembly. The main body includes a support, which is separate from the fluid inlet, for supporting the separating apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: James DYSON, Peter David Gammack
  • Patent number: 8146201
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprises adjacent housings, which contain the filtration and suction fan motor assembly of the vacuum cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: G.B.D. Corp.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Publication number: 20120073079
    Abstract: A debris shredding pick-up head system for a mobile sweeper comprises a housing defining a substantially hollow interior, and a suctioning bottom opening for suctioning dust and small debris into the substantially hollow interior of the housing. A debris receiving opening is disposed in the front of the housing for receiving debris into the substantially hollow interior of the housing, in debris receiving relation with respect to a surface being cleaned. A debris shredder is operatively mounted on the housing adjacent the debris receiving opening such that debris passing through the debris receiving opening is received by the debris shredder. The debris shredder shreds the received debris and thereby produces shredded debris. There is also a dust and debris outlet in the housing for permitting dust and debris, including the shredded debris to be suctioned from the substantially hollow interior of the housing into a hopper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventor: Roger Vanderlinden
  • Publication number: 20120073077
    Abstract: A dust collector for suctioning dust includes: an electric motor for collecting dust; a power supply device that supplies electric power to outside; a parameter detection device that detects a parameter (hereinafter referred to as a “current parameter”) which changes depending on a state of a supplied current supplied by the power supply device; a determination device that determines whether or not a value of the current parameter detected by the parameter detection device satisfies a condition based on a threshold value stored in a first storage unit; and a current supply starting device that starts current supply to the electric motor when it is determined by the determination device that the value of the current parameter satisfies the condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Goshi ISHIKAWA, Kazuhiko YOSHIDA
  • Publication number: 20120073078
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaning appliance includes a filter housing having at least one air inlet for receiving an air flow, a filter assembly removably locatable within the filter housing for removing dirt from the air flow, and a duct for receiving the air flow exhausted from the filter assembly. The filter assembly includes a filter body, a filter mounted on the filter body, and a spring-loaded coupling member moveable relative to the filter body for engaging the duct. The coupling member includes an air outlet through which the air flow is exhausted from the filter assembly. A convoluted sealing member forms a seal between the filter body and the coupling member while allowing relative movement therebetween as the coupling member engages the duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Miles Sinclair QUANCE, Stephen Farrar Smith
  • Patent number: 8141201
    Abstract: A side plate of an impeller is formed so that the height thereof is lowered gradually from an edge portion of a central opening portion toward a circumferential portion. When the distance from the edge portion of the central opening portion to the circumferential portion, in a direction perpendicular to the output shaft, is taken as L, the distance from the edge portion of the central opening portion to the circumferential portion, in the direction of the output shaft, is taken as H, a point on the side plate away from the edge portion of the central opening portion by 0.1×L in the direction perpendicular to the output shaft is taken as P, and the distance from the edge portion of the central opening portion to the point P in the direction of the output shaft is taken as ?H, ?H/H?0.4 is satisfied. With this configuration, the formation of a vortex flow in the flow channel inside the impeller from the air inlet to the air outlet is reduced, and, thus, air blowing efficiency is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Shizuka Yokote, Keigo Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8141200
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner 2 having a housing 4 having an inlet 12 and an outlet 54 is disclosed. Actuation of a motor 46 causes a fan to displace air out of outlet 54, and the resulting suction upstream of the fan draws dirty air through inlet 12 and inwardly through walls of filter element 22. In order to clean the filter element 22, the user lifts lid 24 by means of gripping portion 32, and then removes filter element 22 and dirt collection chamber 16. Because the central portion of the dirt collection chamber 16 is raised, dirt trapped on the outer surface of filter element 22 has a tendency to fall into trough regions 40, 42 and avoids falling into outlet 38. If the motor 46 should accidentally be actuated when the filter element 22 is removed, the opening provided by opened lid 24 is nearer to outlet 38 than inlet 12, as a result of which relatively clean air from the atmosphere passes into recess 36 in preference to dirty air from the inlet 12, thus minimizing the risk of the motor 46 being damaged by dirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: David Barker, Martyn Riley, Barry Pears
  • Publication number: 20120066859
    Abstract: An extractor cleaning machine including a base or foot moveable along a surface to be cleaned, and a handle pivotally coupled to the foot and moveable between an upright storage position and an inclined operating position. The cleaning machine also includes a recovery tank insertable into a space between the foot and the handle. The handle is positioned directly over at least a portion of the recovery tank when the handle is in the upright storage position, and the recovery tank is removable from the space while the handle is in the upright storage position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Louis, David Chaney, Harald Krondorfer
  • Publication number: 20120066861
    Abstract: An extractor-type surface cleaning machine includes a base or foot having a suction nozzle and a handle that is pivotally coupled to the foot and moveable between upright and inclined positions. The recovery tank is removably securable to the foot and fluidly communicates with the suction nozzle and the accessory. The recovery tank defines a collection chamber and a passage having an inlet in communication with the suction nozzle and an outlet. A valve member is moveable between a closed position substantially covering the outlet and an open position. Movement of the handle to the upright position moves the valve member to the closed position to block the passage during cleaning with the accessory hose. Movement of the handle to the inclined position allows movement of the valve member to the open position so that suction from the collection chamber is communicated to the suction nozzle for floor cleaning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Louis, Patrick J. Quinn, Steven J. Paliobeis, Robert A. Salo, John Bantum
  • Publication number: 20120060321
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a housing, a suction fan, a dustcup, a cover and an inlet into the dustcup. The dustcup is removably secured to the housing, and includes a cup end wall, a sidewall extending from the cup end wall, and an open end opposite the cup end wall. The cover can be connected to the open end of the dustcup, and includes an air outlet in fluid communication with the suction fan, and a filter covering the air outlet and extending from the cover towards the cup end wall. The cup end wall includes a barrier positioned to be contacted by air flowing through the dustcup to thereby separate dirt particles from the air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: Electrolux Home Care Products, Inc. (formerly Electrolux Home Care Products, Ltd.)
    Inventor: Arnold L. Sepke
  • Publication number: 20120060320
    Abstract: A robot cleaner system includes docking structure to allow a dust discharge port of a robot cleaner to come into close contact with a dust suction port of a docking station without an additional drive device. The robot cleaner system includes a robot cleaner having a dust discharge port, a docking station having a dust suction port to suction dust collected in the robot cleaner, and a docking device to perform a seesaw movement as it contacts the robot cleaner when the robot cleaner docks with the docking station, to allow the dust suction port to come into close contact with the dust discharge port. The docking device includes a link member installed in the docking station in a pivotally rotatable manner, one end having a contact portion to come into contact with the robot cleaner, and the other end having a docking portion defining the dust suction port therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Youn Baek LEE, Soo Sang Yang, Yeon Taek Oh, Jeong Hun Kim
  • Publication number: 20120054980
    Abstract: A robot cleaner that is capable of preventing dust collected in a dust tank from flowing backward outside when a situation in which the dust may be discharged outside occurs includes a cleaner body, a dust tank mounted in the cleaner body to collect dust, and a backward-flow preventing device to prevent dust from flowing backward outside through a suction port of the dust tank. The backward-flow preventing device includes a shutter unit to open and close the suction port and a stopper unit to drive the shutter unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong Won KIM, Jae Man Joo, Jun Pyo Hong, Chang Woo Kim
  • Publication number: 20120054979
    Abstract: A combined crevice tool and dusting brush includes a main body having a first end including a first suction inlet, a side wall including a second suction inlet, a second end including a discharge outlet and an internal air path. The combined tool and brush further includes a valve body that is received in that air path. The valve body includes a closed end, a discharge end including a discharge opening and a wall including a suction opening. The discharge opening is aligned with the discharge outlet. Further, the valve body is displaceable between two different operating positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventor: Ryan T. Dant
  • Publication number: 20120047682
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a cyclonic chamber having an inlet for introducing airflow for circulation around a central axis of the cyclonic chamber. A filter chamber is positioned downstream of the cyclonic chamber and has a wall. A filter is positioned in the filter chamber. An exhaust tube extends along the central axis into the cyclonic chamber. The exhaust tube includes an inlet portion receiving the airflow from the cyclonic chamber and an outlet portion directing the airflow toward the filter chamber and the filter. The filter is in close proximity to the outlet portion. The cross-sectional area of the outlet portion increases in the downstream direction to reduce the speed of the airflow passing into the filter chamber and to evenly distribute the airflow passing through the outlet opening across the filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: Sergey V. Makarov, Douglas M. Rukavina
  • Publication number: 20120047681
    Abstract: A dirt cup for a vacuum cleaner including a container, a tube, a lid, a first chamber, a second chamber, and a seal. The container includes an open bottom end. The lid is coupled to the container. The lid includes an aperture that extends through the lid. The lid is movable between a closed position where the lid covers the open bottom end and an open position for emptying the container through the open bottom end. The seal is coupled to the lid and includes a flange and a post that extends from the flange. The post extends into the aperture of the lid to couple the seal to the lid. The seal is positioned between the lid and the tube when the lid is in the closed position to inhibit airflow between the first chamber and the second chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: Christopher M. Charlton, Raymond P. Kawolics
  • Publication number: 20120042909
    Abstract: An in-line bagless dry vacuum cleaning appliance having a vacuum conduit within a separator tube, the vacuum conduit having spaced apart first and second vacuum suction apertures communicating with an exhaust connector; a cyclone chamber communicating with an intake connector and encompassing the first vacuum suction apertures for forming a cyclonic flow region between the central vacuum conduit and an interior wall of the separator tube; a particle receiving chamber communicating with the cyclone chamber; an axial cyclone inlet communicating between the cyclone chamber and the intake connector of the separator tube; a particle separator dividing the particle receiving chamber from the cyclone chamber and forming a first transfer gap therebetween adjacent to the interior wall of the separator tube for receiving disentrained particles into the particle receiving chamber from the cyclone chamber; and a filter between the particle receiving chamber and the second vacuum suction aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Inventor: Roy Studebaker