Abstract: An upright surface cleaning apparatus has an upper section that is moveably mounted to the surface cleaning head between an in use position and a storage position. The upper section is rotationally mounted to the surface cleaning head. The upright surface cleaning apparatus has an alignment mechanism comprising a first cooperating alignment member associated with the surface cleaning head and a second cooperating alignment member associated with the upper section, the first and second members guiding the upper section to a particular orientation or range of orientations when the upper section is moved into the storage position.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a base to move on a surface, an intermediate member having a first and second passages, and a first joint connecting the base to the intermediate member to permit relative rotation between the base and the intermediate member about a first axis that is generally parallel to the surface and perpendicular to a direction of movement. An air passage connects a base inlet to the first intermediate member passage. A second joint connects a handle to the intermediate member and permits rotation between the intermediate member and the handle about a second axis that is parallel to a nominal direction of movement of the vacuum. The handle has a grip a dirt collector to receive and separate dirt from air. First and second passages connect the intermediate member passages to the dirt collector inlet and outlet. A vacuum fan draws air into the base air inlet, through the intermediate member, through the dirt collector, through the second handle air passage, and back into the intermediate member.

Abstract: An upright surface treating appliance includes a main body having a user operable handle, and a support assembly for allowing the appliance to be rolled along a surface using the handle. The support assembly includes a yoke and a pair of wheels rotatably connected to the yoke, the yoke being shaped so that a section of the yoke lies between the rims of the wheels. A surface treating head is connected to the yoke. The main body is pivotably connected to the yoke for movement about a pivot axis passing between the wheels, and so that a part of the main body is located between the rims of the wheels. As the main body is pivoted about said axis from an upright position to a reclined position, the spacing between said section of the yoke and said part of the main body increases, and so a shield is provided for covering the gap so formed between said section of the yoke and said part of the main body to prevent dirt and dust from passing into the support assembly through the gap.

Abstract: An upright-type vacuum cleaner is provided. The upright-type vacuum cleaner includes a cleaner body comprising a motor chamber in which a suction motor is mounted, a brush assembly connected to the cleaner body, a discharge filter unit mounted on a first surface of the cleaner body, to filter out impurities from an air stream discharged from the suction motor, and a cord reel assembly mounted on a second surface of the cleaner body and having a power cord. The discharge filter unit includes a filter member mountable and demountable to and from the cleaner body by a user outside the vacuum cleaner, and at least a part of an air stream filtered by the filter member shifts a direction to pass through the cord reel assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wiper blade system that includes a wiper blade assembly having a wiping element, at least one elongated beam and a carrier that is operatively engaged to the elongated beam. The wiper blade assembly further includes an airfoil and a coupler that is removably engaged to the carrier and adapted to releasably attach the wiper blade assembly to a wiper arm attachment member. The coupler is universal in that it is used for connecting the wiper blade assembly to various styles of wiper arms.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner having dual cleaning motor and fan units is provided having a cleaning head engagable with a floor and a suction nozzle and a brush roller rotatably mounted therein. A first motor and fan unit is mounted in the vacuum cleaner for producing suction in the suction nozzle and is operatively connected to the brush roller for rotating it. An upright housing is connected to the cleaning head, the housing having a handle for moving the vacuum cleaner along the floor during floor cleaning use. Contained in the housing are a dirt storage container, a passageway leading from the suction nozzle in the cleaning head to the storage container and a second motor and fan unit operatively associated with the storage container for drawing dirt laden air from the cleaning head through the passageway and into the storage container simultaneously with operation of the first motor and fan unit.

Abstract: An upright surface cleaning apparatus has a front end, a rear end and opposed lateral sides and a surface cleaning head having a dirt inlet and rear wheels. The rear wheels have an axis of rotation and a radius. The surface cleaning apparatus also includes an upper section and an upper section mount. The upper section mount movably mounts the upper section to the surface cleaning head at a position forward of the axis of rotation of the rear wheels. The surface cleaning head is movable between an floor cleaning position and a storage position. The surface cleaning apparatus includes an air flow path extending from the dirt inlet to a clean air outlet with a suction motor and a treatment member provided in the air flow path. The air flow path comprises a hose extending between the surface cleaning head and the upper section.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus may comprise a surface cleaning head having a dirt inlet and an upright section moveably mounted to the surface cleaning head. The upright section may comprise an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower upper portion may be rotatable relative to the lower portion about an axis that intersects a longitudinal axis of at least one of the upper and lower portions. The upright surface cleaning apparatus may also comprise a wheel provided on the upright section.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner including a nozzle, an air conduit including a projecting tube, a suction source positioned to provide a flow of dirty air, a bag docking assembly, and a filter bag coupled to the bag carrier. The bag docking assembly includes a main body mounted to the air conduit. A bag carrier is configured to engage the main body and configured to move between a first position and a second position. A lever is coupled to the main body and the bag carrier and the lever is configured to move the bag carrier between the first position and the second position. The bag docking assembly is configured such that when the bag carrier is in the first position, the filter bag is not engaged with the projecting tube and when the bag carrier is in the second position, the filter bag is engaged with the projecting tube.

Abstract: A surface treating appliance includes a main body and a head rotatably connected to the main body about an axis, the main body and the head being provided with first and second electrical connectors, respectively. The first and second electrical connectors can be connected to provide an electrical connection between the main body and the head. One of the first and second electrical connectors is slideable within a channel. By providing an electrical connector within a channel, complicated and potentially unreliable arrangements such as slip-rings can be avoided while still providing an electrical connection between the head and the main body.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises an air flow passage extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet. A suction motor positioned in the air flow passage. A cyclone is removably mounted to the surface cleaning apparatus and positioned in the air flow path. The cyclone has a cyclone air inlet and a cyclone air outlet. The cyclone is mountable to the surface cleaning apparatus in a mounting direction. An air inlet seal is positioned in a first plane and seals the cyclone air inlet to the airflow passage. An air outlet seal is positioned in a second, non-orthogonal plane and seals the cyclone air outlet to the airflow passage. The air inlet seal and the air outlet seal are concurrently sealed by movement of the cyclone in the mounting direction.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner for cleaning a surface includes an upper body with a handle, a base unit and a carriage configured to move the base unit on the surface. The carriage includes a wheel disposed in a rear portion of the base unit. A motor-fan unit is disposed in the base unit and configured to create a partial vacuum at the surface. A tilting joint provides for relative tilting between the upper body and the base unit. The tilting joint has a pivot axis extending in a horizontal direction when the vacuum cleaner is in a position of use. The wheel is mounted on a pivotable carrier member, which has a pivot axle that is spaced apart from a rotatable axle of the wheel. A pivoting mechanism is disposed on the tilting joint in a vicinity of the carrier member and is configured to pivot the carrier member and the wheel during a pivoting movement of the upper body relative to the base unit.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner for cleaning a surface includes an upper body having a dust collection container received therein, a base unit and a carriage configured to provide movement of the base unit on the surface. A motor-fan unit is disposed in the base unit and configured to create a partial vacuum at the surface. A rigid, yoke-shaped duct member provides at least a portion of an air path from the base unit to the upper body. The yoke-shaped duct member supports the upper body such that the upper body is pivotable relative to the base unit about a tilt axis extending horizontally when the upright vacuum cleaner is in a position of use.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner for cleaning a surface includes an upper body with a dust collection container received therein, and a base unit. A carriage is configured to provide movement of the base unit on the surface. A motor-fan unit is disposed in the base unit and configured to provide a partial vacuum at the surface. The upper body is connected to the base unit by a tilting joint such that the upper body and base unit are tiltable relative to each other about a tilt axis extending horizontally when the upright vacuum cleaner is in a position of use. An air conduit is disposed rotatably with respect to the motor-fan unit and communicates with a suction side of the motor-fan unit.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner for cleaning a surface. The vacuum cleaner includes an upper body having a dust collection container, a base unit having a suction mouth and a carriage for moving the base unit on the surface. A motor-fan unit is included and is disposed outside the upper body. The motor-fan unit is operable to create a partial vacuum on the surface. A combined coaxial conduit is disposed in a transition region to the upper body. The combined coaxial conduit includes a first air conduit from the suction mouth to the upper body and a second air conduit from the upper body to the motor-fan unit.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner for cleaning a surface includes an upper body having a dust collection container received therein, a base unit and a carriage configured to provide movement of the base unit at the surface. A motor-fan unit is disposed in the upright vacuum cleaner outside the upper body and is unit configured to create a partial vacuum on the surface. The upper body and base unit are connected with a tilting joint such that the upper body is tiltable relative to the base unit about a tilt axis that extends horizontally when the upright vacuum cleaner is in a position of use. A swivel joint is disposed between the upper body and the base unit. The swivel joint is configured to change a direction of travel of the upright vacuum cleaner in response to twisting of the upper body. The swivel joint includes a tubular section articulated to the base unit and a bearing housing disposed rotatably about the tubular section. The bearing housing is received in a receiving structure of the upper body.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner for cleaning a surface includes an upper body with a dust collection container disposed therein, a base unit and a carriage configured to provide movement of the base unit on the surface. A tilting joint connects the upper body and base unit. The tilting joint is configured to provide relative tilting between the upper body and the base unit about a tilting axis extending horizontally when the upright vacuum cleaner is in a position of use. At least one cover configured to cover a clearance in a vicinity of the tilting joint between the upper body and the base unit.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner housing member having a rigid frame, a grate and a flexible cover. The rigid frame has an outer perimeter and an opening therethrough. The grate is mounted in the opening and has an inner surface, an outer surface, one or more air passages extending from the inner surface to the outer surface, and an outer perimeter wall defining the peripheral edge of the grate. The flexible cover extends over at least one of the one or more air passages and is positioned over at least a portion of the outer surface, extends around at least a portion of the outer perimeter wall, and is positioned over at least a portion of the inner surface. A vacuum cleaner including the housing members similar to the foregoing member is also provided.

Abstract: An upright surface cleaning apparatus is disclosed. Embodiments of the apparatus comprise a surface cleaning head having a dirty fluid inlet. A fluid flow path extends from the dirty fluid inlet to a clean air outlet, and includes a suction motor and at least one cleaning stage. An upright section is mounted to the surface cleaning head and comprises at least one cleaning stage having an inlet. An above floor cleaning wand is connectable to the fluid flow path and has an inlet end. A valve is operable between a first position in which the surface cleaning head is in fluid flow communication with the at least one cleaning stage and a second position in which the above floor cleaning wand is in fluid flow communication with the at least one cleaning stage. In some embodiments, the valve is positioned adjacent the inlet of the at least one cleaning stage.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a base with a first air inlet, a rear housing, a removable handle and a socket on the housing to receive the handle. The handle has a grip, a second air inlet, and a hose connected to the second air inlet. The vacuum has a valve with a first inlet connected to the first air inlet, a second inlet connected to the flexible hose, a valve outlet connected to a vacuum fan, and a valve member that moves to connect the valve outlet to either inlet. The vacuum has a handle latch having one position in which it engages the removable handle to hold it in the socket and places the valve in one position, and a second position in which it releases the handle and places the valve member the other position.

Abstract: A combination vacuum cleaner and ultraviolet disinfecting device is presented having a vacuum for cleaning a cleaning medium, such as a carpet, and a UV light source for radiation of the cleaning medium to eradicate the medium of infestation agents such as molds, viruses, bacteria and dust mites. The device provides a multiple of safety switches to prevent power supply to the UV light source under certain conditions. Safety switches are provided requiring a constant activation of a switch by the user on the device handle, activation of contact switches indicating the device is in contact with the cleaning medium, activation of a switch indicating the device is in an in-use position, and a tilt sensor to prevent power supply to the UV light if the device, or a portion thereof, is tilted beyond a preselected degree.

Abstract: The present invention provides an upright vacuum cleaner (10) having an elongate body (12) and comprising a floorhead (14) on which the elongate body is mounted, the floorhead (14) having a first inlet (140) for dirty air, a wand having a second inlet for dirty air, a changeover valve (22) for selecting between a flow of dirty air from the first or second inlet, a dust collection chamber (18) also having a dirty air inlet (180), a duct (28) for conveying said flow of dirty air from the changeover valve (22) to the dust collection chamber inlet (180), and a source of suction power for drawing the dirty air from the first or second inlet through said changeover valve (22) and said duct (28) to the dust collection chamber inlet (180).

Abstract: A floor cleaning appliance includes a body having a nozzle assembly and a handle assembly. A dirt collection vessel and suction generator are carried on the body. The handle assembly is pivotally connected to the nozzle assembly and is selectively displaceable into and out of a home position. A latch locks the handle assembly in the home position. An actuator carried on the handle assembly, remote from the latch, releases the latch to allow the handle assembly to be moved from the home position.

Abstract: A steerable vacuum cleaner and a method to steer the vacuum is described. The vacuum cleaner include: a base; a handle having a longitudinal axis and including a conduit; and a rotatable coupling pivotally attached between the base and the handle, with the coupling defining an air channel for providing a flow of air from the base to the conduit in the handle. The base of the vacuum rotates about the longitudinal axis while pushing the vacuum by twisting the handle. The rotatable coupling of the vacuum cleaner includes: an inner conduit having an outer surface; a compressible strip disposed on the outer surface of the inner conduit, wherein the strip is disposed the outer surface of the inner conduit; an outer conduit adapted to snugly fit over the strip and the first conduit; and a non-reactive high-viscosity lubricant disposed on the outer surface of the inner conduit adjacent the strip.

Abstract: A steerable vacuum cleaner comprises an upright body portion which is pivotally mounted at its lower end to the rear of a wheeled floor-engaging head portion. A catch is pivotally mounted intermediate its opposite ends to the upright body portion, the catch having a finger at a forward end arranged to engage a formation on the head portion. The rearward end of the catch defines a foot pedal for moving the forward end of the catch out of engagement with the formation. The catch on the body portion can engage the head portion to prevent the head portion from pivoting sideways and rearwards when the cleaner is not in use.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner having dual cleaning motor and fan units is provided having a cleaning head engagable with a floor and a suction nozzle and a brush roller rotatably mounted therein. A first motor and fan unit is mounted in the vacuum cleaner for producing suction in the suction nozzle and is operatively connected to the brush roller for rotating it. An upright housing is connected to the cleaning head, the housing having a handle for moving the vacuum cleaner along the floor during floor cleaning use. Contained in the housing are a dirt storage container, a passageway leading from the suction nozzle in the cleaning head to the storage container and a second motor and fan unit operatively associated with the storage container for drawing dirt laden air from the cleaning head through the passageway and into the storage container simultaneously with operation of the first motor and fan unit.

Abstract: A path-conversion valve assembly for a vacuum cleaner comprises a valve member rotatably mounted in an air path formed in a cleaner of a vacuum cleaner which includes a socket for receiving a hose nozzle, and a resilient member mounted in the air path to resiliently press the rotating valve member in an opposite direction to the rotating direction of the valve member.

Abstract: A cyclonic separation device in accordance with an embodiment of the present application preferably includes a first cyclone chamber having a cylindrical shape with a predetermined diameter, the first cyclone chamber including, a tangential inlet positioned on a first longitudinal end of the first cyclone chamber, a baffle plate positioned in the first cyclone chamber a predetermined distance from the tangential inlet, a tangential dirt outlet positioned on a second end of the cyclone chamber, opposite the inlet and on an opposite side of the baffle plate from the tangential inlet and a center exit duct mounted in the center of the cyclone chamber having an inlet opening positioned upstream from the baffle plate such the centrifuged fluid without particles flows into the center exit duct and out of the cyclone chamber.

Abstract: An accessory for a cleaning appliance includes a head having a housing, a downwardly-directed suction opening in the housing and a neck adapted for attachment to a hose or wand of the cleaning appliance. A rotatable connection is provided between the neck and the head for allowing rotation of the neck relative to the head. A wheel arrangement maneuverably supports the accessory on a surface to be cleaned and is mounted on the neck of the accessory. The wheel arrangement may normally be in contact with the surface to be cleaned, but the point or points of contact between the wheel arrangement and the surface to be cleaned are dependent upon the rotational position of the neck with respect to the head.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner having a steering unit is provided. The upright vacuum cleaner includes a cleaner body having a suction motor and a dust separating and collecting unit, a suction port assembly rotatably connected to a lower portion of the cleaner body, a handle mounted to the cleaner body, and a steering unit to elastically support the cleaner body so that the center of gravity of the cleaner body shifts to the direction where the cleaner body is rotated, according to the rotation of the cleaner body to the left or right.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner (A) includes a housing (B) having a suction airstream inlet and a suction airstream outlet. A dirt container (50, 500) is selectively mounted to the housing for receiving and retaining dirt and dust separated from the suction airstream. The suction airstream inlet and the suction airstream outlet are in fluid communication with, respectively, an inlet and an outlet of the dirt container. The dirt container includes a first cyclonic air-flow chamber (66, 508) and a second cyclonic airflow chamber (68, 510), each cyclonic airflow chamber including a longitudinal axis. The second cyclonic airflow chamber is spaced from the first chamber, wherein the first and second chambers are each approximately vertically oriented and are arranged in a parallel relationship. An air manifold (52, 540, 540?) is disposed at a top portion of the dirt container. The air manifold includes an inlet section (54, 536, 565) through which dirty air passes and an outlet section (138, 560, 560?).

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner dirt container having a chamber with an upper opening, and a removable filter element. The filter element has an upper portion with an opening and a peripheral edge that engages an upper edge of the chamber. A filter portion extends from the upper portion, and a handle extends across the opening. The filter portion extends into the chamber when the filter element is mounted thereto. Also provided is an upright vacuum cleaner with a base unit, body unit , and dirt chamber removably mounted to the body unit. A combined filter and lid is mounted to the dirt chamber, and includes a filter member, and a mounting ring extending from the filter member to a sidewall of the dirt chamber to hold the filtration device at a fixed location away from the chamber sidewall. Also provided is a cyclone lid having an annular wall, filter, and handle.

Abstract: It is a new steam broom for floor cleaning with a boiler (C) for steam production connected to two ducts for steam delivery, the delivery duct (CF) for front jets and the delivery duct (C1) for lower jets and a detergent delivery duct (CD), the opening or closing of the valve (VU) for steam output from the boiler is controlled by the operation device (DA), connected to the arm (M1) of the handle (M), so that the rotation of said arm (M1) around the hinge (M?) causes the displacement of said operating device (DA), thus causing the opening of said output valve (Vu). Said boiler (C) comprises two pressure gauges (P1) and (P2), a device for jet deflection (D) shuts one or more delivery ducts (CF), (C1) and (CD) by compressing them.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus is disclosed. The cleaning apparatus includes a base portion for movement along the surface and a handle pivotally connected to the base portion. The cleaning apparatus further includes a solution tank for supplying a flow of cleaning solution to the surface. The solution tank removably mounted to one of the handle and the base portion. The cleaning apparatus still further includes a recovery tank removably mounted to one of the handle and the base portion and a floor suction nozzle secured to the base portion and in fluid communication with the recovery tank. The cleaning apparatus yet further includes a suction source in fluid communication with the floor suction nozzle for generating suction to draw dirt and liquid through the floor suction nozzle and into the recovery tank.

Abstract: A suction hose for vacuum cleaner includes a tubular inner part, a jacket part and a locking device. The inner part is variable in length and includes a hose wall having a coil spring integrated therein, the coil spring being configured to automatically return the inner part from an extended position to a shortened position. The jacket part is configured to completely receive the inner part when the inner part is in the shortened position, the jacket part including a tubular shape. The locking device is configured to fix the inner part, in the shortened position, in the jacket part. The locking device includes a tubular member configured to surround the inner part, the tubular member including a first part of a first snap-fit device configured to cooperate with the jacket part so as to connect the tubular member and the jacket part.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus includes a base. A bracket is attached to the base. Wheels are rotatably attached to the base for wheeling the base across a floor. A cleaning attachment is configured to be attached to the base and moved against the floor to clean the floor as the base is wheeled across the floor. The base is manually pushed by a handle to wheel the base across the floor. The handle is configured to be removably attached to the base by being hooked onto the bracket and then pivoted relative to the bracket into an installed position.

Abstract: A dust-collecting unit for a vacuum cleaner is provided which detachably connected with a cleaner body of the vacuum cleaner. The dust-collecting unit includes a dust receptacle which is disposed under a dust separator disposed in the cleaner body, for collecting dust separated from air by the dust separator and dropping down from the dust separator, a dust receptacle ascending/descending part which is disposed under the dust receptacle and is pivoted in a direction or a reverse direction to ascend or descend the dust receptacle and to press-lock or unlock the dust receptacle to or from the dust separator, and a handle which extends from one side of the dust receptacle ascending/descending part along a lengthwise direction of the dust receptacle and has a gap with respect to a circumferential surface of the dust receptacle.

Abstract: A cleaner is provided in which a handle for a dust receptacle can also be used as a handle for a cleaner body. The cleaner includes a cleaner body which includes a dust receptacle receiving unit, a dust receptacle which is detachably mounted on the dust receptacle receiving unit and includes a handle, a moving unit which moves the dust receptacle on the dust receptacle receiving unit to be fixed to the cleaner body, and a connection unit which fixes the dust receptacle to the cleaner body at two or more places according to the movement of the dust receptacle. Since the dust receptacle is firmly connected to the cleaner body by the connection unit, the handle can be used to carry the cleaner body as well as the dust receptacle.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner having dual cleaning motor and fan units is provided having a cleaning head engagable with a floor and a suction nozzle and a brush roller rotatably mounted therein. A first motor and fan unit is mounted in the vacuum cleaner for producing suction in the suction nozzle and is operatively connected to the brush roller for rotating it. An upright housing is connected to the cleaning head, the housing having a handle for moving the vacuum cleaner along the floor during floor cleaning use. Contained in the housing are a dirt storage container, a passageway leading from the suction nozzle in the cleaning head to the storage container and a second motor and fan unit operatively associate with the storage container for drawing dirt laden air from the cleaning head through the passageway and into the storage container simultaneously with operation of the first motor and fan unit.

Abstract: A steerable upright vacuum cleaner includes an upright section including a dirt collecting portion, a collar on which the upright section is mounted and base section to which the collar is attached. The upright section is mounted on the collar such that the upright section pivots around a first axis with respect to the collar. The base section is attached to the collar such that the collar pivots around a second axis with respect to the base section. The second axis is approximately perpendicular to the first axis. The base section includes a nozzle that communicates with the dirt collecting portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for the detachable connection of a wiper blade on a swivelable wiper arm of a wiper arrangement for windows of motor vehicles, with a bushing that can be connected to the wiper blade or arranged on it for accommodating a plug-in axis of the wiper arm and with a device to lock the plug-in axis in the bushing at least in an operating position of the wiper blade, in which the directions of the longitudinal extension of the wiper blade and the wiper arm are aligned approximately parallel to one another. It is provided that the device for locking includes a catch hook (20) arranged on the wiper blade (12), which in the operating position partially grips around the wiper arm (10) near the plug-in axis (16) and forms an angular limit stop for the wiper blade (12).

Abstract: A filtration bag assembly may include an air permeable bag and a collar affixed thereto. The collar may include an opening that communicates with the interior of said bag and at least one panel that is movable to selectively obscure the opening. The collar includes a bottom surface and a pair of opposed tabs extending laterally from opposed lateral edges of the collar. A bracket is secured to the floor cleaning apparatus and includes a pair of opposed legs, that each includes a first ramp surface and a second ramp surface. During insertion of the collar into said bracket, the first ramp surface slidingly contacts the bottom surface and the second ramp surface slidingly contacts said tabs to move the collar upwardly into fluid communication with a nozzle.

Abstract: A surface treating appliance, such as a vacuum cleaner, includes a main body, a surface treating head and a support assembly. The support assembly is rotatably mounted to the main body for allowing the main body to be rolled along a surface. The support assembly also houses a component of the appliance, such as a motor for driving a surface-agitating device. Alternatively, or additionally, the support assembly may accommodate a fluid inlet for receiving fluid flow, a fluid outlet for exhausting fluid and a device for acting on the fluid flow received by the inlet such as a filter or suction apparatus.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaning machine comprising a housing that includes a suction nozzle that is adapted to move along a surface to be cleaned and a receptacle coupled to the housing for holding particles removed from the surface during operation of the vacuum cleaning machine. The receptacle is provided with an external opening for the introduction of debris particles therein which are not ordinarily removable from the surface through the suction-generating apparatus. The vacuum cleaning machine can be an upright vacuum cleaning machine and the receptacle can be mounted to the handle. The receptacle can also be incorporated into a dirt cup in a cyclone separator module.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a housing, a suction generator carried by the housing, a bag compartment and a bag cage. The bag compartment is defined by a bag compartment wall including an airflow inlet and an airflow outlet. The bag cage is received in the bag compartment. The bag cage defines a bag cavity that hold a filter bag in a position spaced from the bag compartment wall so as to maintain a clear airflow passage. The bag cage includes a bag caddy having a bag holder.

Abstract: A disinfecting device is presented having a UV light source for radiation of a cleaning medium to eradicate the medium of infestation agents such as molds, viuses, bacteria and dust mites. The device enhances the disinfection of the medium by providing mechanisms for enhanced penetration of the UV light into the cleaning medium. The device also offers enhanced heat dissipation to promote effective use of the device. Also provided are safety mechanisms to promote the safe and advantageous use of the UV device.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a motor-fan unit and a housing part including a filter receptacle. A filter frame is slidably insertable in an insertion direction into the filter receptacle so as to be disposed in an exhaust air stream of the motor-fan unit. The filter frame has a substantially parallelepiped configuration and is configured to receive a fine filter. The vacuum cleaner includes an air-permeable cover element pivotably disposed on the housing and configured to cover the filter receptacle. The cover element is operable to redirect force resulting from a pivoting movement thereof from the insertion direction to a pressing direction substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction so as to press an edge contour of the filter frame toward a mating contour of the filter receptacle in an inserted position of the filter frame.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a housing, a suction generator carried by the housing, a bag compartment and a bag cage. The bag compartment is defined by a bag compartment wall including an airflow inlet and an airflow outlet. The bag cage is received in the bag compartment. The bag cage defines a bag cavity that hold a filter bag in a position spaced from the bag compartment wall so as to maintain a clear airflow passage.

Abstract: A portable electric vacuum cleaner according to the present invention includes a body (23), and a suction nozzle (27) provided unitarily with the body (23) at a front lower portion of the body (23) and projecting forward from the body (23) as having a predetermined length. The suction nozzle (27) is, for example, a tubular member of a fixed shape composed of a resin and tapered toward a distal end thereof. The suction nozzle (27) has a nozzle suction port (271) provided at the distal end thereof. The portable electric vacuum cleaner is generally used with a floor brush (3) attached to the suction nozzle (27). When the floor brush (3) is detached from the body (2), the suction nozzle (27) appears. Thus, the portable electric vacuum cleaner is conveniently used. Further, the suction nozzle (27) is hardly missing.

Abstract: A steam vacuum cleaner includes a main assembly functioning as a mopstick, and the main assembly has an exhaust duct with a built-in filter formed at a rear face thereof.