Separator Element Cleaning In Situ And/or Storage Or Removal Of Retained Dirt Patents (Class 15/352)
  • Patent number: 7568259
    Abstract: A robotic floor cleaner includes a main body, which houses a propelling unit for moving the robotic floor cleaner on the floor and a control unit for controlling the operation of the propelling unit to move the robotic floor cleaner on the floor according to a predetermined steering mode, a daughter body detachably fastened to the main body and houses a vacuum cleaner unit for removing dust, and a handle assembly detachably connectable to the daughter body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Inventor: Jason Yan
  • Publication number: 20090183338
    Abstract: A dust filter for filtering dust out of an air stream has a filter membrane (2) pleated into a row of pleats. A pleat deflector (3A, 3B) is movably suspended for movability along the row of pleats, for cleaning the filter membrane (2). The deflector (3A, 3B) has a free end (9A, 9B) extending between the pleats when the deflector (3A, 3B) and the pleats are in undeflected condition, such that when the deflector (3A, 3H) is moved along the row of pleats, the pleats are deflected and released in succession along the row. The deflector (3A, 3H) is or comprises a flexible plate (10A, 10B) of which at least a portion between the suspension (4) and the free end (9A, 9B) has a width transverse to the direction of movability of the deflector (3A, 3B), which decreases with the distance to the suspension (4). Thereby, a deflector of increased stiffness is obtained which is advantageous for effective dust removal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Margarita Zwanette Van Raalte, Thelma Fernandina Geusebroek-Oskam, Paulus Hermanus Van Wolferen, Akko Wolters
  • Publication number: 20090178236
    Abstract: Disclosed related to a vacuum cleaner comprising a cleaner body in which a dust collector mount part is formed; a dust collector attached and removed at the dust collector mount part, and having a dust storage part in the inside; at least one of the compressing member reducing the volume of the dust stored in the dust storage part as arranged in the dust storage part movably; a power transfer unit transferring the driving force to the compressing members from outside as connected with the compressing members; and a control unit deciding the amount of the dust stored in the dust storage unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventors: Chang Ho Yun, Gun Ho Ha, Jin Young Kim, Man Tae Hwang, Hae Seock Yang, Jong Su Choo, Chang Hoon Lee, Jin Wook Seo, Myung Sig Yoo, Moo Hyun Ko, Pil Jae Hwang
  • Publication number: 20090178235
    Abstract: Disclosed related to a vacuum cleaner comprising a cleaner body in which a dust collector mount part is formed; a dust collector attached and removed at the dust collector mount part, and having a dust storage part in the inside; at least one of the compressing member reducing the volume of the dust stored in the dust storage part as arranged in the dust storage part movably; a power transfer unit transferring the driving force to the compressing members from outside as connected with the compressing members; and a control unit deciding the amount of the dust stored in the dust storage unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventors: Chang Ho Yun, Gun Ho Ha, Jin Young Kim, Man Tae Hwang, Hae Seock Yang, Jong Su Choo, Chang Hoon Lee, Jin Wook Seo, Myung Sig Yoo, Moo Hyun Ko, Pil Jae Hwang
  • Patent number: 7552506
    Abstract: A filter assembly for a vacuum cleaner is provided. The filter assembly includes a filter case and a primary filter attached to an outside of the filter case. The primary filter filters out fine dust contained in air from which relatively large dust has been separated. A secondary filter provided in the filter case filters Out fine dust remaining in the air after passing through the primary filter. The primary and secondary filters are removeable from the filter case so that dust and dirt accumulated in the filter assembly during the process of filtering the fine dust can be cleaned out, and the filters can be used semi-permanently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Yun-Seok Lee, Hoi-Kil Jeong, Jae-Geun Lee
  • Patent number: 7507269
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle base having a main suction opening formed in an underside thereof. A housing is hingedly connected to the nozzle base. The housing includes a dirt separation chamber and a dirt receptacle for receiving dirt and dust separated by the dirt separation chamber. A conduit connects the nozzle base to the housing. A suction source is located in one of the housing and the nozzle base. The suction source is in fluid communication with the dirt separation chamber. A generally conically shaped filter extends into the dirt separation chamber along a longitudinal axis of the dirt separation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: John S. Murphy, David Khalil, Michael F. Wright, Robert A. Matousek, Yung Leong Hin
  • Patent number: 7506403
    Abstract: A debris collection system for use with a portable, hand held blower/vac comprises a wheeled cart. A collection bag is releasably carried on the cart. A connecting hose releasably couples the collection bag to the fan outlet of the blower/vac to fill the collection bag with debris picked up by the blower/vac when the blower/vac operates in the vacuum mode. The cart rolls on the ground and trails behind the blower/vac in the manner of a canister vacuum cleaner as a user operates the blower/vac and walks forwardly with the blower/vac. The collection bag may be a reusable fabric bag or a disposable paper bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Steven J. Svoboda, Daniel R. Shemon, Mark A. Pankratz, James R. Baumann
  • Patent number: 7503134
    Abstract: A vacuum container mounted on an inclined slope and having a liquid water storage container mounted beneath the incline of the vacuum container. The water storage container may support the vacuum container. The slope may be of sufficient angle to allow debris to be emptied from the vacuum container by gravity when the access door is opened. A filter housing may be mounted to and supported by the vacuum container. By flush mounting the clean out end of the filter housing with the clean out end of the vacuum container, a single access clean out door may be used to access both simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Inventor: Lynn A. Buckner
  • Patent number: 7500283
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a suction inlet provided at a main body and a cover hinge-coupled to the main body to cover a dust collection chamber included in the main body. A locking unit is disposed around the suction inlet in order to releasably lock the cover. Further, the vacuum cleaner may include a pivot link for rotatably connecting the cover and the main body. With the pivot link, the cover and the main body are rotatable about two different hinge axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Daewoo Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Nam Ho Lee, Jae Duck Lee
  • Publication number: 20090056063
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventor: Michael Poetting
  • Publication number: 20090056064
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventors: Christian Finke, Michael Poetting
  • Publication number: 20090056062
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventor: Michael Poetting
  • Patent number: 7494520
    Abstract: A filter device for a vacuum cleaner includes a casing having a collecting space therein, a suction opening through which air including dust is sucked, formed eccentrically at one side so that sucked air can be rotated and a discharge opening through which purified air is discharged. A filter is installed at an internal space of the casing, for filtering dust from air sucked through the suction opening. A filter cleaning unit is disposed at an outer circumferential surface of the filter, for cleaning the filter by being rotated by a rotation force of air sucked through the suction opening. A rotation restrainer is provided for restraining rotation of the filter cleaning unit when the filter cleaning unit reaches a topmost position. Accordingly, fine dust attached to the filter in cleaning is removed so that a channel of the filter can be prevented from being closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyeun-Sik Nam, Yong-Woo Lee, Choon-Myun Chung, Ho-Seon Rew
  • Patent number: 7485167
    Abstract: A manually moveable filter shaker for a drum-style vacuum cleaner with a drum lid and a filter bag mounted below the drum lid. The filter shaker includes a shaker handle operable from outside of the drum lid and extending through an elastically deformable pressure-tight through-hole in the drum lid and into the filter bag having a contoured bottom. The shaker handle extends to the bottom of the filter bag. Guide template control the manual movement of the shaker handles such that the shaker handle shakes the filter bag loosening accumulated debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Vac-U-Max
    Inventor: David Kennedy
  • Patent number: 7475528
    Abstract: A lawncare machine 100 has a powered rotary raking or scarifying reel 5 together with a powered vacuum collector 8 whereby material thrown up by the reel is immediately drawn into the collection chamber 8. During removal of the vegetation material, it is drawn into the chamber 8 due to a suction created by a fan 2. The material is normally held in the box by means of a perforated screen 10 situated between the box and fan entry. The chamber 8 may be emptied by moving the screen 10 so that the material is discharged through the fan 2. Alternatively the chamber 8 may be emptied by means of flap valves 19, 21, 23 which cause a reversal of the airflow through the chamber so that the collected material never passes through the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Inventor: John Robert Bishop
  • Patent number: 7468083
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a housing having a filter bag cavity. A suction generator and a bag mount are both carried on the housing. Additionally, the vacuum cleaner includes a bag caddy that is displaceable between an operating position connected to the bag mount and a bag disposal position disconnected from the bag mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Ronald E. Davis, James T. Crouch, Chad D. Overvaag
  • Publication number: 20080282497
    Abstract: A latching mechanism for the dust cup assembly on a bottom exit cyclone-separator vacuum cleaner, including a non-rotating annular seal member supporting the dust cup assembly above a discharge outlet, and a U-shaped slide lock member movable in and out underneath the dust cup assembly to raise and lower the seal member, thus raising and lower the dust cup assembly into and out of engagement with a cyclone separator chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: BISSELL HOMECARE, INC.
    Inventors: Aaron P. Griffith, Wing Shun Luk, Gabriel S. Vander Baan
  • Patent number: 7451521
    Abstract: An apparatus for removal of material by suction, comprising, supported by the chassis of a truck, a partial vacuum unit for a collection tank, to which aspirated material is conveyed. The tank is fitted on an unloading device suitable to lift on one side the tank in order to empty by gravity the material accumulated therein. The unloading device comprises a frame rotatably coupled to the chassis by interposing a rotatable center bearing, provided with an actuation for actuating the rotation of the frame with-respect to the chassis. The frame has a base for connection to the center bearing, and a supporting structure for the tank is associated with the base. The structure is adapted for multiple movements for positioning and unloading the tank outside of the truck footprint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Cappellotto S.p.A.
    Inventor: Luigi Cappellotto
  • Patent number: 7445655
    Abstract: A removable dust collector for use in a dust compartment of a vacuum cleaner is provided and includes a holder that maintains the dust collector in an operating position, and a locking member that is placed in a locking position when the dust collector is removed. A cover of the dust compartment is prevented from closing and is placed in a release position when the dust collector is in an operating position. The locking member is maintained in its release position either by means of a filter bag inserted into a carrier or by an actuating member associated with the dust collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Armin Böck, Albert Kleinhenz, Michael Krammer
  • Patent number: 7444712
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has a vacuum cleaner housing and an exchangeable filter with through opening arranged in the housing. A holding arm connected with its upper end to the vacuum cleaner housing penetrates the through opening. A fastening member is detachably connected to the lower end of the holding arm for securing the filter to the holding arm. The lower end of the holding arm has a radial recess, and the fastening member has engagement elements engaging the radial recess when the filter is secured on the holding arm. The engagement elements block removal of the fastening member from the lower end of the holding arm. The fasting member has an actuating ring moveable between a locked position, in which the engagement elements secure the fastening member against removal from the holding arm, and a release position, in which the fastening member is removable from the holding arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas Wiedemann
  • Patent number: 7437798
    Abstract: An air reflux assembly for a conventional or a automatic cleaner comprising an outer shell, an inner shell, a rotating disc, a rotating disc seat and plurality of return air ducts. The inner shell is positioned in the lower part of the inner chamber of the outer shell and does not contact the inner wall of the outer shell; the rotating disc seat is connected to the upper portion of the inner shell, the lower part of the rotating disc is placed in the rotating disc seat, three groups of windows are arranged in the upper, middle and lower portion of the rotating disc, another three groups of windows which correspond to the three groups of windows of the rotating disc are arranged in the upper, middle and lower portion of the rotating disc seat; air inlets and air outlets are arranged in the rotating disc seat and the two ends of the return air ducts are respectively connected to the air inlets and air outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Inventor: Zhouxin Zhang
  • Publication number: 20080250601
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a filter cleaning mechanism comprising: a filter material (37) for filtering out dust and dirt particles from air passing therethrough; a frame (32, 34, 35, 38, 39) for supporting said filter material (37); means (31, 296; 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d) for mechanically agitating said filter material to dislodge dust and dirt particles therefrom; wherein the means for mechanically agitating said filter material comprises means (31, 296; 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d) for deforming said frame within its elastic limit and means (31, 296; 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d) for rapidly releasing said frame from said deformation to cause said frame to relax to an undeformed state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventor: Eric Coburn
  • Publication number: 20080250586
    Abstract: A disclosed road sweeping machine (1) including a filter device (6) and comprising: movement means (2), suitable to allow movement of the road sweeping machine (1), collection means (3), suitable to allow collection of refuse and air including pollutants from the outside environment, a container (4), suitable to contain the refuse and the pollutants, means (5) for conveying the air from the container (4) to the outside environment and wherein the filter device (6) is suitable to filter the air conveyed from the conveying means (5) and comprises a filter layer (7) having a filter membrane (7a) provided with a first membrane (7b) made of polytetrafluoroethylene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventor: Fabrizio Tagliaferri
  • Patent number: 7426769
    Abstract: A vacuum truck includes a self-propelled vehicle, a storage tank, a vacuum source, a laterally-shiftable scraper, and a pullback scraper. Suction lines connect a collection area of the scrapers to the storage tank and to the vacuum source. The exhaust from the vacuum system heats the collection area and the suction line to prevent plugging by the cold vacuumed material. The vehicle's engine exhaust can also be controlled to serve as a second heat source that can be used. A fluffer comprises a rake pivoted to the scraper is extendable for fluffing bedding while performing the vacuuming operation. The truck includes a front discharge opening and auger for emptying the tank. The driver's cabin is in front and has high and low windows, such that all vehicle operations are easily seen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Inventor: Donald L. Mensch
  • Publication number: 20080216282
    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: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: G.B.D. CORP.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 7419520
    Abstract: A dust collection unit for a vacuum cleaner includes a dust collection container for collecting foreign objects contained in air introduced therein, covers defining a top and bottom of the dust collection container, and a filter-cleaning unit having a plurality of brushes rotating around the porous filter unit to remove the foreign objects clogging the outer surface of the porous filter unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Chang Ook Lee, Jae Won Choi
  • Patent number: 7412747
    Abstract: The present invention provides a blower-vacuum device having means for collecting garden waste, the garden waste collecting means comprising: an attachment part (42) for receiving a garden waste receptacle; and a garden waste receptacle (30) for removable engagement with the attachment part; wherein the attachment part (42) comprises an arcuate groove (44); and the garden waste receptacle (30) comprises a band (33) defining a mouth (35) of the receptacle for sliding engagement with the groove. Thus the receptacle may be easily removed from the attachment part of the blower-vacuum device merely by sliding the band (33) of the receptacle out of the groove (44), whereupon the receptacle may then be emptied of garden waste by tipping it upside-down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Clare Tate, John Sadler, Nigel Robson
  • Patent number: 7404835
    Abstract: A debris collection device with a self cleaning retention system that is designed for powered tools such as a sander. One embodiment of the system has an inflatable collection bag and a bag retention system, which further includes an integral bag adapter nozzle for retaining the collection bag to the debris exhaust of a tool such as a sander. For one embodiment of the debris collection device, the retention system can also has a tube, pipe or bracket which connects the adapter to powered tool such as a sander.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Alto U.S. Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Kramer
  • Publication number: 20080172824
    Abstract: Disclosed related to a vacuum cleaner comprising a cleaner body in which a dust collector mount part is formed; a dust collector attached and removed at the dust collector mount part, and having a dust storage part in the inside; at least one of the compressing member reducing the volume of the dust stored in the dust storage part as arranged in the dust storage part movably; a power transfer unit transferring the driving force to the compressing members from outside as connected with the compressing members; and a control unit deciding the amount of the dust stored in the dust storage unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: Chang Ho YUN, Gun Ho Ha, Jin Young Kim, Man Tae Hwang, Hae Seock Yang, Jong Su Choo, Chang Hoon Lee, Jin Wook Seo, Myung Sig Yoo, Moo Hyun Ko, Pil Jae Hwang
  • Publication number: 20080172823
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a dust collector which includes a first dust separator and a dust container in which a first dust storage unit is formed. A cover is coupled to the dust separating unit and is used to selectively open or close the dust storage unit. The cover is detached from the dust container together with the dust separating unit when the dust container is emptied. The vacuum cleaner may further include a second dust separator on the main body of the vacuum cleaner. In this instance, a second dust storage unit may be formed in the dust collector, and dust separated in the second dust separator may be stored in the second dust storage unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: Myung Sig Yoo, Man Tae Hwang, Hae Seock Yang, Moo Hyun Ko, Jong Su Choo
  • Publication number: 20080168616
    Abstract: A pleated filter is provided higher than an upper opening of a dust collecting unit. An introduction hole is provided on the downstream side of the pleated filter. When switching to a dust moving state, the outside air introduced from an introduction hole spreads to the entirety of the pleated filter when passing through the pleated filter and evenly cleans dust adhering to the entirety, and when micro dust removed from the pleated filter is moved to the dust collecting unit, this movement is supported by gravity by using the weight of micro dust. The pleated filter is prevented from being clogging by reliably moving micro dust removed from the pleated filter to the dust collecting unit, and when switching to a suctioning state, a suction air amount to pass through the first air passage is secured, whereby reduction in suction power over time can be suppressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA CONSUMER MARKETING CORPORATION, TOSHIBA HA PRODUCTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: MASATOSHI TANAKA, Atsushi Morishita
  • Patent number: 7386916
    Abstract: A self-cleaning vacuum cleaner 1 is disclosed. The vacuum cleaner 1 comprises a housing 2 having an inlet 5 and an outlet 6, and a fan arranged within the housing 2 for causing air to flow through a coarse filter and a fine filter. A vibrator mechanism causes vibration of the fine filter, and the vacuum cleaner 1 has a working condition in which the fan causes air to flow from the inlet 5 to the outlet 6, and a self-cleaning condition in which the vibrator mechanism causes vibrations of the fine filter to cause particles to be released from the fine filter, and in which the housing 2 is opened to enable at least some of the particles released from the fine filter to pass through the coarse filter and out of the housing 2 and into a receptacle 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Bone
  • Patent number: 7377010
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner is provided having a dirt collecting system with a downwardly pivoting lid for disposing of the collected dirt. The dirt collecting system has a latching arrangement for securing the pivoting lid into the closed position. A release member on the sidewall of the dirt collecting container is in operative engagement with a latching arrangement for releasing the pivoting lid from the closed position when the dirt collecting container is removed from the cleaner housing. The latching arrangement utilizes a slide member that traverses the underside of the pivoting lid. The slide member is biased into the latched position by a pair of resilient members. A pair of torsional springs are disposed in the hinges pivotally connecting the pivoting lid to the sidewall of the dirt collecting container to bias the pivoting lid into the open position when the release member is depressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: The Hoover Comapny
    Inventors: Kurt D. Harsh, Andrew C. Budd, Jonathan E. Fawcett
  • Patent number: 7370389
    Abstract: An improved water filter vacuum cleaner includes a vacuum body which contains a dust chamber and a dust collector assembly in the dust chamber that contains filter water. The dust collection assembly includes a dust collection seat and an upper cap. The dust collection seat is divided by a partition to form a filter chamber and an airflow chamber that communicate with each other. The airflow chamber has an airflow duct connecting to the filter chamber. The vacuum body has a suction assembly to generate a suction airflow which sucks suction articles through the airflow duct into the filter chamber. The suction airflow generates oscillating moisture to trap the suction articles. The cleaned suction airflow passes through the upper cap and a guiding member communicating with the upper cap to the suction assembly to form output airflow in the suction assembly to be discharged through an air outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Inventor: Samson Tsen
  • Patent number: 7370388
    Abstract: An air cleaner for a portable engine, includes an air cleaner case attached to an upper part of an engine body of the engine. Preferably, the air cleaner case is supported on an upper wall of a shroud covering the engine. Preferably, the air cleaner case is formed integrally with the shroud. Preferably, the air cleaner further includes an air intake structure divided into a plurality of intake passages having inlets displaced relative to each other with respect to an air flow direction in which an intake air flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsuneyoshi Yuasa, Masanori Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7360275
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a dirt separation system that has a dirt cup retaining a filter assembly having a screen element, an exit, and a filter element disposed between the screen element and the exit. A nozzle disposed in the dirt cup directs an airstream generally parallel to the surface of the screen element so that particles in the airstream are primarily separated by the screen element and, as the airstream ultimately travels towards the exit in the dirt cup, are secondarily separated by the filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Inventors: David M. Allgeier, Erik D. Lesco, Jerry L. Balzer, David C. Kumpf
  • Patent number: 7357823
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a housing, a nozzle inlet, a suction generator and a dirt cup. The dirt cup includes a dirt collection chamber, an inlet and an open end. Additionally, the vacuum cleaner includes a filter assembly. The filter assembly includes a filter housing defining a filter chamber. The filter housing and chamber mate with the open end of the dirt cup. A filter element is held in the filter chamber on a ribbed support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventor: Eric J. Streciwilk
  • Patent number: 7351269
    Abstract: A brush configured to move repeatedly over a vacuum filter. The brush will remove dust particles to prevent them from clogging the filter. In the preferred embodiment, the brush is mounted on a revolving shaft. As the shaft turns it moves the bristles of the brush over the surface of the filter, whereby dust particles may be dislodged. In one embodiment, the shaft is attached to the vacuum motor and is turned directly by the motor. In this embodiment a speed reducer may be employed to slow the rate of rotation of the brush. In another embodiment, a turbine is attached to the shaft. The turbine is placed in the path of the air stream moving through the vacuum. The air passing through the turbine cause it and the shaft to rotate, thereby reducing the load on the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Inventor: Lau Kwok Yau
  • Patent number: 7346957
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes an electric blower for generating a suction air stream and a dust collecting unit for collecting dirt particles contained in the suction air stream. The suction air stream passing through the dust collecting unit into the electric blower flows in an approximately linear path. A dust removing unit is provided for removing dirt particles adhered to the dust collecting unit. The dust removing unit is preferably disposed adjacent to a communication hole between the dust collecting chamber and an electric blower chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nakamoto, Norihiro Tsuchiya, Tamaki Nishikori, Yasuhiro Madokoro, Yasuhiro Yuasa, Kazuhisa Morishita
  • Patent number: 7343641
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided including a housing, a nozzle inlet, a suction generator carried on the housing and a dirt cup carried on the housing. The dirt cup includes a bottom wall, a sidewall, a dirt collection chamber, an air inlet to the dirt collection chamber in the bottom wall and an air outlet from the dirt collection chamber. A method of directing an airstream in a dirt cup is also provided. That method includes directing the airstream upwardly through the dirt cup in an air inlet conduit, discharging the airstream from the air inlet conduit into the dirt cup in a substantially hemihorn torus shape and exhausting the airstream from the dirt cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventor: Michael J. Shanor
  • Patent number: 7343643
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle assembly and a canister assembly connected to the nozzle assembly. The nozzle assembly includes an inlet. A suction generator is carried on one of the nozzle assembly and canister assembly. A cyclonic separation chamber is carried on one of the nozzle assembly or the canister assembly. The cyclonic separation chamber includes an inlet and first and second outlets. A dirt collection vessel has a dirty air inlet in fluid communication with the first outlet of the cyclonic separation chamber and a discharge outlet in fluid communication with the suction generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventor: Yasushi Kondo
  • Patent number: 7343642
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a housing, a nozzle inlet, a suction generator carried on the housing and a dirt collection assembly carried on the housing. The dirt collection assembly includes (a) a dirt vessel having an outer sidewall, an inner sidewall, a bottom wall, an inlet and an open end and (b) a filter assembly including a base that covers the open end of the dirt vessel, a manifold housing, a filter chamber and a filter element held in the filter chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventor: Eric J. Streciwilk
  • Publication number: 20080060163
    Abstract: Switch means switches air passages to provide communication between an auxiliary air passage and the suction side of an electric blower with fine dust removed from a pleated filter by a rotating body being received by a dust receiving section. Air is sucked from an outside-air intake opening into the electric blower through the dust receiving section and a fine dust filter in a dust collecting section unit, which allows the fine dust collected in the dust receiving section to be trapped in the fine dust filter, resulting in improved cleanliness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masatoshi Tanaka, Ritsuo Takemoto, Yoshihiro Tsuchiya, Hitoshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7340798
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle assembly, a canister assembly pivotally mounted to said nozzle assembly, a suction fan and drive motor and a biaser. The biaser has a first end that engages the nozzle assembly and a second end that engages the canister assembly. The biaser provides a positive downforce urging the forward end of the nozzle assembly toward the surface being cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Tamaki Nishikori, Ron Davis
  • Patent number: 7337493
    Abstract: An upright-type electric vacuum cleaner including a vacuum cleaner main body with at least a dust collector and an exhaust outlet, and a suction body provided at a lower front of the vacuum main body. The dust collector is disposed on a rearward side of the vacuum cleaner main body and wherein the exhaust outlet is disposed on a front surface side of the dust collector. The area of the exhaust outlet can be made large without being interfered by the dust collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuzo Ueyama, Hidetoshi Fukuoka, Shinichi Hagino, Jun Yoshida, Yoshihiro Mori
  • Patent number: 7334290
    Abstract: An upright suction cleaner having a base, a body pivotally mounted on the base, a suction device, and a dirt separation system. The dirt separation system has a first and second dirt separators. the first of which may include an air-pervious shroud having a plate extending from it. An airflow path extends from the base, through the separation system, and into the suction device. A dirt collecting system is mountable to the body, and includes a first chamber to receive dirt separated by the first dirt separator, and a second chamber to receive dirt separated by the second dirt separator. The chambers are adjacent one another when mounted to the body. A tube forming part of the airflow path between the dirt separation system and the suction device is selectively mountable adjacent the dirt collecting system. An elevator assembly is provided to attach the dirt collecting system to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Care Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Hawkins, Rich Eisenmenger, Len Hampton, Christer Kontio
  • Patent number: 7332005
    Abstract: A floor care appliance such as a vacuum cleaner is provided having an filtration bag changing assembly located in the filtration compartment. A supply of filtration material is packaged in a container in the form of a continuous tube to be fed into the filtration compartment. A sealing and cutting assembly seals the tube at the lower end after a bag is fed into the filtration compartment. Once a filtration bag is full, a new filtration bag is pulled into place with the lower end of the tube being sealed and the old filtration bag being cut from the tube by a cutter. A pair of opposing heating elements are used to seal the opposing sidewalls of the tube together to form the filtration bag. The free end of the tube is fluidly connected to the suction nozzle by a connector and a dirt duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventor: Jackson W. Wegelin
  • Patent number: 7331084
    Abstract: A dust collecting apparatus for a vacuum cleaner, which includes, a cyclonic chamber with an air inlet and a first outlet being formed therein, the cyclonic chamber causing air from the air inlet to spin therein, a dust receptacle connected to the cyclonic chamber, a grill assembly in the cyclonic chamber and on the upstream side of the air outlet to prevent dust and contaminants separated from the air from backflowing through the first air outlet, a main filter assembly connected to the grill assembly for filtering out dust and contaminants from the air backflowing from the grill assembly, and a supplementary filter assembly on the outside of the cyclonic chamber to re-filter the fine dust and contaminants incoming from the first air outlet. While conventional cyclone type vacuum cleaners are limited by the amount of contaminants that can be separated from the air, the disclosed vacuum cleaner can more effectively separate dust and contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jang-keun Oh
  • Patent number: 7329293
    Abstract: According to the present invention, a bagless vacuum cleaner includes a dust chamber, a primary filter and a second filter. The dust chamber includes an entrance and an exit. The primary filter is disposed in the dust chamber between the entrance and the exit and the second filter is disposed between the entrance and the primary filter. The second filter removes at least some contaminants from the air passing through the entrance. A user can selectively replace the second filter with a new second filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Inventor: Bonnie-Lou Griffiths
  • Patent number: 7325274
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The vacuum cleaner includes a main body including a suction device therein and a depressed portion opened to its upper portion, a dust collecting device seated into the depressed portion of the main body and collecting dust in a cyclonic fashion, and a catching member provided in the dust collecting device, wherein catching steps are provided on at least both ends of the catching member and caught into an inner wall of the depressed portion. The depressed portion is formed with guide inclination surfaces and catching grooves at positions corresponding to the catching steps of the catching member, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Hoi-Kil Jeong