With Liquid And/or Deflection Type Separator Patents (Class 15/353)
  • Patent number: 7563296
    Abstract: It is provided in the present invention with a pervasive dedusting device for a vacuum cleaner, which includes a tank with a wind inlet and a wind outlet. A filter barrel is mounted inside the tank while a cyclone barrel is mounted inside the filter barrel. The cyclone barrel is configured to be a conical barrel with a smaller upper end and a larger lower end and a cyclone wind inlet is disposed on it. The wind inlet on the tank and the cyclone wind inlet on the cyclone barrel are separated by the filter barrel and located in two chambers respectively. A wind outlet tube is located in the upper end of the cyclone barrel and communicates with the wind outlet. The pervasive dedusting device has low air flow pressure loss, improved dust suction effect, fine dust filtering function, decreased operation noise, and it can effectively prevents secondary pollution and filter out fine dust completely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Suzhou Kingclean Floorcare Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zugen Ni
  • Patent number: 7563298
    Abstract: A cyclone dirt separating apparatus and a vacuum cleaner having the same are disclosed. The cyclone dirt separating apparatus comprises a cyclone body including a first cyclone chamber in which dirt is separated preliminarily from air drawn in from an exterior by a centrifugal force; and a second cyclone chamber in which dirt is separated secondarily from the air discharged from the first cyclone chamber; and a dirt collecting case coupled to a lower end of the cyclone body for collecting the dirt. Also, the cyclone dirt separating apparatus further comprises a discharge guide duct passed through the cyclone body and the dirt collecting case and guiding the air discharged from the second cyclone chamber. Therefore, the air discharged through the discharge guide duct is directly entered to a motor mounting space of the vacuum cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jang-keun Oh
  • Publication number: 20090178237
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a housing having a suction inlet, a dirt collection vessel carried on the housing and a suction generator carried on the housing. The dirt collection vessel includes a dirt collection chamber and a spiral air guide providing a spiral air path to improve cleaning efficiency. The spiral air guide includes an inlet at a first end and a split outlet at a second end. The split outlet includes a head wall at a particular included angle with respect to the airflow path. The suction generator is provided in fluid communication with the suction inlet, the dirt collection vessel and the spiral air guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventors: Donald E. Proffitt,, II, Michael S. Yacobi
  • Patent number: 7559964
    Abstract: A dust separating apparatus for a vacuum cleaner having a casing, a cyclone unit formed in the casing to filter contaminants from drawn-in air and discharge air removed of the contaminants, and a dust collection part arranged in parallel with the cyclone unit in the casing to collect the contaminant separated from the air by the cyclone unit. The casing is substantially semicircular to correspond to the mounting chamber of the vacuum cleaner body. On a bottom surface of the cyclone unit, an air inlet and an air outlet are formed. The air outlet is formed at one side of the air inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jang-keun Oh, Hak-bong Lee
  • Patent number: 7559963
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a suction port assembly, a motor generating a suction force at the suction port assembly, and a cyclone dust collecting device for centrifugally separating air drawn in through the suction port assembly and the motor in sequence. The cyclone dust-collecting device includes an air discharge port penetratingly formed on an outer circumference of the cyclone dust-collecting device and exposed to an outside of the cleaner body, for guiding the air discharged to the outside. Accordingly, since the air discharge port is disposed in the cyclone dust collecting device, not in the cleaner body, a discharge channel for connecting the cyclone dust collecting device and cleaner body is omitted and thus a structure of the vacuum cleaner becomes simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jang-keun Oh, Ji-won Seo
  • Patent number: 7555813
    Abstract: Provided is a dust collection unit of a vacuum cleaner, including a dust collection container and a coupling portion formed at a concaved inside of the dust collection container, for allowing a lower cover to be selectively coupled to the dust collection container. The dust collection unit is firmly supported against an external impact, thereby enhancing the reliability of the vacuum cleaner and preventing the vacuum cleaner from being damaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jong Seong Choi
  • Patent number: 7556662
    Abstract: A multi-cyclone dust separating apparatus includes: a multi-cyclone unit including a first cyclone chamber body having a first cyclone chamber and at least one protection chamber formed around at least a portion of an outer circumference of the first cyclone chamber, and at least one secondary cyclone chamber body disposed in the protection chamber, each secondary cyclone chamber body having at least one secondary cyclone chamber; a cover unit connecting an upper end of the multi-cyclone unit and guiding air discharged from the first cyclone chamber to the at least one secondary cyclone chamber; a dirt collecting unit adapted to connect to a lower end of the multi-cyclone unit and configured to collect dirt separated from the air in the first and secondary cyclone chambers; and an air discharge duct configured to discharge air that has passed through the multi-cyclone unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-yun Lee, Oh-gyu Gweun, Dong-hun Yoo
  • 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: 7553347
    Abstract: A separator/collector assembly (50) able to be installed in relation to a body (51) of a suction cleaner, the separator/collector assembly providing storage for a suction hose which can be deployed for use when required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: VAX Limited
    Inventor: Gavin Burnham
  • Patent number: 7547337
    Abstract: A multi dust-collecting apparatus for a vacuum cleaner separating dirt particles from air by taking two steps. The multi dust-collecting apparatus includes a dust-collecting unit to separate dirt particles from the air by using gravity and inertia, and a plurality of cyclones to swirl the air discharged from the dust-collecting unit and separate the dirt particles from the air by using centrifugal force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jang-keun Oh, Hak-bong Lee
  • Patent number: 7547351
    Abstract: A multi-cyclone dust collector including at least one first cyclone forcing contaminants-laden air that is entered into a lower portion of the at least one first cyclone to whirl so as to centrifugally separate contaminants from the contaminants-laden air; and at least one second cyclone being disposed around the at least one first cyclone, the at least one second cyclone forcing semi-clean air that is discharged from the at least one first cyclone and is entered into a lower portion of the at least one second cyclone to whirl so as to centrifugally separate fine contaminants from the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jang-keun Oh, Jung-gyun Han, Tak-soo Kim
  • Patent number: 7544224
    Abstract: A cyclonic vacuum cleaner includes a body portion, a nozzle portion and a dirt cup which is removable from the body portion. The dirt cup collects dirt and other debris separated by a cyclone and a cyclone slinger portion in the body portion. A main filter may be housed in a transparent filter door downstream of the cyclone. The dirt cup may be inserted into and sealingly held within the body portion by using a rotational camming structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Care Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Tanner, Christer Kontio, Arnold Sepke, Brad Chenoweth
  • Patent number: 7544226
    Abstract: A grille member that can be used, for example, in a cyclone dust-collecting apparatus and a vacuum cleaner comprises a body around which a rotating current is formed, and a plurality of air passages formed at the body to guide the rotating current into the body. In an embodiment, the air passages have a leading surface facing toward a flow direction of the rotating air current and a tail surface upstream from the leading surface relative to the rotating air current, such that at least one plane extending along the tail surface and a line along the flow direction of the rotating air current meet at an obtuse angle. In this way, stagnant vortices are not generated in the vicinity of the tail surfaces of the air passages, and dust and the like do not accumulate in the vicinity of the tail surfaces of the air passages when dirt is centrifugally separated from drawn-in air by the rotating current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jang-keun Oh
  • Patent number: 7540894
    Abstract: This invention discloses a subsection dedusting device for a vacuum cleaner comprising an upper cyclone separator including a wind outlet and several lower cyclone separators located below said upper cyclone separator, wind inlets of said lower cyclone separators in fluid communication with said wind outlet of said upper cyclone separator, thereby increasing wind quantity while reducing the whole bulk of the machine, and keeping a relatively high dedusting efficiency, and besides the lower cyclone separator of the present invention adopts a pervasion construction, and air flow rotates in a decelerated and acentric state in the conical barrel, thereby the pressure loss of the air flow is little, and accordingly, obtain a good dust suction effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Suzhou Kingclean Floorcare Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zugen Ni
  • Patent number: 7530140
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a vacuum cleaner including a nozzle base having a main suction opening and a housing pivotally mounted on the nozzle base. An airstream suction source is mounted to one of the housing and the nozzle base for selectively establishing and maintaining a suction airstream flowing from the nozzle main suction opening to an exhaust outlet of the suction source. A filter housing is mounted to one of the nozzle base and the housing. The filter housing comprises a filter mounted in the filter housing. An ultraviolet light source is disposed in the filter housing and shines on the filter for disinfecting same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Sergey V. Makarov, Gregg M. Kloeppel
  • Patent number: 7513924
    Abstract: A cyclonic separating apparatus for separating solid material from a fluid includes a separating chamber, an inlet communicating with the separating chamber for carrying the fluid with the solid matter entrained therein to the separating chamber, and an outlet for carrying the fluid away from the separating chamber after the solid material has been separated therefrom. The outlet is formed by a conduit communicating with the interior of the separating chamber and having a longitudinal axis. A plurality of grooves are formed in an interior surface of the conduit outlet and extend in the same direction as the longitudinal axis. The presence of the grooves in the outlet has the effect of reducing noise generated by the apparatus when in use and also improves pressure recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Timothy Alexander French, Ricardo Gomiciaga-Pereda, John Paul Rerrie, Andrew Phillip Stokes
  • 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: 7494531
    Abstract: Defoaming equipment, and more particularly, removing, defoaming, and storing large amounts of foam after a Blast Mitigation or Decontamination Foam has been used in either an open area or in an contained area is described. An apparatus is provided for defoaming, comprising: a vacuum system, including a vacuum head for drawing the foam through a suction hose terminating in a nozzle, that feeds the foam into a holding tank that initially stores a quantity of defoaming agent, and a pump drawing the defoaming agent from the holding tank to at least one injector that is fitted on the vacuum-side of the vacuum system, whereby the defoaming agent is actively mixed with the collected foam, reducing the collected foam. The reduced foam and defoaming agent are recirculated through the pump and the nozzle, the suction hose, the vacuum system, the injector and holding tank are of chemical-resistant construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Allen-Vanguard Corporation
    Inventors: John Davis, Laura Cochrane
  • 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: 7479171
    Abstract: A dust separator of a cyclone type cleaner includes a first dust separator connected to a suction pipe, for separating dust from air by a centrifugal force for the first time; a collecting container connected to a lower portion of the first dust separator and in which the dust separated in the first dust separator is collected; and a second dust separator connected to an upper portion of the first dust separator, for sucking air which has passed through the dust separation in the first dust separator and separating dust from the air by a centrifugal force for the second time, so that an efficiency of collecting dust is improved without deteriorating a suction force of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyoung-Joo Cho, Jung-Wan Ryu, Kyeong-Seon Jeong, Sung-Hwa Lee
  • Patent number: 7479172
    Abstract: A dust separating apparatus for a suction cleaner comprises a cyclonic separating device (10) having a body (12) with an inlet and an outlet for a stream of air and an outlet for separated dust to enter a receptacle (34) for the dust, the body having a part (14) movable in relation to the rest (13) of the body while the rest of the body remains in position in the cleaner, to give access to the interior of the body for cleaning. There may be two separating devices (10, 11) arranged in succession, both having removable body parts (14, 24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Vax Limited
    Inventor: Bengt Ivar Anders Ivarsson
  • Publication number: 20090007370
    Abstract: A cyclonic separating apparatus includes a chamber for separating dirt and dust from an airflow, an inlet to the chamber and a shroud. The shroud includes a wall having inner and outer surfaces and a multiplicity of through-holes forming an outlet from the chamber. Each through-hole has an axis. The inner surface of the wall has a serrated profile having a plurality of serrations arranged around at least a part of the circumference of the wall, each serration having a first face and a second face. At least one through-hole passes through the first face of at least one serration. By providing a plurality of serrations around the inner circumference of the wall, the airflow is forced to follow a longer path through each through-hole for when compared to conventional arrangements. This reduces the amount of dirt and dust which is able to pass through the shroud.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: DYSON TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Ricardo Gomiciaga-Pereda, James Dyson, Edward Charles Ormerod, John Lee Gruening
  • Patent number: 7473289
    Abstract: A multi-cyclone apparatus is capable of separating and collecting contaminants by three stages. The multi-cyclone apparatus has a first collecting unit which separates large-sized contaminants from an air which is drawn through an air suction port, a cyclone body comprising a second cyclone which is communicated with the first collecting unit and separates middle-sized contaminants from the drawn air, and a plurality of third cyclones arranged around the second cyclone and separate small-sized contaminants from the drawn air, an air discharge port communicated with the cyclone body, through which the air is discharged after passing through the third cyclones, and a contaminant receptacle provided to a lower end of the cyclone body, and collects contaminants separated from the second and the third cyclones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jang-keun Oh, Jung-gyun Han
  • Patent number: 7470299
    Abstract: A multi-cyclone dust separator according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises at least three dust separation units for separating dust stepwise from relatively larger size. The dust separation units comprise a first dust separation unit primarily separating dust from external air drawn in; a second dust separation unit secondarily separating dust from the air primarily dust-separated by the first dust separation unit; and a third dust separation unit thirdly separating dust from the air secondarily dust-separated by the second dust separation unit. Here, the first to third dust separation units are multi-layered in a serial manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-gyun Han, Jang-keun Oh, Min-ha Kim
  • 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: 20080289140
    Abstract: A cyclonic separating apparatus includes a first cyclonic separating unit including at least one first cyclone, a second cyclonic separating unit located downstream of the first cyclonic separating unit and including at least one second cyclone, and a third cyclonic separating unit located downstream of the second cyclonic separating unit and including a plurality of third cyclones arranged in parallel. The separation efficiency of the first cyclonic separating unit is lower than the separation efficiency of the second cyclonic separating unit and the separation efficiency of the second cyclonic separating unit is lower than the separation efficiency of the third separating unit, thus achieving a higher separation efficiency than known separation apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: DYSON TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Stephen Benjamin Courtney, James Dyson, Ricardo Gomiciaga-Pereda
  • Patent number: 7455708
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided having improved pressure loss characteristics. A fluid supply conduit in flow communication with an inlet to a cyclone is integrally formed as part of a cyclone bin. The present invention may be adapted for use with cyclonic separation devices of all types, including single- and multi-stage cyclonic separators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: G.B.D. Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne Ernest Conrad, Helmut Gerhard Conrad, Ted Szylowiec
  • 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: 7449040
    Abstract: A particle separation member is provided for use with a cyclone separator. The particle separation member divides the separator into a cyclone chamber and a particle receiving chamber. The cyclone chamber and the particle receiving chamber communicating via a plurality of apertures in the particle separation member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: G.B.D. Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne Ernest Conrad, Dave Petersen
  • Publication number: 20080271284
    Abstract: A cleaning appliance includes a main body and a collecting chamber releasably held on the main body. The collecting chamber includes a closure member which is movable between a closed position and an open position in which the collecting chamber can be emptied and an actuating member adapted and arranged to release the collecting chamber from the main body and, when the collecting chamber is released from the main body, to release the closure member from the closed position. By providing such an arrangement, a single actuating member can be used to release the collecting chamber from the main body of the cleaning appliance and also to open the closure member to empty the collecting chamber. A single actuating member is less complex, requires less space and is more intuitive for a user to operate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: DYSON TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Ralph Michael Wood, Matthew James Ellam, Colin Irwin Hare
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20080263818
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner with a floor engaging base unit, a body unit pivotally mounted on the base unit, and a dirt chamber removably mounted to the body unit. A filtration device is removably mounted to the dirt chamber, and includes a first member projecting into the dirt chamber and being adapted to allow air to pass therethrough and remove particles from the airflow, and a second member extending from the first member to a sidewall of the dirt chamber to hold the filtration device at a fixed vertical location within the dirt chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas Hawkins, Rich Eisenmenger, Len Hampton, Christer Kontio
  • Patent number: 7434293
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The vacuum cleaner includes a motor casing to receive a driving motor with an air outlet through which air from a dust collecting chamber flows. The vacuum cleaner includes a cleaner body with a driving chamber that receives the motor casing therein. An air discharge unit is disposed at the cleaner body through which air which flows from the motor casing of the driving motor is discharged to an outside of the driving chamber. Noise reduction is achieved by guiding and reversing a discharging direction of air discharged from the motor casing at least two times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jung-seon Park
  • Patent number: 7430783
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface in which cleaning solution is dispensed to the surface and substantially simultaneously extracted along with the dirt on the surface in a continuous operation is provided. In one aspect of the invention, the cleaning apparatus includes a housing and a recovery tank removably mounted to the housing. A solution tank for supplying a flow of cleaning solution to the surface is removably mounted to the housing. A suction nozzle is secured to the housing and is in fluid communication with the recovery tank. A suction source is in fluid communication with the suction nozzle for generating suction to draw dirt and liquid through the suction nozzle and into the recovery tank. A first latch is operatively connected to the solution tank to releasably latch the solution tank to the housing and a second latch is operatively connected to the recovery tank to releasably latch the recovery tank to said housing, wherein the second latch is in close proximity to the first latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Healthy Gain Investment Limited
    Inventors: Jason L. Williams, David J. Boles, Charles A. Lang, Richard S. Parr, Ryan S. Steiner
  • Patent number: 7425225
    Abstract: An exhaust assembly for an appliance includes a filter housing for retaining a filter and an exhaust duct which receives airflow from the filter housing. One or more vanes are positioned in the filter housing for guiding airflow from the exhaust side of the filter to the exhaust duct. The vanes spread the airflow entering the exhaust duct across the width thereof so as to reduce noise and to reduce the velocity of the exiting air. The exhaust duct increases in cross-sectional area in the direction of flow through the exhaust duct so as to further reduce the velocity of the exiting air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Stuart Lloyd Genn, Richard Anthony Mason
  • Patent number: 7422614
    Abstract: A bagless vacuum cleaner system dustcup assembly and method for using said system with a vacuum cleaner apparatus to separate dirt from a mixture of dirt and air inducted into said vacuum cleaner apparatus. Said bagless vacuum cleaner system generally comprises a dustcup assembly, a handle assembly and a motor intake adaptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Care Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Arnold L. Sepke, Joseph Muclahy, Joyce Thomas
  • Publication number: 20080209670
    Abstract: A cleaning appliance, in particular vacuum cleaner. The appliance comprises a filter and a heating device, by means of which the filter can be heated to carry out a pyrolytic cleaning process. During and/or after said pyrolytic cleaning process, at least neighbouring areas of the filter are cooled by a cooling air stream and the heating device is supplied with energy from a primary energy source. To prevent the risk of overheating and a potential fire if the primary energy source fails, the appliance is equipped with a secondary energy source, which can be used to generate the cooling air stream, at least if the primary energy source fails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerate GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Kemmerzell, Albert Kleinhenz, Michael Krammer, Georg Schwalme, Thomas Strehler
  • 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: 7419522
    Abstract: A dirt separation and collection assembly suitable for use in a bagless vacuum cleaner including two dirt separation and collection zones is provided. Dirty air enters the upper portion of a container and enters a first stage dirt separation zone including a disruptor ring extending inwardly from the outer wall to allow coarse dirt particles and fibers to pass through and collect at the base of the outer wall of the device. The spinning air is then drawn through a conical shroud and fed into a second stage conical separator for separating fine dirt particles and collecting them in an inner substantially cylindrical collection chamber. Air exits the conical separator at the opposite cone opening before being drawn to the suction source. Elements may be oriented upwardly or downwardly depending upon the configuration of the housing for receiving the dirt separation and collection assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Euro-Pro Operating, LLC
    Inventor: Adrian Christopher Arnold
  • Publication number: 20080196745
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus is disclosed. In some embodiments, the surface cleaning apparatus comprises a member having a dirty fluid inlet. A fluid flow path extends from the dirty fluid inlet to a clean air outlet of the surface cleaning apparatus and includes a suction motor. At least one cyclone is positioned in the fluid flow path and has at least one material outlet and a divider plate associated with the material outlet. A material collection chamber is in flow communication with the at least one cyclone. The apparatus further comprises a liner bag retaining member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: G.B.D. CORP.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Publication number: 20080196196
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus has a cleaning unit that is mounted on a wheeled base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: G.B.D. CORP.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Publication number: 20080196197
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided having improved pressure loss characteristics. A fluid supply conduit in flow communication with an inlet to a cyclone is integrally formed as part of a cyclone bin. The present invention may be adapted for use with cyclonic separation devices of all types, including single- and multi-stage cyclonic separators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: GBD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wayne Ernest Conrad, Helmut Gerhard Conrad, Ted Szylowiec
  • Publication number: 20080196194
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus is provided. The surface cleaning apparatus comprises a fluid flow path extending from a dirt inlet to a clean fluid outlet, and a fluid flow motor positioned in the fluid flow path. The surface cleaning apparatus further comprises a first cyclonic cleaning stage comprising a cyclone chamber. A dirt chamber is in fluid communication with the cyclone chamber and positioned below the cyclone chamber. The dirt chamber has a dirt chamber inlet that is off-centre.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: G.B.D. CORP.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Publication number: 20080196195
    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: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: G.B.D. CORP.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Publication number: 20080190452
    Abstract: According to certain embodiments of the invention, a pressure washing system delivers a cleaning fluid under pressure to a surface to be cleaned, and includes a fluid pump unit for supplying the fluid to the surface. A fluid collector captures wastewater runoff of the cleaning fluid on the surface to be cleaned. The vacuum pump unit withdraws the captured waste fluid from the fluid collector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventor: Gerald L. McMillen
  • Patent number: 7409744
    Abstract: A dust collecting unit for a vacuum cleaner is provided. The dust collecting unit includes a dust separating chamber with an air inlet formed on an outer surface thereof and an air outlet formed on one side thereof, a main dust collecting chamber formed in the dust separating chamber for separating dust and dirt in a cyclonic fashion, an auxiliary dust collecting chamber formed at one side of the main dust collecting chamber, and a partition plate for partitioning the main dust collecting chamber. The dust collecting unit allows an amount of air sucked and the efficiency of collecting dust and dirt to be greatly increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Il-Gyeong Go, Young-Gun Min
  • Patent number: 7410516
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner comprises a housing having a suction airstream inlet and a suction airstream outlet. A dirt container 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 airflow chamber and a second cyclonic airflow chamber, 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 is disposed at a top portion of the dirt container. The air manifold includes an inlet section through which dirty air passes and an outlet section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Bengt Ivar Anders Ivarsson, Glenn Matusz, Reuben Proud
  • Patent number: 7410535
    Abstract: A cyclone separating apparatus and a vacuum cleaner having the same are provided. The cyclone separating apparatus includes a cyclone body including a cyclone chamber and a dust collecting chamber, a cover unit connected to an upper portion of the cyclone body, a door unit openably mounted to a bottom portion of the cyclone body, and at least one noise reducing rib formed in an air discharging pipe in the cyclone chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hwa-Gyu Song, Jae-Man Joo, Jun-Hwa Lee, Jang-Kuen Oh, Sung-Cheol Lee
  • Patent number: 7404230
    Abstract: A vacuum-operable feces collector includes a primary housing having an outer wall for defining a cavity therein. The housing further has a rear portion provided with a plurality of vents. The device further includes a vacuum mechanism for collecting the excrement from a support surface. Such a vacuum mechanism includes an elongated hose and further includes a cage removably positionable within the auxiliary housing and a motor and a rotary fan operably connected thereto. The motor and the fan are housed within the cage wherein the cage has a plurality of outlet openings and an inlet port disposed upstream therefrom for assisting the fan to direct air outwardly from the auxiliary housing. A storing mechanism is operably connected to the vacuum mechanism and includes a disposable bag removably connected to the hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Inventor: Mary Ellen Phillips
  • Patent number: 7404231
    Abstract: A dust container of an upright type vacuum cleaner includes a circular cover having a suction port and an exhaust port, a guide member attached to a lower surface of the cover to guide an air flow, a filter attached to a lower surface of the guide member, and a cylindrical container body provided to the lower surface of the cover to receive the guide member and the filter. The guide member guides air induced into the dust container through a suction port to spirally rotate within the container body. A supporting member positioned within the container body supports the filter such that the filter supports the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Daewoo Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Sang Bo Kang