Cleaning device

• US 10,524,625 B2
• Filed: 05/23/2019
• Issued: 01/07/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLC (JS Global Lifestyle Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLC (JS Global Lifestyle Company Limited)
• Inventors: James, Samuel Emrys, Douglas, Michael James, Clare, David Stephen, Pinches, Chris, Sardar, Nicholas James, Croggon, Hugh James, Lee, Damian
• Primary Examiner(s): Carlson, Marc
• Application Number:
  US16/420,498
• Publication Number:
  US 20190274498A1
• Time in Patent Office: 229 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/256 for mops made of cloth
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/16 with suction devices other than rotary fans
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/28 Suction cleaners with handles and nozzles fixed on the casings, e.g. wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle A47L5/24 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/00 Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/02 Nozzles suction nozzles for fluid transport B65G51/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0673 with removable brushes, combs, lips or pads
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0686 Nozzles with cleaning cloths, e.g. using disposal fabrics for covering the nozzle
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/106 Dust removal
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/12 Dry filters
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/14 Bags or the like; Rigid filtering receptacles; Attachment of, or closures for, bags or receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1454 Self-sealing closures, e.g. valves
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/32 Handles

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for cleaning a surface with a cleaning device having a body with a handle, a connector, and one or more cleaning heads that are removably attached to the cleaning device. Each cleaning head include a lower surface arranged to contact a surface to be cleaned and a dirt collection chamber permanently attached to the cleaning head. The cleaning head may include a support structure to support the dirt collection chamber and a cleaning sheet. The cleaning head also may include a suction nozzle. At least a portion of the dirt collection chamber may be made of a filter material.

Claims

1. A method of using a cleaning device, the cleaning device comprising a vacuum source, a body including a handle, and a connector to removably connect a cleaning head to the device, the method comprising:

attaching a first cleaning head to the connector, the first cleaning head including a first suction nozzle and a first dirt collection chamber;

operating the device to move dirt through the first suction nozzle and into the first dirt collection chamber;

removing the first cleaning head from the connector;

disposing of the first cleaning head;

attaching a second cleaning head to the connector, the second cleaning head including a second suction nozzle and a second dirt collection chamber.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein the dirt collection chamber is permanently attached to the cleaning head.

3. A method as in claim 1, wherein the cleaning head includes a support for a cleaning sheet.

4. A method as in claim 1, further comprising, prior to removing:

applying a cleaning liquid to the surface; and

moving the first cleaning head across the surface, a cleaning sheet being attached to a lower surface of the cleaning head.

5. A method of using a cleaning device, the cleaning device comprising a body, a handle, a vacuum source, and a head attached to the body, the method comprising:

attaching a first dirt collection chamber support with an attached first dirt collection chamber to an underside of the head such that a suction nozzle is fluidically connected to the first dirt collection chamber;

operating the device to suction dirt from a surface and into the first dirt collection chamber;

removing the first dirt collection chamber support and attached first dirt collection chamber from the head;

disposing of the first dirt collection chamber support and attached first dirt collection chamber;

attaching a second dirt collection chamber support with an attached second dirt collection chamber to the underside of the head such that a suction nozzle is fluidically connected to the second dirt collection chamber.

6. A method as in claim 5, wherein the dirt collection chamber is permanently attached to the cleaning head.

7. A method as in claim 5, wherein the cleaning head includes a support for a cleaning sheet.

8. A method as in claim 5, further comprising, prior to removing:

applying a cleaning liquid to the surface; and

moving the first cleaning head across the surface, a cleaning sheet being attached to a lower surface of the cleaning head.