Cleaning device

• US 10,542,855 B2
• Filed: 06/03/2019
• Issued: 01/28/2020
• 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:
  US16/429,306
• Publication Number:
  US 20190282045A1
• Time in Patent Office: 239 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. An apparatus having a cleaning head arranged to be removably attachable to a cleaning device, the apparatus comprising:

the cleaning head having an upper side and a lower side, and a suction inlet, the lower side of the cleaning head arranged to contact a surface to be cleaned; and

a dirt collection chamber permanently attached to the cleaning head and arranged to receive dirt from the suction inlet;

wherein the dirt collection chamber is not openable by a user to dispose of dirt in the dirt collection chamber without damaging the dirt collection chamber;

wherein the dirt collection chamber protrudes from the upper side of the cleaning head; and

wherein the dirt collection chamber is formed at least partially by an air filter.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the cleaning head is arranged to hold a cleaning sheet on the lower side of the cleaning head.

3. An apparatus as in claim 2, further comprising a cleaning sheet held to the lower side of the cleaning head.

4. An apparatus as in claim 3, wherein the cleaning sheet is permanently held to the lower side of the cleaning head.

5. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the dirt collection chamber is positioned on the upper side of the cleaning head.

6. An apparatus as in claim 5, wherein the dirt collection chamber is heat sealed to the cleaning head.

7. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the cleaning head further comprises an airflow conduit arranged to transfer debris from the suction inlet to the dirt collection chamber.

8. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the suction inlet comprises a suction nozzle extending laterally at a front portion of the cleaning head.

9. An apparatus as in claim 8, wherein the suction nozzle is integrally formed with the cleaning head.

10. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the cleaning head has a support structure formed at least in part by thermoformed plastic.

11. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the cleaning device comprises:

a vacuum source;

a body with a handle; and

a connector arranged to attach the cleaning head to the body.

12. An apparatus as in claim 11, wherein the connector includes a first engagement element and the cleaning head includes a second engagement member arranged to engage with the first engagement element to connect the cleaning head to the body of the cleaning device.

13. An apparatus as in claim 11, further comprising a spray nozzle and a liquid reservoir arranged to supply liquid to the spray nozzle.

14. An apparatus having a cleaning head arranged to be removably attachable to a cleaning device, the apparatus comprising:

the head having an upper side and a lower side, the lower side arranged to contact a surface to be cleaned, and a suction inlet; and

a dirt collection chamber attached to the head, and arranged to receive dirt from the suction inlet, the dirt collection chamber having a top wall and one or more side walls, wherein at least a portion of the one or more side walls is formed of an air filter;

wherein the dirt collection chamber is permanently attached to the head.

15. An apparatus as in claim 14, wherein the dirt collection chamber is not openable by a user to dispose of dirt in the dirt collection chamber without damaging the dirt collection chamber.

16. An apparatus as in claim 14, wherein the dirt collection chamber is not openable by a user to dispose of dirt in the dirt collection chamber without damaging the dirt collection chamber.

17. An apparatus as in claim 14, wherein the head comprises a cleaning head, and the suction inlet includes a suction nozzle.

18. An apparatus as in claim 17, wherein the cleaning head further comprises a support for a cleaning sheet.

19. An apparatus as in claim 18, further comprising a cleaning sheet attached to the support.

20. An apparatus as in claim 17, wherein the cleaning device comprises:

a vacuum source;

a body with a handle; and

a connector arranged to attach the cleaning head to the body.

21. An apparatus as in claim 20, wherein the connector includes a first engagement element and the cleaning head includes a second engagement element arranged to engage with the first engagement element to connect the cleaning head to the body of the cleaning device.

22. An apparatus as in claim 20, further comprising a spray nozzle and a liquid reservoir arranged to supply liquid to the spray nozzle.

23. An apparatus as in claim 20, wherein the connector is pivotally attached to the cleaning device.

24. An apparatus as in claim 14, wherein the cleaning device comprises:

a vacuum source;

a body with a handle; and

a cleaning head wherein the head is removably attachable to the cleaning head.

25. An apparatus as in claim 14, wherein the upper surface includes one or more recessed areas arranged to receive an engagement element.

26. An apparatus having a cleaning head arranged to be removably attachable to a cleaning device, the apparatus comprising:

the cleaning head having an upper side and a lower side, the lower side of the cleaning head arranged to contact a surface to be cleaned; and

a dirt collection chamber permanently attached to the cleaning head and arranged to receive dirt from a suction inlet through an air inlet opening;

wherein the dirt collection chamber has no opening other than the air inlet opening;

wherein the dirt collection chamber protrudes from the upper side of the cleaning head; and

wherein the dirt collection chamber is formed at least partially by an air filter.

27. An apparatus as in claim 26, wherein the cleaning head is arranged to hold a cleaning sheet on the lower side of the cleaning head.

28. An apparatus as in claim 27, further comprising a cleaning sheet held to the lower side of the cleaning head.

29. An apparatus as in claim 28, wherein the cleaning sheet is permanently held to the lower side of the cleaning head.

30. An apparatus as in claim 26, wherein the dirt collection chamber is positioned on the upper side of the cleaning head.

31. An apparatus as in claim 30, wherein the dirt collection chamber is heat sealed to the cleaning head.

32. An apparatus as in claim 26, wherein the suction inlet comprises a suction nozzle extending laterally at a front portion of the cleaning head.

33. An apparatus as in claim 32, wherein the suction nozzle is integrally formed with the cleaning head.

34. An apparatus as in claim 26, wherein the cleaning head has a support structure formed at least in part by thermoformed plastic.

35. An apparatus as in claim 26, wherein the cleaning device comprises:

a vacuum source;

a body with a handle; and

a connector arranged to attach the cleaning head to the body.

36. An apparatus as in claim 35, wherein the connector includes a first engagement element and the cleaning head includes a second engagement member arranged to engage with the first engagement element to connect the cleaning head to the body of the cleaning device.

37. An apparatus as in claim 35, further comprising a spray nozzle and a liquid reservoir arranged to supply liquid to the spray nozzle.