Cleaning device

• US 10,555,647 B2
• Filed: 05/23/2019
• Issued: 02/11/2020
• 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:
  US16/420,453
• Publication Number:
  US 20190274496A1
• Time in Patent Office: 264 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 cleaning head is arranged to hold a cleaning sheet on the lower side of the cleaning head.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising a cleaning sheet held to the lower side of the cleaning head.

3. An apparatus as in claim 2, wherein the cleaning sheet is permanently held to the lower side of the cleaning head.

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

5. An apparatus as in claim 4, wherein the dirt collection chamber is heat sealed to the cleaning head.

6. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the dirt collection chamber protrudes from the upper side of 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 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; and

wherein the cleaning head is arranged to hold a cleaning sheet on the lower side of the cleaning head.

12. An apparatus as in claim 11, further comprising a cleaning sheet held to the lower side of the cleaning head.

13. An apparatus as in claim 12, wherein the cleaning sheet is permanently held to the lower side of the cleaning head.

14. An apparatus as in claim 11, wherein the dirt collection chamber is positioned on the upper side of the cleaning head.

15. An apparatus as in claim 14, wherein the dirt collection chamber is heat sealed to the cleaning head.

16. An apparatus as in claim 11, wherein the dirt collection chamber protrudes from the upper side of the cleaning head.

17. An apparatus as in claim 11, wherein the suction inlet comprises a suction nozzle extending laterally at a front portion of the cleaning head.

18. An apparatus as in claim 17, wherein the suction nozzle is integrally formed with the cleaning head.

19. An apparatus as in claim 11, wherein the cleaning head has a support structure formed at least in part by thermoformed plastic.