Collecting chamber for a vacuum cleaner

• US 20040112022A1
• Filed: 08/20/2003
• Published: 06/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited (Beeswax Holdings UK Limited)
• Original Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited (Beeswax Holdings UK Limited)
• Inventors: Vuijk, Remco Douwinus
• Granted Patent: US 7,018,439 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 55/429
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1625 for series flow
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1641 for parallel flow
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1683 Dust collecting chambers; Dust collecting receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 55/03 Vacuum cleaner

Abstract

A bagless vacuum cleaner (10) comprises a separating unit (20) for separating dirt and dust from a dirt-laden airflow which is drawn in by the cleaner. The separating unit (20) has a chamber (205) with a collection area for collecting dirt and dust which is separated from the airflow. A base (210) of the separating unit (20) is movable between a closed position (FIG. 3) and an open position. The base (210) is released by a trigger (220) and a linking mechanism (222, 230, 260). A seal (213) fits against the base (210) and, in use, wipes a portion of the surface against which it seals as the base (210) moves towards the closed position.

Claims

1. A collecting chamber for a bagless vacuum cleaner comprising an inlet for receiving a dirt-laden airflow, an air outlet, a collection area for collecting, in use, dirt and dust which has been separated from the airflow and wherein a part of the chamber wall in the region of the collection area forms a closure member which is hingedly connected to the remainder of the chamber wall so as to be pivotably movable between a closed position in which the closure member seals the chamber and an open position in which dirt and dust can escape from the collection area, the chamber further comprising a seal for sealing between the chamber and the closure member, and wherein the seal is arranged such that, in use, it wipes a portion of the surface against which it seals as the closure member moves towards the closed position.

2. A collecting chamber according to claim 1 wherein the seal is resiliently flexible and the seal is arranged to stretch over the sealed against surface as the closure member moves towards the closed position.

3. A collecting chamber according to claim 2 wherein the sealed against surface has an outward inclination with respect to the longitudinal axis of the seal.

4. A collecting chamber according to claim 3 wherein the outwardly inclined surface is part of a recess in the closure member.

5. A collecting chamber according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the seal is carried by the chamber and the sealed against surface forms part of the closure member.

6. A collecting chamber according to claim 5 wherein the seal is carried by an insert which fits within the collecting chamber.

7. A collecting chamber according to claim 6 comprising first and second stage collection areas and wherein the insert forms a wall between the first and second stage collection areas.

8. A collecting chamber according to claim 7 wherein the second stage collection area lies within the first stage collection area.

9. A collecting chamber according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the seal is an annular shaped seal.

10. A collecting chamber according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the releasing means is operable to apply an opening force to the closure member at a position which is spaced from the pivot.

11. A collecting chamber according to claim 10 wherein the releasing means is operable to apply an opening force to the centre of the closure member.

12. A collecting chamber according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising a handle for carrying the collecting chamber and wherein the actuating member is located adjacent the handle.

13. A collecting chamber according to claim 12 wherein the actuating member is a trigger mechanism which is located beneath the handle.

14. A collecting chamber according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the closure member forms a surface against which dirt and dust can collect during operation of the cleaner.

15. A collecting chamber according to claim 14 wherein the closure member forms a base of the collecting chamber.

16. A collecting chamber according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising a cyclonic separator.

17. A vacuum cleaner incorporating a collecting chamber according to any one of the preceding claims.

18. A collecting chamber for a vacuum cleaner or a vacuum cleaner incorporating a collecting chamber substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.