Vacuum cleaner having a reusable dirt cup

• US 6,108,864 A
• Filed: 01/07/1999
• Issued: 08/29/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: White Consolidated, Ltd. (Johnson & Starley Limited)
• Original Assignee: White Consolidated Industries Incorporated (AB Electrolux)
• Inventors: Smith, Jeffrey, Thomas, Joyce K., Hohulin, Samuel E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Snider, Theresa T.
• Application Number:
  US09/226,736
• Time in Patent Office: 600 Days
• Field of Search: 15/329, 15/344, 15/350, 15/351
• US Class Current: 15/350
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/225 Convertible suction cleaners, i.e. convertible between different types thereof, e.g. from upright suction cleaners to sledge-type suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/24 Hand-supported suction cleaners
• 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 9/122 flat

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner assembly including a motor housing, a motor and fan assembly mounted in the motor housing, and a dirt containment chamber having an air intake at one end. An apertured wall is provided at one end of the motor housing so that the fan is closely adjacent the aperture. A planar filter is provided within the containment chamber and extends from a distal end to a proximal end of the chamber to separate the chamber into an air flow chamber and a dirt chamber. The aperture is separated from air flow communication with said intake opening by the filter.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner assembly comprising a motor housing having an end wall;

a motor and fan assembly mounted in said motor housing so that said fan is closely adjacent said end wall;

an aperture defined by said end wall;

a ring fitting surrounding said aperture and defining an opening for air flow to said fan;

a dirt cup removably attached to said end wall and defining a hollow containment chamber with a suction inlet opening at its distal end;

said ring fitting having a hood portion extending across said aperture and having a rim portion extending around a periphery of said aperture with said hood portion being integrally associated with a portion of said rim portion;

a filter mounted within said containment chamber and separating said containment chamber into an air flow chamber and a dirt chamber with said suction inlet opening in communication with said dirt chamber;

said filter having a proximal edge in sealing communication with said end wall and hood portion, whereby dirt laden air will be drawn through said suction inlet opening into said dirt chamber and clean air will pass through said filter to said airflow chamber, through said aperture and said fan.

2. A vacuum cleaner assembly according to claim 1 wherein said hood is shaped as a spheroidal segment with a semi-circular portion being integrally associated with said rim portion of said ring fitting and another semi-circular portion sealingly engaging a complimentary portion of said proximal edge of said filter.

3. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 wherein said filter is substantially planar and is positioned in said containment chamber in substantial alignment with the direction of air flow from said inlet opening to said fan.

4. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 including a nozzle assembly pivotally attached to said suction inlet opening.

5. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 4 including a stick handle removably attached to said motor housing.

6. A vacuum cleaner assembly comprising,

a motor housing having an end wall;

a motor and fan assembly mounted in said motor housing so that said fan is closely adjacent said end wall;

an aperture defined by said end wall;

means defining a containment chamber having a proximal end removably attached to said end wall and a distal end defining an intake opening;

a planar filter within said containment chamber and extending from said distal end to said proximal end of said containment chamber to separate said containment chamber into an air flow chamber and a dirt chamber;

said aperture being separated from air flow communication with said intake opening by said filter.