Dirt collection system for a vacuum cleaner

• US 6,615,444 B2
• Filed: 05/09/2001
• Issued: 09/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Healthy Gain Investments Limited
• Original Assignee: Hoover Company (Whirlpool Corporation)
• Inventors: Allgeier, David M. J., McGilll, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Snider, Theresa T.
• Application Number:
  US09/852,073
• Publication Number:
  US 20020166198A1
• Time in Patent Office: 853 Days
• Field of Search: 153/50, 153/52, 153/53, 220/262, 220/263, 220/264, 220/676, 220/254, 220/601, 55D/IG.3, 554/29, 554/32, 554/33
• US Class Current: 15/352
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1409 Rigid filtering receptacles dust collecting receptacles for cyclones A47L9/1683
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 55/03 Vacuum cleaner

Abstract

A dirt collecting system for a vacuum cleaner includes a dirt cup having a dirt collecting chamber. The dirt cup is removably inserted into the housing of a vacuum cleaner. When the dirt cup is inserted into the housing, the dirt cup is fluidly connected to the suction nozzle and a suction source. The dirt cup is provided with a pivotally connected lid and a thumb tab located on the lid. The thumb tab is used to move the lid into the open position when the dirt cup is emptied. A handle is provided on the front of the dirt cup for grasping the dirt cup during removal from the vacuum cleaner housing and during emptying.

Claims

1. In an improved dirt collecting system for a vacuum cleaner, the vacuum cleaner having a motor-fan assembly with a suction inlet opening, an agitator chamber, a dirt collecting chamber, and a housing, the motor-fan assembly creating a dirt laden airstream from the agitator chamber to the dirt collecting chamber, the improvement comprising a dirt collecting chamber comprised of a dirt cup for collecting dirt particles, the dirt cup comprised of:

a bottom wall;

a rear wall extending generally upward from said bottom wall;

a pair of curved side walls, wherein said pair of curved sidewalls, said rear wall, and said bottom wall define the dirt collecting chamber;

a dirty air inlet opening formed in one of said pair of curved sidewalls, said rear wall, or said bottom wall;

a clean air outlet opening formed in one of said pair of curved sidewalls, said rear wall, or said bottom wall;

a lid having an open position and a closed position pivotally connected to said dirt cup, said lid including a peripheral edge, and

a thumb tab extending radially outward from said lid for pivoting said lid between said open position and said closed position.

2. The improved dirt collecting system for a vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein said dirt cup further includes a handle attached to said pair of curved sidewalls.

3. The improved dirt collecting system for a vacuum cleaner of claim 2, wherein said lid is pivotally connected to said dirt cup at a top end of said handle.

4. The improved dirt collecting system for a vacuum cleaner of claim 3, wherein said lid is pivotally connected to said handle with a pair pivot pins received by a complementary pair of apertures located in a pair of opposing sidewalls of a cavity located at the top end of said handle.

5. In an improved dirt collecting system for a vacuum cleaner, the vacuum cleaner having a motor-fan assembly with a suction inlet opening, an agitator chamber, a dirt collecting chamber, and a housing, the motor-fan assembly creating a dirt laden airstream from the agitator chamber to the dirt collecting chamber, the improvement comprising a dirt collecting chamber comprised of a dirt cup for collecting dirt particles, the dirt cup comprised of:

a bottom wall;

a rear wall extending generally upward from said bottom wall;

a pair of curved side walls, wherein said pair of curved sidewalls, said rear wall, and said bottom wall define the dirt collecting chamber;

a dirty air inlet opening formed in one of said pair of curved sidewalls, said rear wall, or said bottom wall;

a clean air outlet opening formed in one of said pair of curved sidewalls, said rear wall, or said bottom wall;

a handle having a cavity at an upper end;

a lid having an open position and a closed position pivotally connected to said dirt cup, said lid including a peripheral edge; and

a thumb tab extending radially outward from said lid for pivoting said lid between said open position and said closed position.

6. The dirt cup of claim 5, wherein said dirt cup further includes a handle.

7. The dirt cup of claim 6, wherein said lid is pivotally connected to said dirt cup at a top end of said handle.

8. The dirt cup of claim 7, wherein said lid is pivotally connected to said handle with a pair pivot pins received by a complementary pair of apertures located in a pair of opposing sidewalls of a cavity located at the top end of said handle.

9. A method of removing accumulated dirt particles and debris from a dirt collecting system for a vacuum cleaner, comprised of the steps of:

providing a vacuum cleaner having a dirt collecting system including a dirt cup for collecting dirt particles and debris filtered from a dirt laden airstream generated by the dirt collecting system;

providing a lid pivotally connected to said dirt cup having a closed position and an open position;

providing a handle attached to the dirt cup;

providing a thumb tab extending from a peripheral edge of said lid;

directing the dirt laden airstream into the dirt cup and depositing dirt particles and debris into the dirt cup;

grasping the handle with one hand and removing the dirt cup from the vacuum cleaner;

depressing the thumb tab with a thumb from the same hand to move the lid from the closed position to the open position; and

inverting the dirt cup to remove accumulated dirt particles and debris from the dirt cup.

10. The method of removing accumulated dirt particles and debris from a dirt collecting system for a vacuum cleaner of claim 9, further comprised of the steps of:

turning the dirt cup upright;

releasing the thumb tab and allowing the lid to return to the closed position from the open position; and

inserting the dirt cup into the vacuum cleaner.

11. An improved dirt collecting system for a vacuum cleaner, the vacuum cleaner having a motor-fan assembly with a suction inlet opening, an agitator chamber, a dirt collecting chamber, and a housing, the motor-fan assembly creating a dirt laden airstream from the agitator chamber to the dirt collecting chamber, the improvement comprising a dirt collecting chamber comprised of a dirt cup for collecting dirt particles, the dirt cup comprised of:

a bottom wall;

a rear wall extending generally upward from said bottom wall;

a pair of curved side walls, wherein said pair of curved sidewalls, said rear wall, and or said bottom wall define the dirt collecting chamber;

a dirty air inlet opening formed in one of said pair of curved sidewalls, said rear wall, or said bottom wall;

a clean air outlet opening formed in one of said pair of curved sidewalls, said rear wall, or said bottom wall;

a handle having a cavity at an upper end;

a lid having an open position and a closed position pivotally connected to said dirt cup, said lid including a peripheral edge; and

a thumb tab extending radially outward from said lid for pivoting said lid between said open position and said closed position;

wherein said thumb tab extends into said cavity in said handle and rotates therein as said lid is pivoted between said closed position and said open position.