Cyclonic separating apparatus for a cleaning appliance
First Claim
1. A cyclonic separating apparatus for a cleaning appliance, comprising:
- a plurality of cyclonic separators arranged in series for separating particles from a dirt- and dust-laden airflow,a plurality of collectors for collecting the separated dirt and dust,a closure member movable between a closed position in which the closure member closes an end of each collector and an open position in which separated dirt and dust can be emptied from the collectors, the ends of the collectors being separated by at least one dividing wall, andan expandable seal to seal between the closure member and the at least one dividing wall when the closure member is in the closed position, wherein the seal is expandable in response to a pressure difference across a surface of the seal.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A cyclonic separating apparatus for a cleaning appliance includes a plurality of cyclonic separators arranged in series for separating particles from a dirt- and dust-laden airflow, at least two or three collectors for collecting separated dirt and dust, and a closure member movable between a closed position in which the closure member closes an end of each collector and an open position in which separated dirt and dust can be emptied from the collectors. The ends of the collectors are separated by dividing walls. A expandable seal is provided between the closure member and the dividing walls to seal when the closure member is in the closed position. The expandable seal is able to seal effectively even if the closure member is misaligned, incorrectly fitted or if dirt and dust is present between the surfaces to be sealed.
57 Citations
15 Claims
-
1. A cyclonic separating apparatus for a cleaning appliance, comprising:
-
a plurality of cyclonic separators arranged in series for separating particles from a dirt- and dust-laden airflow, a plurality of collectors for collecting the separated dirt and dust, a closure member movable between a closed position in which the closure member closes an end of each collector and an open position in which separated dirt and dust can be emptied from the collectors, the ends of the collectors being separated by at least one dividing wall, and an expandable seal to seal between the closure member and the at least one dividing wall when the closure member is in the closed position, wherein the seal is expandable in response to a pressure difference across a surface of the seal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A cyclonic separating apparatus, for a cleaning appliance, comprising:
-
a plurality of cyclonic separators arranged in series for separating particles from a dirt- and dust-laden airflow, a plurality of collectors for collecting the separated dirt and dust, a closure member movable between a closed position in which the closure member closes an end of each collector and an open position in which separated dirt and dust can be emptied from the collectors, the ends of the collectors being separated by at least one dividing wall, and an expandable seal to seal between the closure member and the at least one dividing wall when the closure member is in the closed position, wherein first and second cyclonic separators are provided in series and have first and second collectors respectively, and wherein the second collector is arranged inside the first collector.
-
-
12. A cyclonic separating apparatus, for a cleaning appliance, comprising:
-
a plurality of cyclonic separators arranged in series for separating particles from a dirt- and dust-laden airflow, a plurality of collectors for collecting the separated dirt and dust, a closure member movable between a closed position in which the closure member closes an end of each collector and an open position in which separated dirt and dust can be emptied from the collectors, the ends of the collectors being separated by at least one dividing wall, and an expandable seal to seal between the closure member and the at least one dividing wall when the closure member is in the closed position, wherein first and second cyclonic separators are provided in series and have first and second collectors respectively, and further comprising a third cyclonic separator in series with, and downstream of, the first and second cyclonic separators, the third cyclonic separator having a third collector. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
-
-
15. A cyclonic separating apparatus for a cleaning appliance, comprising:
-
a plurality of cyclonic separators arranged in series for separating particles from a dirt- and dust-laden airflow, a plurality of collectors for collecting the separated dirt and dust, a closure member movable between a closed position in which the closure member closes an end of each collector and an open position in which separated dirt and dust can be emptied from the collectors, the ends of the collectors being separated by at least one dividing wall, and an expandable seal to seal between the closure member and the at least one dividing wall when the closure member is in the closed position, wherein first and second cyclonic separators are provided in series and have first and second collectors respectively, and wherein the collectors are substantially cylindrical and arranged concentrically with respect to one another.
-
Specification