Vacuum cleaner dirt cup
First Claim
1. A vacuum cleaner comprising:
- a suction source operable to generate an airflow;
a suction nozzle in fluid communication with the suction source and configured to remove debris from a surface using the airflow; and
a dirt cup assembly including,a first stage cyclonic separator operable to at least partially separate the debris from the airflow,a second stage cyclonic separator downstream from the first stage cyclonic separator and operable to at least partially separate the debris from the airflow, wherein the second stage cyclonic separator includes a plurality of cyclonic separators arranged in parallel,a container having a sidewall that at least partially defines the first stage cyclonic separator,a shroud having a lower perforated portion located within the container, an upper portion that surrounds and receives the second stage cyclonic separator substantially in its entirety, the upper portion located outside of the container such that the upper portion forms an outside wall of the dirt cup above the sidewall of the container, and an intermediate portion between the lower portion and the upper portion coupled to the sidewall of the container, anda top lid attached to the upper portion of the shroud, wherein the second stage cyclonic separator is attached to the top lid such that the second stage cyclonic separator is removable from the shroud with the top lid.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vacuum cleaner including a dirt cup assembly including a first stage cyclonic separator operable to at least partially separate debris from an airflow, a second stage cyclonic separator downstream from the first stage cyclonic separator and operable to at least partially separate the debris from the airflow, a container having a sidewall that at least partially defines the first stage cyclonic separator, and a shroud having a lower perforated portion located within the container, and an upper portion that surrounds and receives the second stage cyclonic separator. The upper portion is located outside of the first container such that the upper portion forms an outside wall of the dirt cup above the sidewall of the container. The shroud further includes an intermediate portion between the lower portion and the upper portion, and the intermediate portion is coupled to the sidewall of the first container.
73 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A vacuum cleaner comprising:
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a suction source operable to generate an airflow; a suction nozzle in fluid communication with the suction source and configured to remove debris from a surface using the airflow; and a dirt cup assembly including, a first stage cyclonic separator operable to at least partially separate the debris from the airflow, a second stage cyclonic separator downstream from the first stage cyclonic separator and operable to at least partially separate the debris from the airflow, wherein the second stage cyclonic separator includes a plurality of cyclonic separators arranged in parallel, a container having a sidewall that at least partially defines the first stage cyclonic separator, a shroud having a lower perforated portion located within the container, an upper portion that surrounds and receives the second stage cyclonic separator substantially in its entirety, the upper portion located outside of the container such that the upper portion forms an outside wall of the dirt cup above the sidewall of the container, and an intermediate portion between the lower portion and the upper portion coupled to the sidewall of the container, and a top lid attached to the upper portion of the shroud, wherein the second stage cyclonic separator is attached to the top lid such that the second stage cyclonic separator is removable from the shroud with the top lid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A vacuum cleaner comprising:
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a suction source operable to generate an airflow; a suction nozzle in fluid communication with the suction source and configured to remove debris from a surface using the airflow; a dirt cup assembly including, a first stage cyclonic separator operable to at least partially separate the debris from the airflow, a second stage cyclonic separator downstream from the first stage cyclonic separator and operable to at least partially separate the debris from the airflow, wherein the second stage cyclonic separator includes a plurality of cyclonic separators arranged in parallel, a container having a sidewall that at least partially defines the first stage cyclonic separator, a shroud having a lower perforated portion located within the container, an upper portion that surrounds and receives the second stage cyclonic separator, wherein the upper portion is substantially cylindrical, the upper portion located outside of the container such that the upper portion forms an outside wall of the dirt cup above the sidewall of the container, and an intermediate portion between the lower portion and the upper portion coupled to the sidewall of the container, and a support that defines a central passageway that receives the debris separated from the airflow by the second cyclonic stage, and a skirt located within the container adjacent the lower portion of the shroud, wherein the skirt includes an opening, wherein the support extends through the opening of the skirt, and wherein the skirt couples the shroud and the support such that the skirt, the shroud, and the support are removable from the container as a single component. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A vacuum cleaner comprising:
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a suction source operable to generate an airflow; a suction nozzle in fluid communication with the suction source and configured to remove debris from a surface using the airflow; and a dirt cup assembly including, a first stage cyclonic separator operable to at least partially separate the debris from the airflow, a second stage cyclonic separator downstream from the first stage cyclonic separator and operable to at least partially separate the debris from the airflow, wherein the second stage cyclonic separator includes a plurality of cyclonic separators arranged in parallel, a container having an upper end, a lower end, a sidewall that extends between the upper end and the lower end to at least partially define the first stage cyclonic separator, a shroud having a lower perforated portion located within the container, an upper portion that surrounds and receives the second stage cyclonic separator, the upper portion located outside of the container, and an intermediate portion between the lower portion and the upper portion, wherein the upper portion defines a flange, wherein the shroud is a single, unitary component, and a top lid attached to the flange such that the top lid is spaced from the upper end of the container. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification