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Surface cleaning apparatus

  • US 9,204,769 B2
  • Filed: 03/09/2010
  • Issued: 12/08/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2009
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A surface cleaning apparatus having an upper end and a lower end and comprising:

  • (a) an air flow passage extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;

    (b) a suction motor positioned in the air flow passage;

    (c) a dirt collection chamber having an upper end and a lower end;

    (d) a first cyclonic stage comprising a cyclone positioned in the air flow passage and within the dirt collection chamber, the cyclone having a lower end comprising an air inlet, an air outlet, a longitudinal axis and a longitudinally extending sidewall, the sidewall having an annular end face at an opposing upper open end of the cyclone that extends around a perimeter of the sidewall;

    (e) a plate spaced from the upper end of the dirt collection chamber and being orthogonal to the cyclone sidewall, the plate having a cyclone side spaced from and facing the end face to thereby define a continuous gap between the plate and the end face of the cyclone wherein the gap extends around the perimeter of the sidewall and wherein the gap has a variable length in the direction of the longitudinal axis; and

    ,(f) the dirt collection chamber in flow communication with the open end via the gap such that the gap defines a cyclone dirt outlet that extends around the perimeter.

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