Generated by PDFKit.NET Evaluation
`
`(12)UK Patent Application (19)GB (11)2 372 434 (13)A
`
`(43) Date of A Publication 28.08.2002
`
`(21) Application No 0109402.8
`
`(22) Date of Filing 12.04.2001
`
`(30) Priority Data
`(31) 0104680
`
`(32) 24.02.2001
`
`(33) GB
`
`(71) Applicant(sl
`Dyson Limited
`(Incorporated in the United Kingdom)
`Tetbury Hill, MALMESBURY, Wiltshire, SN16 0RP,
`United Kingdom
`
`(72)
`
`lnventor(s)
`Stephen Paul Organ
`
`(74) Agent and/or Address for Service
`Gillian R Smith
`Dyson Research Limited, Intellectual Property
`Department, Tetbury Hill, MALMESBURY, Wiltshire,
`SN16 0RP, United Kingdom
`
`(51)
`
`INT CL7
`A47L 9/16 9/20
`
`(52) UK CL (Edition T)
`A4FFFD FSCA
`
`(56) Documents Cited
`EP 1023864 A2
`
`(58) Field of Search
`UK CL (Edition S l A4F, B2P
`INT CL7 A47L 9/16 9/20
`Online: WPI, EPODOC, PAJ
`
`(54) Abstract Title
`Removable collecting chamber in a bagless vacuum cleaner
`
`(57)
`In a bagless vacuum cleaner, eg of the cyclone type,
`the separating apparatus, which may comprise a series of
`cyclones 240, includes a dirt collecting chamber 205 which
`has a door 210 at its base which can be opened to empty
`the chamber by means of a remote trigger 222 and
`associated linkage 230 and latch 260. The chamber is also
`separable from the separating apparatus for thorough
`cleaning, and is released by means of catch 295 and detent
`296 where is connects with the lower end of the cyclone
`assembly. The arrangement is characterised in that the
`chamber cannot be removed unless the door 210 is open,
`by virtue of the fact that the latch for the door is hooked
`and is attached to the cyclone assembly. Thus the chamber
`must be emptied before detachment, thus obviating
`inadvertent opening of the door after it has been removed
`and is being handled for cleaning.
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`2372434
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`1
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`A Separating Apparatus for a Vacuum Cleaner
`
`5 This invention relates to a separating apparatus for a bagless vacuum cleaner and to a
`vacuum cleaner which incorporates the separating apparatus.
`
`Vacuum cleaners which separate dirt and dust from an airflow without the use of a filter
`bag, so-called bagless vacuum cleaners, are becoming increasingly popular. Most
`bagless cleaners use cyclonic or centrifugal separation to spin dirt and dust from the
`airflow. By avoiding the use of a filter bag as the primary form of separation, it has
`been found possible to maintain a consistently high level of suction, even as the
`collecting chamber fills with dirt.
`
`The principle of cyclonic separation in domestic vacuum cleaners is described in a
`number of publications including EP O 042 723. In general, an airflow in which dirt and
`dust is entrained enters a first cyclonic separator via a tangential inlet which causes the
`airflow to follow a spiral or helical path within a collection chamber so that the dirt and
`dust is separated from the airflow. Relatively clean air passes out of the chamber whilst
`the separated dirt and dust is collected therein. In some applications, and as described
`in EP O 042 723, the airflow is then passed to a second cyclone separator which is
`
`capable of separating finer dirt and dust than the upstream cyclone. The airflow is
`thereby cleaned to a greater degree so that, by the time the airflow exits the cyclonic
`separating apparatus, the airflow is almost completely free of dirt and dust particles.
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`While bagless vacuum cleaners are successful in maintaining a consistently high level
`of suction, the absence of a bag can make it difficult to dispose of the dirt and dust
`which is collected by the cleaner. When the separating chamber of a bagless cleaner
`becomes full, a user typically removes the collecting chamber from the chassis of the
`30 machine, carries the chamber to a dust bin or refuse sack and tips the chamber upside
`down. Often dirt and dust is densely packed inside the collecting chamber and it may
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`be necessary for a user to manually dislodge the dirt by reaching into the chamber and
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`pulling at the collected mass of dust and fibres, or to shake or bang the collecting
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`chamber against the side of a dustbin. In some cases, this can cause a fair amount of
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`mess.
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`5
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`Some solutions to this problem have been proposed. US 5,090,976 describes the use of
`
`a disposable liner which can be fitted inside the cyclonic separating chamber. When the
`
`liner is full, the liner is lifted out of the chamber and disposed of. WO 98/10691
`
`describes a cyclonic collection chamber where a bag is retained, in a collapsed state, in
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`the base of the collection chamber. When the collection chamber is full, the base is
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`unscrewed from the chamber so that the bag can extend downwardly from the base.
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`Dirt and dust slides out of the collecting chamber into the bag and the bag can then be
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`sealed and separated from the collecting chamber for disposal. Both of these solutions
`
`have a disadvantage in that they require a user to keep a supply of spare bases or liners,
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`15 which adds to the cost of maintaining the machine.
`
`EP 1 023 864 describes a dust-collecting device for a cyclonic vacuum cleaner. The
`
`dust-collecting chamber can be removed from the chassis of the cleaner for emptying.
`
`A bottom lid of the dust-collecting chamber is attached by way of a hinge to the
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`20
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`remainder of the chamber and the lid can be released by pressing a release button. A
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`ribbed cylindrical filter is fitted inside the dust-collecting chamber and is rotatable
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`within the chamber to encourage the release of dirt which is stored in the chamber. One
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`embodiment of EP 1 023 864 describes how a release lever for releasing the bottom lid
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`can be located remotely from the lid, as part of the grip for the chamber.
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`It is desirable to provide a lid release control which is located remotely from the lid
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`itself as a user is spaced from dirt and dust when the chamber is emptied. However,
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`remotely locating the lid release control complicates the linking mechanism for
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`releasing the lid. The linking mechanism is complicated still further if it is desired to
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`30
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`allow the collecting chamber to be separated from another part of the separating
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`apparatus. The collecting chamber may occasionally need to be removed for thorough
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`cleaning or to remove debris which has become trapped within the collecting chamber.
`
`Thus, the present invention seeks to provide a collecting chamber for a bagless vacuum
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`5
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`cleaner which minimises this disadvantage.
`
`Accordingly, a first aspect of the present invention provides a separating apparatus for a
`
`bagless vacuum cleaner comprising an air inlet for receiving a dirt-laden airflow, an air
`outlet, a collecting chamber for collecting, in use, dirt and dust which has been
`separated from the airflow, the collecting chamber being separable from the remainder
`of the apparatus, and wherein part of the collecting chamber wall is a closure member
`which is movable between a closed position in which the closure member seals the
`collecting chamber and an open position in which dirt and dust can escape from the
`
`collecting chamber, the apparatus further comprising releasing means for releasing the
`closure member from the closed position, the releasing means comprising a manually
`operable actuating member which is located on a part of the apparatus which is remote
`from the collecting chamber, and wherein the apparatus is arranged such that the
`collecting chamber is not separable from the remainder of the apparatus until the closure
`
`member is in the open position.
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`This has the advantage that a user cannot accidentally open the closure member and
`deposit dust on the floor if they decide to remove the collecting chamber from the
`remainder of the apparatus. A user must first release the closure member to deposit the
`dust, in the usual manner that they will be conditioned to doing, before separating the
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`collecting chamber from the remainder of the apparatus.
`
`Preferably the releasing means forms part of the remainder of the apparatus and the
`direction in which the collection chamber is separable from the apparatus is opposite to
`the direction of the retaining force exerted by the releasing means on the closure
`30 member. This can be achieved by providing the releasing means with a catch which
`
`engages with a hook on the closure member.
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`The term 'bagless' is intended to cover a broad range of vacuum cleaners which have a
`reusable collecting chamber, and includes, inter alia, cleaners which separate dirt and
`dust by way of cyclonic, centrifugal or inertial separation.
`
`It is convenient for the actuating member to be located adjacent a handle for carrying
`the separating apparatus. This allows a user to carry and empty the apparatus with one
`hand.
`
`Preferably agitating means are provided for agitating dirt held within the collection area,
`the agitating means being operable by the actuating member. This helps to dislodge any
`dirt that may have become 'stuck' in the collection area. Also, a user does not need to
`separately operate the releasing and the agitating means.
`
`Preferably the closure member is pivotably fixed to the collecting chamber. Also, it is
`preferable for the pivot to be located on the side of the collecting chamber nearest the
`user such that the user is shielded from any dust which is released from the collecting
`chamber.
`
`The separating apparatus preferably comprises a cyclonic separator where dirt-laden air
`is spun at high speed to centrifugally separate dirt from the airflow but it can be any
`form of bagless separator where the collection chamber is reused after it has been
`emptied.
`
`The separating apparatus can have more than one separation stage. Preferably the
`collection areas of the first, second (and further) stage separators each lie adjacent the
`closure member such that all of the collected dirt and dust can be readily emptied from
`the separator.
`
`30 A further aspect of the invention provides a vacuum cleaner incorporating a separating
`apparatus of the kind described above.
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`Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with
`reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
`
`5
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`Figure 1 shows a bagless vacuum cleaner;
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`Figure 2 shows just the dirt and dust separation unit of the vacuum cleaner of Figure 1;
`
`Figure 3 is a cross-section along line A-A of the dirt and dust separation unit of Figure
`2, with the base of the unit in a closed position;
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`Figure 4 shows the same cross-section as Figure 3 but with the base in a partially open
`position;
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`Figure 5 shows the same cross-section as Figure 3 but with the base in a fully open
`position;
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`Figure 6 is a cross-section through the dirt and dust separation unit mounted on the
`chassis of the vacuum cleaner;
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`Figure 6A is a more detailed view of the same cross-section as Figure 6, showing the
`feature on the chassis which inhibits movement of the trigger release mechanism;
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`Figure 7 is a more detailed view of the lower part of the cross-section of Figure 3;
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`Figure 8 shows how dirt and dust accumulates in the dirt and dust separation unit; and,
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`Figures 9A - 9C show the seal of the vacuum cleaner in use.
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`30 Referring to Figures 1 to 3, a vacuum cleaner 10 has a main chassis 50 which supports
`dirt and dust separation apparatus 20. The lower part of the cleaner 10 comprises a
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`cleaner head 22 for engaging with the floor surface. The cleaner head has a
`downwardly facing suction inlet and a brush bar is mounted in the mouth of the inlet for
`agitating the floor surface. The cleaner head is pivotably mounted to a motor housing
`24 which houses the motor and fan of the cleaner. Support wheels 26 are mounted to
`the motor housing for supporting the cleaner and allowing movement across a floor
`surface. A spine of the chassis 50 extends upwardly from the motor housing 24 to
`provide support for the components of the cleaner. A cleaning wand 42 having a second
`dirty air inlet 43 is connected by way of a hose (not shown) to the chassis at the base of
`the spine 50. The wand 42 is releasable from the spine 50 so as to allow a user to carry
`out above-the-floor cleaning and cleaning in places which are inaccessible by the main
`cleaning head 22. When the wand is fixed to the spine 50, the wand 42 forms the
`handle of the cleaner and a handgrip 40 at the remote end of the wand 42 allows a user
`to manoeuvre the cleaner. These features of the cleaner are well known and have been
`well documented elsewhere and can be seen, for example, in cleaners which are
`15 manufactured by DYSON™, and thus will not be described in any further detail.
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`Dirty air from the cleaner head 22 or wand inlet 43 is carried to the separator unit 20 by
`inlet conduit 28 and inlet 30. Separator 20 is a cyclonic separator which spins dirt, dust
`and other debris out of the airflow by centrifugal separation. One particular form of
`separator unit 20 is shown in detail in the figures as a preferred embodiment but it
`should be understood that there are many other ways in which the separator could be
`constructed. In the illustrated separator unit 20, airflow passes through a first separation
`stage and then a second separation stage. The first separation stage is a substantially
`cylindrically-walled cyclonic chamber 205 whose purpose is to separate large debris
`and dirt from the airflow. Inlet 30 is arranged to direct dirty air into the chamber 205 in
`a tangential direction to the wall of the chamber. Fins or baffles 207 extend radially
`outwardly from a central core of the chamber and serve to discourage separated dirt or
`dust from becoming re-entrained in the airflow when the vacuum cleaner is first started.
`The outlet of the first separation stage is a shroud 235, i.e. an apertured annular wall
`30 mounted coaxially inside the chamber 205. The area on the inner side of the shroud
`leads to the second separation stage. The second separation stage is a set of tapered
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`cyclonic chambers 240 which are arranged in parallel with one another. Each cyclonic
`chamber 240 has a tangential inlet 242, an outlet 243 for separated dirt and dust and a
`cleaned air outlet 244. Each of the cleaned air outlets 244 of the cyclonic chambers 240
`communicate with an outlet conduit such that air from the individual outlets of the
`parallel cyclonic chambers is recombined into a single flow. The outlet conduit mates
`with a port on the chassis spine 50 when the separator unit 20 is fitted to the chassis.
`
`In use dirty air which is laden with dirt, dust and other debris enters the first separation
`stage via inlet 30 and follows a spiral path around the chamber 205. The centrifugal
`force acting on the material in the airflow causes the larger debris and dirt to be
`separated from the airflow. This separated material collects at the base of the chamber
`205, against base 210, due to a combination of gravity and the pressure gradient which
`exists in chamber 205 while the cleaner is in operation. The airflow passes through the
`shroud 235. The shroud 235 causes air to perform a sharp change of direction and
`causes fibrous material to collect on the outer wall of the shroud 235. The airflow
`passes to the second separation stage where it is divided between the cyclonic chambers.
`Air enters a respective one of the chambers via a tangential inlet and is then constrained
`to follow a spiral path of decreasing radius which greatly increases the speed of the
`airflow. The speed is sufficient to separate dirt and extremely fine dust from the
`airflow. The separated dirt and dust exits the cyclonic chambers 240 via outlets 243
`which communicate with a central conduit 245. Dirt and dust falls, under gravity,
`towards the base of conduit 245 and collects at the lower end of the conduit 245
`adjacent the base 210 in region 270 (Figure 8). Cleaned air from the parallel chambers
`245 is recombined into a single flow and is channelled out of the separator unit 20,
`down the spine 50 of the chassis and through a pre-motor filter, fan and post-motor filter
`before finally being exhausted from the cleaner.
`
`It should be understood that the second separation stage need not be a set of parallel
`cyclonic chambers 240. The second separation stage could be a single tapered cyclonic
`chamber which can fit inside the cylindrical chamber of the first separation stage, as
`shown in EP 0 042 723. Alternatively, the second separation stage could be a further
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`8
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`cylindrical cyclone or it could be omitted altogether. The first separation stage may be a
`tapered chamber rather than the cylindrical one described. However, in each of these
`alternatives, dirt and dust will be separated from an airflow without the use of a filter
`bag and will collect in a collection area.
`
`The separator unit 20 is supported by the chassis 50 and is releasably held upon the
`chassis by a catch 280, shown more clearly in Figure 6A. The separator unit 20 is
`shown by itself in Figures 2 - 5. The separator unit 20 is releasable from the chassis to
`allow the separator to be emptied. A handle 202 is provided at the top of the separator
`unit 20 for allowing a user to carry the unit 20. The base 210 of the separator unit is
`movable between a closed position (shown in Figures 2, 3) and an open position (shown
`partially open in figure 4 and fully open in Figure 5) to permit emptying of the unit 20.
`The base 210 is hinged 214 to the cyclone chamber 205 to allow pivotal movement
`between the base 210 and chamber 205. Two separate collection areas lie adjacent to
`the base 210. The first collection area is the annular region between the cylindrical
`chamber wall 205 and the inner wall 206 at the lower end of the separator. The second
`collection area 270 is the area within the tube-like part 206. Thus, when base 210
`opens, material empties from both of the collection areas. The outer annular edge of the
`base 210 has a radially inwardly extending slot to hold a seal 212. In use, with the base
`closed, the seal 212 fits tightly against the inner wall of the chamber 205 to maintain an
`air and dust-tight seal. A second, collar shaped, seal 213 extends axially outwardly
`from the lower annular edge of part 206 such that it fits tightly against the axially
`extending wall of the raised central cap of the base 210. The base 210 is held in the
`closed position by a lock mechanism 260, 262. The locking mechanism is controlled by
`a manually operable trigger 220. A linking mechanism 222, 223, 224, 230 joins the
`trigger 220 to the lock mechanism. Trigger 220 is received in a vertically extending
`channel on the spine-facing side of the separator which confines the trigger to follow a
`vertical movement. A lug on the trigger cooperates with a lever arm 222. The lever is
`pivotably fixed to the housing such that the remote end of the lever arm pushes
`downwardly against the upper end 231 of push rod 230. The push rod 230 is resiliently
`biased by spring 223 in the position shown in Figure 3 and can be displaced
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`downwardly (to the position shown in Figure 4) against the action of the spring 223
`when the trigger is pulled. Spring 223 is held in a cavity of the housing and respective
`ends of the spring 223 act against the end wall of the cavity and the flange which is
`carried by the push rod 230 near end 231. The linking mechanism is shielded from dust
`by a gaiter 224, which is attached to the push rod 230 and the housing of the separator
`unit. The gaiter 224 stretches as the push rod moves downwardly, maintaining a dust(cid:173)
`tight shield for the mechanism behind the gaiter 224. Push rod 230 is centrally located,
`and passes directly through the tube-like dust collecting conduit 245. Thus, the release
`mechanism is hidden from view. The central position of the release mechanism also
`helps to maintain the balance of the separator unit 20, which reduces stress on a user's
`hand when they hold the separator unit 20 and operate the release mechanism.
`
`The lowermost end of the push rod has an inclined face which cooperates with a
`similarly inclined face on the catch 260 at the base. Catch 260 is pivotably mounted to
`the base and can be displaced, against the bias of spring 262, to the position shown in
`Figure 4. The catch has a hook 263 which engages with a corresponding hooked feature
`264 on the central part of the base 210 so as to hold the base 210 in the closed position.
`The lowermost surface of the catch 260 is curved such that when the base 210 is pushed
`towards the closed position the catch 260 is displaced, allowing the hook 264 on the
`base 210 to engage with the hook 263 on the catch 260.
`
`It will be appreciated that the trigger, linking mechanism and lock can be realised in
`many alternative ways. For example, the trigger 220 could be linked directly to the
`push rod 230, rather than being indirectly linked by the lever 222.
`
`The lower end of the push rod 230 also carries an agitator 250. The agitator 250 is fixed
`to the push rod and thus moves upwardly and downwardly with the push rod as the
`trigger 220 is operated. In use, a plug of dirt and dust may form at the lower end of the
`second collection area, next to base 210. The agitator 250 has radially outwardly
`extending fins. In use, movement of the agitator will either push the plug or break the
`plug into smaller parts which can then fall out of the collection area. The inner surfaces
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`of the collection tube are smooth and tapered to discourage dirt from settling. The
`agitator could be more elaborate than the one shown here. For example, the agitator
`could be arranged to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the push rod 230 as the push
`rod moves upwards or downwards. A second agitator could be provided in the first
`collection area, the second agitator also being linked to the push rod or release
`mechanism. The cutting effect of the agitator on a plug of material can be improved by
`forming sharp or pointed edges on the agitator.
`
`To ensure an air and dust-tight seal around the base, the seal 212 fits tightly against the
`chamber. This may cause the base to 'stick' in the closed position when the catch 260 is
`released. The push rod 230 has a sufficient length such that, when it is operated, it
`moves downwardly towards the catch 260, operates catch 260 and then continues to
`move towards the base 210, pushing against the base, overcoming the resistance of the
`seal 212 against the chamber wall 205 and thus pushing the base 210 open.
`
`In use, a user removes the separator unit 20 from the chassis by operating release
`member 280 and carries the separator unit 20, by way of handle 202, to a dust bin or
`refuse sack. The lower end of the separator unit is held over or within the dust bin or
`sack and the trigger 220 is pulled. This causes the base 210 to swing open and dirt, dust
`and debris which has been collected in the chamber 205 falls out of the unit 20 into the
`bin. Due to the distance between the handle and base, and the direction in which the
`dirt falls from the unit 20, a user is not brought into contact with the dirt. As the dirt
`collects against the part of the chamber which opens, i.e. base 210, the dirt falls out of
`the chamber 205 with little or no additional effort by a user. Fine dust collected within
`the second stage collector 270 can be fully cleared by the user operating trigger 220
`several times. This will operate agitator 250.
`
`Referring again to Figure 8, the region within tube-like part 206 forms a second stage
`collection area. For good cyclonic separation, it is important that the second stage
`collection area is sealed with respect to the first stage collection area which surrounds it.
`Collar-shaped seal 213 seals against the base 210 to achieve the seal between the first
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`and second stage collection areas. A particular problem with sealing against the base
`210 is that base is exposed to dirt and dust which can prevent a reliable seal from being
`achieved. Figures 9A - 9C show, in more detail, how the seal 213 fits against the base
`210 during use.
`
`Base 210 of the separator unit 20 has an inwardly tapering wall 201a and an upper wall
`210b. The collar shaped seal 213 has a diameter Ds which is narrower than the
`diameter D8 of the base 210 at the final position of the seal. Seal 213 is formed from a
`resilient material such as a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).
`
`Figure 9A - 9C show the base 210 being returned to a closed position against the
`chamber 205 after a user has emptied the chamber 205. In Figure 9A it can be seen that
`a layer of fine dust 300 covers the base 210. In Figure 9B the base 210 has been moved
`nearer to its final, closed, position. The lower end of seal 213 has stretched to
`accommodate wall 210a of the base 210. Due to the tight fit between the leading edge
`213a of the seal 213 and the wall 210a, the layer of dust on the outermost surface of the
`wall 210a is pushed downwardly by the leading edge 213a of the seal 213. Finally,
`Figure 9C shows the base 210 in a closed position. The seal 213 has moved further
`down the wall 210a of the base. A significant portion of the seal 213 now lies firmly
`against a portion of the wall 210a which has previously been cleaned by the leading
`edge of the seal 213a. Dust which has been displaced from the surface of the wall 210a
`accumulates 310 beneath the leading edge 213a of seal 213. Thus, a reliable seal is
`achieved between seal 213 and base 210 even in the presence of dirt and dust.
`
`Figure 6 shows the separator unit 20 in position on the chassis 50 of the cleaner 10. To
`ensure that the base 210 is not accidentally opened when the cleaner is in use, the
`chassis 50 has a projection 218 which fits inside a notch 217 on the trigger 220 when
`the separator unit 20 is fitted to the chassis 50. Thus, the trigger 220 is inhibited from
`operating.
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`12
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`Referring again to Figure 3, chamber 205 (including the base 210) is removable from
`the remainder of the separator unit 20. Tube-shaped part 206 together with the fins 207
`and shroud 235 all form part of the remainder of the separator unit 20 and thus are not
`removable with the chamber 205. A user may wish to remove chamber 205 in order to
`thoroughly clean the chamber 205, to gain access to the shroud 235 to remove any
`fibrous material or to remove any debris which has become trapped between the
`chamber 205 and the tube 206 or shroud 235. Chamber 205 is secured to the remainder
`of the separator unit 20 by a manually operable catch 295 and a further catch 296.
`Chamber 205 is removable in the direction shown by the arrow X. It is not possible to
`separate the chamber 205 from the remainder of the separator unit 20 until a user
`operates the release mechanism. Should a user attempt to separate the chamber 205
`before releasing the base, by pulling the chamber 205 in the direction X, this will only
`serve to increase the retaining force exerted by catch 260 on the base 210 since the catch
`exerts a retaining force in the opposite direction to which the chamber 205 separates
`from the unit 20. This maintains the base in the closed position until such time as a user
`operates the release mechanism.
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`5
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`10
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`Claims
`
`13
`
`5
`
`A separating apparatus for a bagless vacuum cleaner comprising an air inlet for
`1.
`receiving a dirt-laden airflow, an air outlet, a collecting chamber for collecting, in use,
`dirt and dust which has been separated from the airflow, the collecting chamber being
`separable from the remainder of the apparatus, and wherein part of the collecting
`chamber wall is a closure member which is movable between a closed position in which
`the closure member seals the collecting chamber and an open position in which dirt and
`dust can escape from the collecting chamber, the apparatus further comprising releasing
`10 means for releasing the closure member from the closed position, the releasing means
`comprising a manually operable actuating member which is located on a part of the
`apparatus which is remote from the collecting chamber, and wherein the apparatus is
`arranged such that the collecting chamber is not separable from the remainder of the
`apparatus until the closure member is in the open position.
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
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`30
`
`A separating apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the releasing means forms
`2.
`part of the remainder of the apparatus and wherein the direction in which the collecting
`chamber is separable from the apparatus is opposite to the direction of the retaining
`force exerted by the releasing means on the closure member.
`
`A separating apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the releasing means
`3.
`comprises a catch which engages with a hook on the closure member.
`
`A separating apparatus according to claim 2 or 3 wherein the remainder of the
`4.
`apparatus comprises an insert for fitting inside the collecting chamber and wherein the
`releasing means is located within the insert.
`
`A separating apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the insert is a conduit
`5.
`which defines a second collection area.
`
`Dyson Ex1006
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`6.
`
`A separating apparatus according to claim 5 further comprising a second
`separator stage which lies upstream of the second collection area and wherein the
`second collection area is in communication with a dust outlet of the second separator
`stage.
`
`5
`
`10
`
`7.
`
`A separating apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the second separator stage
`comprises a plurality of cyclonic separators which are arranged in parallel with one
`another.
`
`8.
`
`A separating apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims further
`comprising a handle for carrying the apparatus and wherein the actuating member is
`located adjacent the handle.
`
`9.
`
`A separating apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the actuating member is a
`trigger mechanism which is located beneath the handle.
`
`15
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`20
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`25
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`10.
`
`A separating apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the
`releasing means is operable to apply an opening force to the centre of the closure
`member.
`
`1 1.
`
`A separating apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the releasing means
`comprises a lock for locking the closure member in the closed position and wherein the
`releasing means also comprises a push rod which is movable to firstly unlock the
`closure member and secondly to exert the opening force on the closure member.
`
`12.
`
`A separating apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the
`closure member carries a seal for sealing against the part of the collecting chamber in
`which it is fitted.
`
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`15
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`A separating apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims further
`13.
`comprising agitating means for agitating dirt held within the collecting chamber, the
`agita