Europäisches Patentamt
`
`European Patent Office
`
`Office européen des brevets
`
`(cid:6)(cid:27)&(cid:11)(cid:11)(cid:12)(cid:17)(cid:16) (cid:15)(cid:16)(cid:18)(cid:23)(cid:12)(cid:6)
`EP 1 652 457 A1
`
`(11)
`
`(19)
`
`(12)
`
`(43) Date of publication:
`03.05.2006 Bulletin 2006/18
`
`EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION
`(51) Int Cl.:(cid:3)
`A47L9/00(2006.01)
`
`A47L5/36(2006.01)
`
`(21) Application number: 05252500.3
`
`(22) Date of filing: 21.04.2005
`
`(84) Designated Contracting States:
`AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR
`HU IE IS IT LI LT LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR
`Designated Extension States:
`AL BA HR LV MK YU
`
`(30) Priority: 29.10.2004 KR 2004087095
`(71) Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.(cid:3)
`Seoul (KR)(cid:3)
`
`(54) Main body structure of vacuum cleaner
`
`(57)
`Provided is a main body structure of a vacuum
`cleaner. The main body (100) structure includes a motor
`chamber (130), a lower case (140), an intermediate unit
`(150), a dust collecting structure, and a dust collecting
`unit cover (170). The motor chamber (130) receives a
`motor (131) and generates a suction force. The lower
`case (140) receives the motor chamber (130) and part
`of an upper side of which is open so that an air discharged
`from the motor chamber (130) may be discharged up-
`ward. The intermediate (150) unit is placed on an upper
`
`(72) Inventors:
`• Lee, Yun Seok
`Changwon-(cid:3)si, Kyungsangnam-(cid:3)do (KR)(cid:3)
`• Gun Ho Ha
`Haewoondae-(cid:3)gu, Busan-(cid:3)si,(cid:3)
`Kyungsangnam-(cid:3)do (KR)(cid:3)
`
`(74) Representative: Palmer, Jonathan R. et al
`Boult Wade Tennant,
`Verulam Gardens,
`70 Gray’s Inn Road
`London WC1X 8BT (GB)(cid:3)
`
`portion of the lower case (140) and has at least a dust
`collecting unit (152). The dust collecting structure is
`placed in an inside of the dust collecting unit (152) so as
`to filter foreign particles included in an air sucked from
`the dust collecting unit (152). The dust collecting unit cov-
`er (170) is formed on an upper portion of the intermediate
`unit (150) so that an inner space of the dust collecting
`unit (152) may be selectively open.
`
`Printed by Jouve, 75001 PARIS (FR)
`
`EP1 652 457A1
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`EP 1 652 457 A1
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`Description
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Field of the Invention
`(cid:3)[0001] The present invention relates to vacuum clean-
`ers, and more particularly, to a main body of a vacuum
`cleaner in which convenience in use is improved.
`
`Description of the Related Art
`(cid:3)[0002] A vacuum cleaner is an electric product capable
`of collecting dusts or foreign particles using a dust bag
`installed in an inside of a main body of the vacuum clean-
`er, by sucking dusts or foreign particles on a polluted
`floor or a corner using strong suction force from a rotating
`motor. Vacuum cleaners are generally classified into can-
`ister vacuum cleaners and upright vacuum cleaners. Par-
`ticularly, the canister vacuum cleaner includes a vacuum
`cleaner main body separately formed, and a nozzle unit
`and a knob unit which are integrally formed. If a user
`grips a knob unit to push and pull it, the vacuum cleaner
`main body remains fixed and just the nozzle unit and the
`knob unit are moved. Under such a state, an outer air is
`sucked through the nozzle unit together with foreign par-
`ticles on the floor, the sucked air is flowed into the vacuum
`cleaner main body, and the foreign particles included in
`the sucked air are filtered, so that a cleaning work is per-
`formed. A general configuration of such a canister vac-
`uum cleaner is already well known in many documents,
`thus detail description thereof is omitted.
`(cid:3)[0003]
`In the meantime, the vacuum cleaner main body
`includes a suction fan for sucking an outer air, a motor
`for providing rotational force with which the suction fan
`is rotated, and a dust collecting assembly for filtering for-
`eign particles included in the sucked air.
`(cid:3)[0004] Operation of the vacuum cleaner will be briefly
`described in the following. If the motor rotates in an inside
`of the vacuum cleaner main body, rotational force of the
`motor is delivered to the suction fan, by which a negative
`pressure is generated. The negative pressure works in
`cooperation with the nozzle unit so that an outer air is
`sucked through the nozzle unit and foreign particles in-
`cluded in the sucked outer air is filtered by the dust col-
`lecting assembly and then the sucked air is flowed into
`the suction fan and the motor. After passing through the
`motor, the sucked air is discharged to the outside.
`(cid:3)[0005]
`In the meantime, the general canister vacuum
`cleaner includes, as separate parts, a lower cover on
`which the motor, the suction fan, and the dust collecting
`assembly are seated, and an upper cover for covering
`the lower cover. The upper cover has a dust bag as the
`dust collecting assembly in its inside so that foreign par-
`ticles included in a sucked air may be filtered while the
`air is passing through the dust bag, whereby a cleaning
`work is performed. The dust bag is received within a dust
`collecting room, space or cavity formed by subsiding in
`
`a predetermined position of the lower cover.
`(cid:3)[0006] However, in the related art vacuum cleaner as
`described above, the lower cover is deformed by an ex-
`cessive negative pressure applied to the dust collecting
`space, thus an appearance of the vacuum cleaner is not
`very good. Furthermore, in case the lower cover is de-
`formed, fitting and contact states between parts are de-
`teriorated and an outer air is sucked, so that malfunction
`may be generated. Therefore, a predetermined reinforc-
`ing structure capable of reinforcing the dust collecting
`room or space is highly required.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`(cid:3)[0007] Accordingly, the present invention is directed
`to a main body structure of a vacuum cleaner, that ad-
`dresses one or more problems due to limitations and dis-
`advantages of the related art.
`(cid:3)[0008]
`It would be desirable to provide a main body
`structure of a vacuum cleaner, capable of preventing de-
`formation of parts generated during operation of the vac-
`uum cleaner, by additionally mounting a separate part
`formed in a dust collecting space.
`(cid:3)[0009]
`It would also be desirable to provide a main
`body structure of a vacuum cleaner whose handling can
`be performed conveniently by preventing tearing of a dust
`bag, which may be generated during operation of the
`vacuum cleaner.
`(cid:3)[0010]
`It would also be desirable to provide a main
`body structure of a vacuum cleaner whose appearance
`can be elegantly realized.
`(cid:3)[0011] Additional advantages, objects, and features of
`the invention will be set forth in part in the description
`which follows and in part will become apparent to those
`having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the
`following or may be learned from practice of the invention.
`The objectives and other advantages of the invention
`may be realized and attained by the structure particularly
`pointed out in the written description and claims hereof
`as well as the appended drawings.
`(cid:3)[0012] To achieve these objects and other advantages
`and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as
`embodied and broadly described herein, a main body
`structure of a vacuum cleaner includes: a motor chamber
`for receiving at least a motor to generate a suction force;
`a lower case in which the motor chamber is received and
`part of an upper portion of which is open so that an air
`discharged from the motor chamber may be discharged
`upward; an intermediate unit positioned on an upper side
`of the lower case and in which at least a dust collecting
`unit is formed; a dust collecting structure placed in an
`inside of the dust collecting unit, for filtering foreign par-
`ticles included in the air flowed into the dust collecting
`unit; and a dust collecting unit cover formed on an upper
`portion of the intermediate unit so that an inner space of
`the dust collecting unit may be selectively open.
`(cid:3)[0013] According to the present invention, deformation
`of a vacuum cleaner cover which may be generated dur-
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`EP 1 652 457 A1
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`ing operation of the vacuum cleaner can be prevented
`and the appearance of the vacuum cleaner can be im-
`proved.
`(cid:3)[0014] Furthermore, handling of the vacuum cleaner
`can be performed in a more easy and convenient manner.
`(cid:3)[0015]
`It is to be understood that both the foregoing
`general description and the following detailed description
`of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory
`and are intended to provide further explanation of the
`invention as claimed.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`(cid:3)[0016] The accompanying drawings, which are includ-
`ed to provide a further understanding of the invention and
`are incorporated in and constitute a part of this applica-
`tion, illustrate embodiment(cid:3)(s) of the invention and togeth-
`er with the description serve to explain the principle of
`the invention. In the drawings:(cid:3)
`
`Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a construction
`of a vacuum cleaner according to the present inven-
`tion;
`Fig. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of a vacuum
`cleaner main body according to the present inven-
`tion;
`Fig. 3 is a cross-(cid:3)sectional view taken along line I-(cid:3)I’
`of Fig. 1; and
`Fig. 4 is a cross-(cid:3)sectional view taken along line II-(cid:3)II’
`of Fig. 2.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`(cid:3)[0017] Reference will now be made in detail to the pre-
`ferred embodiments of the present invention, examples
`of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
`(cid:3)[0018] Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a con-
`struction of a vacuum cleaner according to the present
`invention.
`(cid:3)[0019] Referring to Fig. 1, the vacuum cleaner includes
`a main body 100 for generating a suction force, a con-
`nection hose 200 connected so as to communicate with
`an inside of the main body 100 and made of flexible ma-
`terial, an extension tube 300 connected with the connec-
`tion hose 200 in a length-(cid:3)adjustable manner, and a suc-
`tion nozzle 400 joined to an end of the extension tube
`300, for sucking foreign particles on a floor.
`(cid:3)[0020] More specifically, a pair of wheels 110 are in-
`stalled on a rear side of the main body 100 so as to pos-
`sibly rotate while contacting the floor, which enables a
`user to move the main body 100 to a desired direction.
`(cid:3)[0021] Operation of the vacuum cleaner will be briefly
`described. To move the cleaner to other place while in
`use, a user grips a hose knob 210 formed in the connec-
`tion hose 200 to move to a desired direction. However,
`in case the place to move is a stairway or a threshold,
`not a plane floor, a user grips a main body knob 120
`protruded in a predetermined height from an upper por-
`
`tion of the main body 100 to lift up and move the vacuum
`cleaner.
`(cid:3)[0022] Fig. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of a vac-
`uum cleaner main body according to the present inven-
`tion, and Fig. 3 is a cross-(cid:3)sectional view taken along line
`I-(cid:3)I’ of Fig. 1, in which a longitudinal, cross-(cid:3)sectional view
`of the vacuum cleaner main body is illustrated.
`(cid:3)[0023] Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, the main body 100
`has, in its lower portion: a motor chamber in an inside of
`which a motor for generating a suction force is received;
`a lower case 140 for receiving the motor chamber in its
`inside and forming a lower appearance of the main body
`100; an intermediate unit 150 formed on an upper side
`of the lower case 140 and in which a dust collecting unit
`152 is formed; and a dust collecting unit cover 170 for
`making the dust collecting unit 152 opened/(cid:3)closed on an
`upper side of the intermediate unit 150.
`(cid:3)[0024] More specifically, a discharging unit 134 con-
`figured in an about net-(cid:3)shape to have a predetermined
`air permeability so that an air flowed into the motor cham-
`ber 130 may be discharged to the outside of the main
`body 100, is formed on an upper portion of the motor
`chamber 130. The discharging unit 134 is open in an
`upward direction from the main body 100 so that an air
`flowed into an inside of the motor chamber 130 may be
`discharged to an upward direction of the main body 100.
`In addition, an inlet 132 for allowing an air to flow into an
`inside of the motor chamber 130 is protruded on a front
`portion of the motor chamber 130. The inlet 132 gets
`close to a separation wall 142 which will be described
`below, so that the air flowing into the inside of the motor
`chamber 130 may not leak out. The separation wall 142
`protruded vertically upward in a predetermined thickness
`is provided to an approximately central portion of the low-
`er case 140. The separation wall 142 partitions an inner
`space of the lower case 140 into left and right areas, so
`that the motor chamber 130 may be possibly mounted
`on the right side of the separation wall 142.
`(cid:3)[0025] More specifically, the intermediate unit 150
`which shields a front portion of the motor chamber 130
`and in which the discharging unit 134 is inserted is pro-
`vided to an upper side of the lower case 140. The dust
`collecting unit 152 formed by subsiding downward in a
`predetermined depth so that the dust bag 151 for filtering
`dusts can be stored is provided to a front portion of the
`intermediate unit 150. In addition, a bottom side of the
`dust collecting unit 152 has a shape that corresponds to
`a front bottom side of the lower case 140 so that a vibra-
`tion noise generated due to collisions between the inter-
`mediate unit 150 and the lower case 140 during operation
`of the vacuum cleaner may be reduced. For that purpose,
`a predetermined buffering member may be further pro-
`vided to a gap where the intermediate unit 150 and the
`lower case 140 contact each other so as to absorb the
`vibration in a reliable manner. Of course, other type dust
`collecting structure such as a cyclone dust collecting unit
`may be mounted instead of the dust bag 151.
`(cid:3)[0026]
`In addition, a discharging unit through hole 154
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`punched in a size that corresponds to the size of the
`discharging unit 134 is provided to a rear portion of the
`dust collecting unit 152. The discharging unit through
`hole 154 is a portion into which the discharging unit 134
`is inserted. After inserted, the discharging unit 134 is ex-
`posed to the outside of the main body 100. As described
`above, an air can be discharged through the discharging
`unit 134.
`(cid:3)[0027]
`In addition, a partition plate 156 constituting one
`side of the dust collecting unit 152 is formed on an ap-
`proximately central portion of the intermediate unit 150.
`The partition plate 156 is formed in a plate shape includ-
`ing a plurality of air permeable holes so that an air purified
`by the dust bag 151 of the dust collecting unit 152 may
`flow into the motor chamber 130 through the air perme-
`able holes. The dust bag 151 operates in such a way that
`an outer air flows into an inside of the dust bag 151 and
`foreign particles included in the flowed outer air is filtered
`by an external film of the dust bag 151 and then the air
`is discharged to the outside.
`(cid:3)[0028]
`In the meantime, if the intermediate unit 150 is
`combined with the lower case 140, the dust collecting
`unit 152 covers and shields a front portion of the lower
`case 140, so that the dust collecting unit 152 is complet-
`ed, and the discharging unit through hole 154 receives
`the discharging unit 134, whereby the discharging unit
`134 is exposed to the outside of the main body 100.
`(cid:3)[0029] More specifically, a dust bag fixing unit 160 is
`provided to an upper portion of the intermediate unit 150.
`The dust bag fixing unit 160, which has a shape that
`corresponds to an opening of the dust collecting unit 150,
`shields an upper side of the dust collecting unit 152 with
`its one side fastened to the dust bag 151 for filtering dusts,
`thereby preventing dusts from leaking out to the outside
`of the dust collecting unit 152.
`(cid:3)[0030] More specifically, the dust collecting unit cover
`170 is provided to an upper portion of the dust bag fixing
`unit 160. The dust collecting unit cover 170 allows the
`upper side of the dust collecting unit 152 to be selectively
`opened so that the dust collecting unit 152 may be easily
`opened when the dust bag 151 is replaced. In addition,
`hinges 172 acting as a rotational shaft of the dust col-
`lecting cover 170 are protruded on both ends on an upper
`portion of the dust collecting cover 170. The hinges 172
`are inserted and fixed to both ends of the knob 120 of
`the main body, thereby allowing the dust collecting unit
`cover 170 to rotate around the hinges 172.
`(cid:3)[0031] Further, a connection hole 174 punched in a
`shape that corresponds to a shape of an end of the ex-
`tension tube 300 is provided to an upper surface of the
`dust collecting unit cover 170. The connection hole 174
`is connected with the extension tube 300, whereby an
`air including foreign particles and sucked from the suction
`nozzle 400 goes through the extension tube 300 and the
`connection hose 200 and finally flows into the dust bag
`151 of the dust collecting unit 152.
`(cid:3)[0032] Air flowing during operation of the vacuum
`cleaner main body having the above-(cid:3)described configu-
`
`ration will be sequentially described in the following.
`(cid:3)[0033] First, if a power is applied to the main body 100,
`a suction force is generated by a motor 131 mounted in
`an inside of the main body 100. The suction force gen-
`erated by the motor 131 is delivered to the suction nozzle
`400 to inhale foreign particles included in an air on a floor.
`The air including the foreign particles flowed into the suc-
`tion nozzle 400 goes through the extension tube 300, the
`connection hose 200, and the connection hole 174 and
`finally flows into an inside of the dust bag 151. The foreign
`particles flowed into the inside of the dust bag 151 are
`purified by the dust bag 151 and the purified air goes
`through an outside of the dust bag 151, i.e., the dust
`collecting unit 152 and the partition plate 156 and flows
`into the motor chamber 130 provided to the rear portion
`of the cleaner main body 100. After that, the air flowed
`into the motor chamber 130 goes through an inside of
`the motor 131 and is discharged to an outside of the main
`body 100 through the discharging unit 134 formed in a
`punching manner on an upper portion of the motor cham-
`ber 130, whereby a cleaning work is performed.
`(cid:3)[0034]
`In addition, if lots of foreign particles are accu-
`mulated in an inside of the dust bag 151 as a result of
`cleaning works for a long time, suction force is deterio-
`rated and the dust bag 151 should be replaced. To re-
`place the dust bag 151, the dust collecting unit cover 170
`is rotated upward around the hinges 172 so that the dust
`collecting unit 152 is open.(cid:3)
`After that, the dust bag fixing unit 160 is detached from
`the main body 100, so that the dust bag 151 fixedly
`mounted on a back side of the dust bag fixing unit 160
`can be replaced.
`(cid:3)[0035]
`In the meantime, when the vacuum cleaner op-
`erates, a strong negative pressure is generated in an
`inside of the dust collecting unit 152 as described above.
`Injected parts of the intermediate unit 150 constituting
`the dust collecting unit 152 may be deformed by such a
`negative pressure. For prevention of such deformation,
`the intermediate unit 150 is formed in a double structure.
`Construction of the intermediate unit 150 will be de-
`scribed in detail in the following.
`(cid:3)[0036] Fig. 4 is a cross-(cid:3)sectional view taken along line
`II-(cid:3)II’ of Fig. 2.
`(cid:3)[0037] Referring to Fig. 4, an intermediate unit’s outline
`constituting the dust collecting unit 152 includes an inner
`case 155 to which a negative pressure from the inside
`of the dust collecting unit 152 is directly applied, and a
`skirt 153 extended downward from an upper end of the
`inner case 155. The skirt 153 is a part touched to an outer
`periphery of the lower case 140 and thus observed by a
`user’s natural eye.
`(cid:3)[0038] As described above, the inner case 155 is a
`part to which a negative pressure generated from the
`motor chamber 130 is directly applied. Thus, the inner
`case 155 further includes a separate structure so that
`the inner case 155 may not be deformed even by the
`above-(cid:3)described negative pressure. More specifically,
`the inner case 155 further includes a vertical rib 158
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`pended claims.
`
`Claims
`
`5
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`1. A vacuum cleaner including a suction nozzle for
`sucking an outer air, a connection hose whose one
`end is connected with the suction nozzle, for guiding
`the air sucked from the suction nozzle, a main body
`whose one end is connected with the connection
`hose, for filtering foreign particles included in the
`sucked air, the main body comprising:(cid:3)
`
`a motor chamber for receiving at least a motor
`to generate a suction force;
`a lower case in which the motor chamber is re-
`ceived and part of an upper portion of which is
`open such that an air discharged from the motor
`chamber is discharged upward;
`an intermediate unit positioned on an upper por-
`tion of the lower case and in which at least a
`dust collecting unit is formed;
`a dust collecting structure placed in an inside of
`the dust collecting unit, for filtering foreign par-
`ticles included in the air flowed into the dust col-
`lecting unit; and
`a dust collecting unit cover formed on an upper
`side of the intermediate unit such that an inner
`space of the dust collecting unit is selectively
`open.
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`EP 1 652 457 A1
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`formed long in an up/(cid:3)down direction of the dust collecting
`unit 152 and a horizontal rib 157 formed in a left/(cid:3)right
`direction of the dust collecting unit 152. Here, the vertical
`rib 158 is a part formed by being bent in a relatively wide
`area of the intermediate unit 150 when injection process
`is performed and forms the same thickness as the whole
`thickness of the intermediate unit 150.
`(cid:3)[0039]
`In addition, the horizontal rib 157 is a part
`formed thick on a relatively narrow area of the interme-
`diate unit 150 unlike the thickness of the intermediate
`unit 150 itself. Thus, even in case the dust bag 151 is
`touched to the horizontal rib 157 when the dust bag 151
`is detached/(cid:3)attached, there is low possibility that the dust
`bag 151 is torn.
`(cid:3)[0040] Since the vertical rib 158 is formed large as de-
`scribed above, the case of the intermediate unit 150 can
`be maintained without deformation against the strong
`negative pressure. The vertical rib 158 formed large is
`bent in the same thickness as the intermediate unit 150
`itself, thus the injection process can be performed con-
`veniently and shrinkage generated upon cooling after the
`injection process is performed can be reduced.
`(cid:3)[0041] Thanks to the vertical and the horizontal ribs
`158 and 157, strength of the dust collecting unit 152 can
`be reirforced and the intermediate unit 150 may not be
`bent or broken even by the negative pressure from the
`inside of the dust collecting unit 152.
`(cid:3)[0042] The part observed by a user’s natural eye is the
`skirt 153 and the inner case 155 is a part not observed
`by a user’s natural eye. Thus, a user comes to see just
`the skirt 153 whose appearance is clean and elegant, so
`that a user’s purchasing desire is promoted. Further,
`since the part possibly observed by a user’s natural eye
`is just the skirt 153, the inner case 155 does not highly
`require great elaborateness in its injection process, thus
`convenience in the manufacturing process is enhanced.
`(cid:3)[0043] According to the present invention, deforma-
`tions of the parts, which may be generated during oper-
`ation of the vacuum cleaner, can be prevented and the
`appearance of the vacuum cleaner becomes elegant.
`Further, convenience in the manufacturing process of
`the vacuum cleaner is enhanced.
`(cid:3)[0044]
`In addition, since tearing of the dust bag which
`might be generated during operation of the vacuum
`cleaner can be prevented, handling of the vacuum clean-
`er by a user is convenient.
`(cid:3)[0045] Further, the vacuum cleaner main body in which
`the appearance of the vacuum cleaner can be elegantly
`realized is provided.
`(cid:3)[0046] Still further, since the discharging unit is provid-
`ed to the upper portion of the vacuum cleaner, flying of
`goods or scattering of dusts in the neighborhood of the
`vacuum cleaner is prevented.
`(cid:3)[0047]
`It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that
`various modifications and variations can be made in the
`present invention. Thus, it is intended that the present
`invention covers the modifications and variations of this
`invention provided they come within the scope of the ap-
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`2. The main body according to claim 1, wherein the
`intermediate unit has an opening formed at a portion
`aligned vertically with the motor chamber.
`
`3. The main body according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
`the motor chamber has a discharging unit formed at
`an upper portion thereof, for guiding an air dis-
`charged from the motor chamber upward.
`
`4. The main body according to any of the preceding
`claims, wherein the intermediate unit comprises:(cid:3)
`
`an inner case constituting the dust collecting
`unit; and
`a skirt extended downward from an upper end
`of the inner case.
`
`5. The main body according to any of the preceding
`claims, wherein the dust collecting unit cover per-
`forms a hinge motion with respect to the intermediate
`unit.
`
`6. The main body according to any of the preceding
`claims, wherein the lower case is partitioned with a
`predetermined inlet opened at front and rear portions
`of the lower case.
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`7. The main body according to any of the preceding
`claims, further comprising a plurality of ribs formed
`on an inner wall of the dust collecting unit and ex-
`tended horizontally and/or vertically.
`
`8. The main body according to any of the preceding
`claims, further comprising a rib formed on an inner
`wall of the dust collecting unit and bent in a similar
`thickness to a thickness of the lower case.
`
`9. The main body according to any of the preceding
`claims, further comprising a rib having a larger thick-
`ness than a thickness of the lower case such that
`the dust collecting unit is prevented from being de-
`formed.
`
`10. The main body according to any of the preceding
`claims, further comprising a knob formed on an up-
`per portion of the intermediate unit.
`
`11. The main body according to any of the preceding
`claims, wherein the dust collecting structure is a dust
`bag and a dust bag fixing unit for fixing the dust bag
`to an upper portion of the dust collecting unit is pro-
`vided.
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`6
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`EP 1 652 457 Al
`EP 1 652 457 A1
`
`FIG.1
`
`7
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`EP 1 652 457 Al
`EP 1 652 457 A1
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`FIG.2
`
`8
`
`c°”>Q
`
`Tome)NoSDx©wo
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`EP 1 652 457 Al
`EP 1 652 457 A1
`
`FIG.3
`
`156
`
`151
`
` c)4a
`£
`
`
`AY
`
`
`
`
`
`72 4SS
`
`
`
`
`
`RALSERVITSTT AASdLe+¢¥
` 150 VERTISESESESS¥
`
`
`4
`
`174
`
`FIG.4
`
`
`
`155
`
`9
`9
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`EP 1 652 457 Al
`EP 1 652 457 A1
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`European Patent
`Office
`
`EUROPEAN SEARCH REPORT
`
`Application Number
`
`EP 05 25 2500
`
`DOCUMENTS CONSIDEREDTO BE RELEVANT
`
`Citation of documentwith indication, where appropriate,
`of relevant passages
`
`EP @ 378 191 A (MOULINEX)
`18 July 1990 (1990-07-18)
`* column 1,
`line 50 - column 2,
`* column 2,
`line 48 - column 3,
`* column 3,
`line 42 - line 47 *
`* figure *
`
`line 22 *
`line 30 *
`
`WO 02/051296 A (ARCELIK A.S.)
`>
`July 2002 (2002-07-04)
`line 9 *
`* page 5,
`line 27 - page 6,
`* page 9,
`line 15 - line 19 *
`* figure 3 *
`
`US 4 527 302 A (THE HOOVER COMPANY)
`9 July 1985 (1985-07-09)
`
`to claim
`
`APPLICATION (IPC)
`
`1,2,11
`
`A47L9/00
`A47L5/36
`
`1.2,11
`
`TECHNICALFIELDS
`SEARCHED
`(IPC)
`
`A47L
`
`
`
`
`
`9»)
`
`Category
`
`
`
`
`
`
`The present search report has been drawnupfor all claims
`Place of search
`Examiner
`Date of completion of the search
`
`The Hague
`CATEGORY OF CITED DOCUMENTS
`
`X : particularly relevantif taken alone
`Y : particularly relevantif combined with another
`documentof the same category
`A: technological background
`QO: non-written disclosure
`P : intermediate document
`
`15 February 2006
`Bourseau, A-M
`T : theory or principle underlying the invention
`E : earlier patent document, but published on,or
`after the filing date
`D : documentcited in the application
`L: documentcited for other reasons
`
`&: memberofthe samepatentfamily, corresponding
`document
`
`10
`10
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`aE
`
`POFORM150303.82(F04C01)
`
`
`
`
`
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`EP 1 652 457 Al
`EP 1 652 457 A1
`
`ANNEX TO THE EUROPEAN SEARCH REPORT
`ON EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION NO.
`
`EP 05 25 2500
`
`This annexlists the patent family members relating to the patent documents citedin the above-mentioned European search report.
`The members are as contained in the European Patent Office EDP file on
`The European PatentOffice is in no wayliable for these particulars which are merely given for the purposeof information.
`15-02-2006
`
`
`Patent document
`Publication
`Patent family
`Publication
`cited in search report
`date
`member(s)
`date
`
`
`EP 0378191
`
`A
`
`18-07-1990
`
`DE
`DE
`ES
`FR
`
`69014212 D1
`69014212 T2
`2065413 T3
`2641460 Al
`
`05-01-1995
`13-04-1995
`16-02-1995
`13-07-1990
`
`
`
`For more details about this annex : see Official Journal of the European Patent Office, No. 12/82
`
`"
`11
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`EPOFORMP0459
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`