Surface cleaning apparatus

Abstract
A portable surface cleaning apparatus has a main body and air treatment member assembly is removably mounted to the main body. The air treatment member assembly air outlet and/or the suction motor inlet end is provided at the lower end of the air treatment member assembly when the surface cleaning apparatus is located on a floor and a pre-motor filter underlies the air treatment member assembly and/or the suction motor.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION

The disclosure relates to surface cleaning apparatuses, such as vacuum cleaners.


INTRODUCTION

Various constructions for surface cleaning apparatuses, such as vacuum cleaners, are known. Currently, many surface cleaning apparatuses are constructed using at least one cyclonic cleaning stage. Air is drawn into the vacuum cleaners through a dirty air inlet and conveyed to a cyclone inlet. The rotation of the air in the cyclone results in some of the particulate matter in the airflow stream being disentrained from the airflow stream. This material is then collected in a dirt bin collection chamber, which may be at the bottom of the cyclone or in a direct collection chamber exterior to the cyclone chamber (see for example WO2009/026709 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,078,761). One or more additional cyclonic cleaning stages and/or filters may be positioned downstream from the cyclone.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following summary is provided to introduce the reader to the more detailed discussion to follow. The summary is not intended to limit or define the claims.


According to one broad aspect, a surface cleaning apparatus has a main body with a removable air treatment member, which preferably comprises a cyclone bin assembly, comprising a cyclone chamber and a dirt collection chamber. The surface cleaning apparatus also has a suction hose connector to which a flexible suction hose may be connected, and optionally releasably connected. The downstream side of the suction hose connector is in fluid communication with the cyclone chamber.


Preferably, the suction hose connector is fixedly connected to the main body, so that the suction hose connector remains connected to the body when the cyclone bin assembly is removed. An advantage of this configuration may be that it allows the cyclone bin assembly to be separated from the suction hose connector, and the associated suction hose, when the cyclone bin assembly is detached from the body. This may allow a user to manipulate the cyclone bin assembly without also having to handle the flexible suction hose.


Preferably, at least a portion of the suction hose connector is nested within the cyclone bin assembly. For example, the downstream end of the suction hose connector can be nested within the dirt collection chamber. An advantage of this configuration may be that the overall size of the surface cleaning apparatus may be reduced. Further, the suction hose connecter may be protected or partially protected from impact.


Preferably, the downstream side of the suction hose connector is connectable to a tangential air inlet of the cyclone chamber. More preferably, the tangential air inlet is automatically connected to the suction hose connector when the cyclone bin assembly is placed on the main body.


In accordance with this broad aspect, a surface cleaning apparatus comprises an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet. The surface cleaning apparatus may also comprise a main body comprising a suction motor provided in the air flow path. A cyclone bin assembly may be provided in the air flow path and may be removably mounted to the main body. The cyclone bin assembly may comprise a cyclone chamber. A hose connector may be provided on the main body. The hose connector may comprise a portion of the air flow path from the dirty air inlet to the cyclone bin assembly.


The hose connector may be nested in the cyclone bin assembly when the cyclone bin assembly is mounted to the main body.


The hose connector may be in line with a tangential inlet of the cyclone chamber.


The cyclone bin assembly may comprise a dirt collection chamber and the hose connector may be nested in the dirt collection chamber.


The main body may comprise a platform on which the cyclone bin assembly is removably mounted. The hose connector may be provided on the platform.


The hose connector may be fixedly provided on the platform.


The cyclone bin assembly may have a recess for removably receiving the hose connector.


The recess may be provided in a lower surface of the cyclone bin assembly.


The hose connector may be slidably receivable in the recess.


The cyclone bin assembly is mountable on the main body upon movement in a particular direction. The hose connector may have a flange at an air outlet end of the hose connector and the flange may be sealingly mateable with a wall extending in the particular direction.


The surface cleaning apparatus may comprise a flexible suction hose extending between a cleaning head or cleaning tool and the hose connector.


The surface cleaning apparatus may be a portable surface cleaning apparatus.


The cyclone bin assembly further may comprise a handle for the surface cleaning apparatus.


In accordance with this broad aspect, a surface cleaning apparatus may alternately comprise an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet. The surface cleaning apparatus may also comprise a main body comprising a suction motor provided in the air flow path. A cyclone bin assembly may be provided in the air flow path and may be removably mounted to the main body. The cyclone bin assembly may comprise a cyclone chamber. The hose connector may comprise a portion of the air flow path from the dirty air inlet to the cyclone bin assembly wherein the hose connector is nested in the cyclone bin assembly.


The hose connector may be in line with a tangential inlet of the cyclone chamber.


The main body may comprise a platform on which the cyclone bin assembly is removably mounted.


The cyclone bin assembly may have a recess provided in a lower surface of the cyclone bin assembly in which the hose connector is mounted.


The surface cleaning apparatus may be a portable surface cleaning apparatus and, preferably, the cyclone bin assembly further comprises a handle for the surface cleaning apparatus.





DRAWINGS

Reference is made in the detailed description to the accompanying drawings, in which:



FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a surface cleaning apparatus;



FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. 1, with a suction hose removed;



FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a base portion of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG. 2;



FIG. 4 is a side view of the side of the surface cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. 2, with a cord retainer in a cord removal position;



FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG. 2, with a cord retainer in a cord retaining position;



FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG. 2;



FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG. 2, with a cyclone bin assembly separated from the body;



FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG. 7;



FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1, with the cyclone bin assembly removed;



FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the cyclone bin assembly;



FIG. 11 is top perspective view of the cyclone bin assembly of FIG. 10, with the lid in an open position;



FIG. 12 is a lower perspective view of the cyclone bin assembly of FIG. 10, with the dirt collection chamber end wall in an open position; and,



FIG. 13 is a section view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG. 2, taken along line 13-13.





DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus 100 is shown. In the embodiment illustrated, the surface cleaning apparatus 100 is a hand operable surface cleaning apparatus. In alternate embodiments, the surface cleaning apparatus may be another suitable type of surface cleaning apparatus, including, for example, an upright vacuum cleaner, a canister vacuum cleaner, a stick vac, a wet-dry vacuum cleaner and a carpet extractor. Power can be supplied to the surface cleaning apparatus 100 by an electrical cord (not shown) that can be connected to a standard wall electrical outlet. Alternatively, or in addition, the power source for the surface cleaning apparatus can be an onboard power source, including, for example, one or more batteries.


General Overview


Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the surface cleaning apparatus 100 has a dirty air inlet 102, a clean air outlet 104 (see for example FIGS. 4 and 13) and an airflow passage extending therebetween. In the embodiment shown, the dirty air inlet 102 is the air inlet 106 of a suction hose connector 108 that can be connected to the downstream end 109a of a flexible suction hose 109 or other type of cleaning accessory tool, including, for example, a wand and a nozzle. From the dirty air inlet 102, the airflow passage extends through an air treatment member that can treat the air in a desired manner, including for example removing dirt particles and debris from the air. In the illustrated example, the air treatment member comprises a cyclone bin assembly 110. The cyclone bin assembly 110 is mounted on a main body 112. Alternatively, the air treatment member can comprise a bag, a filter or other air treating means. A suction motor 114 (FIG. 13) is mounted within the body 112 and is in fluid communication with the cyclone bin assembly 110.


Referring to FIG. 13, the clean air outlet 104, which is in fluid communication with an outlet 116 of the suction motor 114, is provided in the body 112. In the illustrated example, the dirty air inlet 102 is located toward the front of the surface cleaning apparatus 100, and the clear air outlet 104 is located toward the rear.


Cyclone Bin Assembly


Referring to FIGS. 10-13, in the illustrated example, cyclone bin assembly 110 includes a cyclone chamber 118 and a dirt collection chamber 120. The cyclone chamber 118 is bounded by a sidewall 122, a first end wall 124 and a second end wall 126 that are configured to preferably provide an inverted cyclone configuration. A tangential air inlet 128 is provided in the sidewall of the cyclone chamber 118 and is in fluid communication with the air outlet 130 (FIG. 9) of the hose connector 108. Air flowing into the cyclone chamber 118 via the air inlet 128 can circulate around the interior of the cyclone chamber 118 and dirt particles and other debris can become disentrained from the circulating air. It will be appreciated that the cyclone chamber may be of any configuration and that one or more cyclone chambers may be utilized. In the example illustrated the cyclone bin assembly 110, and the cyclone chamber 118 are arranged in a generally vertical, inverted cyclone configuration. Alternatively, the cyclone bin assembly 110 and cyclone chamber 118 can be provided in another orientation, including, for example, as a horizontal cyclone.


Cyclone chamber 118 may be in communication with a dirt collection chamber 120 by any means known in the art. Preferably, as exemplified, the dirt collection chamber 120 is exterior to cyclone chamber 118, and preferably at least partially surrounds and, more preferably completely surrounds, cyclone chamber 118. Accordingly, cyclone chamber 118 is in communication with dirt collection chamber 118 via a dirt outlet 132. Preferably, the dirt outlet 132 comprises a slot 132 formed between the sidewall 122 and the first end wall 124. Slot 124 comprises a gap between an upper portion of cyclone chamber sidewall 122 and the lower surface of first end wall 124. Preferably, the gap extends only part way around sidewall 122. Debris separated from the air flow in the cyclone chamber 118 can travel from the cyclone chamber 118, through the dirt outlet 132 to the dirt collection chamber 120.


Air can exit the cyclone chamber 118 via an air outlet 134. In the illustrated example, the cyclone air outlet includes a vortex finder 134. Optionally, a removable screen 136 can be positioned over the vortex finder 134. The cyclone chamber 118 extends along a longitudinal cyclone axis 138 (FIG. 13). In the example illustrated, the longitudinal cyclone axis 138 is aligned with the orientation of the vortex finder 134.


The dirt collection chamber 120 comprises a sidewall 140, a first end wall 142 and an opposing second end wall 144. In the illustrated example, at least a portion of the dirt collection chamber sidewall 140 is integral with a portion of the cyclone chamber sidewall 122, at least a portion of the first cyclone endwall 124 is integral with a portion of the first dirt collection chamber end wall 142 and/or and at least a portion of the second cyclone end wall 126 is integral with a portion of the second dirt collection chamber end wall 144. The dirt collection chamber 120 extends along a dirt collection axis 146 (FIG. 146). Optionally, the dirt collection axis 146 can be parallel to and offset from the cyclone axis 138.


The dirt collection chamber 120 may be emptyable by any means known in the art and is preferably openable concurrently with the cyclone chamber 118. Preferably, the second dirt collection chamber end wall 142 is pivotally connected to, e.g., the dirt collection chamber sidewall 140, such as by hinges 212. The second dirt collection chamber end wall 144 can be opened (FIG. 12) to empty dirt and debris from the interior of the dirt collection chamber 120. In the illustrated example, the second cyclone end wall 126 is integral with, and is openable with, the second dirt collection chamber end wall 144. Accordingly, opening the second cyclone end wall 126 can allow dirt and debris to be emptied from the cyclone chamber 118 and the dirt collection chamber 120. The second dirt collection chamber end wall 144 can be retained in the closed position by any means known in the art, such as by a releasable latch 143.


Alternately, or in addition, as shown in the illustrated example, the first cyclone end wall 124 may be integral with, and is openable with, the first dirt collection chamber end wall 142. Accordingly, opening the first cyclone end wall 124 can allow dirt and debris to be emptied from the cyclone chamber 118 and the dirt collection chamber 120. The first dirt collection chamber end wall 142 can be retained in the closed position by any means known in the art, such as by a releasable latch.


A handle 152 is provided on the top of the cyclone bin assembly 110. The handle 152 is configured to be grasped by a user. When the cyclone bin assembly 110 is mounted on the body 112, the handle 152 can be used to manipulate the surface cleaning apparatus 100. When the cyclone bin assembly 110 is removed from the body 112, the handle 152 can be used to carry the cyclone bin assembly 110, for example to position the cyclone bin assembly 110 above a waste receptacle for emptying. In the illustrated example, the handle 152 is integral with a lid 154 of the cyclone bin assembly 110.


Securing the Cyclone Bin Assembly on the Main Body


Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, optionally, the cyclone bin assembly 110 is detachably connected to the body 112. Preferably, as exemplified, the cyclone bin assembly 110 is detachably mounted on a platform 148. One or more releasable latches may be used to secure cyclone bin assembly 110 to main body 112. As exemplified, the rear surface of the cyclone bin assembly 110 abuts against the front wall of the suction motor housing 216 of the main body 112. Accordingly, a single releasable latch 150 (see for example FIG. 2) can be used to secure a front edge of the cyclone bin assembly 110 to the body 112 and thereby secure the cyclone bin assembly 110 to the main body 112. Alternately, two or more securing members may be provided.


Removable Main Power Switch


Referring to FIGS. 7, 8 and 13, a main power switch 156 for the surface cleaning apparatus 100 (e.g. for controlling the operation of the suction motor 114) is removable with cyclone bin assembly 110 and is preferably provided on the lid 154 of the cyclone bin assembly 110. The power switch 156 is connected to the suction motor 114 by a control circuit 158, and is operable to control the supply of power from a power source to the suction motor 114. Preferably, the power switch 156 is positioned in close proximity to the handle 152. Providing the power switch 156 close to, or optionally on, the handle 154 may help allow a user to operate the power switch 156 with the same hand that used to grasp the handle 154.


Control circuit 158 may be of various designs which include main power switch 156 and enable main power switch 156 to be used to selectively actuate the suction motor 114. As exemplified in FIG. 13, the control circuit 158 comprises electrical conduits, for example wires 160, which can be provided internally in cyclone bin assembly 110 (e.g., in an internal handle conduit 162). The plurality of wires 160 can electrically connect the switch 156 to a power source in the body 112 and/or the suction motor 114.


Referring to FIGS. 7 and 10, optionally, the control circuit 158 between the power switch 154 and the suction motor 114 comprises a decoupling member and is interruptible, and the power switch 158 can be detachable from the body 112. In the illustrated example, the decoupling member comprises first and second power connectors 164, 166. The lid 154 of the cyclone bin assembly 110 comprises a first power connector 164 and the body 112 comprises a second, mating power connector 166. When the cyclone bin assembly 110 is mounted on the body 112, the first power connector 164 is electrically coupled to the second power connector 166. Connecting the first and second power connectors 164, 166 can complete an electrical control circuit 158 between the power switch 156 and the suction motor 114 such that main power switch 156 may control the actuation of the suction motor. The first and second power connectors 164, 166 are releasably coupled and can be separated from each other to interrupt the electrical connection between the power switch 156 and the suction motor 114. In the illustrated example, separating the cyclone bin assembly 110 from the body 112 automatically separates the first and second power connectors 164, 166.


In the illustrated example the first power connector 164 is a male power connector, comprising two prongs 168, and the second power connector 166 is a female power connector comprising a two corresponding receptacles 170 to receive the prongs 168. Accordingly, the second power connector 166 can remain connected to a power supply when the cyclone bin assembly 110 is removed. Providing a female power connector 166 on the body 112, instead of a pair of exposed prongs 168, may help reduce the risk of electric shock to a user when the cyclone bin assembly 110 is removed, and the second power connector 166 is exposed.


Alternatively, instead of providing a continuous electrical connection between the power switch 156 and the suction motor 114, the connection between cyclone bin assembly 110 and the body 112 can be another type of control system. For example, instead of providing electrical wires 160 in the handle conduit 162, the control circuit 158 can comprise an electrical circuit housed in the main body that is interruptible by movement of main power switch, e.g., with the cyclone bin assembly 110, away from an in use position on main body 112. For example, a mechanical linkage system may be used. The mechanical linkage system (e.g., an abutment member such as a post) can be configured to translate movements of the power switch 156 to open and close a circuit in the main body. For example, the post may be driving connected to a relay positioned on the body 112 and that forms part of the circuit. The relay can then convert the movements of the mechanical linkage into electrical signals, optionally via onboard electronics, to control the suction motor 114. For example, removing the cyclone bin assembly 110 from the body 112 would move the post out of engagement with the relay thereby permitting the relay to open the circuit.


In another example, the power switch 156 may be connected to an RF (or other type of wireless transmitter) in the cyclone bin assembly 110, and the body 112 can include an RF receiver that can control the operation of the suction motor 114 (or vice versa). The surface cleaning apparatus 100 can also include a proximity sensor configured to sense whether the cyclone bin assembly 118 is mounted on the body 112. In this example, moving the power switch 156 may generate a wireless control signal that is received by the RF receiver. The proximity sensor can be communicably linked to at least one of the RF transmitter or RF receiver and can be configured to deactivate at least one of the RF transmitter or RF receiver when the cyclone bin assembly 110 is removed from the base. Alternately, the proximity sensor could be drivingly connected to a relay or the like to close the relay when the cyclone bin assembly is mounted to main body 112. For example, the proximity sensor could be provided in main body 12 and could be actuated by a magnet provided at a suitable location in cyclone bin assembly 110.


Optionally, the lid 154 need not be attached to cyclone bin assembly 110. Instead, lid 154 may be moveably mounted on main body 12, or removable therefrom, to permit cyclone bin assembly 110 to be removed. As exemplified in FIGS. 10 and 11, the lid 154 may be pivotally mounted to main body 12 by a hinge 172 and moveable between an open position (FIG. 11) wherein the cyclone bin assembly 110 may be removed and a closed position (FIG. 10) wherein the cyclone bin assembly is secured in position. In the illustrated example, the hinge 172 is provided toward the rear of the cyclone bin assembly 110. The lid 154 may be releasably retained in the closed position by any means, such as a latch 174 provided toward the front of the cyclone bin assembly 110. Opening the lid 154 may allow a user to access the interior of the dirt collection chamber 120 and cyclone chamber 118. Optionally, the screen 136 and/or the vortex finder 134 can be removable from the cyclone chamber 118 and can be removed via the top of the cyclone bin assembly 110 when the lid 154 is opened.


Alignment Members for Locating and Orienting the Cyclone Bin Assembly


Referring again to FIGS. 7-9 and 13, the platform 148 may comprise a generally planar bearing surface 176 for supporting the cyclone bin assembly 110. Optionally, the main body may comprise at least one alignment member configured to engage the cyclone bin assembly 110 and thereby align and/or orient the cyclone bin assembly for mounting on main body 12. Preferably at least one of the alignment members is provided on the platform 148. Providing at least one alignment member 178 may help a user to replace the cyclone bin assembly 110 on the platform 148 in a desired, operating position.


In the illustrated, the at least one alignment member 178 comprises a vortex finder insert 180 extending from the platform 148. The vortex finder insert 180 is a hollow conduit and is configured to fit within the vortex finder 134 in the cyclone bin assembly 110. In this configuration, the vortex finder insert 180 can comprise a portion of the air outlet of the cyclone chamber 118, and can comprise a portion of the air flow path between the dirty air inlet 102 and the clean air outlet 104.


Optionally, the vortex finder 134 can include an annular mounting shoulder 182 that is configured to rest on the upper face 184 of the vortex finder insert 180 (see also FIG. 12). With the cyclone bin assembly 110 seated on the platform 148, and the insert 180 received in the vortex finder 134, air exiting the cyclone chamber 118 can flow through both the vortex finder 134 and vortex finder insert 180 and into a filter chamber 186 in the body 112.


In the illustrated example, both the vortex finder 134 and vortex finder insert 180 have a circular cross sectional shape. Locating the vortex finder insert 180 within the vortex finder 134 can provide lateral alignment and front/back alignment of the cyclone bin assembly 110 on the platform 148, but may still allow relative rotation between the cyclone bin assembly 110 and the body 112.


Optionally, an engagement member can be provided to help retain the vortex finder insert 180 within the vortex finder 134. For example, a detent connection can be provided between the vortex finder insert 180 and the vortex finder 134 to help retain the vortex finder 134 on the insert 180.


Optionally, the cyclone bin assembly 110 can be configured so that vortex finder insert 180 serves as the vortex finder 134 in the cyclone chamber 118. In this configuration, vortex finder insert 180 may be removable received in the cyclone chamber 118. For example, the second cyclone endwall 126 may comprise an aperture that is sized to receive the vortex finder insert 180 and to create a generally air tight seal. With the cyclone bin assembly 110 seated on the platform 148, the vortex finder insert 180 is inserted into cyclone chamber 118 and may then serve as the vortex finder within the cyclone chamber 118. When the cyclone bin assembly 110 is removed, the vortex finder insert 180 is removed from cyclone chamber 118 and no vortex finder remains in cyclone chamber 118. Optionally, a relatively short annular lip can be provided around the perimeter of the aperture. The inner surface of the lip can rest against the outer surfaces of the vortex finder insert 180 and may help seal the cyclone chamber 118. The lip and/or vortex finder insert 180 can each be tapered, and optionally can be configured as a morse taper to help seal the cyclone chamber 118. Alternatively, the body 112 may not include a vortex finder insert 180, and the outlet of the vortex finder 134 can be sealed against an air inlet aperture in the platform 148.


Referring to FIGS. 7-10, optionally, the at least one alignment member 178 can also include at least one rotational alignment member 188. The rotational alignment member may be utilized to orient the cyclone bin assembly on main body 12. In the illustrated example, a tongue 190 extending from the rear of the cyclone bin assembly lid 154 can cooperate with a corresponding slot 192 in the body 112 to serve as a rotational alignment member 188. The slot 192 is sized and shaped to receive the tongue 190 in one desired alignment. When the tongue 190 is positioned within the slot 192 the cyclone bin assembly 110 is provided in the desired, operating and mounting orientation. The interaction between the tongue 190 and the slot 192 may also help provide lateral and front/back alignment of the cyclone bin assembly 110. Preferably, as exemplified, the first power connector 164 is provided on the underside of the tongue 190, and the second power connector 166 is provided within the slot 192.


Suction Hose Connector


Preferably, the suction hose connector 108 is mounted to the main body 112 so as to remain in position when the cyclone bin assembly 110 is removed. Alternately, or in addition, the hose connector 108 is nested or recessed into the cyclone bin assembly 110.


As exemplified, preferably the suction hose connector 108 is connected to the platform 148, and remains connected to the platform 148 when the cyclone bin assembly 110 is removed. The suction hose connecter 108 comprises an air inlet 106 that may be connectable to a suction hose and is in communication with the opposing air outlet 130. A throat portion 196 of the suction hose connector 108 optionally extends between the air inlet 106 and air outlet 130. Coupling the suction hose connector 108 to the body 112 may help facilitate the removal of the cyclone bin assembly 110 (for example to empty the dirt collection chamber 120) while leaving the suction hose connected to the body 112, via the suction hose connector 108.


The air outlet 130 is configured to connect to the tangential air inlet 128 of the cyclone chamber 118. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 12, in the illustrated example, a sealing face 198 on the tangential air inlet 128 is shaped to match the shape and orientation of the air outlet 130 of the suction hose connector 108. Optionally, a gasket 200, or other type of sealing member, can be provided at the interface between the sealing face 198 and the air outlet 130.


The air outlet 130 of the suction hose connector 108 and the sealing face 198 of the tangential air inlet 128 may preferably be configured so that the sealing face 198 can slide relative to the air outlet 130 (vertically in the illustrated example) as the cyclone bin assembly 110 is being placed on, or lifted off of, the platform 148. As the cyclone bin assembly 110 is lowered onto the platform 148, the sealing face 198 may slide into a sealing position relative to the air outlet 130. In the sealing position, the gasket 200 is preferably aligned with the walls of the air outlet 130.


Optionally, part or all of hose connector 108 is recessed or nested within cyclone bin assembly 110. An advantage of this design is that the length of the surface cleaning apparatus may be reduced. A further advantage is that the hose connector 108 may be protected from impact during use.


Accordingly, the sealing face 198 may be recessed within the cyclone bin assembly 110. In the illustrated example, the cyclone bin assembly 110 includes a notch 202 in a lower surface that is configured to receive the throat portion 196 of the suction hose connector 108 when the cyclone bin assembly 110 is placed on the platform 148. With the cyclone bin assembly 110 on the platform 148, at least a portion of the throat 196 and the air outlet 130 are nested within cyclone bin assembly 110, which can help seal the air outlet 130 with the sealing face 198.


It will be appreciated that by nesting the hose connector in cyclone bin assembly 110, the suction hose connector 108 can serve as a rotational alignment member 188 to help guide the cyclone bin assembly 110 into a desired orientation.


Alternatively, in other embodiments the suction hose connector 108 may be fixedly connected to the cyclone bin assembly 110, and may be removable with the cyclone bin assembly 110.


Cyclone Chamber Wherein Part of the Sidewall Moves with a Openable End Wall


Optionally, as exemplified in FIG. 12, the cyclone chamber sidewall 122 comprises a split sidewall that includes a first portion 204 and a second portion 206. The first portion 204 remains in position when the when the second dirt collection chamber end wall 144 is opened. For example, first portion 204 may be attached to, and may be integral with, the first dirt collection chamber end wall 142. The second portion 206 is movable with the second dirt collection chamber end wall 144. When assembled, with the second dirt collection chamber end wall 144 in the closed position, the first and second portions 204, 206 provide a generally continuous and generally air impermeable cyclone sidewall 122.


The second portion 206 may include a notch 208 that is shaped to receive a corresponding tab 210 on the first portion 204. Preferably, the notch 208 in the second portion 206 is provided toward the free end (i.e. opposed to the pivoting end) of the second dirt collection chamber end wall 126, and away from the hinge 212. Providing the notch 208 in this location may help enable dirt and debris to be emptied from cyclone chamber 118 and may help reduce the likelihood of dirt and debris being retained by within the cyclone chamber 118 when the second dirt collection chamber endwall 144 is opened. For example, when second end wall 126 is pivoted open and faces downwardly, dirt on the surface of end wall 126 may fall through notch 208. It will be appreciated that notch preferably extends all the way to the surface of end wall 126 and may extend varying amounts around the sidewall 122.


Inlet 128 has an upper surface 128a (see FIG. 12). In the preferred embodiment, inlet 128 extends through the dirt collection chamber 120 and is mounted or moveable with end wall 126. Accordingly, the upper surface 128a comprises a dirt settling surface of the dirt collection chamber 120. When the dirt collection chamber is opened, inlet 128 moves with end wall 128. Accordingly, upper surface 128a is exposed and may face downwardly, thereby allowing dirt that has accumulated on upper surface 128a to be emptied.


Optionally, the vortex finder 134 and screen 136 are movable with the second cyclone endwall 126. In the illustrated example, the vortex finder 134 is integrally molded with the first cyclone endwall 124. In the illustrated example the dirt collection chamber sidewall 140 is a continuous, integral wall and does not split into upper and lower portions, or move with the second dirt collection chamber end wall 144.


Enhanced Dirt Collection Chamber Capacity


Preferably, the dirt collection chamber 120 surrounds a portion of the main body and, preferably a portion of the suction motor housing 216. Referring to FIGS. 7, 8, 10 and 13, the dirt collection chamber sidewall 140 comprises a recess 214 that is shaped to receive a corresponding portion of the body 112. In the illustrated example, the recess 214 is shaped to receive a portion of the motor housing 216 surrounding the suction motor 114. In this example, at least a portion of the dirt collection chamber 120 is positioned between the cyclone chamber 118 and the suction motor 114. Preferably, at least a portion of the dirt collection chamber 120 surrounds at least a portion of the suction motor 114 and the suction motor housing 216. In the illustrated example, the dirt collection chamber 120 surrounds only a portion of the motor housing 216. The shape of the recess 214 is preferably selected to correspond to the shape of the suction motor housing 216. Configuring the dirt collection chamber 120 to at least partially surround the suction motor housing 216 may help reduce the overall length of the surface cleaning apparatus 100, and/or may help increase the capacity of the dirt collection chamber 120.


The dirt collection chamber 120 may surround at least a portion of the cyclone chamber 118. Optionally, the dirt collection chamber 120 may be configured to completely surround the cyclone chamber 118.


Enhanced Filter Capacity


Preferably a filter (e.g., the pre-motor filter) overlies part or all of the cyclone bin assembly and the suction motor. This may increase the size of the pre-motor filter while maintaining a smaller footprint.


As exemplified in FIG. 13, air exiting the cyclone chamber 118 preferably flows to a suction motor 114 inlet via a filter chamber 186. The filter chamber 186 is provided downstream from the cyclone air outlet. Preferably, as exemplified, the filter chamber 186 extends over substantially the entire lower portion of the body 112 and overlies substantially all of the cyclone chamber 118, dirt collection chamber 120 and suction motor 114.


A pre-motor filter 218 is provided in the filter chamber 186 to filter the air before it enters the suction motor inlet 220. The pre-motor filter 218 is preferably sized to cover the entire transverse area of the filter chamber 186, and thereby overlies substantially all of the cyclone chamber 118, dirt collection chamber 120 and suction motor 114.


It will be appreciated that filter chamber 186 and pre-motor filter 218 may be smaller. Preferably, the cross sectional area (in the direction of air flow) of the pre-motor filter 218 is greater than the cross sectional area of the cyclone chamber 118 and/or the suction motor 114. In the illustrated example, the pre-motor filter 218 preferably comprises first and second pre-motor filters 218a, 218b. The filter chamber 186 comprises an air inlet chamber 222 on the upstream side 224 of the pre-motor filter 218, and an air outlet chamber 226 on the downstream side 228 of the pre-motor filter 218. Air can travel from the air inlet chamber 222 to the air outlet chamber 226 by flowing through the air-permeable pre-motor filter 218.


Preferably, the outer face (the side facing away from the cyclone air outlet) is the upstream side of the filter. Accordingly, the air inlet chamber 222 is spaced from and fluidly may be connected to the cyclone chamber air outlet by an inlet conduit 230 that extends through the pre-motor filter 218. In the illustrated example, the inlet conduit 230 is an extension of the vortex finder insert 180. The air outlet chamber 226 is in fluid communication with the inlet 220 of the suction motor 114.


The pre-motor filter 218 may be supported by a plurality of support ribs 232 extending through the air outlet chamber 226. Gaps or cutouts 234 can be provided in the ribs 232 to allow air to circulate within the air outlet chamber 226 and flow toward the suction motor inlet 220.


From the suction motor inlet 220, the air is drawn through the suction motor 114 and ejected via a suction motor outlet 116. Optionally, a post-motor filter 236 (for example a HEPA filter) can be provided downstream from the suction motor outlet 116, between the suction motor outlet 116 and the clean air outlet 104. A detachable grill 238 can be used to retain the post-motor filter 236 in position, and allow a user to access the post-motor filter 236 for inspection or replacement.


A bleed valve 240 may be provided to supply bleed air to the suction motor inlet 220 in case of a clog. The bleed valve 240 may be a pressure sensitive valve that is opened when there is a blockage in the air flow path upstream from the suction motor 114. Preferably, as exemplified, the bleed valve 240 may be co-axial with the suction motor 114 and may extend through the pre-motor filter 218. A bleed valve inlet 242 (see also FIG. 5) may be provided toward the rear of the body 112.


Optionally, a first end wall 244 of the filter chamber 186 can be openable to allow a user to access the pre-motor filter 218. In the illustrated example, the filter chamber end wall 244 is pivotally connected to the body 112 by a hinge 246 and can pivot to an open position. Releasable latch 150 may be used to secure the first end wall 244 in a closed position. The latch 150 can connect the filter chamber endwall to the cyclone bin assembly 110.


Hose Wrap


Preferably, a suction hose wrap is provided and the accessory tools are provided in a recess in the hose wrap and, preferably, in the bottom of the hose wrap. Alternately, or in addition, the suction hose wrap is located at one end of the vacuum cleaner (e.g., the bottom) and preferably is the stand of the vacuum cleaner (i.e., it is the part that sits on the floor).


Referring to FIGS. 1-9, the surface cleaning apparatus 100 may include a hose wrap portion 248, which may be of any design. The hose wrap portion 248 may be provided at either opposed end (e.g. top or bottom if oriented upright as illustrated) of the surface cleaning apparatus. Preferably, as exemplified, the hose wrap portion 248 extends from the bottom surface of the openable filtration chamber end wall 244 or, if an openable filter chamber is not provided, from the bottom of the platform.


Preferably, the hose wrap portion 148 functions as a stand for the surface cleaning apparatus. Accordingly, referring to FIG. 7, the hose wrap portion 248 may include a generally flat lower surface 250 and therefore function as a stand to support the surface cleaning apparatus 100 when it is not in use. Optionally, the lower surface 250 can function as a stand and can include a plurality of support feet 252 configured to rest upon a surface (for example a floor or a counter top). In the illustrated example, the surface 250 includes three integral support feet 252 formed from bosses extending from the lower surface 250.


Preferably, as exemplified in FIGS. 1-6, a suction hose recess 254 extends around the perimeter of the hose wrap portion 248. The suction hose recess 254 preferably has a radius of curvature 256 (FIG. 6) that is selected to generally match the radius of curvature of a suction hose 109 that can be used in combination with the surface cleaning apparatus 100. When the suction hose 109 is not in use, it can be wrapped around the hose wrap portion 248 for storage and may be at least partially received in the suction hose recess 254.


Referring to FIGS. 1-3, optionally, the suction hose recess 254 can include a hose securing detent 258, comprising upper and lower detent members 260, 262. The upper and lower detent 260, 262 members can frictionally engage a corresponding segment 264 of the suction hose 109. Engaging the suction hose 109 with the hose securing detent 258 may help retain the hose 109 in its storage position, within the hose recess 254. The suction hose segment 264 can include a hose detent groove 266 for receiving the upper and lower detent members 260, 262. Retaining the upper and lower detent members 260, 262 in the hose detent groove 266 can help prevent the suction hose 109 from sliding axially relative within the recess 254 while the suction hose 109 is wrapped in the recess 254. Optionally, the segment 264 of the suction hose retained by the upper and lower detent members 260, 262, and comprising the hose detent groove 266 can be separate hose retaining member 268 coupled to the suction hose 109. The hose retaining member 268 may be stiffer than the suction hose 109.


Alternatively, or in addition to the hose securing detent 258, the hose wrap portion 248 can include a hose securing member. In the illustrated example, the hose securing member comprises a mounting flange 270 that is shaped to engage a corresponding mounting notch 272 located on the suction hose 109. Sliding the mounting notch 272 over the flange 270 can help secure the upstream end of the suction hose in the storage position, in close proximity to the hose wrap portion 248. Optionally, the mounting notch 272 can be formed on a separate collar 274 that is coupled to the suction hose 109.


Referring to FIG. 13, in the illustrated example, the hose wrap portion 248 is arranged so that when the suction hose 109 is wrapped within the hose wrap recess 254, the plane 276 containing the suction hose is generally orthogonal to a cyclone axis 138 and a suction motor axis 278, as explained in greater detail below. Alternatively, the hose wrap portion 248 can be configured so that the plane 276 containing the suction hose is not orthogonal to one or both of the cyclone and suction motor axes 138, 278.


In the illustrated example, the hose wrap portion 248 is integrally formed from molded plastic. Optionally, the hose wrap portion 248 can be releasably connected to the body 112, and may be removable.


Referring to FIGS. 6, 8 and 13, optionally, the hose wrap portion 248 can include a tool cavity 280. Preferably, as exemplified, the tool cavity 280 is provided in the lower surface of the hose wrap 248 and, more preferably generally centrally located within the perimeter of the hose wrap recess 254. One or more accessory cleaning tools 282 may be stored within the tool cavity 280 when the accessory tools 282 are not in use.


Preferably, as exemplified, the tool cavity 280 may include four side walls 284, an upper wall 286 and has an open bottom for allowing access to the tool stored 282 in the cavity 280. The tool cavity 280 has a cavity depth 288, a cavity width 290 and a cavity length 292. Alternatively, the tool cavity 280 may have an enclosed bottom and at least one open side 284 to allow access to the accessory tool 282, and/or the tool cavity 280 may include more than one open surface (for example the cavity may have an open bottom and at least one open side) or may have an openable door to provide access to the cavity. Preferably, the tool cavity 280 is configured so that the accessory tools 282 stored within the cavity 280 are accessible when the surface cleaning apparatus 100 is in use. More preferably, the tool cavity 280 is configured so that the accessory tools 282 in the cavity 280 are accessible while the suction hose is wrapped around the hose recess 254.


Optionally, the tool cavity 280 may include tool holders 294 for releasably securing one or more accessory tools 282 within the tool cavity 280. Preferably, as exemplified, the tool holder 294 comprises a tool mounting bracket extending from the upper wall 286 of the tool cavity 280. Preferably, as exemplified, the cavity depth 288 is selected to be greater than the thickness of the accessory tool 282 that is contained within the cavity 280, and the cavity width 290 and length are selected to be greater than the accessory tool width and length, respectively. Selecting a cavity 280 that is generally larger than the accessory tool 282 allows the accessory tool to be contained within the tool cavity 280, without extending beyond the lower surface 250 of the hose wrap portion 248. Recessing the accessory tool 282 within the cavity 280 may help enable the surface cleaning apparatus 100 to rest in a level orientation when the surface 250 is placed on a flat surface.


Cord Wrap


Preferably, a cord wrap is provided that permits the sliding removal of the cord without manually manipulating a cord retaining member (e.g., rotating a cord retaining member in a plane in which the cord is positioned when wrapped about the cord wrap).


Referring to FIGS. 4-6, the surface cleaning apparatus 100 may optionally include an electrical cord wrap 296 extending, preferably, from the rear of the body 112. The electrical cord wrap 296 comprises and at least two spaced apart cord retainers, e.g., upper cord retainer 298 and an opposing lower cord retainer 300 about which an electrical cord may be wound for storage. In the illustrated example, the upper cord retainer 298 is connected to the body 112 by an upper extension member 302, and the lower cord retainer 300 is connected to the body 112 by a lower extension member 304. Extension members are optionally provided if the location of the cord wrap is to be spaced from main body 12.


Preferably, at least one of the upper and lower cord retainers 298, 300 is moveable in a sliding cord removing direction, between a cord storage position, for retaining the electrical cord on the cord wrap, and a cord removal position, to help facilitate the removal of the electrical cord from the cord wrap. Optionally, the moveable cord retainer includes a biasing member that is configured to bias the cord retainer toward the cord storage position. Preferably, a locking member is not provided to lock the cord wrap member in a cord retaining position. Accordingly, a user may remove the cord by sliding the cord off of the cord wrap member. The cord wrap member will then automatically return to the cord retaining position. When desired, the cord may then be wrapped about the cord retaining members. Alternately, the cord wrap member may be manually positionable in both the cord retaining position and the cord removal position.


In the illustrated example, the lower cord retainer 300 is movably coupled to the lower extension member 304 by pivot joints 306. The lower cord retainer 300 is pivotable about rotational axis 308 (FIG. 6) and is moveable between a cord storage position (FIG. 5) and a cord removal position (FIG. 4).


Referring to FIG. 5, in the cord storage position, a retaining flange 310 extends generally transverse (e.g. downwardly), away from the lower extension member 304 and cooperates with a cord supporting surface 312 of the lower extension member 304 to form a retaining shoulder 314. The height 316 of the retaining shoulder 314 can be selected so that it is sufficient to retain the electrical cord on the lower cord retainer 300, and optionally, can be generally equal to or greater than the diameter of the electrical cord.


Referring to FIG. 4, in the cord removal position, the lower cord retainer 300 is pivoted or moved in the cord removal direction (e.g. rearwardly) so that a distal end 318 of the retaining flange 310 is raised above a plane 320 containing the cord supporting surface 312. Pivoting the retaining flange 310 above the plane 320 may help facilitate removal of the electrical cord coiled around the cord wrap 296. When the lower cord retainer 300 is in the cord removal position, the lower end of the coiled electrical cord can be slid off the lower extension member 304, in the direction indicated using arrow 322, without needing to pass over the retaining shoulder 314.


Preferably, the lower cord retainer 300 is biased toward the cord storage position. Referring to FIG. 6, in the illustrated example, each pivot joint 306 includes a spring member 324 biasing the lower cord retainer 300 toward the cord storage position. The stiffness of the springs 324 can be selected so that the lower cord retainer 300 can remain in the cord storage position and retain the electrical cord on the cord wrap 296 under normal handling, for example when the orientation of the surface cleaning apparatus 100 is changed while the electrical cord is wrapped. Optionally, the stiffness of the springs 324 can also be selected so that the force of a user pulling the coiled electrical cord off the cord wrap 269 is sufficient to overcome the spring force. Configuring the springs 324 to yield when a user attempts to remove the electrical cord from the cord wrap 296 may help facilitate an automatic rotation of the lower cord retainer 300, allowing the cord to be removed without requiring the user to first manually adjust the position of the lower cord retainer 300. When the electrical cord is clear of the lower cord retainer 300, the biasing force of the springs 324 may return the lower cord retainer 300 to the cord storage position. Automatically returning the lower cord retainer 300 to the cord storage position may help ensure that the cord wrap 296 is configured to retain the electrical cord when the user chooses to replace the electrical cord on the cord wrap 296.


Optionally, instead of, or in addition, to one or more springs 324, the biasing member for returning the lower cord retainer to the cord storage position may be another type of biasing device, including, for example an elastic member and a living hinge.


Referring to FIG. 5, in the illustrated example, the upper cord retainer 298 is a static cord retainer. The upper cord retainer 298 includes a static flange 326 (i.e., non-moveable) that cooperates with the cord supporting surface 328 of the upper extension member 302 to provide a cord retaining shoulder 330. In the illustrated example, the upper cord retainer 298 is integrally formed with the upper extension member 302. Optionally, in other embodiments the lower cord retainer 300 can be static and the upper cord retainer 300 can be the moveable cord retainer, or both the upper and lower cord retainers 298, 300 can be movable. In the illustrated example, the upper and lower cord retainers 298, 300 are located on opposite ends of the clear air outlet 104.


Optionally, an accessory tool holder 332 may be provided on the electrical cord wrap 296. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the accessory tool holder comprises a tool mounting post 334 extending upward from the lower extension member 304. The tool mounting post 334 is sized to be received within the air outlet 338 of an accessory cleaning tool, including, for example a turbo brush 336 (FIG. 4). Preferably, the tool mounting post 334 has a slight friction or interference fit with the inner surface of the air outlet 338. Providing an interference fit between the tool mounting post 334 and the accessory tool may help to retain the accessory tool on the tool mounting post when the surface cleaning apparatus 100 is in use. Optionally, the interference fit between the tool mounting post 334 and the accessory tool may be the only retaining mechanism used to hold the turbo brush on the surface cleaning apparatus 100. Alternatively, or in addition to the interference fit, additional retaining mechanisms, including for example, clips, latches and magnets, can be used to help hold the turbo brush on the tool mounting post.


Preferably, the upper and lower cord retainers 298, 300 are spaced apart from each other by a distance that allows for at least a portion of the accessory tool to be disposed between the upper and lower cord retainers 298, 300. In this configuration, the accessory tool can be positioned relatively close to the rear of the body 112. Positioning the turbo brush 336 in close proximity to the body 112 may help reduce the overall length of the surface cleaning apparatus 100.


It will be appreciated that the following claims are not limited to any specific embodiment disclosed herein. Further, it will be appreciated that any one or more of the features disclosed herein may be used in any particular combination or sub-combination, including, without limitation, a moveable or removable power switch (preferably on or proximate the handle), a hose connector that is recessed into the cyclone bin assembly and preferably having the hose connector mounted to the main body and not a removable air treatment member, a suction hose wrap with a tool storage compartment, a suction hose wrap provided at one end, and preferably a lower end, of a surface cleaning apparatus whereby it may form a stand or base, a cord wrap with an automatic cord release which permits the sliding removal of the cord without having to manually move a cord retaining member, a cyclone chamber having a removable vortex finder or vortex finder insert, A dirt bin that partially surrounds the suction motor or suction motor housing, a filter that overlies at least part of a cyclone bin assembly and a suction motor and a cyclone chamber having a wall that splits when the cyclone chamber is opened.


What has been described above has been intended to be illustrative of the invention and non-limiting and it will be understood by persons skilled in the art that other variants and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims appended hereto.

Claims
  • 1. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising: (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;(b) a main body having a suction motor provided in the air flow path, the suction motor having a suction motor inlet end, wherein the suction motor inlet end is provided at a lower end of the suction motor when the surface cleaning apparatus is located on a floor;(c) an air treatment member assembly provided in the air flow path, the air treatment member assembly is removably mounted to the main body, the air treatment member assembly has an upper end, a lower end and a sidewall extending between the upper and lower ends wherein a portion of the sidewall forms an exterior surface of the surface cleaning apparatus when the air treatment member assembly is mounted to the main body, wherein a handle is provided on the upper end of the air treatment member assembly and the upper end of the air treatment member assembly comprises an openable end, wherein a dirt collection region of the air treatment member assembly is emptyable when the openable end is in an open position, the air treatment member assembly has an air treatment member assembly air outlet, wherein the air treatment member assembly air outlet is provided at the lower end of the air treatment member assembly when the surface cleaning apparatus is located on a floor; and,(d) a pre-motor filter underlying the air treatment member assembly and the suction motor when the air treatment member assembly is mounted to the main body.
  • 2. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the handle also overlies the suction motor.
  • 3. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the dirty air inlet is at a front end of the surface cleaning apparatus and the air treatment member assembly is positioned between the dirty air inlet and the suction motor.
  • 4. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein a bleed valve extends through the pre-motor filter.
  • 5. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the air treatment member assembly is removable in the absence of opening a compartment of the main body.
  • 6. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising: (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;(b) a main body having a platform and a suction motor provided in the air flow path;(c) an air treatment member assembly provided in the air flow path, the air treatment member assembly is removably mounted on the platform, the air treatment member assembly has an upper end, a lower end, first and second opposed sides, and a sidewall extending between the upper and lower ends wherein the sidewall comprises first and second opposed sidewall faces, the air treatment member assembly having an openable door wherein a dirt collection region of the air treatment member assembly is emptyable when the openable door is in an open position; and,(d) a pre-motor filter underlying the air treatment member assembly when the air treatment member assembly is mounted on the platformwherein, when the air treatment member assembly is mounted on the platform, the first sidewall face is on the first side of the air treatment member assembly and faces the main body, the second sidewall face is on the second side of the air treatment member assembly and has an upper portion located at the upper end of the air treatment member assembly, the upper end on the second side of the air treatment member assembly has an absence of the main body whereby the upper portion of the second sidewall face forms an exterior surface of the surface cleaning apparatus.
  • 7. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 6 wherein a handle is provided on the upper end of the air treatment member assembly.
  • 8. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 7 wherein the upper end of the air treatment member assembly comprises the openable door.
  • 9. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 8 wherein the upper end of the air treatment member assembly comprises the openable door.
  • 10. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 6 wherein the handle also overlies the suction motor.
  • 11. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 6 wherein the pre-motor filter is positioned below the platform.
  • 12. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 6 further comprising an air treatment member assembly air outlet, wherein the air treatment member assembly air outlet is provided at a lower end of the air treatment member assembly when the surface cleaning apparatus is located on a floor.
  • 13. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a suction motor inlet end, wherein the suction motor inlet end is provided at a lower end of the suction motor when the surface cleaning apparatus is located on a floor.
  • 14. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 6 wherein the dirty air inlet is at a front end of the surface cleaning apparatus and the air treatment member assembly is positioned between the dirty air inlet and the suction motor.
  • 15. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 6 wherein the pre-motor filter also underlies the suction motor.
  • 16. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 6 wherein a bleed valve extends through the pre-motor filter.
  • 17. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 6 wherein the air treatment member assembly is removable in the absence of opening a compartment of the main body.
  • 18. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising: (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;(b) a main body having, a first side, an opposed second side, a suction motor provided in the air flow path and an accessory tool mount, the accessory tool mount is provided on the second side of the main body;(c) an air treatment member assembly provided in the air flow path, the air treatment member assembly is removably mounted to the main body, the air treatment member assembly has an upper end, a lower end, first and second opposed sides, and a sidewall extending between the upper and lower ends, the air treatment member assembly has an openable door whereby a dirt collection region of the air treatment member assembly is emptyable when the openable door is in an open position wherein, when the air treatment member assembly is mounted to the main body, a portion of the sidewall forms an exterior surface of the surface cleaning apparatus and the first side of the air treatment member assembly faces the first side of the main body whereby, when an accessory tool is mounted to the accessory tool mount and the air treatment member assembly is mounted to the main body, the accessory tool is on an opposed side of the main body to the air treatment member assembly; and,(d) a pre-motor filter underlying the air treatment member assembly and the suction motor when the air treatment member assembly is mounted to the main body.
  • 19. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 18 further comprising an air treatment member assembly air outlet and the openable door is provided on an end of the air treatment member assembly having the air treatment member assembly air outlet.
  • 20. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 18 wherein the upper end of the air treatment member assembly comprises the openable door.
  • 21. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 20 wherein a handle is provided on the openable door.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/499,151, filed on Apr. 27, 2017, which is allowed, which application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/932,816, filed on Nov. 4, 2015, and now U.S. Pat. No. 9,693,666 which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/040,676, filed on Mar. 4, 2011 and now U.S. Pat. No. 9,211,044, each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

US Referenced Citations (421)
Number Name Date Kind
911258 Neumann Feb 1909 A
1600762 Hawley Sep 1926 A
1779761 Alford, Sr. Oct 1930 A
1797812 Waring Mar 1931 A
1898608 Alexander Feb 1933 A
1937765 Leathers Dec 1933 A
2015464 Saint-Jacques Sep 1935 A
2071975 Holm-Hansen et al. Feb 1937 A
2152114 Tongeren Mar 1939 A
2533057 Senne Dec 1950 A
2542634 Davis et al. Feb 1951 A
2559384 Anderson, Jr. Jul 1951 A
2621756 Senne Dec 1952 A
2632524 Senne Mar 1953 A
2678110 Madsen May 1954 A
2731102 James Jan 1956 A
2811219 Wenzl Oct 1957 A
2846024 Bremi Aug 1958 A
2913111 Rogers Nov 1959 A
2917131 Evans Dec 1959 A
2937713 Stephenson et al. May 1960 A
2942691 Dillon Jun 1960 A
2942692 Benz Jun 1960 A
2946451 Culleton Jul 1960 A
2952330 Winslow Sep 1960 A
2981369 Yellott et al. Apr 1961 A
3015122 Cook Jan 1962 A
3023838 Gaudry Mar 1962 A
3032954 Racklyeft May 1962 A
3085221 Kelly Apr 1963 A
3130157 Kelsall et al. Apr 1964 A
3200568 McNeil Aug 1965 A
3204772 Ruxton Sep 1965 A
3217469 Eckert Nov 1965 A
3269097 German Aug 1966 A
3310828 Clark et al. Mar 1967 A
3320727 Farley et al. May 1967 A
3356334 Scaramucci Dec 1967 A
3372532 Campbell Mar 1968 A
3426513 Bauer Feb 1969 A
3457744 Bisbing Jul 1969 A
3518815 Peterson et al. Jul 1970 A
3530649 Porsch et al. Sep 1970 A
3561824 Homan Feb 1971 A
3582616 Wrob Jun 1971 A
3675401 Cordes Jul 1972 A
3684093 Kono et al. Aug 1972 A
3788044 McNeil Jan 1974 A
3822533 Oranje Jul 1974 A
3898068 McNeil Aug 1975 A
3933450 Percevaut Jan 1976 A
3953184 Stockford et al. Apr 1976 A
3960734 Zagorski Jun 1976 A
3988132 Oranje Oct 1976 A
3988133 Schady Oct 1976 A
4097381 Ritzler Jun 1978 A
4187088 Hodgson Feb 1980 A
4218805 Brazier Aug 1980 A
4236903 Malmsten Dec 1980 A
4373228 Dyson Feb 1983 A
4382804 Mellor May 1983 A
4393536 Tapp Jul 1983 A
4409008 Solymes Oct 1983 A
4443910 Fitzwater Apr 1984 A
4486207 Baillie Dec 1984 A
4573236 Dyson Mar 1986 A
4635315 Kozak Jan 1987 A
4678588 Shortt Jul 1987 A
4744958 Pircon May 1988 A
4778494 Patterson Oct 1988 A
4790865 DeMarco Dec 1988 A
4809393 Goodrich et al. Mar 1989 A
4809398 Lindquist et al. Mar 1989 A
4826515 Dyson May 1989 A
4831685 Bosyj et al. May 1989 A
4836515 Franz et al. Jun 1989 A
4853008 Dyson Aug 1989 A
4853011 Dyson Aug 1989 A
4905342 Maka Mar 1990 A
5054157 Werner et al. Oct 1991 A
5078761 Dyson Jan 1992 A
5080697 Finke Jan 1992 A
5090976 Dyson Feb 1992 A
5129125 Gamou et al. Jul 1992 A
5139652 LeBlanc Aug 1992 A
5230722 Yonkers Jul 1993 A
5254019 Noschese Oct 1993 A
5267371 Soler et al. Dec 1993 A
5287591 Rench et al. Feb 1994 A
5309600 Weaver et al. May 1994 A
5309601 Hampton et al. May 1994 A
5331714 Essex et al. Jul 1994 A
5391051 Sabatier et al. Feb 1995 A
5481780 Daneshvar Jan 1996 A
5524321 Weaver et al. Jun 1996 A
5599365 Alday et al. Feb 1997 A
5681450 Chitnis et al. Oct 1997 A
5715566 Weaver et al. Feb 1998 A
5755096 Holleyman May 1998 A
5836047 Lee et al. Nov 1998 A
5842254 Lee Dec 1998 A
5858038 Dyson et al. Jan 1999 A
5858043 Geise Jan 1999 A
5893938 Dyson et al. Apr 1999 A
5922093 James et al. Jul 1999 A
5935279 Kilstroem Aug 1999 A
5950274 Kilstrom Sep 1999 A
5958094 Schwamborn et al. Sep 1999 A
6026540 Wright et al. Feb 2000 A
6058559 Yoshimi et al. May 2000 A
6070291 Bair et al. Jun 2000 A
6071095 Verkaart Jun 2000 A
6071321 Trapp et al. Jun 2000 A
6080022 Shaberman et al. Jun 2000 A
6081961 Wang Jul 2000 A
6122796 Downham et al. Sep 2000 A
6168641 Tuvin et al. Jan 2001 B1
6171356 Twerdun Jan 2001 B1
6173474 Conrad Jan 2001 B1
6192550 Hamada et al. Feb 2001 B1
6210469 Tokar Apr 2001 B1
6221134 Conrad et al. Apr 2001 B1
6228260 Conrad et al. May 2001 B1
6231645 Conrad et al. May 2001 B1
6231649 Dyson May 2001 B1
6251296 Conrad et al. Jun 2001 B1
6256832 Dyson Jul 2001 B1
6256834 Meijer et al. Jul 2001 B1
6260234 Wright et al. Jul 2001 B1
6295692 Shideler Oct 2001 B1
6334234 Conrad et al. Jan 2002 B1
6353963 Bair et al. Mar 2002 B1
6398834 Oh Jun 2002 B2
6406505 Oh et al. Jun 2002 B1
6432154 Oh et al. Aug 2002 B2
6434785 Vandenbelt et al. Aug 2002 B1
6440197 Conrad et al. Aug 2002 B1
6463622 Wright et al. Oct 2002 B2
6482246 Dyson et al. Nov 2002 B1
6510583 Griffin et al. Jan 2003 B2
6531066 Saunders et al. Mar 2003 B1
6532620 Oh Mar 2003 B2
6553612 Dyson et al. Apr 2003 B1
6560818 Hasko May 2003 B1
6581239 Dyson et al. Jun 2003 B1
6599338 Oh et al. Jul 2003 B2
6599350 Rockwell et al. Jul 2003 B1
6613316 Sun et al. Sep 2003 B2
6623539 Lee et al. Sep 2003 B2
6625845 Matsumoto et al. Sep 2003 B2
6648934 Choi et al. Nov 2003 B2
6706095 Morgan Mar 2004 B2
6735818 Hamada et al. May 2004 B2
6736873 Conrad et al. May 2004 B2
6746500 Park et al. Jun 2004 B1
6782583 Oh Aug 2004 B2
6782585 Conrad et al. Aug 2004 B1
6810558 Lee Nov 2004 B2
6832408 Roney et al. Dec 2004 B2
6833015 Oh et al. Dec 2004 B2
6848146 Wright et al. Feb 2005 B2
6868578 Kasper et al. Mar 2005 B1
6874197 Conrad et al. Apr 2005 B1
6896719 Coates et al. May 2005 B2
6901625 Yang et al. Jun 2005 B2
6902596 Conrad et al. Jun 2005 B2
6910245 Hawkins et al. Jun 2005 B2
6929516 Brochu et al. Aug 2005 B2
6961975 Park et al. Nov 2005 B2
6968596 Oh et al. Nov 2005 B2
6976885 Lord Dec 2005 B2
7036183 Gammack et al. May 2006 B2
7039985 Hisrich et al. May 2006 B2
7065826 Arnold Jun 2006 B1
7073226 Lenkiewicz et al. Jul 2006 B1
7086119 Go et al. Aug 2006 B2
7127397 Case Oct 2006 B2
7131165 Wright et al. Nov 2006 B2
7146681 Wright et al. Dec 2006 B2
7160346 Park Jan 2007 B2
7175682 Nakai et al. Feb 2007 B2
7207083 Hayashi et al. Apr 2007 B2
7222393 Kaffenberger et al. May 2007 B2
7278181 Harris et al. Oct 2007 B2
7309365 Yuasa et al. Dec 2007 B2
7341611 Greene et al. Mar 2008 B2
7354468 Arnold et al. Apr 2008 B2
7356874 Skinner Macleod et al. Apr 2008 B2
7370387 Walker et al. May 2008 B2
7377008 Park et al. May 2008 B2
7377953 Oh May 2008 B2
7380308 Oh et al. Jun 2008 B2
7381234 Oh Jun 2008 B2
7386916 Bone Jun 2008 B2
7395579 Oh Jul 2008 B2
7410516 Ivarsson et al. Aug 2008 B2
7419521 Oh et al. Sep 2008 B2
D581609 Conrad et al. Nov 2008 S
7448363 Rasmussen et al. Nov 2008 B1
7449040 Conrad et al. Nov 2008 B2
7485164 Jeong et al. Feb 2009 B2
7488363 Jeong et al. Feb 2009 B2
7544224 Tanner et al. Jun 2009 B2
7547338 Kim et al. Jun 2009 B2
7555810 Pullins et al. Jul 2009 B2
7581286 Choi Sep 2009 B2
7588616 Conrad et al. Sep 2009 B2
7594296 Park Sep 2009 B2
7597730 Yoo et al. Oct 2009 B2
7604675 Makarov et al. Oct 2009 B2
7618470 Eddington et al. Nov 2009 B2
7624475 Choi Dec 2009 B2
7645309 Jeong et al. Jan 2010 B2
7645311 Oh et al. Jan 2010 B2
7686858 Oh Mar 2010 B2
7731769 Min Jun 2010 B2
7736408 Böck et al. Jun 2010 B2
7740676 Burnham et al. Jun 2010 B2
7776116 Oh et al. Aug 2010 B2
7776120 Conrad Aug 2010 B2
7779505 Krebs et al. Aug 2010 B2
7779506 Kang et al. Aug 2010 B2
7803205 Oh et al. Sep 2010 B2
7803207 Conrad Sep 2010 B2
7867308 Conrad Jan 2011 B2
7882592 Hwang et al. Feb 2011 B2
7887612 Conrad Feb 2011 B2
7922794 Morphey Apr 2011 B2
7934286 Yoo et al. May 2011 B2
7938871 Lloyd May 2011 B2
7941895 Conrad May 2011 B2
7979953 Yoo Jul 2011 B2
8015659 Conrad et al. Sep 2011 B2
8021453 Howes Sep 2011 B2
8032981 Yoo Oct 2011 B2
8032983 Griffith et al. Oct 2011 B2
8034140 Conrad Oct 2011 B2
8048180 Oh et al. Nov 2011 B2
8062398 Luo et al. Nov 2011 B2
8100999 Ashbee et al. Jan 2012 B2
8117713 Kasper et al. Feb 2012 B2
8127397 Hess et al. Mar 2012 B2
8127398 Conrad Mar 2012 B2
8166607 Conrad May 2012 B2
8191203 Yoo Jun 2012 B2
8296900 Conrad Oct 2012 B2
8359705 Conrad Jan 2013 B2
8468464 Abramson et al. Jun 2013 B2
8468646 Yoo Jun 2013 B2
8484799 Conrad Jul 2013 B2
8528160 Conrad Sep 2013 B2
8769767 Conrad Jul 2014 B2
20010054213 Oh et al. Dec 2001 A1
20020011050 Hansen et al. Jan 2002 A1
20020020154 Yang Feb 2002 A1
20020026775 Murphy et al. Mar 2002 A1
20020062531 Oh May 2002 A1
20020088208 Lukac et al. Jul 2002 A1
20020112315 Conrad Aug 2002 A1
20020124538 Oh et al. Sep 2002 A1
20020134059 Oh Sep 2002 A1
20020162188 Harmen Nov 2002 A1
20020178535 Oh et al. Dec 2002 A1
20020178698 Oh et al. Dec 2002 A1
20020178699 Oh Dec 2002 A1
20030028994 Kitamura et al. Feb 2003 A1
20030158238 Hale et al. Aug 2003 A1
20030159238 Oh Aug 2003 A1
20030159411 Hansen et al. Aug 2003 A1
20030200736 Ni Oct 2003 A1
20030226232 Hayashi et al. Dec 2003 A1
20040010885 Hitzelberger et al. Jan 2004 A1
20040025285 McCormick et al. Feb 2004 A1
20040060146 Coates et al. Apr 2004 A1
20040112022 Vuijk Jun 2004 A1
20040128789 Harris Jul 2004 A1
20040163201 Murphy et al. Aug 2004 A1
20040194249 Lee et al. Oct 2004 A1
20040216263 Best et al. Nov 2004 A1
20040216264 Shaver et al. Nov 2004 A1
20040216266 Conrad Nov 2004 A1
20040237248 Oh et al. Dec 2004 A1
20040261213 Park et al. Dec 2004 A1
20050000054 Ninomiya et al. Jan 2005 A1
20050050678 Oh et al. Mar 2005 A1
20050125939 Hansen et al. Jun 2005 A1
20050132529 Davidshofer Jun 2005 A1
20050138757 Lee Jun 2005 A1
20050144754 Ivarsson et al. Jul 2005 A1
20050198767 Kang et al. Sep 2005 A1
20050198769 Lee et al. Sep 2005 A1
20050198770 Jung et al. Sep 2005 A1
20050252179 Oh et al. Nov 2005 A1
20060005346 Rupp et al. Jan 2006 A1
20060037172 Choi Feb 2006 A1
20060080947 Lee et al. Apr 2006 A1
20060090290 Lau May 2006 A1
20060123590 Fester et al. Jun 2006 A1
20060137304 Jeong et al. Jun 2006 A1
20060137305 Jung Jun 2006 A1
20060137306 Jeong et al. Jun 2006 A1
20060137307 Jeong Jun 2006 A1
20060137309 Jeong et al. Jun 2006 A1
20060156508 Khalil Jul 2006 A1
20060156509 Luebbering et al. Jul 2006 A1
20060156699 Kim Jul 2006 A1
20060162298 Oh et al. Jul 2006 A1
20060162299 North Jul 2006 A1
20060168923 Lee et al. Aug 2006 A1
20060191099 Fry et al. Aug 2006 A1
20060207231 Arnold Sep 2006 A1
20060230715 Oh et al. Oct 2006 A1
20060230724 Han et al. Oct 2006 A1
20060230726 Oh et al. Oct 2006 A1
20060236663 Oh Oct 2006 A1
20060248678 Park Nov 2006 A1
20060278081 Han et al. Dec 2006 A1
20070012002 Oh et al. Jan 2007 A1
20070039120 Choi Feb 2007 A1
20070067944 Kitamura et al. Mar 2007 A1
20070067945 Kasper et al. Mar 2007 A1
20070077810 Gogel et al. Apr 2007 A1
20070079473 Min et al. Apr 2007 A1
20070079584 Kim et al. Apr 2007 A1
20070079585 Oh et al. Apr 2007 A1
20070079587 Kim Apr 2007 A1
20070084160 Kim Apr 2007 A1
20070084161 Yoo Apr 2007 A1
20070095028 Kim et al. May 2007 A1
20070095029 Min et al. May 2007 A1
20070209334 Conrad Sep 2007 A1
20070226946 Best Oct 2007 A1
20070226947 Kang Oct 2007 A1
20070240275 Willenbring Oct 2007 A1
20070251048 Choi Nov 2007 A1
20070262512 Watanabe et al. Nov 2007 A1
20070266683 McDowell Nov 2007 A1
20070271724 Hakan et al. Nov 2007 A1
20070289085 Yoo Dec 2007 A1
20070289089 Yacobi Dec 2007 A1
20070289267 Makarov et al. Dec 2007 A1
20080040883 Beskow et al. Feb 2008 A1
20080047091 Nguyen Feb 2008 A1
20080083085 Genn Apr 2008 A1
20080104793 Kang et al. May 2008 A1
20080115312 DiPasquale et al. May 2008 A1
20080134460 Conrad Jun 2008 A1
20080134462 Jansen et al. Jun 2008 A1
20080172821 Kang Jul 2008 A1
20080172992 Conrad Jul 2008 A1
20080172995 Conrad Jul 2008 A1
20080178416 Conrad Jul 2008 A1
20080184681 Oh et al. Aug 2008 A1
20080190080 Oh et al. Aug 2008 A1
20080196194 Conrad Aug 2008 A1
20080196196 Conrad Aug 2008 A1
20080216282 Conrad Sep 2008 A1
20080250601 Coburn Oct 2008 A1
20080282497 Griffith et al. Nov 2008 A1
20090000054 Hampton et al. Jan 2009 A1
20090031522 Yoo et al. Feb 2009 A1
20090044371 Yoo et al. Feb 2009 A1
20090106932 Courtney Apr 2009 A1
20090113659 Jeon et al. May 2009 A1
20090113663 Follows et al. May 2009 A1
20090133370 Yoo et al. May 2009 A1
20090144929 Yoo Jun 2009 A1
20090144932 Yoo Jun 2009 A1
20090165431 Oh Jul 2009 A1
20090178229 Yoo Jul 2009 A1
20090178568 Yoo Jul 2009 A1
20090181841 Conrad Jul 2009 A1
20090193610 Gabric Aug 2009 A1
20090193771 Oh et al. Aug 2009 A1
20090205160 Conrad Aug 2009 A1
20090205161 Conrad Aug 2009 A1
20090209403 Conrad Aug 2009 A1
20090209666 Hellberg et al. Aug 2009 A1
20090217635 Bertram et al. Sep 2009 A1
20090300873 Grey Dec 2009 A1
20090307864 Dyson Dec 2009 A1
20100005611 Hong et al. Jan 2010 A1
20100005617 Hyun et al. Jan 2010 A1
20100037420 Lee Feb 2010 A1
20100043170 Ni Feb 2010 A1
20100071153 Genn Mar 2010 A1
20100095476 Kim et al. Apr 2010 A1
20100115727 Oh May 2010 A1
20100162515 Stephens Jul 2010 A1
20100175217 Conrad Jul 2010 A1
20100175219 Soen et al. Jul 2010 A1
20100212104 Conrad Aug 2010 A1
20100224073 Oh et al. Sep 2010 A1
20100229336 Conrad Sep 2010 A1
20100229338 Conrad Sep 2010 A1
20100242222 Conrad Sep 2010 A1
20100293745 Coburn Nov 2010 A1
20100299865 Conrad Dec 2010 A1
20110023262 Conrad Feb 2011 A1
20110214250 McLeod et al. Sep 2011 A1
20110219570 Conrad Sep 2011 A1
20110219573 Conrad Sep 2011 A1
20110219574 Conrad Sep 2011 A1
20110314629 Conrad Dec 2011 A1
20120000030 Conrad Jan 2012 A1
20120030895 Chong et al. Feb 2012 A1
20120030898 Crouch et al. Feb 2012 A1
20120047682 Makarov et al. Mar 2012 A1
20120159734 Fujiwara Jun 2012 A1
20120180662 Missalla et al. Jul 2012 A1
20120222235 Lenkiewicz et al. Sep 2012 A1
20120222245 Conrad Sep 2012 A1
20120272472 Conrad Nov 2012 A1
20130091660 Smith Apr 2013 A1
20130091661 Smith Apr 2013 A1
20130091812 Smith Apr 2013 A1
20130091813 Smith Apr 2013 A1
20130104335 Conrad May 2013 A1
20130145575 Conrad Jun 2013 A1
20140237768 Conrad Aug 2014 A1
20160367094 Conrad Dec 2016 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (66)
Number Date Country
1127788 Aug 1988 AU
1077412 May 1980 CA
2438079 Sep 2002 CA
2658014 Sep 2010 CA
2524655 Dec 2002 CN
2534954 Feb 2003 CN
1506016 Jun 2004 CN
1765283 May 2006 CN
1806741 Jul 2006 CN
1875855 Dec 2006 CN
1887437 Jan 2007 CN
1895148 Jan 2007 CN
101073480 Nov 2007 CN
201101488 Aug 2008 CN
101357051 Feb 2009 CN
201290642 Aug 2009 CN
101657133 Feb 2010 CN
102188208 Sep 2011 CN
103040412 Apr 2013 CN
103040413 Apr 2013 CN
875134 Apr 1953 DE
3734355 Jun 1989 DE
9216071 Feb 1993 DE
4232382 Mar 1994 DE
69907201 Feb 2004 DE
60201666 Jun 2006 DE
60033986 Nov 2007 DE
112007003039 Oct 2009 DE
112007003052 Jan 2010 DE
202011003563 May 2011 DE
112010001135 Aug 2012 DE
202010018047 Nov 2013 DE
202010018084 Feb 2014 DE
202010018085 Feb 2014 DE
489468 Jun 1992 EP
1200196 Jun 2005 EP
1674009 Jun 2006 EP
1779761 May 2007 EP
2471429 Nov 2013 EP
700791 Dec 1953 GB
1111074 Apr 1968 GB
2163703 Jan 1988 GB
2282979 Oct 1997 GB
2000140533 May 2000 JP
2004121722 Apr 2004 JP
2005040246 Feb 2005 JP
2005087508 Apr 2005 JP
2009261501 Nov 2009 JP
2010081968 Apr 2010 JP
2010227287 Oct 2010 JP
3002561 Nov 1980 WO
9400046 Jan 1994 WO
9627446 Sep 1996 WO
9809121 Mar 1998 WO
9843721 Oct 1998 WO
2007021043 Feb 2007 WO
2006026414 Aug 2007 WO
2008009890 Jan 2008 WO
2007084699 Feb 2008 WO
2008034325 Mar 2008 WO
2009026709 Mar 2009 WO
2009026714 Mar 2009 WO
2009076774 Jun 2009 WO
2010102396 Sep 2010 WO
2010147247 Dec 2010 WO
2011054106 May 2011 WO
Non-Patent Literature Citations (39)
Entry
English machine translation of DE202011003563U1 published on May 19, 2011.
English machine translation of DE202010018085U1 published on Feb. 27, 2014.
English machine translation of DE202010018084U1 published on Feb. 27, 2014.
English machine translation of De202010018047U1 published on Nov. 14, 2013.
English machine translation of DE112010001135T5 published on Aug. 2, 2012.
English machine translation of DE1120112007003052T5 published on Jan. 14, 2010.
English machine translation of DE112007003039T5 published on Oct. 29, 2009.
English machine translation of JP2010227287A published on Oct. 14, 2010.
English machine translation of JP2010081968A published on Apr. 15, 2010.
English machine translation of JP2009261501 published on Nov. 12, 2009.
English machine translation of JP2005087508 published on Apr. 7, 2005.
English machine translation of JP2005040246 published on Feb. 17, 2005.
English machine translation of JP2004121722 published on Apr. 22, 2004.
English machine translation of JP2000140533 published on May 23, 2000.
English machine translation of CN201290642 published on Aug. 19, 2009.
English machine translation of CN201101488 published on Aug. 20, 2008.
English machine translation of CN103040413 published on Apr. 17, 2013.
English machine translation of CN103040412 published on Apr. 17, 2013.
English machine translation of CN102188208 published on Sep. 21, 2011.
English machine translation of CN101657133 published on Feb. 24, 2010.
English machine translation of CN101357051 published on Feb. 4, 2009.
English machine translation of CN101073480 published on Nov. 21, 2007.
English machine translation of DE69907201 published on Feb. 5, 2004.
English machine translation DE60201666 published on Jun. 1, 2006.
English machine translation of DE60033986T2 published on Nov. 29, 2007.
English machine translation of DE9216071U1 published on Feb. 25, 1993.
English machine translation of DE4232382C1 published on Mar. 24, 1994.
English machine translation of DE3734355C2 published on Jun. 29, 1989.
English machine translation of CN2534954Y published on Feb. 12, 2003.
English machine translation of CN2524655Y published on Dec. 11, 2002.
English machine translation of CN1895148A published on Jan. 17, 2007.
English machine translation of CN1887437A published on Jan. 3, 2007.
English machine translation of CN1875855A published on Dec. 13, 2006.
English machine translation of CN1806741A published on Jul. 26, 2006.
English machine translation of CN1765283A published on May 3, 2006.
English machine translation of CN1506016A published on Jun. 23, 2004.
English machine translation of DE875134C published on Apr. 30, 1953.
International Search Report and Written Opinion, International Application No. PCT/CA2012/000185, dated Jun. 28, 2012.
Cheremisinoff, “Handbook of Air Pollution Prevention and Control”, Butterworth-Heinemann, Elsevier Science (USA), 2002, pp. 397-404.
Related Publications (1)
Number Date Country
20200187734 A1 Jun 2020 US
Continuations (3)
Number Date Country
Parent 15499151 Apr 2017 US
Child 16797929 US
Parent 14932816 Nov 2015 US
Child 15499151 US
Parent 13040676 Mar 2011 US
Child 14932816 US