CA2658022A1 - Configuration of an openable dirt bin - Google Patents

Abstract

A surface cleaning apparatus comprises an air treatment member comprising a dirt bin. The dirt bin has an openable door. The door comprises a sidewall provided on the door wherein the door has a dirt outlet.

Description

TITLE: CONFIGURATION OF AN OPENABLE DIRT BIN
FIELD
The specification relates to surface cleaning apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, the specification relates to a surface cleaning apparatus having a dirt bin with an openable door and preferably a cyclonic vacuum cleaner having a dirt bin with an openable door. The vacuum cleaner may be a hand vacuum cleaners.

INTRODUCTION
The following is not an admission that anything discussed below is prior art or part of the common general knowledge of persons skilled in the art.

Cyclonic separators, including those used in vacuum cleaners are known in the art. Typically, a cyclonic separator has an inlet for fluid (air, liquid or and air and liquid mix) to be treated and an outlet for treated fluid. Dirt may be collected either in the cyclone chamber itself (e.g. in the bottom) or in a collection chamber in fluid communication with the cyclone separator. Various such constructions are known in the art.

United States Patent No. 7,086,119 (Go et al) discloses a dust-collecting unit for a vacuum cleaner. The dust-collecting unit includes a cyclone separator having a dirt collection chamber positioned adjacent one lateral side of the cyclone separator. A dirt outlet is provided in the upper wall of the cyclone such that dirt may enter the adjacent dirt collection chamber through the outlet in the upper wall of the cyclone separator. A second dirt collection chamber is positioned below the cyclone. An openable bottom is provided.

Cyclonic hand vacuum cleaners have also been developed. These vacuum cleaners have typically used similar operating principles as full size cyclonic vacuum cleaners. See for example PCT publication WO 2008/009890;
PCT publication WO 2008/009888, PCT publication WO 2008/009883 and United States patent 7,370,387.

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

According to one broad aspect, a surface cleaning apparatus is provided that has an dirt bin with an openable door wherein the door is configured to be able to direct dirt accumulated thereon to be removed, e.g., poured, in a particular direction. For example, the door may have a sidewall extending upwardly from the inner surface of the door (i.e., the side of the door facing the dirt bin) and also extending part way around the perimeter of the door.
A gap is provided in the sidewall (e.g., the portion of the perimeter that is not provided with a sidewall). It will be appreciated that the sidewall may extend all the way around the perimeter and may be openable to provide the gap (e.g., a portion of the sidewall may re pivotally or slideably openable). Alternately, or in addition, a portion of the sidewall may have a lower height so as to define a stepped sidewall wherein the part of the sidewall having the decreased height defines the gap. The gap defines an opening through which dirt that is on the inner surface of the door may be poured off the inner surface and into, e.g. a garbage can. An advantage of this design is that the door can act like a dustpan or shovel to control the direction that dirt that is on the inner surface of the door is poured off. Accordingly, the sidewall may protect the dirt on the inner surface from fall off the door until the door is inverted.

In a preferred embodiment, a separation plate is provided on the door. A separation plate comprises a plate provided at a dirt outlet of a cyclone and defines one or more dirt outlets of a cyclone chamber. For example, the separating plate may be positioned spaced from and facing the dirt outlet end of a cyclone chamber. If a separation plate is provide on the inner surface of a door, and a sidewall is provided, then the provision of a gap assists in emptying any material that may have been accumulated between the inner surface of the plate and the surface of the plate facing the door.

It will be appreciated that the door may be openable by any means.
For example, the door may be pivotally mounted to the surface cleaning apparatus. Alternately, the door may be removable.

Accordingly, for example, the surface cleaning apparatus may comprise an air flow passage extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet with a suction motor positioned in the air flow passage. An air treatment member is positioned in the air flow passage and comprises a dirt bin having an openable door. The dirt bin has an openable door, the door having an inner surface side and comprising a sidewall on the inside surface side of the door. The openable door has a dirt outlet.

In some examples, the door has a perimeter and the sidewall extends only partially around the perimeter.

In some examples, the sidewall has a maximum height on one portion of the door and a reduced height on other portions of the door. The one portion may be opposed to the dirt outlet, and the other portions may extend from the one portion to the dirt outlet The other portions may terminate at the dirt outlet.

In some examples, the sidewall has a first portion opposed to the dirt outlet, and the first portion has a height. Second portions may extend from each end of the first portion to the dirt outlet. The height of the second portions may decrease from the first portion to the dirt outlet. In some examples the height of the second portions decreases continuously from the first portion to the dirt outlet.

In some examples, the sidewall is generally U shaped. In some examples, the sidewall has a first end on one portion of the door and a second end on another portion of the door and the dirt outlet is a gap between the ends.

It will be appreciated that the perimeter of the door need not be circular.
The shape of the perimeter will typically be defined by the perimeter of the dirt bin.

In some examples, the sidewall extends all around the door and the dirt outlet is a portion of the sidewall having a reduced height.

In some examples, the door is removably mounted to the surface cleaning apparatus. In some examples, the door is pivotally mounted to the surface cleaning apparatus.

In some examples, the air treatment member comprises a cyclone.
In some examples, the cyclone has a dirt outlet and a plate is positioned at the dirt outlet and faces the dirt outlet. In some examples, the plate is positioned on the inside surface of the door. In some examples, the dirt bin surrounds at least a portion of the cyclone. In some examples, the sidewall terminates below the plate.

In some examples, the sidewall has an openable portion.

It will be appreciated that a surface cleaning apparatus may incorporate one or more of the features of each of these examples DRAWINGS

In the detailed description, reference will be made to the following drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side plan view of an example of a hand vacuum cleaner;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the hand vacuum cleaner of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a front plan view of the hand vacuum cleaner of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a partially exploded rear perspective view of the hand vacuum cleaner of Figure 1;

Figure 5A is a front perspective view of the hand vacuum cleaner of Figure 1, showing a door in an open configuration;

Figure 5B is a front perspective view of the hand vacuum cleaner of Figure 1, showing a door removed from the hand vacuum cleaner;

Figure 5C is a bottom plan view of an alternate embodiment of a door;

Figure 6 is a cross section taken along line 6-6 in Figure 2;

Figure 7A is a bottom perspective view of the hand vacuum cleaner of Figure 1; and Figure 7B is a rear perspective view of the hand-vacuum cleaner of Figure 1, showing the cyclone unit removed from the hand vacuum cleaner.
DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EXAMPLES
Various apparatuses or methods will be described below to provide an example of each claimed invention. No example described below limits any claimed invention and any claimed invention may cover processes or apparatuses that are not described below. The claimed inventions are not limited to apparatuses or processes having all of the features of any one apparatus or process described below or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses described below. It is possible that an apparatus or process described below is not an embodiment of any claimed invention.

In the drawings attached hereto, the surface cleaning apparatus is exemplified as used in a hand vacuum cleaner that uses a cyclone. It will be appreciated that the vacuum cleaner 100 may be of various types (e.g., an upright vacuum cleaner, a canister vacuum cleaner, an extractor, etc.) and configurations (e.g., different positioning and orientation of a cleaning unit, such as a cyclone unit and the suction motor and differing cleaning units that may comprise one or more cyclones and/or one or more filters).

Referring to Figures 1 to 7B, an example of a surface cleaning apparatus 100 is shown. The surface cleaning apparatus 100 (also referred to herein as vacuum cleaner or cleaner 100) is a hand vacuum cleaner 100, and is movable along a surface to be cleaned by gripping and maneuvering handle 102.
The vacuum cleaner 100 includes an upper portion 104, a lower portion 106, a front end 108, and a rear end 110. In the example shown, handle 102 is provided at the upper portion 104. In alternate examples, handle 102 may be provided elsewhere on the vacuum cleaner 100, for example at the rear end 110, and may be of any design.

In the example shown, the vacuum cleaner 100 comprises a nozzle 112 and an air treatment member 114, which together preferably form a surface cleaning head 116 of the vacuum cleaner 100. In the example shown, the surface cleaning head 116 is preferably provided at the front end 108 of the vacuum cleaner 100.

Nozzle 112 engages a surface to be cleaned, and comprises a dirty air inlet 118, through which dirty air is drawn into the vacuum cleaner 100.
An airflow passage extends from the dirty air inlet 118 to a clean air outlet 120 of the cleaner 100. In the example shown, clean air outlet 120 is at the rear end 110 of the cleaner 100.

In the exemplified embodiment, air treatment member 114 is a cyclone unit 114. Cyclone unit 114 is provided in the airflow passage, downstream of the dirty air inlet 118. Cyclone unit 114 comprises an outer wall 115, a front wall 158, and a rear wall 179. In the example shown, the cyclone unit 114 comprises one cyclone 122, and one dirt bin 124, which are integrally formed. In alternate examples, the cyclone unit 114 may include more than one cyclonic stage, wherein each cyclonic stage comprises one or more cyclones and one or more dirt bins. Accordingly, the cyclones may be arranged in parallel and/or in sequence. Further, in alternate examples, the cyclone 122 and dirt bin 124 may be separately formed.

In the example shown, the nozzle 112 is positioned at the lower portion 106 of the vacuum cleaner 100. Preferably, as exemplified, nozzle 112 is positioned at the bottom of the vacuum cleaner 100, and, preferably, beneath the cyclone unit 114. Accordingly, as exemplified, nozzle 112 may be on lower surface 157 of cyclone unit 114. In a particularly preferred design, an upper wall of the nozzle 126 may be a lower wall of the cyclone unit 114. As shown in Figure 6, dirt bin 124 surrounds the lower portion of cyclone 122.
Accordingly, the upper wall of nozzle 112 may be part of the lower wall of the dirt bin. It will be appreciated that if dirt bin 124 does not extend around the lower portion of cyclone 122, then the upper wall of nozzle 112 may be part of a lower wall of cyclone 122.

Preferably, in the example shown, the nozzle 112 is fixedly positioned at the lower portion 106 of the vacuum cleaner 100. That is, the nozzle 112 is not movable (e.g., rotatable) with respect to the remainder of the vacuum cleaner 100, and is fixed at the lower portion 106 of the vacuum cleaner 100.

As shown in Figures 3 and 5, nozzle 112 has a width WN, and cyclone unit 114 has a width Wc. In the example shown, WN, and We are about the same. An advantage of this design is that the nozzle 112 may have a cleaning path that is essentially as wide as the hand vacuum itself.

Preferably, nozzle 112 comprises an airflow chamber 136 wherein at least a portion, and preferably a majority, of the lower surface of the chamber 136 is open. Such a design is exemplified in Figure 7A wherein, as mentioned hereinabove, nozzle 112 comprises an upper nozzle wall 126. In the example shown, the upper nozzle wall 126 comprises a lower portion 119 of outer wall 115 of the cyclone unit. Accordingly, nozzle 112 is integral with cyclone unit 114.
It will be appreciated that nozzle 112 need not have a common wall with cyclone unit 114. It will also be appreciated that nozzle 112 may be any nozzle known in the art and may comprise an enclosed passage extending from the dirty air inlet.

If nozzle 112 is open sided, then preferably, one or more depending walls 128 extend downwardly from the upper nozzle wall 126. The depending wall 128 is preferably generally U-shaped. In one embodiment, a depending wall is provided rearward of opening 138. In other embodiments, depending walls may alternately or in addition be provided on the lateral sides of opening 138. It is preferred that depending walls are provided on each lateral side of opening and rearward thereof. Further, depending walls 128 may extend a substantial distance to the front end 108 and, preferably, essentially all the way to front end 108. The depending wall 128 may be continuous to define a single wall as shown, or may be discontinuous. The depending wall 128 is preferably rigid (e.g., integrally molded with cyclone unit 114). However, they may be flexible (e.g., bristles or rubber) or moveably mounted to cyclone unit 114 (e.g., hingedly mounted).

Preferably, the lower end 132 of depending wall 128 is spaced above the surface being cleaned when the hand vacuum cleaner is placed on a surface to be cleaned. As exemplified in Figure 6, when vacuum cleaner 100 is placed on a floor F, lower end 132 of depending wall 128 is spaced a distance H
above the floor. Preferably distance H is from 0.01 to 0.175 inches, more preferably from 0.04 to 0.08 inches. In the example shown, a plurality of optional wheels 135 are mounted to the depending wall 128, and extend lower than the lower end 132 of the depending wall 128. Accordingly, in use, when wheels 135 are in contact with a surface, the lower end 132 of the depending wall 128 is spaced from the surface to be cleaned.

The height of the depending wall (between upper nozzle wall 126 and lower end 132) may vary. In some examples, the depending wall may have a height of between about 0.05 inches and about 0.875 inches, preferably between about 0.125 inches and about 0.6 inches and more preferably between about 0.2 inches and about 0.4 The height of depending wall may vary but is preferably constant.

As exemplified, the open end of the U-shape defines an open side 130 of the nozzle 112, and forms the dirty air inlet 118 of the cleaner 100.
In the example shown, the open side 130 is provided at the front of the nozzle 112.
In use, when wheels 135 are in contact with a surface, the open side 130 sits above and is adjacent a surface to be cleaned (e.g. floor F). As mentioned hereinabove, preferably, lower end 132 of depending walls 128 is spaced above floor F.
Accordingly, some air may enter nozzle 112 by passing underneath depending wall 128. In such a case, the primary air entry to nozzle 112 is via open side so that dirty air inlet 118 is the primary air inlet, with a secondary air inlet being under depending wall 128.

In the example shown, the lower end 132 of the depending wall 128 defines an open lower end 134 of the nozzle 114. The open lower end 134 preferably extends to the front 108 of the cleaner 108, and merges with the open side 130. In use, the exemplified nozzle has an open lower end 134 that faces a surface to be cleaned.

It will be appreciated that wheels 135 are optional. Preferably, wheels 135 are positioned exterior to the airflow path through nozzle 112, e.g., laterally outwardly from depending wall 128. Preferably a pair of front wheels are provided. Preferably, the wheels are located adjacent front 108.
Optionally, one or more rear wheels 180 may be provided. In an alternate embodiment, no wheels may be provided.

The upper nozzle wall 126, depending wall 128, and open lower end 134 of the nozzle 112 define the open sided airflow chamber 136 of the nozzle. In use, when wheels 135 are in contact with a horizontal surface, the nozzle 112 and the airflow chamber 136 extend generally horizontally, and preferably linearly along a nozzle axis 113 (see Figure 7A).

An opening 138 is provided in the upper nozzle wall 126, and is in communication with the airflow chamber 136. Opening 138 may be of any size and configuration and at various locations in upper nozzle wall 126. In use, when wheels 135 are in contact with a surface, the opening 138 faces a surface to be cleaned, air enters the dirty air inlet 118, passes horizontally through the airflow chamber 136, and passes into the opening 138. Opening 138 is in communication with a cyclone inlet passage 139, which is in communication with a cyclone air inlet 140 of cyclone 122.

Cyclone 122 may of any configuration and orientation. Preferably, cyclone 122 comprises a chamber wall 142, which in the example shown, is cylindrical. The cyclone chamber is located inside chamber wall 142. The cyclone 122 extends along an axis 123, which, in the example shown, is preferably parallel to the nozzle axis, and preferably extends generally horizontally when cleaner 100 is in use and wheels 135 are seated on a surface. Cyclone 122 has a first end 196, which in the example shown is the front of the cyclone, and a second end 198, which in the example shown is a rear 198 of the cyclone.

Preferably, the cyclone air inlet and the cyclone air outlet are at the same end of the cyclone 122 and the dirt outlet is at an opposed end. The cyclone air outlet may be covered by a screen or shroud or filter as is known in the art. As exemplified the cyclone air inlet 140 is defined by an aperture in the chamber wall 142, and is at the rear 198 of the cyclone 122. As can be seen in Figure 5, the inlet passage 139 is at configured such that air enters the cyclone 122 in a tangential flow path, e.g., passage 139 may be arcuate. The air travels in a cyclonic path in the cyclone, and dirt in the air is separated from the air. The air exits the cyclone via an outlet passage 144, through outlet 145. Outlet 145 is defined in a rear wall 179 of the cyclone unit 114. Accordingly, cyclone inlet and outlet 145 are at the same end of the cyclone 122.

As exemplified in Figure 6, a plate 174 may be provided adjacent outlet passage 144, spaced from and facing the inlet 176 to outlet passage 144.
Plate 174 may be mounted to cyclone 122 via legs 178. In the example shown, plate 174, and legs 178 form an assembly 182 that is removably mounted in cyclone 122. In some examples, a screen may be mounted around legs 178.
The dirt that is separated from the air exits the cyclone via dirt outlet 146, and enters dirt bin 124. The dirt bin may be internal or external to the cyclone chamber. Preferably, as exemplified, the dirt bin 124 is external.
Accordingly, the dirt outlet may be at the front 196 of the cyclone 122, and further, may be preferably at the front end 108 of the cleaner 100. The dirt bin 124 may be in communication with the cyclone chamber 122 by any means known in the art. Accordingly, one or more dirt outlets may be provided.

A separation plate 154 may be provided in the dirt bin 124, adjacent the dirt outlet 146, and in facing relation to the dirt outlet. The separation plate 154 aids in preventing dirt in dirt bin 124 from re-entering cyclone 122.
Preferably, plate 154 is spaced from dirt outlet 146. Plate 154 may be mounted by any means to any component in cyclone unit 114. As exemplified, the separation plate is mounted on an arm 156, which preferably extends from a front wall 158 at the front 108 of the cleaner 100. More preferably, arm 156 extends from an inside surface 190 of front wall 158.

Preferably, as in the example shown, dirt bin 124 comprises two portions. A first portion 148 is provided between separation plate 154 and front end 158 of cyclone unit 114. A second portion 150 is concentric with the cyclone 122. A lower portion 152 of the second portion 150 is below the cyclone. As exemplified, nozzle 112 is positioned below first portion 148, and lower portion 152. Accordingly, dirt bin 124 may comprise an annular chamber surrounding the cyclone 122.

In accordance with an aspect of this specification, dirt bin 124 is provided with a door that is openable wherein the door has a dirt outlet. It will be appreciated that door may be provided at any location on dirt bin 124, and preferably at an end thereof. For example, if the dirt bin comprises an end of a cyclone chamber opposed to the air outlet end of the cyclone, then the end may be openable. Alternately, if the dirt bin is external to the cyclone chamber, then the dirt bin may have an end wall or floor, or a portion thereof that is openable.

In the exemplified embodiment, one of the ends of the cyclone unit 114 may be openable. As exemplified in Figures 4 and 5A, front wall 158 of the cyclone unit 114 is pivotally mounted to the vacuum cleaner 100. Preferably, the front wall 158 is pivotally mounted to the outer wall 115 of the cyclone unit 114 at pivots 177. Front wall 158 serves as an openable door 158 of the dirt bin 124, such that dirt bin 124 may be emptied. The dirt bin is preferably openable both when the dirt bin is mounted to the hand vacuum cleaner, or when it is optionally removed, as will be described hereinbelow. When door 158 is pivoted away from the remainder of the cyclone unit 114, separation plate 154 and arm 156, if provided, preferably also pivot away from the remainder of the cyclone unit. A
latch 159 is provided at upper portion 104, which secures door 158 to wall 115.
Any securing means may be used.

Referring to Figure 5B, in the example shown, openable door 158 is also preferably removably mounted to cyclone unit wall 115. That is, openable door 158 may be removed from vacuum cleaner 100 by a user, and may be re-mounted to vacuum cleaner 100. Openable door 100 may be removably mounted by any means known in the art. For example, pivots 177 may be releasable from door 158 or wall 115, or may be separable into two portions as shown. Such embodiments may be useful because, for example, a user may hold the vacuum cleaner such that door 158 is facing downward, so that the dirt in the dirt bin 124 falls into the first portion 148 of the dirt bin, and rests on door 158. The user may then remove door 158, and carry door 158 to a garbage can, for example, and empty the dirt from the door 158. Alternately, the dirt bin may be opened over a garbage can, the door removed and then both the door and the dirt bin inverted. Once separated, the door may be washed before the dirt bin is reassembled.

As exemplified in Figures 5B, door 158 has a dirt outlet 199. For example, as shown, the openable door 158 comprises an inside surface 190, and a sidewall 192 provided on perimeter 194 of the door and extending inwardly or upwardly from the inside surface 190. It will be understood that the inner surface defines the portion of the door that, in this embodiment, faces the dirt outlet and has plate 154 mounted thereto. In this example, it is planar. It will be appreciated that plate 154 need not be mounted to a central portion of inner surface 190 but may be mounted to sidewall 192. It will also be appreciated that door 158 could be, for example, semicircular. In all such cases a dirt outlet 199 is provided. The dirt outlet 199 may be provided by a gap in the sidewall 192.

Preferably, as exemplified, the sidewall 192 extends only partially around a perimeter 194 of the inner surface 190. For example, as shown, the sidewall 192 extends around the perimeter 194 of the inner surface 190, excluding the lower portion 197 of the perimeter 194. Accordingly, as shown, sidewall 192 is generally U-shaped, and has ends 109 and 111. The lower portion 197 of the perimeter, i.e. the portion absent the sidewall 192, serves as the dirt outlet 199 of the door 158. That is, in the exemplified embodiment, the dirt outlet 199 is provided by a gap between the ends 109, 111, of sidewall 192.
Accordingly, when door 158 is removed from surface cleaning apparatus 100, a user may empty door 158 by tilting the dirt towards dirt outlet 199.

Preferably, the sidewall 192, or a portion thereof, terminates below plate 154.

In the example shown, the sidewall 192 has a maximum height on one portion of the door, and a reduced height on other portions of the door.
For example, as shown, the sidewall has a maximum height on the portion 103 of the door 158 opposed to dirt outlet 199, and the portions 105 of reduced height extend from the portion 103 of maximum height towards the dirt outlet 199.
Portions 105 terminate at dirt outlet 199. As shown, portion 103 has a height H1, and the height of portions 105 decreases from the portion 103 to the dirt outlet 199. Preferably, the height of portions 105 decreases continuously.

Referring to Figure 5C, in an alternate embodiment, the sidewall 192 may extend all the way around the perimeter 194 of the inner surface 190.
In such an example, the sidewall 192 may have a portion 151 of reduced height, and the portion of reduced height 151 may serve as the dirt outlet 199.
Alternately, in such an example, the sidewall 192 may have an aperture that serves as the dirt outlet 199. Alternately, the sidewall 192 may have an openable portion.

The rear portion of the dirt bin 124 may be closed by wall 179.

The clean air exiting cyclone 122 passes through outlet 145 of outlet passage 144, exits surface cleaning head 116, and passes into the cleaner body 160. In the example shown, the cleaner body 160 is positioned rearward of the surface cleaning head 116. The cleaner body comprises a suction motor housing 168, which houses a suction motor 164. Suction motor 164 is provided in the airflow path and may be any type of suction motor. The suction motor draws air into the dirty air inlet 118 of the cleaner 100, through the airflow path past the suction motor 164, and out of the clean air outlet 120. The suction motor 164 has a motor axis 165. Preferably, as in the example shown, the motor axis 165 and the cyclone axis 123 extend in the same direction and are preferably generally parallel.

Preferably, as in the example shown, suction motor housing 168 further houses a pre-motor filter 162. Preferably, as in the exemplified embodiments, the vacuum cleaner has a linear configuration. Accordingly, to obtain such a configuration, pre-motor filter 162 is provided in the airflow path, preferably adjacent and upstream of motor 164, preferably adjacent and downstream of the outlet passage 144, and preferably facing the outlet 145.
Pre-motor filter 162 serves to remove remaining particulate matter from air exiting the cyclone 122, and may be any type of filter, such as a foam filter. One or more filters may be used. If the vacuum cleaner is of a non-linear configuration, then pre-motor filter 162 need not be located adjacent outlet passage 144.

The cleaner body 160 further optionally comprises a post-motor filter housing 170. A post motor filter 166 may be provided in the post-motor filter housing 170. The post motor filter 166 is provided in the airflow path downstream of, and preferably adjacent, the suction motor 164. Post motor filter 166 serves to remove remaining particulate mater from air exiting the cleaner 100. Post-motor filter 166 may be any type of filter, such as a HEPA filter.
If the vacuum cleaner is of a non-linear configuration, then post motor filter 166 need not be located adjacent suction motor 164.

Clean air outlet 120 is provided downstream of post-motor filter 166. Clean air outlet 120 may comprise a plurality of apertures formed in housing 170.

Referring to Figure 7B, the dirt bin 124 is preferably removable from the hand vacuum cleaner 100 as a sealed unit for emptying. In the example shown, the cyclone unit 114 comprises the dirt bin 124, accordingly the cyclone unit 114 is removable from the hand vacuum cleaner to remove the dirt bin 124.
It will be appreciated that dirt bin 124 may be separately removable. This design is advantageous if the surface cleaning apparatus is not a hand or shoulder strap carriable unit. For example, if the surface cleaning apparatus is an upright vacuum cleaner, then the dirt bin may be removed with or without the filtration unit or units, e.g., a cyclone, and then emptied.

As can be seen in Figure 7B, when the cyclone unit 114 is removed from the hand vacuum cleaner, and particularly from motor housing 168, it is preferably sealed, except for the fluid flow passages leading to and from the first cyclone unit (i.e. opening 138 and outlet 145). That is, wall 179 seals the cyclone unit 114. In order to empty the dirt bin 124, the door 158 may be opened, and the dirt may be emptied from dirt bin 124.

In order to remove cyclone unit 114 from the surface cleaning apparatus, the cyclone unit may comprise a first mounting member 173, and the suction motor housing 168 may have a second mounting member 175. The first 173 and second 175 mounting members are releasably engageable with each other. In the example shown, the first 173 and second 175 mounting members comprise a bayonet mount. In alternate examples, the first and second mounting members may be another type of mounting member, such as mating screw threads, magnets, or any other type of mounting members.

One or more additional wheels 180 may be mounted to housing 161, preferably at lower portion 106, and may be used in conjunction with wheels 135. Preferably, a single rear wheel 180 is provided. Preferably, rear wheel is located on a centre line of the vacuum cleaner and rearward of the depending wall 128.

Claims (18)

1. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising:
(a) an air flow passage extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;
(b) a suction motor positioned in the air flow passage; and, (c) an air treatment member comprising a dirt bin positioned in the air flow passage;
(d) the dirt bin having an openable door, the door having an inner surface side and comprising a sidewall on the inside surface side of the door, the openable door having a dirt outlet.

2. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the door has a perimeter and the sidewall extends only partially around the perimeter.

3. The surface cleaning apparatus of any of claims 1-2 wherein the sidewall has a maximum height on one portion of the door and a reduced height on other portions of the door.

4. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 3 wherein the one portion is opposed to the dirt outlet and the other portions extend from the one portion to the dirt outlet.

5. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 4 wherein the other portions terminate at the dirt outlet.

6. The surface cleaning apparatus of any of claims 1-3 wherein the sidewall has a first portion opposed to the dirt outlet, the first portion having a height and second portions extending from each end of the first portion to the dirt outlet and the height of the second portions decreases from the first portion to the dirt outlet.

7. The surface cleaning apparatus of any of claims 1-3 wherein the sidewall has a first portion opposed to the dirt outlet, the first portion having a height and second portions extending from each end of the first portion to the dirt outlet and the height of the second portions decreases continuously from the first portion to the dirt outlet.

8. The surface cleaning apparatus of any of claims 1-7 wherein the sidewall is generally U shaped.

9. The surface cleaning apparatus of any of claims 1-8 wherein the sidewall has a first end on one portion of the door and a second end on another portion of the door and the dirt outlet is a gap between the ends.

10. The surface cleaning apparatus of any of claims 1 wherein the sidewall extends all around the door and the dirt outlet is a portion of the sidewall having a reduced height.

11.The surface cleaning apparatus of any of claims 1-10 wherein the door is removably mounted to the surface cleaning apparatus.

12.The surface cleaning apparatus of any of claims 1-10 wherein the door is pivotally mounted to the surface cleaning apparatus.

13.The surface cleaning apparatus of any of claims 1-12 wherein the air treatment member comprises a cyclone.

14.The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 13 wherein the cyclone has a dirt outlet and a plate is positioned at the dirt outlet and faces the dirt outlet.

15. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 14 wherein the plate is positioned on the inside surface of the door.

16.The surface cleaning apparatus of any of claims 13-15 wherein the dirt bin surrounds at least a portion of the cyclone.

17. The surface cleaning apparatus of any of claims 14-16 wherein the sidewall terminates below the plate.

18.The surface cleaning apparatus of any of claims 1-17 wherein the sidewall has an openable portion.