GB2541078A

GB2541078A - A vacuum cleaner

Info

Publication number: GB2541078A
Application number: GB1609568.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dhanjal Kulraj; James Doyle John
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-06-02
Filing date: 2016-05-27
Publication date: 2017-02-08
Anticipated expiration: 2036-05-27
Also published as: GB2541078B; GB201609568D0

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner 2 comprises a container 10 for receiving a bag 12 into which the collected dirt is deposited and transport means 28 for facilitating transportation of the vacuum cleaner 2 between different cleaning locations. The container 10 is a collapsible container 10, for example telescopic or foldable, which is movable between a collapsed condition for providing a basic bag-receiving capacity and at least one erected condition providing an increased bag-receiving capacity. The transport means 28 is a trolley arrangement 28 and the trolley arrangement 28 comprises wheel means 30, 32 for enabling the vacuum cleaner to be moved over a surface with the container 10 extending vertically with respect to the surface, and also for enabling the vacuum cleaner 2 to be moved over the surface with the container 10 extending horizontally with respect to the surface.

Description

A VACUUM CLEANER

This invention relates to a vacuum cleaner and, more especially, this invention relates to a vacuum cleaner with increased versatility.

Known vacuum cleaners comprise a hose, an electric motor for causing a suction by which dirt is collected by being sucked up via an inlet arrangement to the hose, and a container for receiving a bag into which the collected dirt is deposited. The known vacuum cleaners are often used in the commercial sector where contract cleaners are required to transport the vacuum cleaners between different locations, for example between different office buildings. Often the vacuum cleaners are too large for enabling a person easily to transport a vacuum cleaner between different locations requiring to be cleaned. Carrying the vacuum cleaners on public transport is often not a possibility, and even transporting the vacuum cleaners via private cars is difficult. The size of the known vacuum cleaners may require the use of a van. Much commercial cleaning is done by individuals who are required to clean at unsociable hours such for example as early in the morning or late at night. Such persons may not be able to afford cars or vans, and even when they can, there may be parking problems. Public transport may be the easiest way for such persons to move between locations, but then the known vacuum cleaners are too large for easily being transported on public transport. The option of using smaller cleaners is often not available because, whilst the smaller cleaners might be more easily transportable, they do not have the dirt-carry capacity often required when cleaning in commercial environments.

It is an aim of the present invention to reduce the above mentioned problem.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided a vacuum cleaner comprising: (i) a hose; (ii) an electric motor for causing a suction by which dirt is collected by being sucked up via an inlet arrangement to the hose; (iii) a container for receiving a bag into which the collected dirt is deposited, and (iv) transport means for facilitating transportation of the vacuum cleaner between different cleaning locations, and the vacuum cleaner being such that: (v) the container is a collapsible container which is movable between a collapsed condition for providing a basic bagreceiving capacity, and at least one erected condition providing an increased bag-receiving capacity, whereby the vacuum cleaner is able to operate with an increasing dirt-collecting capacity as may be required at the different cleaning locations; (vi) when the container is in the collapsed condition then the vacuum cleaner is configured for enabling ease of movement, whereby a person is assisted in moving the vacuum cleaner between the different cleaning locations; (vii) the transport means is a trolley arrangement; and (viii) the trolley arrangement comprises wheel means for enabling the vacuum cleaner to be moved over a surface with the container extending vertically with respect to the surface, and also for enabling the vacuum cleaner to be moved over the surface with the container extending horizontally with respect to the surface.

The apparatus is especially useful for persons cleaning in the commercial sector and who are required to transport vacuum cleaners between offices and other buildings at various different locations. The vacuum cleaner of the present invention may be configured for movement by a single person. Advantageously, the dirt-carrying capacity of the vacuum cleaner is able to be varied so that the vacuum cleaner can be used for collecting more or less dirt as may be required at any location, simply by moving the collapsed container from the collapsed condition to a desired erected condition. In the collapsed condition of the container, the vacuum cleaner is able to be configured for being carried by a person on public transport, or more easily being transported by a person in a private car, or being more easily transported by a person in an van. If a plurality of cleaners are being transported via a van to a large cleaning location requiring the use of a plurality of vacuum cleaners, then the vacuum cleaners more easily stack into the van or other transportation vehicle, due to the fact that the vacuum cleaner of the present invention is able to occupy less space than known vacuum cleaners. A further advantage afforded by the reduced size of the vacuum cleaner of the present invention when it is in the collapsed condition is that the vacuum cleaner is able to be stored more easily at a premises. Such premises may be often be the home of a cleaner because the cleaner is required to clean early in the morning and/or late at night, and at these times the cleaner needs to be based at home rather than at an office. The provision of the trolley arrangement with its first and second sets of wheels enables the vacuum cleaner to be moved over a surface in an upright or horizontal position. This enables the vacuum cleaner to be more easily moved around various locations requiring cleaning, for example office locations where desks, chairs, filing cabinets and other office equipment may at times require the vacuum container to be in a vertical position, and may at other times require the container to be in a horizontal position.

The vacuum cleaner may include a backpack arrangement for enabling the vacuum cleaner to be carried on a person’s back between the different cleaning locations. The different cleaning locations may be in different buildings or alternatively may be different locations in the same building. The trolley arrangement may be mounted on a backpack arrangement. Mounting the trolley arrangement on the backpack arrangement is an advantageous way of producing the vacuum cleaner such that it is easily carried on the person’s back and in a compact manner.

The vacuum cleaner may be one in which the trolley arrangement has a handle by which the vacuum cleaner is able to be pulled, in which the handle is an extendable handle, and in which the container is attached to the handle such that increasing the length of the handle causes the container to move from the collapsed condition towards the erected condition, and decreasing the length of the handle causes the container to move from the erected condition towards the collapsed condition. Preferably, the handle is a telescopic handle but other types of extendable handle may be employed.

The vacuum cleaner may include an exhaust formation which is located at a bottom part of the vacuum cleaner. The exhaust formation may exhaust small particles of dirt and these are best exhausted at a bottom part of the vacuum cleaner, that is a part of the vacuum cleaner which is nearest the surface being cleaned. If the exhaust formation were to be located at a top part of the vacuum cleaner, then any dirt particles exhausted are exhausted higher up in the room or other space being cleaned and this leads to an increase in the amount of dust likely to settle on objects within the room or other space being cleaned.

The vacuum cleaner may be one in which the container comprises at least first and second parts which move with respect to each other to enable the container to move between the collapsed condition and the erected condition.

The vacuum cleaner may include sealing means for providing sealing of the container in the erected condition. The sealing means may be located at junctions between parts of the container which move relative to one another when the container moves between the collapsed condition and the erected condition. The sealing means may be elongate seals or any other suitable and appropriate sealing means.

The vacuum cleaner may be one in which the container has a single erected condition. Alternatively, the vacuum cleaner may be one in which the container has a plurality of erected conditions with the erected conditions progressively increasing the size of the container. In this case, an erected condition will be chosen commensurate with the amount of dirt to be collected at the location to be cleaned. There may be, for example, two, three or four of the erected conditions.

The vacuum cleaner may be operable with the container in the collapsed condition. This enables the vacuum cleaner to be used for collecting small amounts of dirt without the need for moving the container to the erected condition. Alternatively, the vacuum cleaner may be one which is not operable with the container in the collapsed condition. As to whether or not the vacuum cleaner is operable with the container in the collapsed condition depends upon how the container is constructed to move between its collapsed condition and its erected condition. When the container is in the collapsed condition, the container may be one section high, or less than one section high.

The vacuum cleaner may be one in which the container has telescoping sides whereby the container is a telescoping container.

Alternatively, the vacuum cleaner may be one in which the container has folding sides whereby the container is a folding container. The sides may fold about at least one vertical hinge, and in this case the folding may be from side to side. Alternatively, the sides may fold about at least one horizontal hinge, and in this case the folding may be up and down. Any suitable and appropriate folding direction may be employed so long as the required collapsing and erecting is able to be achieved.

Alternatively, the vacuum cleaner may be one in which the container has coil spring sides. The coil spring sides may be of any suitable plastics material.

With the vacuum cleaner of the present invention, the vacuum cleaner may only be 15 - 18 inches high in the collapsed condition. Other heights may be employed.

The vacuum cleaner may include locking means for locking the container in the erected condition. The locking means may also lock the container in the collapsed condition.

The locking means may be a clip locking means, or a rotatable locking means. Other types of locking means may be employed. When a clip locking means is employed, then the clip locking means is preferably a spring clip locking means. The locking means may be mounted on the trolley arrangement. The locking means may lock the container externally. Any seals in the container may be locked internally.

The container may have a circular, square or rectangular shape in cross section.

The vacuum cleaner may be one in which the first wheel means comprises a pair of wheels for enabling the vacuum cleaner to be moved over the surface with the container extending vertically with respect to the surface, and at least one auxiliary wheel which acts with the pair of wheels for enabling the vacuum cleaner to be moved over the surface with the container extending horizontally with respect to the surface. The pair of wheels and the auxiliary wheel may be wheels which swivel, are fixed, or are in the form of casters.

The vacuum cleaner may be one in which the pair of wheels and/or the auxiliary wheel are retractable wheels. The retractable wheels may be retractable by being spring loaded. Other retracting means may be employed. The retractable wheels are advantageous in that, in their retracted condition, they are not likely to dig into the person when the vacuum cleaner is being carried, for example on the person’s back. The retractable wheels may be retractable by folding, pivoting or other retractable means.

The transport means may include a handle.

The vacuum cleaner may include an indicator for indicating when the bag is full. The indicator will usually be a visual indicator but alternatively or additionally it may be an audible indicator. The visual indicator may be a pivoting arm, a light or other device. The audible indicator may be a buzzer or other device.

The vacuum cleaner may include the bag.

The vacuum cleaner may be one which includes an accessory cleaning pack, and in which the accessory cleaning pack is mounted on the trolley arrangement. The accessory cleaning pack may contain a variety of cleaning products such for example as dusters, brushes and polishes.

The vacuum cleaner may be one which includes at least one foot for facilitating standing the vacuum cleaner in an upright position. The foot may be at the front or the back of the vacuum cleaner. The foot may be in the form of a leg, a wheel or other support device.

The vacuum cleaner may include an auxiliary filter. The auxiliary filter may be a high efficiency particulate arrestance (HEPA) filter for filtering small particles.

The present invention also provides the vacuum cleaner and an enclosure for receiving the vacuum cleaner.

The enclosure may receive the entire vacuum cleaner.

The enclosure may comprise a body portion and a top cover.

The enclosure may include a base having one or more apertures for enabling wheels of the trolley arrangement to project through the base.

The enclosure, for example in the top cover, may also have an aperture for receiving a handle of the trolley arrangement.

With the enclosure having the aperture or apertures for the wheels and the handle of the trolley arrangement, then the enclosure can be pulled along in the same manner as if the vacuum cleaner did not have the enclosure.

The enclosure advantageously contains space and/or compartments and/or containers for receiving cleaning accessories.

Apart from the provision of the collapsible container and the configuration of the vacuum cleaner for enabling ease of movement, other parts of the vacuum cleaner may be as in known vacuum cleaners. Thus the vacuum cleaner may employ a vacuum bag made of a known construction. The bag may be such that the air is sucked through the bag, whilst the dirt that has been sucked up is retained in the bag. The air may leave the bag by passing through walls and/or a bottom of the bag. The exiting air may be arranged to cool the electric motor, for example by flowing over the electric motor. When the bag is full, it may be removed and replaced with a new bag.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner with a container in a fully erected condition and extending vertically;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the vacuum cleaner as shown in Figure 1 but with the container in a partially collapsed condition and extending vertically;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the vacuum cleaner as shown in Figure 1 but with the container in a fully collapsed condition and extending vertically;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the vacuum cleaner as shown in Figure 1 but with the container extending horizontally;

Figure 5 is a sectional view of part of the vacuum cleaner as shown in Figure 1, and illustrates how a handle part of the vacuum cleaner is attached to the container;

Figures 6, 7 and 8 show how the container in the vacuum cleaner of Figure 1 has three parts which move relative to one another in order to enable the container to be movable between the erected condition shown in Figure 1 and the collapsed condition shown in Figure 3, with Figures 6, 7 and 8 also showing the use of locking means for locking the parts in the required condition;

Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the container parts shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8, and additionally provided with sealing means;

Figure 10 is a cross section through the lower part of the vacuum cleaner as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3;

Figure 11 shows the vacuum cleaner of Figure 1 mounted on a backpack arrangement;

Figure 12 shows a modification to the backpack arrangement shown in Figure 11;

Figures 13, 14 and 15 illustrate an alternative trolley arrangement for the vacuum cleaner, and show how the container is connected to the trolley arrangement to enable movement of the container between the collapsed and erected conditions;

Figures 16 and 17 are views like Figures 13 and 14 and with the container mounted on the trolley arrangement;

Figure 18 is a top view of the apparatus as shown in Figures 16 and 17;

Figures 19 and 20 are front and side views respectively of a trolley arrangement which may be like the trolley arrangement shown in Figures 13 and 14, and which illustrate various retaining parts for retaining the vacuum cleaner in position;

Figures 21, 22, 23 and 24 illustrate another embodiment of vacuum cleaner of the present invention, and show how a trolley arrangement is able to be mounted on a backpack;

Figure 25 shows an accessory pack for use with apparatus of the present invention;

Figures 26 - 30 show a further embodiment of the present invention, with the embodiment being one in which the container has folding parts rather than telescoping parts as shown in the vacuum cleaners of Figures 1 - 25;

Figure 31 - 34 show different folding configurations for a vacuum cleaner of the present invention;

Figure 35 is a front view of an enclosure for use with a vacuum cleaner of the invention;

Figure 36 is a view of a top part of the enclosure shown in Figure 35;

Figure 37 is a view of a base part of the enclosure shown in Figure 35;

Figure 38 is a view like Figure 35 and shows how the enclosure may also receive a bucket;

Figure 39 shows a bag-emptying arrangement for use with a vacuum cleaner of the present invention;

Figure 40 shows the bag-emptying arrangement of Figure 39 being placed in a container for receiving dirt and dust in the bag; and

Figure 41 shows the bag being emptied in the container.

Referring to Figures 1-10, there is shown a vacuum cleaner 2 comprising a hose 4 and an electric motor 6 for causing a suction by which dirt is collected by being sucked up via an inlet arrangement 8 to the hose 4. The vacuum cleaner 2 also comprises a container 10 for receiving a bag 12 into which the collected dirt is deposited.

The vacuum cleaner 2 is such that the container 10 is a collapsible container which is movable between a collapsed condition providing a basic bag-receiving capacity, and at least one erected condition providing an increased bag-receiving capacity. The fully collapsed condition as shown in Figure 3, which provides the basic or smallest size for the bag 12. A partially collapsed condition is shown in Figure 2. The ability of the container 10 to move between the collapsed condition and the erected condition enables the vacuum cleaner 2 to be able to operate with an increasing dirt-collecting capacity as may be required at different cleaning locations.

When the container 10 is in the collapsed condition as shown in Figure 3, then the vacuum cleaner 2 is configured for enabling ease of movement, whereby a person is assisted in moving the vacuum cleaner 2 between the different cleaning locations.

The vacuum cleaner 2 is especially useful for persons cleaning in the commercial sector and which are required to transport vacuum cleaners between offices and other buildings at the different locations. The vacuum cleaner 2 is able to be moved easily and conveniently, and with a minimum of required space. Also, if persons are storing the vacuum cleaner at home, then it employs less storage space than known comparable vacuum containers. The vacuum cleaner 2 may also be used for home use.

The container 10 comprises first, second and third parts 14, 16, 18 respectively which move with respect to each other to enable the container 10 to move between the collapsed condition and the erected condition.

The vacuum cleaner 2 includes an extension cable 20 which terminates in a three pin plug 22. The plug 22 is able to be connected to a mains socket for providing power for the electric motor 6.

As shown in Figure 9, the container 10 comprises sealing means in the form of sealing rings 24 between the first, second and third moving parts 14, 16, 18. The sealing rings 24 may be made of rubber or a plastics material. The sealing rings 24 provide sealing of the container 10 in the erected condition. The sealing rings 24 are also able to provide sealing of the container 10 in the collapsed condition. As can be appreciated from Figure 9, the sealing rings 24 are located at the junctions where the first, second and third parts 14, 16, 18 move relative to one another when the container 10 moves between the collapsed condition and the erected condition.

The container 10 has a plurality of extended conditions, with the extended conditions progressively increasing the size of the container 10. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the container 10 could be one in which it only has one single erected condition, and in this case the container would only normally have two parts which move relative to one another. The vacuum cleaner 2 is able to operate in any one of the extended conditions. The vacuum cleaner 2 is also able to operate when the container 10 is in the collapsed condition as shown in Figure 3, and when only a small amount of dirt is required to be collected.

As shown in Figures 1-10, the container 10 has telescoping sides whereby the container is a telescoping container. As shown in Figures 6, 7, and 8, the container 10 has locking means in the form of spring clips 26 for locking the container in the extended condition. The container 10 is circular in cross section.

As shown in Figures 1-4, the vacuum cleaner 2 includes transport means in the form of a trolley arrangement 28 for facilitating transportation of the vacuum cleaner 2 between the different locations. The trolley arrangement 28 is shown having wheel means formed by a pair of wheels 30, and at least one auxiliary wheel 32. There is one of the wheels 30 on each side of the front of the trolley arrangement 28. There is one centrally positioned auxiliary wheel 32. Alternatively there may be one of the auxiliary wheels 32 on each side of the rear of the trolley arrangement 28. There is also shown a front foot 34. Alternatively, there may be one of the front feet 34 on each side of the trolley arrangement 28. The wheels 30 enable the vacuum cleaner 2 to be moved over a surface with the container 10 extending vertically with respect to the surface. The vacuum cleaner 2 is able to be stood in its upright condition as shown in Figures 1 - 3 by virtue of the container 10 and the trolley arrangement 28 resting on the wheels 30 and the front foot 34. The wheel 32 operates in conjunction with the wheels 30 to enable the vacuum cleaner 2 to be moved over the surface with the container 10 extending horizontally with respect to the surface. This horizontal positioning is achieved by turning the vacuum cleaner 2 as shown in Figures 1-3 clockwise through 90°. In the horizontal position of the container 10, the container 10 and the trolley arrangement 28 rest on the wheels 30 and the wheel 32.

The trolley arrangement 28 has a handle 36 by which the trolley arrangement 28 can be pulled or lifted as required.

Figure 11 shows the vacuum cleaner 2 in its fully collapsed condition shown in Figure 3 and mounted in a backpack 37. The backpack 37 acts as a backpack harness. The backpack 37 comprises straps 30, 41 and 43 as shown. The backpack 37 includes shoulder strap and waist strap fasteners 45. There are two vacuum accessory packs 47 as shown. When the vacuum cleaner 2 is on the backpack 37, then the hose 4 is conveniently able to be coiled at the bottom of the vacuum cleaner 2, also as shown in Figure 11.

Figure 12 is a view like Figure 11 but shows how the backpack 37 is additionally able to be provided with a bucket 49. The bucket 49 is able to receive and hold the coiled hose 4. In addition, the bucket 49 is available for cleaning purposes during use of the vacuum cleaner 2. 4

In both of the embodiments of the backpack 37 as shown in Figures 11 and 12, the vacuum wand may be held in one or both of the illustrated vacuum wand holders 51.

Figures 13 and 14 show an alternatively trolley arrangement in its collapsed and extended conditions respectively. The handle 36 passes through a frame 38. The trolley arrangement 28 comprises telescopic points 40 and a base 42. The trolley arrangement 28 also comprises supports 44 for supporting the bag 12. The trolley arrangement 28 also comprises riser bars 46 for the handle 36. The handle 36 is a telescopic handle 36.

Figure 15 is a side view showing part of the vacuum cleaner 2 in a collapsed condition. Also shown is a housing 48 for the electric motor 6. The housing 48 is secured in position by a support bracket 50. Engagement supports 52 are mounted on a telescopic riser bar 54 for raising and lowering the parts 14, 16, 18 of the container 10.

Figure 16 is a perspective view from above, the front and one side showing the container 10 on the trolley arrangement 28, with the container 10 being in the collapsed condition. Figure 17 is a view like Figure 16 but shows the container 10 in the erected condition. Figure 18 is a top view of the vacuum cleaner as shown in Figures 16 and 17. It will be noted that the top of the vacuum cleaner 2 is provided with a twist lock arrangement 56 for operating the ring clips 26.

Figures 19 and 20 show a trolley arrangement 58 which may be the same as or similar to the trolley arrangement 28. Similar parts have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. As shown in Figure 20, the trolley arrangement 58 includes four different types of retainer members 60, 62, 64, 66.

Figures 21-25 show how a vacuum cleaner 68 of the present invention is able to have a trolley arrangement 58 which is mountable on a backpack 70. The backpack 70 has a waist strap 72, a wand receptacle 74, a strap 76, and a clasp 78 formed as a part of the strap 76. There are two of the wand receptacles 74 and two of the straps 76 arranged one on either side of the backpack 70. The wand is in two parts with one part fitting in each of the wand receptacles 74. As shown in Figure 21, the backpack 70 has a front retainer strap 80 and a retaining strap 82 for the vacuum cleaner 2. Figure 24 shows how the hose 4 is attached. The backpack 70 enables the vacuum cleaner 68 easily to be carried on a person’s back between the different cleaning locations which may be, for example, between different buildings or between different cleaning sites in the same building.

Figure 25 shows an accessory' pack 84 comprising a bucket 86, two bottles 88, 90 and other cleaning devices 92, 94. The cleaning device 94 may be a squeegee.

Figures 26 - 30 show a vacuum cleaner 96 which is rectangular in cross section and which has a container 98 comprises two parts 100, 102. These parts 100, 102, are connected by a vertically extending hinge 104. The hinge 104 extends in a vertical plane so that the parts 100, 102 fold towards and away from each other in a vertical plane.

The vacuum cleaner 96 also comprises a vacuum bag housing 106 having a vacuum bag housing lock, part of which is shown as lock part 108. Another lock part is shown as lock part 110 which is located on the part 100 of the container 90.

The part 100 of the container 90 also shows part of a lock 112 for locking the container 98 to a base part 114 of the vacuum cleaner 96. The base part 114 is shown with a lock part 116 and an electric motor 118.

The construction of the hinge 104 is shown in detail in Figure 28. The hinge 104 comprises the parts 120, 122, 124 which are shown in exploded view in the top part of Figure 28, and connected together in the bottom part of Figure 29.

Figure 30 shows the parts 100, 102 folded together when the container 98 is in the collapsed condition.

Figure 31 shows a first folded condition for a vacuum cleaner 124. Figure 32 shows a second folded condition for a vacuum cleaner 126. Figure 33 shows a third folded condition for a vacuum cleaner 128. Figure 34 shows a fourth folded condition for a vacuum cleaner 130. Similar parts as in previous Figures have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding.

Referring to Figures 35, 36 and 37 there is shown an enclosure 132 comprising a body 134 and a lid 136. The lid 136 is able to be opened via rear hinges 138 shown in Figure 36.

The enclosure 132 has a base 140 which is provided with two apertures 142. The apertures 142 receive wheels on the vacuum cleaner 144.

The lid 136 has an aperture 146 for receiving a handle 148 on transport means 150 forming part of the vacuum cleaner 144. With the handle 148 pulled to a use position through the aperture 146, and with the wheels projecting through the apertures 142, the vacuum cleaner 2 can be pulled along in the enclosure 132.

As shown in Figure 35, the enclosure 132 has various compartments 152 for receiving cleaning accessories. The enclosure 132 is also shown containing a vacuum head 154 and a mop head 156.

Figure 38 shows the enclosure 132 of Figure 35 with the handle 148 partially pulled through the lid 136. Figure 38 also shows how a bucket 158 may be located over the top of the vacuum cleaner 144. The vacuum cleaner 144 has a wand and mop handle 160 as shown. The vacuum cleaner 144 also has a hose 162.

If it is not desired to pull the vacuum cleaner 144, then the vacuum cleaner can be carried on a person’s back using a back pack arrangement as described above.

Referring now to Figures 39-41, there is shown a bag 164 for receiving dirt and dust. The bag 164 is shown in a container 166 forming part of a vacuum cleaner of the present invention. The container 166 may be like the container 10 of the vacuum cleaner 2. The bag 164 is shown hanging in the container 166. The bag 164 has a hook-receiving formation 168. The hook-receiving formation 168 is shown in the form of a closed aperture but it may be of other constructions if desired. As shown in Figure 39, a bagemptying arrangement 170 is positioned above the container 166. The bagemptying arrangement 170 comprises a cover 172 and gloves 174. The cover 172 is preferably a see-through cover. The gloves 174 are preferably integrated with the cover 172 so that the cover and the gloves form a one-piece unit. The cover 172 may have a frame 176. The frame 176 may be a flexi-wire frame. The frame may be of another construction if desired.

Figure 40 shows how the bag-emptying arrangement 170 has been used to grip the bag 164 and remove it from the container 166 shown in Figure 39. In Figure 40, the bag 164 is shown being held by the gloves 174, with the cover 172 closing an otherwise open top 178 of the receptacle 180 for receiving dirt and dust contained in the bag 164. The cover 172 completely closes the receptacle 180 and thus dust cannot escape to the atmosphere.

Figure 41 shows how the bag 164 show in Figure 40 is able to be turned upside down to allow dirt and dust 182 to fall out of the bag 164 and into the receptacle 180. In the upside down position of the bag 164 shown in Figure 41, the hook-receiving formation 168 is able to be secured to a hook 184 on the inside of the cover 172. The bag 164 is thus able to be attached to the cover 172 and allowed to hang in the receptacle 180 until· such time as the dirt and dust 182 falling from the bag 164 has settled in the receptacle 180. When the dirt and dust 182 has settled in the receptacle 180, then the bag 164 can be removed from the receptacle 180, the bag can then be reversed to the position shown in Figure 40, and then the bag can be reinserted into the container 166 as shown in Figure 39.

The bag-emptying arrangement 170 is advantageous in that it enables the bag 164 to be a reusable bag and one which is able to be emptied without undue spreading of dust. Thus a person emptying the bag is able to avoid inhaling dust. The bag 164 can be of any suitable and appropriate construction and material. The hook 184 can be any suitable alternative type of attachment means for suspending the bag. The gloves 174 may be made of a plastics material or any other suitable and appropriate material. The bagemptying arrangement 170 may form part of a combination with the vacuum cleaner of the present invention. Alternatively, the bag-emptying arrangement 170 may form a stand-alone item constituting a separate invention.

All the vacuum cleaners of the present invention may be such that they include an exhaust formation which is located at a bottom part of the vacuum cleaners. Exhausted air from the electric motor 118 may contain dust particles. These dust particles are thus exhausted at ground surface level. This is better than exhausting at the top of the vacuum cleaner where exhausted particles are then able to travel further around a room or other area being cleaned and thus settle as dust on various objects within a room or other area being cleaned.

All of the vacuum cleaners shown in the drawings provide mobility through the use of the transport means. They also provide ease of transportability due to the collapsible container. The collapsible container also provides flexibility for storage through a reduction in height of the container. All of the vacuum cleaners shown in the drawings provide ease of mobility within an area being cleaned. More specifically, if the construction of furniture within a room such for example as desks, tables and chairs so requires it, the vacuum cleaners can easily be moved to have the container extending vertically or horizontally, in order to enable the vacuum cleaners easily to be moved around and/or under the furniture.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the transport means may be one or more of the illustrated transport means or a different transport means. The hoses 4, 162 can have a wide variety of inlet arrangements including different sized and shaped brush arrangements.

Individual components shown in the drawings are not limited to use in their drawings and they may be used in other drawings and in all aspects of the invention.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner comprising: (i) a hose; (ii) an electric motor for causing a suction by which dirt is collected by being sucked up via an inlet arrangement to the hose; (iii) a container for receiving a bag into which the collected dirt is deposited; and (iv) transport means for facilitating transportation of the vacuum cleaner between different cleaning locations, and the vacuum cleaner being such that: (v) the container is a collapsible container which is movable between a collapsed condition for providing a basic bagreceiving capacity, and at least one erected condition providing an increased bag-receiving capacity, whereby the vacuum cleaner is able to operate with an increasing dirt-collecting capacity as may be required at the different cleaning locations; (vi) when the container is in the collapsed condition then the vacuum cleaner is configured for enabling ease of movement, whereby a person is assisted in moving the vacuum cleaner between the different cleaning locations; (vii) the transport means is a trolley arrangement; and (viii) the trolley arrangement comprises wheel means for enabling the vacuum cleaner to be moved over a surface with the container extending vertically with respect to the surface, and also for enabling the vacuum cleaner to be moved over the surface with the container extending horizontally with respect to the surface.

2. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 and including a backpack arrangement for enabling the vacuum cleaner to be carried on a person’s back between the different cleaning locations.

3. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 2 in which the trolley arrangement is mounted on the backpack arrangement.

4. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims in which the trolley arrangement has a handle by which the vacuum cleaner is able to be pulled, in which the handle is an extendable handle, and in which the container is attached to the handle such that increasing the length of the handle causes the container to move from the collapsed condition towards the erected condition, and decreasing the length of the handle causes the container to move from the erected condition towards the collapsed condition.

5. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 4 in which the handle is a telescopic handle.

6. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims and including an exhaust formation which is located at a bottom part of the vacuum cleaner.

7. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims in which the container comprises at least first and second parts which move with respect to each other to enable the container to move between the collapsed condition and the erected condition.

8. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims and including sealing means for providing sealing of the container in the erected condition.

9. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 8 in which the sealing means is located at junctions between parts of the container which move relative to one another when the container moves between the collapsed condition and the erected condition.

10. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims in which the container has a single erected condition.

11. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 — 9 in which the container has a plurality of extended conditions with the extended conditions progressively increasing the size of the container.

12. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims in which the vacuum cleaner is also operable with the container in the collapsed condition.

13. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims in which the container has telescoping sides whereby the container is a telescoping container.

14. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 - 12 in which the container has folding sides whereby the container is a folding container.

15. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 14 in which the sides fold about vertical hinges.

16. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims and including locking means for locking the container in the extended condition.

17. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 16 in which the locking means also locks the container in the collapsed condition.

18. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 16 or claim 17 in which the locking means is a clip locking means, or a rotatable locking means.

19. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 18 in which the clip locking means is a spring clip locking means.

20. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 16 - 19 in which the locking means is mounted on the trolley arrangement.

21. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims in which the container is circular, square or rectangular in cross section.

22. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims in which the wheel means comprises a pair of wheels for enabling the vacuum cleaner to be moved over the surface with the container extending vertically with respect to the surface, and at least one auxiliary wheel which acts with the pair of wheels for enabling the vacuum cleaner to be moved over the surface with the container extending horizontally with respect to the surface..

23. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 22 which the pair of wheels and/or the auxiliary wheel are retractable wheels.

24. A vacuum cleaning according to any one of the preceding claims and including an indicator for indicating when the bag is full.

25. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims and including the bag.

26. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of the preceding claim and including an accessory cleaning pack, and in which the accessory cleaning pack is mounted on the trolley arrangement.

27. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims and including at least one foot for facilitating standing the vacuum cleaner in an upright position.

28. A vacuum filter according to any one of the preceding claims including an auxiliary filter.

29. A vacuum cleaner substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

30. The combination of a vacuum cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims and an enclosure for receiving the vacuum cleaner.

31. The combination according to claim 30 in which the enclosure comprises a body portion and a top cover.

32. The combination according to claim 30 or claim 32 and including a base having one or more apertures for enabling wheels of the trolley arrangement to project through the base.

33. The combination according to claims 31 and 32 in which the top cover has an aperture for receiving a handle of the trolley arrangement.