Disposable bin for cyclonic vacuum

Claim 2

In a cleaning apparatus including a container comprising a bottom and a sidewall extending to and meeting the bottom, the sidewall having an interior surface, a dirty air inlet at an upper portion of the container spaced from the bottom which is oriented for supplying dirt laden air into the container tangentially to the interior surface of the container which has a circular cross-section and an air outlet from the container at the upper portion of the container; a circular cross-sectioned cyclone having a longitudinal axis and mounted inside the container, the cyclone comprising a cyclone air inlet at an upper end having a first diameter of the cyclone in air communication with the air outlet of the container, an interior dirt rotational surface of frusto-conical shape for receiving an airflow from the air inlet and for maintaining its velocity to a cone opening smaller in diameter than the diameter of the upper end of the cyclone, the air inlet being oriented for supplying air tangentially to the surface and a cyclone air outlet communicating with the interior of the cyclone adjacent the upper end of the cyclone; a dirt collecting receiver means extending from the cone opening; and means for generating an airflow which passes through the dirty air inlet, the container, the cyclone air inlet, the cyclone, the receiver means and the cyclone air outlet, the airflow rotating around the frusto-conical interior surface of the cyclone and depositing the dirt in the receiver means, the improvement which comprises: (a) a cover means providing a closure for an upper end of the container, wherein the cover means removeably supports the container for disposing of dirt separated from the airflow by the container; and (b) a liner means having a first, rigid portion providing the receiver and a second portion wherein the receiver portion has a first sidewall between opposed ends, one of which is open and sealed to the cyclone to provide for the dirt separated from the airflow by the cyclone to accumulate in the receiver portion and wherein the second portion of the liner means has opposed ends defining a second sidewall between the ends, the second sidewall mounted along and around the longitudinal axis, inside of the interior surface of the container so that the second portion of the liner means collects dirt separated from the airflow by the container and extends to an open end of the second portion sealed at the upper end of the container, wherein the container holding the second portion is removeable from the cover means and the receiver portion is removeable from the sealed relationship with the cyclone for disposing of accumulated dirt separated from the airflow by the container and the cyclone.

Claim 3

The cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the liner means is disposable.

Claim 4

The cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein an opening is provided through the second portion of the liner means for mounting around the dirty air inlet.

Claim 5

The cleaning apparatus of claim 3 wherein the opening in the second portion which mounts around the dirty air inlet is provided with a contact adhesive which engages the inside surface of the container around the dirty air inlet.

Claim 6

The cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the open end of the second portion is mounted between the upper end of the container and the cover means when the container is mounted to the cover means.

Claim 7

The cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein a lower end of the second portion, adjacent to the bottom of the container, forms a bottom for the receiver portion at an end opposite the open end of the receiver portion.

Claim 8

The cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cover means provides the clean air outlet from the cyclone and the dirty air inlet to the container.

Claim 9

The cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the receiver portion is rigid and the second portion, mounted inside the interior surface of the container, is flexible and wherein the second portion is bonded to the receiver portion so that the liner means is unitary.

Claim 10

The cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the receiver portion and the second portion mounted inside the interior surface of the container are rigid and wherein the second portion is bonded to the receiver portion so that the liner means is unitary.

Claim 11

The cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the open end of the receiver portion is provided with a first seal portion which removeably mounts against a second seal portion provided on an outside wall of the cyclone to provide the seal between the receiver portion and the cyclone.

Claim 12

The cleaning apparatus of claim 10 wherein the cone opening extends into the receiver portion of the collection means of the liner means.

Claim 13

The cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second portion of the liner means is flexible and wherein projection means are provided on an outside wall of the cyclone, intermediate the open end of and inside the receiver and the cone opening and extending from the outside wall of the cyclone to the bottom of the container, wherein the projection means serve to hold the second portion of the liner means on the bottom of the container, spaced below the cone opening so that the second portion of the liner means is prevented from moving towards the cone opening to block the cone opening.

Claim 14

The cleaning apparatus of claim 12 wherein the projection means are finger means that extend in a cylindrical pattern around the longitudinal axis of the cyclone from the outside wall of the cyclone to the bottom of the container to hold the second portion of the liner means on the bottom of the container and to prevent the liner means from moving towards the cone opening to block the cone opening.

Claim 15

In a cleaning apparatus including a container comprising a bottom and a sidewall extending to and meeting the bottom, the sidewall having an interior surface, a dirty air inlet at an upper portion of the container spaced from the bottom which is oriented for supplying dirt laden air into the container tangentially to the interior surface of the container which has a circular cross-section and an air outlet from the container at the upper portion of the container; a circular cross-sectioned cyclone having a longitudinal axis and mounted inside the container, the cyclone comprising a cyclone air inlet at an upper end having a first diameter of the cyclone in air communication with the air outlet of the container, an interior dirt rotational surface of frusto-conical shape for receiving an airflow from the air inlet and for maintaining its velocity to a cone opening smaller in diameter than the diameter of the upper end of the cyclone, the air inlet being oriented for supplying air tangentially to the surface and a cyclone air outlet communicating with the interior of the cyclone adjacent the upper end of the cyclone; a dirt collecting receiver means extending from the cone opening; and means for generating an airflow which passes through the dirty air inlet, the container, the cyclone air inlet, the cyclone, the receiver means and the cyclone air outlet, the airflow rotating around the frusto-conical interior surface of the cyclone and depositing the dirt in the receiver means, the improvement which comprises: (a) a cover means providing a closure for an upper end of the container, wherein the cover means removeably supports the container for disposing of dirt separated from the airflow by the container; and (b) a rigid, collection means comprising a first portion providing the receiver and a second portion providing the container, wherein the receiver portion has a first sidewall between opposed ends, one of which is open and sealed to the cyclone to provide for the dirt separated from the airflow by the cyclone to accumulate in the receiver portion of the collection means and wherein the second portion has opposed ends defining a second sidewall between the ends, the second sidewall mounted along and around the longitudinal axis, so that the container portion extends to an upper end removeably mounted to the cover means which forms a closure for the upper end of the container portion so that the container portion is removeable from the cover means to open the upper end of the container portion and the open end of the receiver portion is removeable from the sealed relationship with the cyclone for disposing of accumulated dirt separated from the airflow by the container and the cyclone.

Claim 16

In a cleaning apparatus including a container comprising a bottom and a sidewall extending to and meeting the bottom, the sidewall having an interior surface, a dirty air inlet at an upper portion of the container spaced from the bottom which is oriented for supplying dirt laden air into the container tangentially to the interior surface of the container which has a circular cross-section and an air outlet from the container at the upper portion of the container; a circular cross-sectioned cyclone having a longitudinal axis and mounted inside the container, the cyclone comprising a cyclone air inlet at an upper end having a first diameter of the cyclone in air communication with the air outlet of the container, an interior dirt rotational surface of frusto-conical shape for receiving an airflow from the air inlet and for maintaining its velocity to a cone opening smaller in diameter than the diameter of the upper end of the cyclone, the air inlet being oriented for supplying air tangentially to the surface and a cyclone air outlet communicating with the interior of the cyclone adjacent the upper end of the cyclone; a dirt collecting receiver means extending from the cone opening; and means for generating an airflow which passes through the dirty air inlet, the container, the cyclone air inlet, the cyclone, the receiver means and the cyclone air outlet, the airflow rotating around the frusto-conical interior surface of the cyclone and depositing the dirt in the receiver means, the improvement which comprises: (a) a cover means providing a closure for an upper end of the container, wherein the cover means removeably supports the container for disposing of dirt separated from the airflow by the container; and (b) a rigid, collection means comprising a first portion providing the receiver and a second portion providing the container, wherein the receiver portion has a first sidewall between opposed ends, one of which is open and sealed to the cyclone to provide for the dirt separated from the airflow by the cyclone to accumulate in the receiver portion of the collection means and wherein the second portion has opposed ends defining a second sidewall between the ends, the second sidewall mounted along and around the longitudinal axis, so that the container portion extends to an upper end removeably mounted to the cover means which forms a closure for the upper end of the container portion so that the container portion is removeable from the cover means to open the upper end of the container portion and the open end of the receiver portion is removeable from the sealed relationship with the cyclone for disposing of accumulated dirt separated from the airflow by the container and the cyclone.

Claim 17

The cleaning apparatus of claim 14 wherein the container portion and the receiver portion of the collection means are unitary and are constructed of a rigid, plastic material having a thin wall which is transparent for visually indicating when accumulated dirt is to be disposed of from the cleaning apparatus by disposing of the container portion and the receiver portion of the collection means.

Claim 18

The cleaning apparatus of claim 14 wherein a lower end of the container portion, adjacent to the bottom of the container, forms a bottom for the receiver portion at an end opposite the open end of the receiver portion.

Claim 19

The cleaning apparatus of claim 14 with a base means and a support means extending from the base means to support the cover means, which cover means supports the cyclone and provides the closure for the upper end of the container portion of the collection means wherein the support means provides for movement of the cover means and the cyclone from a rest position relative to the base means so that the container portion is removeable from the cover means and so that the receiver portion is removeable from the sealed relationship with the cyclone for disposing of accumulated dirt separated from the airflow by the container and the cyclone.

Claim 20

The cleaning apparatus of claim 14 wherein the open end of the receiver portion is provided with a first seal portion which removeably mounts against a second seal portion provided on an outside wall of the cyclone.

Claim 21

The cleaning apparatus of claim 18 wherein the cone opening extends into the receiver portion of the collection means.

Claim 22

The cleaning apparatus of claim 14 wherein the means for generating an airflow is mounted on the cover so as to draw air through the outlet from the cyclone.

Claim 23

The cleaning apparatus of claim 14 wherein a perforated shroud is provided around the cyclone in the container adjacent to the air inlet to the cyclone and the container portion of the collection means.

Claim 24

The cleaning apparatus of claim 14 wherein the container portion and the receiver portion of the collection means are constructed of a plastic material.

Claim 25

The cleaning apparatus of claim 22 wherein the plastic material is transparent for visually indicating when accumulated dirt is to be disposed of from the container portion and the receiver portion of the collection means.

Claim 26

The cleaning apparatus of claim 14 wherein the cover means has an annular gasket adjacent to the upper end of the container portion of the collection means.

Claim 27

The cleaning apparatus of claim 14 wherein the base means is provided with wheel means and the support means is provided with a handle means for moving the cleaning apparatus over a surface to be cleaned.

Claim 28

The cleaning apparatus of claim 14 wherein the container portion and the receiver portion of the collection means are disposable.

Claim 29

The cleaning apparatus of claim 14 wherein the first sidewall of the receiver portion has a frusto-conical section extending from a cylindrical portion of the receiver portion, adjacent to the bottom formed by the container portion of the collection means, to the open and of the receiver portion, wherein the cone opening of the cyclone extends through the open end and into the receiver portion for collecting dirt separated from the airflow by the cyclone.

Claim 30

The cleaning apparatus of claim 14 wherein the receiver portion and the container portion of the collection means are an integral unit.

Claim 31

The cleaning apparatus of claim 14 wherein the cover means provides the clean air outlet from the cyclone and the dirty air inlet to the container.

Claim 32

In a cleaning apparatus including a container comprising a bottom and a sidewall extending to and meeting the bottom, the sidewall having an interior surface, a dirty air inlet at an upper portion of the container spaced from the bottom which is oriented for supplying dirt laden air into the container tangentially to the interior surface of the container which has a circular cross-section and an air outlet from the container at the upper portion of the container; a circular cross-sectioned cyclone having a longitudinal axis and mounted inside the container, the cyclone comprising a cyclone air inlet at an upper end having a first diameter of the cyclone in air communication with the air outlet of the container, an interior dirt rotational surface of frusto-conical shape for receiving an airflow from the air inlet and for maintaining its velocity to a cone opening smaller in diameter than the diameter of the upper end of the cyclone, the air inlet being oriented for supplying air tangentially to the surface and a cyclone air outlet communicating with the interior of the cyclone adjacent the upper end of the cyclone; a dirt collecting receiver means extending from the cone opening; and means for generating an airflow which passes through the dirty air inlet, the container, the cyclone air inlet, the cyclone, the receiver means and the cyclone air outlet, the airflow rotating around the frusto-conical interior surface of the cyclone and depositing the dirt in the receiver means, the improvement which comprises: (a) a base means for the cleaning apparatus; (b) a support means extending from the base means and supporting a cover means which supports the cyclone inside of the container; and (c) a collection means comprising a first portion providing the receiver and a second portion providing the container, wherein the receiver portion has a first sidewall between opposed ends, one of which is open and sealed to the cyclone to provide for the dirt separated from the airflow by the cyclone to accumulate in the receiver portion of the collection means and wherein the container portion has opposed ends defining a second sidewall between the ends, the second sidewall mounted along and around the longitudinal axis, so that the container portion extends to an upper end removeably mounted to the cover means as a closure for the upper end of the container portion and wherein the bottom of the container portion is moveable relative to the base means so that the container portion is removeable from the cover means to open the upper end of the container portion and so that the receiver portion is removeable from the sealed relationship with the cyclone for disposing of accumulated dirt separated from the airflow by the container and the cyclone.

Claim 33

In a cleaning apparatus including a container comprising a bottom and a sidewall extending to and meeting the bottom, the sidewall having an interior surface, a dirty air inlet at an upper portion of the container spaced from the bottom which is oriented for supplying dirt laden air into the container tangentially to the interior surface of the container which has a circular cross-section and an air outlet from the container at the upper portion of the container; a circular cross-sectioned cyclone having a longitudinal axis and mounted inside the container, the cyclone comprising a cyclone air inlet at an upper end having a first diameter of the cyclone in air communication with the air outlet of the container, an interior dirt rotational surface of frusto-conical shape for receiving an airflow from the air inlet and for maintaining its velocity to a cone opening smaller in diameter than the diameter of the upper end of the cyclone, the air inlet being oriented for supplying air tangentially to the surface and a cyclone air outlet communicating with the interior of the cyclone adjacent the upper end of the cyclone; a dirt collecting receiver means extending from the cone opening; and means for generating an airflow which passes through the dirty air inlet, the container, the cyclone air inlet, the cyclone, the receiver means and the cyclone air outlet, the airflow rotating around the frusto-conical interior surface of the cyclone and depositing the dirt in the receiver means, the improvement which comprises: (a) a base means for the cleaning apparatus; (b) a support means extending from the base means and supporting a cover means which supports the cyclone inside of the container; and (c) a collection means comprising a first portion providing the receiver and a second portion providing the container, wherein the receiver portion has a first sidewall between opposed ends, one of which is open and sealed to the cyclone to provide for the dirt separated from the airflow by the cyclone to accumulate in the receiver portion of the collection means and wherein the container portion has opposed ends defining a second sidewall between the ends, the second sidewall mounted along and around the longitudinal axis, so that the container portion extends to an upper end removeably mounted to the cover means as a closure for the upper end of the container portion and wherein the bottom of the container portion is moveable relative to the base means so that the container portion is removeable from the cover means to open the upper end of the container portion and so that the receiver portion is removeable from the sealed relationship with the cyclone for disposing of accumulated dirt separated from the airflow by the container and the cyclone.

Claim 34

The cleaning apparatus of claim 30 wherein the base means is provided with wheel means and the support means is provided with a handle means for moving the cleaning apparatus over the surface to be cleaned.

Claim 35

The cleaning apparatus of claim 30 wherein the support means is provided with a releasable lever means and wherein when the lever means is actuated, the container portion is moveable relative to the base means so that the container portion is removeable from the cover means and the receiver portion is removeable from the cyclone for disposing of the accumulated dirt.

Claim 36

The cleaning apparatus of claim 30 wherein a lower end of the container portion, adjacent to the bottom of the container, forms a bottom for the receiver portion at an end opposite the open end of the receiver portion.

Claim 37

In a cleaning apparatus including a container comprising a bottom and a sidewall extending to and meeting the bottom, the sidewall having an interior surface, a dirty air inlet at an upper portion of the container spaced from the bottom which is oriented for supplying dirt laden air into the container tangentially to the interior surface of the container which has a circular cross-section and an air outlet from the container at the upper portion of the container; a circular cross-sectioned cyclone having a longitudinal axis and mounted inside the container, the cyclone comprising a cyclone air inlet at an upper end having a first diameter of the cyclone in air communication with the air outlet of the container, an interior dirt rotational surface of frusto-conical shape for receiving an airflow from the air inlet and for maintaining its velocity to a cone opening smaller in diameter than the diameter of the upper end of the cyclone, the air inlet being oriented for supplying air tangentially to the surface and a cyclone air outlet communicating with the interior of the cyclone adjacent the upper end of the cyclone; a dirt collecting receiver means extending from the cone opening; and means for generating an airflow which passes through the dirty air inlet, the container, the cyclone air inlet, the cyclone, the receiver means and the cyclone air outlet, the airflow rotating around the frusto-conical interior surface of the cyclone and depositing the dirt in the receiver means, the improvement which comprises: (a) a base means for the cleaning apparatus; (b) a support means extending from the base means and supporting a cover means which supports the cyclone inside of the container and provides a closure for an upper end of the container; and (c) a liner means having a first, rigid portion providing the receiver and a second portion wherein the receiver portion has a first sidewall between opposed ends, one of which is open and sealed to the cyclone to provide for the dirt separated from the airflow by the cyclone to accumulate in the receiver portion and wherein the second portion of the liner means has opposed ends defining a second sidewall between the ends, the second sidewall mounted along and around the longitudinal axis, inside of the interior surface of the container so that the second portion of the liner means collects dirt separated from the airflow by the container and extends to an open end of the second portion sealed at the upper end of the container, wherein the container holding the second portion, is removeable from the cover means and the receiver portion is removeable from the sealed relationship with the cyclone for disposing of accumulated dirt separated from the airflow by the cyclone and the container.

Claim 38

In a cleaning apparatus including a container comprising a bottom and a sidewall extending to and meeting the bottom, the sidewall having an interior surface, a dirty air inlet at an upper portion of the container spaced from the bottom which is oriented for supplying dirt laden air into the container tangentially to the interior surface of the container which has a circular cross-section and an air outlet from the container at the upper portion of the container; a circular cross-sectioned cyclone having a longitudinal axis and mounted inside the container, the cyclone comprising a cyclone air inlet at an upper end having a first diameter of the cyclone in air communication with the air outlet of the container, an interior dirt rotational surface of frusto-conical shape for receiving an airflow from the air inlet and for maintaining its velocity to a cone opening smaller in diameter than the diameter of the upper end of the cyclone, the air inlet being oriented for supplying air tangentially to the surface and a cyclone air outlet communicating with the interior of the cyclone adjacent the upper end of the cyclone; a dirt collecting receiver means extending from the cone opening; and means for generating an airflow which passes through the dirty air inlet, the container, the cyclone air inlet, the cyclone, the receiver means and the cyclone air outlet, the airflow rotating around the frusto-conical interior surface of the cyclone and depositing the dirt in the receiver means, the improvement which comprises: (a) a base means for the cleaning apparatus; (b) a support means extending from the base means and supporting a cover means which supports the cyclone inside of the container and provides a closure for an upper end of the container; and (c) a liner means having a first, rigid portion providing the receiver and a second portion wherein the receiver portion has a first sidewall between opposed ends, one of which is open and sealed to the cyclone to provide for the dirt separated from the airflow by the cyclone to accumulate in the receiver portion and wherein the second portion of the liner means has opposed ends defining a second sidewall between the ends, the second sidewall mounted along and around the longitudinal axis, inside of the interior surface of the container so that the second portion of the liner means collects dirt separated from the airflow by the container and extends to an open end of the second portion sealed at the upper end of the container, wherein the container holding the second portion, is removeable from the cover means and the receiver portion is removeable from the sealed relationship with the cyclone for disposing of accumulated dirt separated from the airflow by the cyclone and the container.

Claim 39

The cleaning apparatus of claim 34 wherein the second portion of the liner means has an opening that provides for the dirty air inlet.

Claim 40

The cleaning apparatus of claim 34 wherein the base means is provided with wheel means and the support means is provided with a handle means for moving the cleaning apparatus over the surface to be cleaned.

Claim 41

The cleaning apparatus of claim 34 wherein the support means is provided with a releasable lever means which provides for movement of the container relative to the base means so that when the lever means is actuated, the container is removeable from the cover means with the second portion being removeable from the cover means and the receiver portion being removeable from the cyclone for disposing of the accumulated dirt.

Claim 42

The cleaning apparatus of claim 34 wherein a lower end of the second portion, adjacent to the bottom of the container, forms a bottom for the receiver portion at an end opposite the open end of the receiver portion.

Claim 43

The cleaning apparatus of claim 38 wherein a lower portion of the container has a shape corresponding to an upper portion of the base means so that while in a rest position, the container is supported by the upper portion of the base means.

Claim 44

The cleaning apparatus of claim 34 wherein the second portion of the liner means is flexible and wherein projection means are provided on an outside wall of the cyclone, intermediate the open end of and inside the receiver and the cone opening and extending from the outside wall of the cyclone to the bottom of the container, wherein the projection means serve to hold the second portion of the liner means on the bottom of the container, spaced below the cone opening so that the second portion of the liner means is prevented from moving towards the cone opening to block the cone opening.

Claim 45

A liner means for use in a cleaning apparatus including a container comprising a bottom and a sidewall extending to and meeting the bottom, the sidewall having an interior surface, a dirty air inlet at an upper portion of the container spaced from the bottom which is oriented for supplying dirt laden air into the container tangentially to the interior surface of the container which has a circular cross-section and an air outlet from the container at the upper portion of the container; a circular cross-sectioned cyclone having a longitudinal axis and mounted inside the container, the cyclone comprising a cyclone air inlet at an upper end having a first diameter of the cyclone in air communication with the air outlet of the container, an interior dirt rotational surface of frusto-conical shape for receiving an airflow from the air inlet and for maintaining its velocity to a cone opening smaller in diameter than the diameter of the upper end of the cyclone, the air inlet being oriented for supplying air tangentially to the surface and a cyclone air outlet communicating with the interior of the cyclone adjacent the upper end of the cyclone; a dirt collecting receiver means extending from the cone opening; and means for generating an airflow which passes through the dirty air inlet, the container, the cyclone air inlet, the cyclone, the receiver means and the cyclone air outlet, the airflow rotating around the frusto-conical interior surface of the cyclone and depositing the dirt in the receiver means, the improvement which comprises: the liner means to be mounted in the container and having a first, rigid portion providing the receiver and a second portion wherein the receiver portion has a first sidewall between opposed ends, one of which is open and in a sealed relationship with the cyclone to provide for the dirt separated from the airflow by the cyclone to accumulate in the receiver portion and wherein the second portion of the liner means has opposed ends defining a second sidewall mounted along and around the longitudinal axis, inside of the interior surface of the container, with an end of the second portion adjacent to the bottom of the container forming a bottom for the receiver portion, and wherein the second portion of the liner means collects dirt separated from the airflow by the container and extends to an open end of the second portion sealed at the upper end of the container, wherein the container holding the second portion, is removeable from the cover means and the receiver portion is removeable from the sealed relationship with the cyclone for disposing of accumulated dirt separated from the airflow by the cyclone and the container.

Claim 46

A liner means for use in a cleaning apparatus including a container comprising a bottom and a sidewall extending to and meeting the bottom, the sidewall having an interior surface, a dirty air inlet at an upper portion of the container spaced from the bottom which is oriented for supplying dirt laden air into the container tangentially to the interior surface of the container which has a circular cross-section and an air outlet from the container at the upper portion of the container; a circular cross-sectioned cyclone having a longitudinal axis and mounted inside the container, the cyclone comprising a cyclone air inlet at an upper end having a first diameter of the cyclone in air communication with the air outlet of the container, an interior dirt rotational surface of frusto-conical shape for receiving an airflow from the air inlet and for maintaining its velocity to a cone opening smaller in diameter than the diameter of the upper end of the cyclone, the air inlet being oriented for supplying air tangentially to the surface and a cyclone air outlet communicating with the interior of the cyclone adjacent the upper end of the cyclone; a dirt collecting receiver means extending from the cone opening; and means for generating an airflow which passes through the dirty air inlet, the container, the cyclone air inlet, the cyclone, the receiver means and the cyclone air outlet, the airflow rotating around the frusto-conical interior surface of the cyclone and depositing the dirt in the receiver means, the improvement which comprises: the liner means to be mounted in the container and having a first, rigid portion providing the receiver and a second portion wherein the receiver portion has a first sidewall between opposed ends, one of which is open and in a sealed relationship with the cyclone to provide for the dirt separated from the airflow by the cyclone to accumulate in the receiver portion and wherein the second portion of the liner means has opposed ends defining a second sidewall mounted along and around the longitudinal axis, inside of the interior surface of the container, with an end of the second portion adjacent to the bottom of the container forming a bottom for the receiver portion, and wherein the second portion of the liner means collects dirt separated from the airflow by the container and extends to an open end of the second portion sealed at the upper end of the container, wherein the container holding the second portion, is removeable from the cover means and the receiver portion is removeable from the sealed relationship with the cyclone for disposing of accumulated dirt separated from the airflow by the cyclone and the container.

Claim 47

The liner means of claim 41 with an opening in the container portion to be positioned around the dirty air inlet to the container.

Claim 48

The liner means of claim 41 wherein the container, and the container portion and the receiver portion of the liner means are constructed of a transparent plastic material to visually indicate when the liner means is to be emptied of accumulated dirt.

Claim 49

The liner means of claim 41 wherein the open end of the receiver portion is provided with a first seal portion which removeably mounts against a second seal portion provided on an outside wall of the cyclone to provide the sealed relationship between the receiver portion and the cyclone.

Claim 50

The liner means of claim 44 wherein the cone opening extends into the receiver portion of the collection means of the liner means.

Claim 51

A collection means for use in a cleaning apparatus including a container comprising a bottom and a sidewall extending to and meeting the bottom, the sidewall having an interior surface, a dirty air inlet at an upper portion of the container spaced form the bottom which is oriented for supplying dirt laden air into the container tangentially to the interior surface of the container which has a circular cross-section and an air outlet from the container at the upper portion of the container; a circular cross-sectioned cyclone having a longitudinal axis and mounted inside the container, the cyclone comprising a cyclone air inlet at an upper end having a first diameter of the cyclone in air communication with the air outlet of the container, an interior dirt rotational surface of frusto-conical shape for receiving an airflow from the air inlet and for maintaining its velocity to a cone opening smaller in diameter than the diameter of the upper end of the cyclone, the air inlet being oriented for supplying air tangentially to the surface and a cyclone air outlet communicating with the interior of the cyclone adjacent the upper end of the cyclone; a dirt collecting receiver means extending from the cone opening; and means for generating an airflow which passes through the dirty air inlet, the container, the cyclone air inlet, the cyclone, the receiver means and the cyclone air outlet, the airflow rotating around the frusto-conical interior surface of the cyclone and depositing the dirt in the receiver means, the improvement which comprises: the collection means comprising a first portion providing the receiver and a second portion providing the container, wherein the receiver portion has a first sidewall between opposed ends, one of which is open and sealed to the cyclone to provide for the dirt separated from the airflow by the cyclone to accumulate in the receiver portion of the collection means and wherein the container portion has opposed ends defining a second sidewall between the ends, the second sidewall mounted along and around the longitudinal axis, with an end of the container portion forming a bottom for the receiver portion at an end opposite the open end of the receiver portion wherein the container portion extends to an upper end which is removeably mounted to the cover means to form a closure for the container portion so that the container portion is removeable from the cover means to open the upper end of the container portion and the open end of the receiver portion is removeable from the sealed relationship with the cyclone for disposing of accumulated dirt separated from the airflow by the container and the cyclone.

Claim 52

A collection means for use in a cleaning apparatus including a container comprising a bottom and a sidewall extending to and meeting the bottom, the sidewall having an interior surface, a dirty air inlet at an upper portion of the container spaced form the bottom which is oriented for supplying dirt laden air into the container tangentially to the interior surface of the container which has a circular cross-section and an air outlet from the container at the upper portion of the container; a circular cross-sectioned cyclone having a longitudinal axis and mounted inside the container, the cyclone comprising a cyclone air inlet at an upper end having a first diameter of the cyclone in air communication with the air outlet of the container, an interior dirt rotational surface of frusto-conical shape for receiving an airflow from the air inlet and for maintaining its velocity to a cone opening smaller in diameter than the diameter of the upper end of the cyclone, the air inlet being oriented for supplying air tangentially to the surface and a cyclone air outlet communicating with the interior of the cyclone adjacent the upper end of the cyclone; a dirt collecting receiver means extending from the cone opening; and means for generating an airflow which passes through the dirty air inlet, the container, the cyclone air inlet, the cyclone, the receiver means and the cyclone air outlet, the airflow rotating around the frusto-conical interior surface of the cyclone and depositing the dirt in the receiver means, the improvement which comprises: the collection means comprising a first portion providing the receiver and a second portion providing the container, wherein the receiver portion has a first sidewall between opposed ends, one of which is open and sealed to the cyclone to provide for the dirt separated from the airflow by the cyclone to accumulate in the receiver portion of the collection means and wherein the container portion has opposed ends defining a second sidewall between the ends, the second sidewall mounted along and around the longitudinal axis, with an end of the container portion forming a bottom for the receiver portion at an end opposite the open end of the receiver portion wherein the container portion extends to an upper end which is removeably mounted to the cover means to form a closure for the container portion so that the container portion is removeable from the cover means to open the upper end of the container portion and the open end of the receiver portion is removeable from the sealed relationship with the cyclone for disposing of accumulated dirt separated from the airflow by the container and the cyclone.

Claim 53

The collection means of claim 46 wherein the container portion and the receiver portion are constructed of a transparent plastic material to visually indicate when the collection means is to be emptied of accumulated dirt.

Claim 54

The collection means of claim 46 as a disposable unit.

Claim 55

The collection means of claim 46 wherein the open end of the receiver portion is provided with a first seal portion which removeably mounts against a second seal portion provided on an outside wall of the cyclone to provide the sealed relationship between the receiver portion and the cyclone.

Claim 56

The collection means of claim 49 wherein the cone opening extends into the receiver portion of the collection means.

Claim 57

The collection means of claim 46 wherein the second portion of the liner means is flexible and wherein projection means are provided on an outside wall of the cyclone, intermediate the open end of and inside the receiver and the cone opening and extending from the outside wall of the cyclone to the bottom of the container, wherein the projection means serve to hold the second portion of the liner means on the bottom of the container, spaced below the cone opening so that the second portion of the liner means is prevented from moving towards the cone opening to block the cone opening.

Claim 58

In a cleaning apparatus including a container comprising a bottom and a sidewall extending to and meeting the bottom, the sidewall having an interior surface, a dirty air inlet at an upper portion of the container spaced from the bottom which is oriented for supplying dirt laden air into the container tangentially to the interior surface of the container which has a circular cross-section and an air outlet from the container at the upper portion of the container; a circular cross-sectioned cyclone having a longitudinal axis and mounted inside the container, the cyclone comprising a cyclone air inlet at an upper end having a first diameter of the cyclone in air communication with the air outlet of the container, an interior dirt rotational surface of frusto-conical shape for receiving an airflow from the air inlet and for maintaining its velocity to a cone opening smaller in diameter than the diameter of the upper end of the cyclone, the air inlet being oriented for supplying air tangentially to the surface and a cyclone air outlet communicating with the interior of the cyclone adjacent the upper end of the cyclone; a dirt collecting receiver means extending from the cone opening; and means for generating an airflow which passes through the dirty air inlet, the container, the cyclone air inlet, the cyclone, the receiver means and the cyclone air outlet, the airflow rotating around the frusto-conical interior surface of the cyclone and depositing the dirt in the receiver means, the improvement which comprises: (a) a cover means supporting the cyclone and providing a closure for an upper end of the container, and with the receiver positioned between the container and the cyclone; and (b) a liner means having a first, rigid portion providing the receiver and a second portion mounted in the container wherein the receiver portion has a first sidewall between opposed ends, one of which is open and sealed to the cyclone to provide for the dirt separated from the airflow by the cyclone to accumulate in the receiver portion and wherein the container portion of the liner means has opposed ends defining a second sidewall between the ends, the second sidewall mounted along and around the longitudinal axis, inside of the interior surface of the container with a first end of the container portion providing a closure for an opposed end of the receiver portion adjacent to the bottom of the container, and wherein a second, open end of the container portion lays over the upper end of the container so that when the cyclone is positioned inside of the container, the section of the container portion of the liner means laying over the upper end of the container is provided between the container and the cover means to seal the upper end of the container, wherein the cover means and the cyclone secure the receiver portion and the container portion inside the container with the receiver portion collecting dirt separated from the airflow by the cyclone and with the container portion collecting dirt separated from the airflow by the container, wherein the cover means and the cyclone are removeable from the container so that the liner means can be moved out of the container for removing the collected dirt from the vacuum cleaning apparatus.

Claim 59

In a cleaning apparatus including a container comprising a bottom and a sidewall extending to and meeting the bottom, the sidewall having an interior surface, a dirty air inlet at an upper portion of the container spaced from the bottom which is oriented for supplying dirt laden air into the container tangentially to the interior surface of the container which has a circular cross-section and an air outlet from the container at the upper portion of the container; a circular cross-sectioned cyclone having a longitudinal axis and mounted inside the container, the cyclone comprising a cyclone air inlet at an upper end having a first diameter of the cyclone in air communication with the air outlet of the container, an interior dirt rotational surface of frusto-conical shape for receiving an airflow from the air inlet and for maintaining its velocity to a cone opening smaller in diameter than the diameter of the upper end of the cyclone, the air inlet being oriented for supplying air tangentially to the surface and a cyclone air outlet communicating with the interior of the cyclone adjacent the upper end of the cyclone; a dirt collecting receiver means extending from the cone opening; and means for generating an airflow which passes through the dirty air inlet, the container, the cyclone air inlet, the cyclone, the receiver means and the cyclone air outlet, the airflow rotating around the frusto-conical interior surface of the cyclone and depositing the dirt in the receiver means, the improvement which comprises: (a) a cover means supporting the cyclone and providing a closure for an upper end of the container, and with the receiver positioned between the container and the cyclone; and (b) a liner means having a first, rigid portion providing the receiver and a second portion mounted in the container wherein the receiver portion has a first sidewall between opposed ends, one of which is open and sealed to the cyclone to provide for the dirt separated from the airflow by the cyclone to accumulate in the receiver portion and wherein the container portion of the liner means has opposed ends defining a second sidewall between the ends, the second sidewall mounted along and around the longitudinal axis, inside of the interior surface of the container with a first end of the container portion providing a closure for an opposed end of the receiver portion adjacent to the bottom of the container, and wherein a second, open end of the container portion lays over the upper end of the container so that when the cyclone is positioned inside of the container, the section of the container portion of the liner means laying over the upper end of the container is provided between the container and the cover means to seal the upper end of the container, wherein the cover means and the cyclone secure the receiver portion and the container portion inside the container with the receiver portion collecting dirt separated from the airflow by the cyclone and with the container portion collecting dirt separated from the airflow by the container, wherein the cover means and the cyclone are removeable from the container so that the liner means can be moved out of the container for removing the collected dirt from the vacuum cleaning apparatus.

Claim 60

The apparatus of claim 52 wherein the container portion and the receiver portion of the liner means are formed as an integral unit.

Claim 61

The apparatus of claim 52 wherein the container portion and the receiver portion of the liner means are formed of a plastic material.

Claim 62

The apparatus of claim 52 wherein the container portion is provided with an opening adjacent to the container sidewall that provides for the dirty air inlet to the container.

Claim 63

The apparatus of claim 52 wherein the dirty air inlet opening in the container portion of the liner means is circular.

Claim 64

The apparatus of claim 52 wherein the second portion of the liner means is flexible and wherein projection means are provided on an outside wall of the cyclone, intermediate the open end of and inside the receiver and the cone opening and extending from the outside wall of the cyclone to the bottom of the container, wherein the projection means serve to hold the second portion of the liner means on the bottom of the container, spaced below the cone opening so that the second portion of the liner means is prevented from moving towards the cone opening to block the cone opening.