US6344064B1 — Method and apparatus of particle transfer in mult…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 99 words

A vacuum cleaner comprising: (a) a cleaner head having a dirty air inlet; and, (b) a casing having a filtration member, the filtration member having an inlet in fluid flow communication with the dirty air inlet and an outlet in fluid flow communication with a source of suction, the filtration member comprising at least one upstream particle separator having an associated upstream particle collector and at least one downstream particle separator having an associated downstream particle collector, the particle collectors are configured such that the downstream particle collector is emptied by transferring its contents into the upstream particle collector.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 99 words

A vacuum cleaner comprising: (a) a cleaner head having a dirty air inlet; and, (b) a casing having a filtration member, the filtration member having an inlet in fluid flow communication with the dirty air inlet and an outlet in fluid flow communication with a source of suction, the filtration member comprising at least one upstream particle separator having an associated upstream particle collector and at least one downstream particle separator having an associated downstream particle collector, the particle collectors are configured such that the downstream particle collector is emptied by transferring its contents into the upstream particle collector.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 46 words

The vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the upstream particle separator is removable from the casing and the downstream particle collector is emptied into the upstream particle collector when the portion of the upstream particle collector is removed from the casing.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 40 words

The vacuum cleaner of claim 1 further comprising a particle transfer member positioned between one of the particle separation members and its associated particle collector whereby particles separated by the said particle separation member are conveyed to said particle collector.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 34 words

The vacuum cleaner of claim 3 wherein at least a portion of the particle transfer member is angled downwardly whereby particles travel to said particle collector at least partially under the influence of gravity.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 28 words

The vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein the downstream particle separation member is chosen from the group of a cyclone, a Prandtl layer turbine and an electrostatic filter.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 19 words

The vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein the downstream particle collector is positioned in the upstream particle separation member.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 19 words

The vacuum cleaner of claim 2 wherein the downstream particle collector is pivotally mounted above the upstream particle collector.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 47 words

The vacuum cleaner of claim 2 wherein the downstream particle collector has side walls and a bottom that is mounted for movement between a closed position and an open position and the bottom moves to the open position as the upstream particle collector is prepared for emptying.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 40 words

The vacuum cleaner of claim 8 wherein the bottom is maintained in the closed position by interaction between the bottom and a member positioned on a portion of the vacuum cleaner that is not removed with the upstream particle collector.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 159 words

A separator for separating entrained particles from a fluid flow, the separator comprising: (a) a first particle separation member; (b) a reusable particle collector disposed beneath the particle separation member, the particle collector having a moveable member movably mounted between a closed position and an open position; (c) a particle receiving chamber disposed beneath the particle collector; and, (d) a second particle separation member, wherein the particle receiving chamber receives particles separated from the fluid flow by the second particle separation member wherein the second particle separation member has an outer container and a first assembly positioned in the outer container, the reusable particle collector has side walls and the moveable member comprises a lower portion and the side walls are removable with the first assembly from the outer container and wherein when the moveable member moves from its closed position to its open position, particles collected in the particle collector are substantially transferred to the particle receiving chamber.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 159 words

A separator for separating entrained particles from a fluid flow, the separator comprising: (a) a first particle separation member; (b) a reusable particle collector disposed beneath the particle separation member, the particle collector having a moveable member movably mounted between a closed position and an open position; (c) a particle receiving chamber disposed beneath the particle collector; and, (d) a second particle separation member, wherein the particle receiving chamber receives particles separated from the fluid flow by the second particle separation member wherein the second particle separation member has an outer container and a first assembly positioned in the outer container, the reusable particle collector has side walls and the moveable member comprises a lower portion and the side walls are removable with the first assembly from the outer container and wherein when the moveable member moves from its closed position to its open position, particles collected in the particle collector are substantially transferred to the particle receiving chamber.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 27 words

The separator of claim 10 wherein the first particle separation member is chosen from the group of a cyclone, a Prandtl layer turbine and an electrostatic filter.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 169 words

A separator for separating entrained particles from a fluid flow, the separator comprising: (a) a first particle separation member; (b) a reusable particle collector disposed beneath the particle separation member, the particle collector having a moveable member movably mounted between a closed position and an open position; (c) a particle receiving chamber disposed beneath the particle collector; and, (d) a second particle separation member, wherein the particle receiving chamber receives particles separated from the fluid flow by the second particle separation member wherein the second particle separation member has an outer container and a first assembly positioned in the outer container, the reusable particle collector has side walls mounted on the first assembly, the moveable member comprises a lower portion and the lower portion is mounted on the outer container for rotational movement with respect to the side walls container and wherein when the moveable member moves from its closed position to its open position, particles collected in the particle collector are substantially transferred to the particle receiving chamber.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 169 words

A separator for separating entrained particles from a fluid flow, the separator comprising: (a) a first particle separation member; (b) a reusable particle collector disposed beneath the particle separation member, the particle collector having a moveable member movably mounted between a closed position and an open position; (c) a particle receiving chamber disposed beneath the particle collector; and, (d) a second particle separation member, wherein the particle receiving chamber receives particles separated from the fluid flow by the second particle separation member wherein the second particle separation member has an outer container and a first assembly positioned in the outer container, the reusable particle collector has side walls mounted on the first assembly, the moveable member comprises a lower portion and the lower portion is mounted on the outer container for rotational movement with respect to the side walls container and wherein when the moveable member moves from its closed position to its open position, particles collected in the particle collector are substantially transferred to the particle receiving chamber.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 27 words

The separator of claim 12 wherein the first particle separation member is chosen from the group of a cyclone, a Prandtl layer turbine and an electrostatic filter.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 169 words

A separator for separating entrained particles from a fluid flow, the separator comprising: (a) a first particle separation member; (b) a reusable particle collector disposed beneath the particle separation member, the particle collector having a moveable member movably mounted between a closed position and an open position; (c) a particle receiving chamber disposed beneath the particle collector; and, a second particle separation member, wherein the particle receiving chamber receives particles separated from the fluid flow by the second particle separation member wherein the second particle separation member has an outer container and a first assembly positioned in the outer container, the reusable particle collector has side walls and the moveable member comprises a lower portion pivotally mounted with respect to the side walls and lockable in the closed position by interaction with a member provided on the outer container container and wherein when the moveable member moves from its closed position to its open position, particles collected in the particle collector are substantially transferred to the particle receiving chamber.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 169 words

A separator for separating entrained particles from a fluid flow, the separator comprising: (a) a first particle separation member; (b) a reusable particle collector disposed beneath the particle separation member, the particle collector having a moveable member movably mounted between a closed position and an open position; (c) a particle receiving chamber disposed beneath the particle collector; and, a second particle separation member, wherein the particle receiving chamber receives particles separated from the fluid flow by the second particle separation member wherein the second particle separation member has an outer container and a first assembly positioned in the outer container, the reusable particle collector has side walls and the moveable member comprises a lower portion pivotally mounted with respect to the side walls and lockable in the closed position by interaction with a member provided on the outer container container and wherein when the moveable member moves from its closed position to its open position, particles collected in the particle collector are substantially transferred to the particle receiving chamber.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 27 words

The separator of claim 14 wherein the first particle separation member is chosen from the group of a cyclone, a Prandtl layer turbine and an electrostatic filter.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 134 words

A separator comprising: (a) an inlet in fluid flow communication with a source of fluid having particles therein; (b) a first particle separation member; (c) a first particle collector disposed below the particle separation member; and, (d) a particle transfer member positioned between the particle separation member and the particle collector whereby particles separated by the first particle separation member are conveyed to the first particle collector; (e) a second particle separation member disposed upstream of the first particle separation member, the first particle collector is disposed above the second particle separation member; and, (f) a second particle collector positioned to receive particles separated by the second particle separation member and the first and second particle collectors are configured such that the first particle collector is emptied when the second particle collector is emptied.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 134 words

A separator comprising: (a) an inlet in fluid flow communication with a source of fluid having particles therein; (b) a first particle separation member; (c) a first particle collector disposed below the particle separation member; and, (d) a particle transfer member positioned between the particle separation member and the particle collector whereby particles separated by the first particle separation member are conveyed to the first particle collector; (e) a second particle separation member disposed upstream of the first particle separation member, the first particle collector is disposed above the second particle separation member; and, (f) a second particle collector positioned to receive particles separated by the second particle separation member and the first and second particle collectors are configured such that the first particle collector is emptied when the second particle collector is emptied.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 39 words

The separator of claim 16 wherein at least a portion of the particle transfer member is angled downwardly to the first particle collector whereby particles travel to the first particle collector at least partially under the influence of gravity.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 27 words

The separator of claim 16 wherein the first particle separation member is chosen from the group of a cyclone, a Prandtl layer turbine and an electrostatic filter.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 18 words

The separator of claim 16 wherein the first particle collector is positioned in the second particle separation member.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 39 words

The separator of claim 19 wherein the second particle collector is removably mounted in a casing and the first particle collector is constructed to empty into the second particle when the second particle collector is removed from the casing.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 74 words

A separator comprising: (a) an inlet in fluid flow communication with a source of fluid having particles therein; (b) a particle separation member; (c) a first particle collector disposed below the particle separation member; and, (d) a particle transfer member positioned between the particle separation member and the particle collector, wherein the particle transfer member comprises a pivotally mounted disc whereby particles separated by the particle separation member are conveyed to the particle collector.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 74 words

A separator comprising: (a) an inlet in fluid flow communication with a source of fluid having particles therein; (b) a particle separation member; (c) a first particle collector disposed below the particle separation member; and, (d) a particle transfer member positioned between the particle separation member and the particle collector, wherein the particle transfer member comprises a pivotally mounted disc whereby particles separated by the particle separation member are conveyed to the particle collector.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 133 words

A separator for separating entrained particles from a fluid flow, the separator comprising: (a) first separating means for separating particles from the fluid flow; (b) second separating means for separating particles from the fluid flow; (c) first particle collecting means for collecting particles separated from the fluid flow by the first separating means; (d) second particle collecting means for collecting particles separated from the fluid flow by the second separating means, the second particle collecting means is positioned above the first particle collecting means; and, (e) directing means for directing particle collecting means is removably mounted in a casing and the second particle collecting means, at least a portion of the directing means is angled downwardly whereby particles travel to the first particle collecting means at least partially under the influence of gravity.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 133 words

A separator for separating entrained particles from a fluid flow, the separator comprising: (a) first separating means for separating particles from the fluid flow; (b) second separating means for separating particles from the fluid flow; (c) first particle collecting means for collecting particles separated from the fluid flow by the first separating means; (d) second particle collecting means for collecting particles separated from the fluid flow by the second separating means, the second particle collecting means is positioned above the first particle collecting means; and, (e) directing means for directing particle collecting means is removably mounted in a casing and the second particle collecting means, at least a portion of the directing means is angled downwardly whereby particles travel to the first particle collecting means at least partially under the influence of gravity.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 40 words

The separator of claim 22 wherein the first particle collecting means is removably mounted in a casing and the second particle collecting means empties into the first particle collecting means as the first particle collecting means is prepared for emptying.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 124 words

A separator for separating entrained particles from a fluid flow, the separator comprising: (a) first separating means for separating particles from the fluid flow; (b) second separating means for separating particles from the fluid flow; (c) first particle collecting means for collecting particles separated from the fluid flow by the first separating means; (d) second particle collecting means for collecting particles separated from the fluid flow by the second separating means; (e) directing means for directing particles from the first particle separating means to the first particle collecting means; and, (f) a cleaning head having a dirty air inlet and the separator is connectable in fluid flow communication with the dirty air inlet wherein the separator comprises the filtration stage of a vacuum cleaner.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 124 words

A separator for separating entrained particles from a fluid flow, the separator comprising: (a) first separating means for separating particles from the fluid flow; (b) second separating means for separating particles from the fluid flow; (c) first particle collecting means for collecting particles separated from the fluid flow by the first separating means; (d) second particle collecting means for collecting particles separated from the fluid flow by the second separating means; (e) directing means for directing particles from the first particle separating means to the first particle collecting means; and, (f) a cleaning head having a dirty air inlet and the separator is connectable in fluid flow communication with the dirty air inlet wherein the separator comprises the filtration stage of a vacuum cleaner.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 78 words

A vacuum cleaner comprising: (a) a cleaner head having a dirty air inlet; and, (b) a filtration member in fluid flow communication with the dirty air inlet and with a source of suction, the filtration member comprising an upstream cyclone having an associated upstream particle collector and a plurality of downstream cyclones having an associated downstream particle collector, the particle collectors are configured such that the downstream particle collector is emptied when the upstream particle collector is emptied.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 78 words

A vacuum cleaner comprising: (a) a cleaner head having a dirty air inlet; and, (b) a filtration member in fluid flow communication with the dirty air inlet and with a source of suction, the filtration member comprising an upstream cyclone having an associated upstream particle collector and a plurality of downstream cyclones having an associated downstream particle collector, the particle collectors are configured such that the downstream particle collector is emptied when the upstream particle collector is emptied.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 46 words

The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 25 further comprising a main casing and a filtration casing, the filtration casing housing at least the upstream cyclone, the upstream particle collector and the downstream particle collector, and the filtration casing is removable mounted to the main casing.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 36 words

The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 25 wherein the downstream particle collector comprises a chamber having an open top and an open bottom and movable bottom panel is provided adjacent the bottom of the chamber.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 44 words

The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 25 wherein the downstream particle collector comprises a collector housing including a collector wall and a movable bottom panel, the bottom panel is movably mounted with respect to the collector wall for emptying the downstream particle collector.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2005-02-04	2005-08-06	2006-02-05	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2009-02-04	2009-08-06	2010-02-05	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2013-02-04	2013-08-06	2014-02-05	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method and apparatus of particle transfer in multi-stage particle separators

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