US7462212B2 — Cyclone dust separating apparatus for vacuum clea…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 94 words

A cyclone dust separating apparatus for separating particles from drawn-in air, the apparatus comprising: a first cyclone chamber separating first dust particles from the air by centrifugal force; at least one second cyclone chamber separating second dust particles from air discharged from the first cyclone chamber by centrifugal force; and a plurality of third cyclone chambers separating third dust particles from air discharged from the at least one second cyclone chamber, and discharging air from a discharge passage, wherein the third cyclone chambers are arranged along an outer periphery of the first cyclone chamber.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 94 words

A cyclone dust separating apparatus for separating particles from drawn-in air, the apparatus comprising: a first cyclone chamber separating first dust particles from the air by centrifugal force; at least one second cyclone chamber separating second dust particles from air discharged from the first cyclone chamber by centrifugal force; and a plurality of third cyclone chambers separating third dust particles from air discharged from the at least one second cyclone chamber, and discharging air from a discharge passage, wherein the third cyclone chambers are arranged along an outer periphery of the first cyclone chamber.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 25 words

The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one second cyclone chamber is arranged along the outer periphery of the first cyclone chamber.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 39 words

The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one second cyclone chamber has an inner diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the first cyclone chamber, and larger than an inner diameter of the third cyclone chambers.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 36 words

The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein there are a plurality of second cyclone chambers, and wherein plural respective third cyclone chambers respectively solely communicate with an outlet of the at least one second cyclone chamber.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 50 words

The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the at least one second cyclone chamber is arranged circumferentially between a respective pair of third cyclone chambers such that the at least one second cyclone chamber and the pair of third cyclone chambers are arranged circumferentially relative to the first cyclone chamber.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 32 words

The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the pair of third cyclone chambers are positioned in mirror-symmetrical relation with respect to a respective outlet of the at least one second cyclone chamber.

Claim 8

Independent Claim 26 words

The apparatus of claims 1 , wherein the first, the at least one second, and the plural third cyclone chambers are arranged independently from each other.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 118 words

The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: a cyclone body provided with an inlet through which the drawn-in air is guided to the first, the at least one second, and the plural third cyclone chambers; a first cover provided with a discharge passage, and sealing an upper open end of the cyclone body; and at least one first passage connecting an outlet of the first cyclone chamber with an inlet of a second cyclone chamber, at least one second passage connecting an outlet of the at least one second cyclone chamber with inlets of associated third cyclone chambers, and at least one third passage guiding air exiting from the associated third cyclone chambers towards the discharge passage.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 96 words

The apparatus of claim 8 , further comprising: a second cover located between the first cover and the cyclone body, wherein the first, the second, and the third passages are provided between the second cover and the cyclone body, each first passage connecting an outlet of the first cyclone chamber with the inlet of a respective second cyclone chamber, each second passage connecting the outlet of a respective second cyclone chamber with inlets of the associated third cyclone chambers, and each third passage guiding the air exiting from the third cyclone chambers towards the discharge passage.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 102 words

The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the second cover is provided with guide members for guiding air from the first cyclone chamber to the at least one second cyclone chamber; each guide member having a first curved part and a second curved part formed by curving a part of the second cover, each guide member defining a respective first passage when the cyclone body is connected to the second cover, and wherein a respective hollow connecting pipe, which extends towards the upper side of the second cover, connects the outlet of each second cyclone chamber to the associated third cyclone chambers.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 137 words

A vacuum cleaner comprising: an air suction port through which dust-carrying air is drawn in from a surface to be cleaned; a motor generating a suction force at the air suction port; and a cyclonic dust separating apparatus separating dust from the drawn-in air, the cyclonic dust-separating apparatus comprising a first cyclone chamber separating dust particles from the air by centrifugal force, at least one second cyclone chamber separating dust from air discharged from the first cyclone chamber by centrifugal force, and a plurality of third cyclone chambers separating dust from air discharged from the at least one second cyclone chamber by centrifugal force, wherein the at least one second cyclone chamber has an inner diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the first cyclone chamber and larger than an inner diameter of each third cyclone chamber.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 137 words

A vacuum cleaner comprising: an air suction port through which dust-carrying air is drawn in from a surface to be cleaned; a motor generating a suction force at the air suction port; and a cyclonic dust separating apparatus separating dust from the drawn-in air, the cyclonic dust-separating apparatus comprising a first cyclone chamber separating dust particles from the air by centrifugal force, at least one second cyclone chamber separating dust from air discharged from the first cyclone chamber by centrifugal force, and a plurality of third cyclone chambers separating dust from air discharged from the at least one second cyclone chamber by centrifugal force, wherein the at least one second cyclone chamber has an inner diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the first cyclone chamber and larger than an inner diameter of each third cyclone chamber.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 19 words

The vacuum cleaner of claim 11 , wherein the cyclonic dust-separating apparatus comprises a plurality of second cyclone chambers.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 18 words

The vacuum cleaner of claim 11 , wherein the third cyclone chambers are substantially identical to each other.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 18 words

The vacuum cleaner of claim 11 , wherein the second cyclone chambers are substantially identical to each other.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 21 words

The vacuum cleaner of claim 12 , wherein each second cyclone chamber is located between two or more third cyclone chambers.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 35 words

The vacuum cleaner of claim 12 , wherein air discharged from one second cyclone chamber is induced into the plurality of third cyclone chambers without mixing with other air discharged from other second cyclone chambers.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 24 words

The vacuum cleaner of claim 16 , wherein the air discharged from the one second cyclone chamber is induced into two third cyclone chambers.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 24 words

The vacuum cleaner of claim 12 , wherein all discharged air from the second cyclone chambers passes through the plurality of third cyclone chambers.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 29 words

The vacuum cleaner of claim 12 , wherein a combined number of the plural third cyclone chambers is greater than a combined number of the plural second cyclone chambers.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 20 words

The vacuum cleaner of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of third cyclone chambers are located substantially in a circle.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 35 words

The vacuum cleaner of claim 20 , wherein the cyclonic dust-separating apparatus comprises a plurality of second cyclone chambers, and the second cyclone chambers and the third cyclone chambers are located substantially in a circle.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 24 words

The vacuum cleaner of claim 11 , wherein the first cyclone chamber and the at least one second cyclone chamber are partially vertically overlapping.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 21 words

The vacuum cleaner of claim 11 , wherein the first cyclone chamber and the third cyclone chambers are partially vertically overlapping.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 21 words

The vacuum cleaner of claim 11 , wherein the second cyclone chamber and the third cyclone chambers are partially vertically overlapping.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 28 words

The vacuum cleaner of claim 11 , wherein the first cyclone chamber, the second cyclone chamber, and the third cyclone chambers are all vertically overlapping with each other.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 64 words

The vacuum cleaner of claim 22 , wherein the first, the second, and the third cyclone chambers are formed independently from each other, and the second and the third cyclone chambers are located within the cyclonic dust separating apparatus so as to be disposed in a plane orthogonal to a main axial directional to a main axial direction of the cyclonic dust-separating separating apparatus.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 22 words

The vacuum cleaner of claim 11 , wherein the second and the third cyclone chambers are arranged in a substantially circumferential manner.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 31 words

The vacuum cleaner of claim 27 , wherein the first cyclone chamber is disposed at a substantially center portion of the circumference formed by the first and the second cyclone chambers.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 17 words

The vacuum cleaner of claim 11 , wherein the cyclonic dust-separating apparatus further comprises a dust receptacle.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 23 words

The vacuum cleaner of claim 29 , wherein the dust receptacle is provided with a partition dividing the interior of the dust receptacle.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 41 words

The vacuum cleaner of claim 11 , wherein the cyclonic dust-separating apparatus further comprises a cyclone body, a dust receptacle detachably connected to a lower part of the cyclone body, and a cover covering an upper part of the cyclone body.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 35 words

The vacuum cleaner of claim 31 , wherein the cover comprises a first cover covering an upper end of the cyclone body, and a second cover located between the first cover and the cyclone body.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 25 words

The vacuum cleaner of claim 32 , wherein the cyclonic dust-separating apparatus further comprises a gasket installed between the cyclone body and the second cover.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 33 words

The vacuum cleaner of claim 32 , wherein the cyclonic dust-separating apparatus further comprises a first passage, a second passage, and a third passage formed by the cyclone body and the second cover.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 22 words

The vacuum cleaner of claim 11 , wherein the cyclonic dust-separating apparatus further comprises a grille installed in the first cyclone chamber.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 161 words

A vacuum cleaner comprising: an air suction port through which dust carrying air is drawn in from a surface to be cleaned; a motor generating a suction force at the air suction port; and a cyclonic dust separating apparatus separating dust from the drawn-in air, the cyclonic dust-separating apparatus comprising a first cyclone chamber separating dust particles from the air by centrifugal force, at least one second cyclone chamber separating dust from air discharged from the first cyclone chamber by centrifugal force, and at least one third cyclone chamber separating dust from air discharged from the at least one second cyclone chamber by centrifugal force, wherein the at least one second cyclone chamber has an inner diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the first cyclone chamber and larger than an inner diameter of each third cyclone chamber, and the first, the second, and third cyclone chambers are independently formed from each other, and are at least partially overlapping each other.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 161 words

A vacuum cleaner comprising: an air suction port through which dust carrying air is drawn in from a surface to be cleaned; a motor generating a suction force at the air suction port; and a cyclonic dust separating apparatus separating dust from the drawn-in air, the cyclonic dust-separating apparatus comprising a first cyclone chamber separating dust particles from the air by centrifugal force, at least one second cyclone chamber separating dust from air discharged from the first cyclone chamber by centrifugal force, and at least one third cyclone chamber separating dust from air discharged from the at least one second cyclone chamber by centrifugal force, wherein the at least one second cyclone chamber has an inner diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the first cyclone chamber and larger than an inner diameter of each third cyclone chamber, and the first, the second, and third cyclone chambers are independently formed from each other, and are at least partially overlapping each other.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 63 words

The vacuum cleaner of claim 36 , further comprising: a first cover provided with a discharge passage, the first cover covering an upper open end of a cyclone body supporting the cyclonic dust-separating apparatus; and a second cover, located within the cyclonic dust-separating apparatus, including at least one first passage from the first cyclone chamber to the at least one second cyclone chamber.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 20 words

The vacuum cleaner of claim 36 , wherein the first, the second, and the third cyclone chambers are vertically overlapping.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 34 words

The vacuum cleaner of claim 36 , wherein all of the drawn-in air passes through the first cyclone chamber, the at least one second cyclone chamber, and the at least one third cyclone chamber.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 42 words

The vacuum cleaner of claim 39 , wherein with plural second cyclone chambers or plural third cyclone chambers, all of the drawn-in air passes through the plural second cyclone chambers in parallel and passes through the plural third cyclone chambers in parallel.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 28 words

The vacuum cleaner of claim 39 , further comprising a common dust basket collecting the dust from all of the first, the second, and the third cyclone chambers.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 22 words

The vacuum cleaner of claim 39 , wherein the first, the second, and the third cyclone chambers separate progressively smaller dust particles.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 23 words

The vacuum cleaner of claim 36 , wherein each of the second cyclone chambers is paired with a plurality of third cyclone chambers.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 54 words

The vacuum cleaner of claim 43 , wherein the at least one second cyclone chamber is associated with a plurality of third cyclone chambers, with which the second cyclone chamber being in fluid communication, such that all of the air discharged from a respective second cyclone chamber passes through the associated third cyclone chambers.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 165 words

A vacuum cleaner comprising: an air suction port through which dust carrying air is drawn in from a surface to be cleaned; a motor generating a suction force at the air suction port; and a cyclonic dust separating apparatus separating dust from the drawn-in air, the cyclonic dust-separating apparatus comprising a first cyclone chamber separating dust particles from the air by centrifugal force, at least one second cyclone chamber separating dust from air discharged from the first cyclone chamber by centrifugal force, and at least one third cyclone chamber separating dust from air discharged from the at least one second cyclone chamber by centrifugal force, wherein the at least one second cyclone chamber has an inner diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the first cyclone chamber and larger than an inner diameter of each third cyclone chamber, and a grille is installed in the first cyclone chamber to prevent large dust particles from passing from the first cyclone chamber to the second cyclone chamber.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 165 words

A vacuum cleaner comprising: an air suction port through which dust carrying air is drawn in from a surface to be cleaned; a motor generating a suction force at the air suction port; and a cyclonic dust separating apparatus separating dust from the drawn-in air, the cyclonic dust-separating apparatus comprising a first cyclone chamber separating dust particles from the air by centrifugal force, at least one second cyclone chamber separating dust from air discharged from the first cyclone chamber by centrifugal force, and at least one third cyclone chamber separating dust from air discharged from the at least one second cyclone chamber by centrifugal force, wherein the at least one second cyclone chamber has an inner diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the first cyclone chamber and larger than an inner diameter of each third cyclone chamber, and a grille is installed in the first cyclone chamber to prevent large dust particles from passing from the first cyclone chamber to the second cyclone chamber.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2011-12-09	2012-06-09	2012-12-09	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2015-12-09	2016-06-09	2016-12-09	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2019-12-09	2020-06-09	2020-12-09	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Cyclone dust separating apparatus for vacuum cleaner and vacuum cleaner having the same

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