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

Abstract

An improved two-stage separator uses reusable containers for collecting particles separated by each separation stage. The reusable containers are constructed such that a user empties both reusable containers by the actions required to empty just one of the reusable containers.

1 . 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 disposed adjacent the upstream particle separation member, the particle collectors are configured such that the downstream particle collector is emptied by transferring its contents into the upstream particle collector.    
     
     
         2 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of the upstream particle separator is removable from the casing.  
     
     
         3 . 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.  
     
     
         4 . 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.  
     
     
         5 . 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.  
     
     
         6 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 5  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.