Vacuum cleaner with a removable cyclone array

Abstract

A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a dirt inlet, a handle, at least a first cleaning stage comprising a plurality of cyclones in parallel and a plurality of dirt collection chambers that are emptied concurrently wherein the plurality of cyclones and the plurality of dirt collection chambers are removable as a unit from the surface cleaning apparatus, and an air flow motor.

1 . A surface cleaning apparatus comprising:
 (a) a dirt inlet;   (b) a handle;   (c) a cyclone separator having an outer wall, a fluid inlet downstream from the dirt air inlet and a fluid outlet;   (d) a plate positioned between a cyclone chamber and a dirt collection chamber and having a cyclone chamber surface and an opposed dirt collection chamber surface;   (e) first and second inter-engagement members removably mounting the plate in position; and,   (f) a fluid flow motor.   
   
   
       2 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the dirt collection chamber has an openable end. 
   
   
       3 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first inter-engagement member comprises at least one member associated with the plate, and the second inter-engagement member comprises an opening, whereby the at least one member is received in an opening of the surface cleaning apparatus and secured therein. 
   
   
       4 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first inter-engagement member comprises a mechanical engagement member, the cyclone separator has the mechanical engagement member, and the second inter-engagement member comprises a portion associated with the plate wherein the portion is engageable with the mechanical engagement member. 
   
   
       5 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the plate has a hand grip portion provided on the dirt collection chamber surface. 
   
   
       6 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the dirt collection chamber extends under the plate. 
   
   
       7 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the cyclone chamber has a dirt outlet having a narrowed diameter and the cyclone chamber surface of the plate is positioned below the dirt outlet. 
   
   
       8 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the cyclone chamber has a dirt outlet having a narrowed diameter and the plate is positioned spaced from and facing the dirt outlet. 
   
   
       9 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a hollow longitudinally extending conduit positioned in the cyclone chamber. 
   
   
       10 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the hollow longitudinally extending conduit has a non-perforated portion adjacent the cyclone chamber surface of the plate. 
   
   
       11 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1  wherein at least a third of a radial outer portion of the cyclone chamber surface is unobstructed. 
   
   
       12 . A surface cleaning apparatus comprising:
 (a) a dirt inlet;   (b) a handle;   (c) a cyclone separator having an outer wall, a fluid inlet downstream from the dirt air inlet and a fluid outlet;   (d) a plate positioned between a cyclone chamber and a dirt collection chamber and removably mounted in position without the use of a hand tool, the plate having a cyclone chamber surface and an opposed dirt collection chamber surface; and,   (e) a fluid flow motor.   
   
   
       13 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the dirt collection chamber has an openable end. 
   
   
       14 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the first inter-engagement member comprises at least one member associated with the plate, and the second inter-engagement member comprises an opening, whereby the at least one member is received in an opening of the surface cleaning apparatus and secured therein. 
   
   
       15 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the first inter-engagement member comprises a mechanical engagement member, the cyclone separator has the mechanical engagement member, and the second inter-engagement member comprises a portion associated with the plate wherein the portion is engageable with the mechanical engagement member. 
   
   
       16 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the plate has a hand grip portion provided on the dirt collection chamber surface. 
   
   
       17 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the dirt collection chamber extends under the plate. 
   
   
       18 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the cyclone chamber has a dirt outlet having a narrowed diameter and the cyclone chamber surface of the plate is positioned below the dirt outlet. 
   
   
       19 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the cyclone chamber has a dirt outlet having a narrowed diameter and the plate is positioned spaced from and facing the dirt outlet. 
   
   
       20 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 12  further comprising a hollow longitudinally extending conduit positioned in the cyclone chamber. 
   
   
       21 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 20  wherein the hollow longitudinally extending conduit has a non-perforated portion adjacent the cyclone chamber surface of the plate. 
   
   
       22 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 12  wherein at least a third of a radial outer portion of the cyclone chamber surface is unobstructed. 
   
   
       23 . A surface cleaning apparatus comprising:
 (a) a dirt inlet;   (b) a handle;   (c) a cyclone separator having an outer wall, a fluid inlet downstream from the dirt air inlet and a fluid outlet;   (d) a plate positioned between a cyclone chamber and a dirt collection chamber and removably mounted in the cyclone separator, the plate having a cyclone chamber surface having a radial outer portion and an opposed dirt collection chamber surface, wherein at least a third of the radial outer portion is unobstructed; and,   (e) a fluid flow motor.   
   
   
       24 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 23  wherein the dirt collection chamber has an openable end. 
   
   
       25 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 23  wherein the plate is removable without the use of a hand tool.