Vacuum cleaner

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner comprising a cyclonic separating apparatus including a dirty air inlet, a main body connected to the cyclonic separating apparatus and a motor and fan unit for generating an airflow through the cyclonic separating apparatus from the dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet, wherein the cyclonic separating apparatus includes at least a first cyclonic cleaning stage and an elongate filter arranged fluidly downstream from the first cyclonic cleaning stage, the elongate filter being housed in a duct at least partially surrounded by the first cleaning stage, and wherein the filter comprises an inlet portion and a filter portion defining a generally tubular filter chamber, the inlet portion including one or more radially facing inlets to permit air to flow into the inlet portion in a radial direction from where the air flows from the inlet portion to the filter chamber in an axial direction.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus having a front end, a rear end and comprising: (a) a dirty fluid inlet; (b) a cyclone bin assembly comprising a cyclone chamber downstream of the dirty fluid inlet, the cyclone chamber comprising a lower end, an upper end, a cyclone axis, an air inlet and an air outlet at the upper end; (c) a pre-motor filter comprising an upstream side and a downstream side, the pre-motor filter is positioned at least partially above the upper end and downstream of the cyclone chamber; (d) a suction motor positioned downstream of the pre-motor filter and rearward of the cyclone bin assembly; (e) an air flow path extending from the pre-motor filter to the suction motor; and, (f) a clean air outlet downstream of the suction motor. 
     
     
         3 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the suction motor has a suction motor inlet that is positioned between lower and upper ends of the cyclone bin assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the suction motor has a motor axis that is generally perpendicular to the cyclone axis. 
     
     
         5 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the suction motor has a motor axis that is generally perpendicular to the cyclone axis. 
     
     
         6 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the air inlet is provided at the upper end and a dirt outlet is provided at the lower end and a dirt collection chamber is positioned below the cyclone chamber. 
     
     
         7 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the air flow path has a portion that is exterior to and extends part way along an exterior wall of the cyclone chamber to a suction motor inlet. 
     
     
         8 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising a dirt collection chamber positioned exterior to the cyclone chamber, the air flow path has a portion that extends part way along an exterior wall of the dirt collection chamber to a suction motor inlet. 
     
     
         9 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the upstream side is spaced further from the cyclone chamber than the downstream side. 
     
     
         10 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 9  further comprising a conduit that is in flow communication with the air outlet of the cyclone chamber and extends through the pre-motor filter. 
     
     
         11 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 10  further comprising a downstream header on the downstream side of the pre-motor filter and the air flow path extends downstream from the downstream header. 
     
     
         12 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 9  further comprising a upstream header on the upstream side of the pre-motor filter and the upstream header is openable. 
     
     
         13 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising a handle, a suction motor housing and a pre-motor filter housing positioned at least partially above the cyclone chamber, the handle extending between the suction motor housing and the pre-motor filter housing. 
     
     
         14 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the pre-motor filter housing is openable. 
     
     
         15 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the suction motor has a motor axis that is generally perpendicular to the cyclone axis. 
     
     
         16 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the handle has a suction motor housing end that is spaced rearward of the cyclone bin assembly and below the pre-motor filter housing and a pre-motor filter end that is spaced above and forward of the suction motor housing end of the handle. 
     
     
         17 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 13  further comprising an opening having a perimeter and the perimeter comprises portions of the handle, the pre-motor filter housing and the suction motor housing. 
     
     
         18 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising a handle, wherein a portion of the handle is placed rearward of a centre of gravity of the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus. 
     
     
         19 . A hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus having a front end, a rear end and comprising: (a) a dirty fluid inlet; (b) a cyclone bin assembly comprising a cyclone chamber downstream of the dirty fluid inlet, the cyclone chamber comprising a lower end, an upper end, a cyclone axis, an air inlet and an air outlet at the upper end; (c) a pre-motor filter comprising an upstream side and a downstream side, the pre-motor filter is positioned in a pre-motor filter housing having an openable cover, the cyclone axis extends through the pre-motor filter housing; (d) a suction motor positioned downstream of the pre-motor filter and rearward of the cyclone bin assembly; (e) an air flow path extending from the pre-motor filter to the suction motor; and, (f) a clean air outlet downstream of the suction motor. 
     
     
         20 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 19  wherein the suction motor has a suction motor inlet that is positioned between lower and upper ends of the cyclone bin assembly. 
     
     
         21 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 20  wherein the suction motor has a motor axis that is generally perpendicular to the cyclone axis. 
     
     
         22 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 19  wherein the suction motor has a motor axis that is generally perpendicular to the cyclone axis. 
     
     
         23 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 19  wherein the air inlet is provided at the upper end and a dirt outlet is provided at the lower end and a dirt collection chamber is positioned below the cyclone chamber. 
     
     
         24 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 19  wherein the air flow path has a portion that is exterior to and extends part way along an exterior wall of the cyclone chamber to a suction motor inlet. 
     
     
         25 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 19  further comprising a dirt collection chamber positioned exterior to the cyclone chamber, the air flow path has a portion that extends part way along an exterior wall of the dirt collection chamber to a suction motor inlet. 
     
     
         26 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 19  wherein the upstream side is spaced further from the cyclone chamber than the downstream side. 
     
     
         27 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 26  further comprising a conduit that is in flow communication with the air outlet of the cyclone chamber and extends through the pre-motor filter. 
     
     
         28 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 27  further comprising a downstream header on the downstream side of the pre-motor filter and the air flow path extends downstream from the downstream header. 
     
     
         29 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 26  further comprising an upstream header on the upstream side of the pre-motor filter and the upstream header is openable. 
     
     
         30 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 19  further comprising a handle and a suction motor housing, the pre-motor filter housing is positioned above the cyclone chamber, the handle extending between the suction motor housing and the pre-motor filter housing. 
     
     
         31 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 30  wherein the pre-motor filter housing is openable without moving the handle. 
     
     
         32 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 30  wherein the suction motor has a motor axis that is generally perpendicular to the cyclone axis. 
     
     
         33 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 19  further comprising a handle, wherein the handle has a suction motor housing end that is spaced rearward of the cyclone bin assembly and below the pre-motor filter housing and a pre-motor filter end that is spaced above and forward of the suction motor housing end of the handle. 
     
     
         34 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 30  further comprising an opening having a perimeter and the perimeter comprises portions of the handle, the pre-motor filter housing and the suction motor housing. 
     
     
         35 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 19  further comprising a handle, wherein a portion of the handle is placed rearward of a centre of gravity of the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus. 
     
     
         36 . A hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus having a front end, a rear end and comprising: (a) a dirty fluid inlet; (b) a cyclone bin assembly comprising a cyclone chamber downstream of the dirty fluid inlet, the cyclone chamber comprising a lower end, an upper end, a cyclone axis, an air inlet and an air outlet at the upper end; (c) a pre-motor filter comprising an upstream side and a downstream side, each of the upstream and downstream sides having a front end positioned proximate the front end and extending rearwardly, the pre-motor filter is positioned above the upper end and downstream of the cyclone chamber, the cyclone chamber air outlet is positioned at a location spaced from the front end of the pre-motor filter; (d) a suction motor positioned downstream of the pre-motor filter and rearward of the cyclone bin assembly; (e) an air flow path extending from the pre-motor filter to the suction motor; and, (f) a clean air outlet downstream of the suction motor. 
     
     
         37 . A hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus comprising: (a) a dirty fluid inlet; (b) a cyclone bin assembly comprising a cyclone chamber downstream of the dirty fluid inlet, the cyclone chamber comprising a lower end, an upper end, a cyclone axis, an air inlet and an air outlet at the upper end; (c) a pre-motor filter comprising an upstream side and a downstream side, the pre-motor filter is positioned above the upper end and downstream of the cyclone chamber, the pre-motor filter overlies at least a portion of the upper end of the cyclone chamber; (d) a suction motor positioned downstream of the pre-motor filter and rearward of the cyclone bin assembly; (e) an air flow path extending from the pre-motor filter to the suction motor; and, (f) a clean air outlet downstream of the suction motor. 
     
     
         38 . A hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus comprising: (a) a dirty fluid inlet; (b) a cyclone bin assembly comprising a cyclone chamber downstream of the dirty fluid inlet, the cyclone chamber comprising a lower end, an upper end, a cyclone axis, an air inlet and an air outlet at the upper end; (c) a pre-motor filter comprising an upstream side and a downstream side, the pre-motor filter is positioned above the upper end and downstream of the cyclone chamber; (d) an upstream header on the upstream side of the pre-motor filter and the upstream header is openable; (e) a suction motor positioned downstream of the pre-motor filter and rearward of the cyclone bin assembly; (f) an air flow path extending from the pre-motor filter to the suction motor; and, (g) a clean air outlet downstream of the suction motor. 
     
     
         39 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 38  wherein the upstream side is spaced further from the cyclone chamber than the downstream side. 
     
     
         40 . A hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus having a front end, a rear end and comprising: (a) a dirty fluid inlet; (b) a cyclone bin assembly comprising a cyclone chamber downstream of the dirty fluid inlet, the cyclone chamber comprising a lower end, an upper end, a cyclone axis, an air inlet and an air outlet at the upper end; (c) a pre-motor filter comprising an upstream side and a downstream side, the pre-motor filter is positioned in a pre-motor filter housing that is openable, the cyclone axis extends through the pre-motor filter housing; (d) a suction motor positioned downstream of the pre-motor filter and rearward of the cyclone bin assembly; (e) an air flow path extending from the pre-motor filter to the suction motor; and, (f) a clean air outlet downstream of the suction motor. 
     
     
         41 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 40  wherein the suction motor has a suction motor inlet that is positioned between lower and upper ends of the cyclone bin assembly. 
     
     
         42 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 41  wherein the suction motor has a motor axis that is generally perpendicular to the cyclone axis. 
     
     
         43 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 40  wherein the suction motor has a motor axis that is generally perpendicular to the cyclone axis. 
     
     
         44 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 40  wherein the air inlet is provided at the upper end and a dirt outlet is provided at the lower end and a dirt collection chamber is positioned below the cyclone chamber. 
     
     
         45 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 40  wherein the air flow path has a portion that is exterior to and extends part way along an exterior wall of the cyclone chamber to a suction motor inlet. 
     
     
         46 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 40  further comprising a dirt collection chamber positioned exterior to the cyclone chamber, the air flow path has a portion that extends part way along an exterior wall of the dirt collection chamber to a suction motor inlet. 
     
     
         47 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 40  wherein the upstream side is spaced further from the cyclone chamber than the downstream side. 
     
     
         48 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 47  further comprising a conduit that is in flow communication with the air outlet of the cyclone chamber and extends through the pre-motor filter. 
     
     
         49 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 48  further comprising a downstream header on the downstream side of the pre-motor filter and the air flow path extends downstream from the downstream header. 
     
     
         50 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 47  further comprising an upstream header on the upstream side of the pre-motor filter and the upstream header is openable. 
     
     
         51 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 40  further comprising a handle and a suction motor housing, at least a portion of the pre-motor filter housing is positioned above the cyclone chamber, the handle extending between the suction motor housing and the pre-motor filter housing. 
     
     
         52 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 51  wherein the pre-motor filter housing is openable without moving the handle. 
     
     
         53 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 51  wherein the suction motor has a motor axis that is generally perpendicular to the cyclone axis. 
     
     
         54 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 40  further comprising a handle, wherein the handle has a suction motor housing end that is spaced rearward of the cyclone bin assembly and below at least a portion of the pre-motor filter housing and a pre-motor filter end that is spaced above and forward of the suction motor housing end of the handle. 
     
     
         55 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 51  further comprising an opening having a perimeter and the perimeter comprises portions of the handle, the pre-motor filter housing and the suction motor housing. 
     
     
         56 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 40  further comprising a handle, wherein a portion of the handle is placed rearward of a centre of gravity of the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus. 
     
     
         57 . A hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus having a front end, a rear end and comprising: (a) a dirty fluid inlet; (b) a cyclone bin assembly comprising a cyclone chamber downstream of the dirty fluid inlet, the cyclone chamber comprising a lower end, an upper end, a cyclone axis, an air inlet and an air outlet at the upper end; (c) a pre-motor filter comprising an upstream side and a downstream side, each of the upstream and downstream sides having a front end positioned proximate the front end and extending rearwardly, at least a portion of the pre-motor filter is positioned above the upper end and downstream of the cyclone chamber, the cyclone chamber air outlet is positioned at a location spaced from the front end of the pre-motor filter; (d) a suction motor positioned downstream of the pre-motor filter and rearward of the cyclone bin assembly; (e) an air flow path extending from the pre-motor filter to the suction motor; and, (f) a clean air outlet downstream of the suction motor. 
     
     
         58 . A hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus comprising: (a) a dirty fluid inlet; (b) a cyclone bin assembly comprising a cyclone chamber downstream of the dirty fluid inlet, the cyclone chamber comprising a lower end, an upper end, a cyclone axis, an air inlet and an air outlet at the upper end; (c) a pre-motor filter comprising an upstream side and a downstream side, at least a portion of the pre-motor filter is positioned above the upper end and downstream of the cyclone chamber, at least a portion of the pre-motor filter overlies at least a portion of the upper end of the cyclone chamber; (d) a suction motor positioned downstream of the pre-motor filter and rearward of the cyclone bin assembly; (e) an air flow path extending from the pre-motor filter to the suction motor; and, (f) a clean air outlet downstream of the suction motor. 
     
     
         59 . A hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus comprising: (a) a dirty fluid inlet; (b) a cyclone bin assembly comprising a cyclone chamber downstream of the dirty fluid inlet, the cyclone chamber comprising a lower end, an upper end, a cyclone axis, an air inlet and an air outlet at the upper end; (c) a pre-motor filter comprising an upstream side and a downstream side, at least a portion of the pre-motor filter is positioned above the upper end and downstream of the cyclone chamber; (d) an upstream header on the upstream side of the pre-motor filter and the upstream header is openable; (e) a suction motor positioned downstream of the pre-motor filter and rearward of the cyclone bin assembly; (f) an air flow path extending from the pre-motor filter to the suction motor; and, (g) a clean air outlet downstream of the suction motor. 
     
     
         60 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 59  wherein the upstream side is spaced further from the cyclone chamber than the downstream side. 
     
     
         61 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 27  further comprising a downstream chamber on the downstream side of the pre-motor filter and the air flow path extends downstream from the downstream chamber. 
     
     
         62 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 48  further comprising a downstream chamber on the downstream side of the pre-motor filter and the air flow path extends downstream from the downstream chamber. 
     
     
         63 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 27  further comprising a downstream duct on the downstream side of the pre-motor filter and the air flow path extends downstream from the downstream duct. 
     
     
         64 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 48  further comprising a downstream duct on the downstream side of the pre-motor filter and the air flow path extends downstream from the downstream duct. 
     
     
         65 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 26  further comprising an upstream chamber on the upstream side of the pre-motor filter and the upstream chamber is openable. 
     
     
         66 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 47  further comprising an upstream chamber on the upstream side of the pre-motor filter and the upstream chamber is openable. 
     
     
         67 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 26  further comprising an upstream manifold on the upstream side of the pre-motor filter and the upstream manifold is openable. 
     
     
         68 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 47  further comprising an upstream manifold on the upstream side of the pre-motor filter and the upstream manifold is openable. 
     
     
         69 . A hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus comprising: (a) a dirty fluid inlet; (b) a cyclone bin assembly comprising a cyclone chamber downstream of the dirty fluid inlet, the cyclone chamber comprising a lower end, an upper end, a cyclone axis, an air inlet and an air outlet at the upper end; (c) a pre-motor filter comprising an upstream side and a downstream side, at least a portion of the pre-motor filter is positioned above the upper end and downstream of the cyclone chamber; (d) an upstream chamber on the upstream side of the pre-motor filter and the upstream chamber is openable; (e) a suction motor positioned downstream of the pre-motor filter and rearward of the cyclone bin assembly; (f) an air flow path extending from the pre-motor filter to the suction motor; and, (g) a clean air outlet downstream of the suction motor. 
     
     
         70 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 69  wherein the upstream side is spaced further from the cyclone chamber than the downstream side. 
     
     
         71 . A hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus comprising: (a) a dirty fluid inlet; (b) a cyclone bin assembly comprising a cyclone chamber downstream of the dirty fluid inlet, the cyclone chamber comprising a lower end, an upper end, a cyclone axis, an air inlet and an air outlet at the upper end; (c) a pre-motor filter comprising an upstream side and a downstream side, at least a portion of the pre-motor filter is positioned above the upper end and downstream of the cyclone chamber; (d) an upstream manifold on the upstream side of the pre-motor filter and the upstream manifold is openable; (e) a suction motor positioned downstream of the pre-motor filter and rearward of the cyclone bin assembly; (f) an air flow path extending from the pre-motor filter to the suction motor; and, (g) a clean air outlet downstream of the suction motor. 
     
     
         72 . The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 71  wherein the upstream side is spaced further from the cyclone chamber than the downstream side.