Dirt separator

Abstract

A dirt separator that includes an inlet; an outer wall defining a first dirt collection chamber of a first separation stage; an inner wall defining a second dirt collection chamber of a second separation stage; at least one rib extending from the inner wall into the second collection chamber; and a closure member hingedly connected to the dirt separator and movable between a closed position for sealing open ends of both the first and second dirt collection chambers and an open position for escape of dirt from the open ends. The closure member comprises a seal for sealing against the inner wall when the closure member is in the closed position, and the at least one rib has an end edge that is inclined such that the seal rides along the end edge and onto the inner wall as the closure member is closed.

1 . A dirt separator for a vacuum cleaner, the dirt separator comprising:
 an inlet for receiving a dirt-laden airflow;   an outer wall defining a first dirt collection chamber for collecting dust and dirt separated from the airflow in a first separation stage;   an inner wall defining a second dirt collection chamber for collecting dust and dirt separated from the airflow in a second separation stage, the second dirt collection chamber being positioned within the first collection chamber;   at least one rib extending from the inner wall into the second collection chamber; and   a closure member hingedly connected to the dirt separator so as to be movable between a closed position in which the closure member seals open ends of both the first and second dirt collection chambers and an open position in which dust and dirt can escape from the open ends of the first and second dirt collection chambers,   wherein the closure member comprises a seal for sealing against the inner wall when the closure member is in the closed position, and the at least one rib has an end edge that is inclined such that the seal rides along the end edge and onto the inner wall as the closure member is closed.   
     
     
         2 . The dirt separator of  claim 1 , wherein the seal is a cuff seal. 
     
     
         3 . The dirt separator of  claim 2 , wherein the seal is formed of a resilient material and has an inner diameter that is smaller than an outer diameter of the inner wall, such that the seal stretches as the closure member is closed and the seal rides along the at least one rib onto the inner wall. 
     
     
         4 . The dirt separator of  claim 2 , wherein the seal has an inner diameter that is the same as an outer diameter of the inner wall. 
     
     
         5 . The dirt separator of  claim 1 , wherein the inlet comprises an inlet duct that extends through the second dirt collection chamber. 
     
     
         6 . The dirt separator of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one rib extends between the inlet duct and the inner wall. 
     
     
         7 . The dirt separator of  claim 4 , wherein the inlet duct extends through a hole in the closure member. 
     
     
         8 . The dirt separator of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one rib separates the second dirt collection chamber into a plurality of sub-chambers. 
     
     
         9 . The dirt separator of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one rib extends from a point on the inner wall that is closest to a hinge point for the closure member. 
     
     
         10 . The dirt separator of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of ribs extend from the inner wall into the second collection chamber. 
     
     
         11 . The dirt separator of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of ribs extend parallel to each other, and extend from the inner wall in a direction away from a hinge point for the closure member. 
     
     
         12 . The dirt separator of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second dirt collection chambers are annular. 
     
     
         13 . The dirt separator of  claim 1 , wherein the dirt separator is a cyclonic separator. 
     
     
         14 . A vacuum cleaner comprising a dirt separator that comprises:
 an inlet for receiving a dirt-laden airflow;   an outer wall defining a first dirt collection chamber for collecting dust and dirt separated from the airflow in a first separation stage;   an inner wall defining a second dirt collection chamber for collecting dust and dirt separated from the airflow in a second separation stage, the second dirt collection chamber being positioned within the first collection chamber;   at least one rib extending from the inner wall into the second collection chamber; and   a closure member hingedly connected to the dirt separator so as to be movable between a closed position in which the closure member seals open ends of both the first and second dirt collection chambers and an open position in which dust and dirt can escape from the open ends of the first and second dirt collection chambers,   wherein the closure member comprises a seal for sealing against the inner wall when the closure member is in the closed position, and the at least one rib has an end edge that is inclined such that the seal rides along the end edge and onto the inner wall as the closure member is closed.