The present invention relates to a surface cleaning apparatus.

Some forms of surface cleaning apparatus include a dirt collection container to collect direction which has been separated from an incoming airflow. It is a requirement in some countries to include a marking/indicia on the container to indicate when the quantity of dirt in the container is at a maximum level.

According to a first aspect of the invention we provide a surface cleaning apparatus having a dirt collection chamber and a device for indicating to a user when the quantity of dirt contained within the chamber has reached a predetermined quantity, said device including a user viewable indicator which is capable of indicating that the chamber has reached said predetermined quantity in at least two orientations of the chamber.

According to a second aspect of the invention we provide a surface cleaning apparatus having a dirt collection chamber and a device for indicating to a user when the quantity of dirt contained within the chamber has reached a predetermined quantity, said device including a user viewable indicator which is moveable relative to the chamber.

Further features of the invention are set out in the claims appended hereto.

Examples of embodiments of the invention are described below, with reference to the following drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a further perspective view of the apparatus of figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is an end view of the apparatus of figure 1 in an upright position;

Figure 4 is an end view of the apparatus of figure 1 in a first rotational position; Figure 5 is an end view of the apparatus of figure 1 in a second rotational position;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention; and

Figure 7 is a further perspective view of the embodiment of figure 6.

Referring to the figures these show a surface cleaning apparatus 10 in accordance with the present invention. In this particular embodiment the surface cleaning apparatus 10 is generally elongate and cylindrical with a pair of wheels 14, 16, one positioned at each end of its main body 12. The main body 12 contains and supports the working components of the apparatus and is generally concave. In this particular embodiment the apparatus 10 has a dirt separation device in the form of a cyclonic separation device for separating dirt out of an entrained airflow pulled through the apparatus by a suction motor and fan (not shown). An inlet to the separation device communicates with a primary air inlet 18 positioned on the main body 12 which inlet 18 extending generally upwardly (see figure 3). The primary air inlet 18 is connectable, preferably releaseably, to a hose/wand which has positioned at its free end a floor tool. In alternative embodiments the apparatus 10 may include a second stage cyclonic separation device in communication with the first stage. The second stage cyclonic separation device may include a plurality of smaller cyclonic separators, as is well known in the art.

In this embodiment each wheel 14, 16 includes an annular member which is supported for rotation by an exterior surface of part of the main body 12. It should be appreciated, however, that the wheels 14, 16 may take various other forms, so long as they permit the apparatus to be rolled over a ground surface. The apparatus is generally symmetrical about a plane which extends midway through the main body 12 and primary air inlet 18. In this example the apparatus 10 includes a dirt collection container 17 which has an inlet communicating with an outlet from the separation device. In this embodiment the dirt collection container 17 has a pivotably moveable lid 17a to permit emptying thereof, which is moveable about a hinge 17b. In envisaged embodiments the dirt collection container 17 may be removable from the remainder of the apparatus 10 in order for it to be more easily emptied of its contents. In one envisaged embodiment the dirt collection chamber 17 may be removed through an opening in one end of the apparatus. In this embodiment the wheels 14, 16 are rotatable about an axis A which is coaxial with an axis of the dirt collection chamber 17 and the main body 12.

Advantageously the apparatus 10 includes a device 20 for indicating to a user when the amount of dirt contained within the chamber 17 has reached a predetermined quantity. The device 20 includes a user viewable indicator which is capable of indicating whether or not the chamber 17 has reached said predetermined quantity in at least two orientations of the chamber 17. In this particular embodiment the device 20 takes the form of a part-annular tube 22 which extends around a portion of the dirt chamber 17. In this embodiment the device 20 is connected to and supported by the main body 12, but it could, instead, be connected to or supported by the dirt chamber 17. The part annular tube 22 is filled, not completely, with a liquid 25, which is preferably coloured. The ends of the tube 22 are closed by blocking members in the form of caps 23, which prevent any liquid from escaping from the tube 22. Whilst in the present embodiment the device 20 is a part-annular tube, and it should be appreciated that embodiments are envisaged which include an annular tube. Thus, in such embodiments the blocking members/caps 23 would not be required. In this embodiment, the viewable indicator, the liquid 25, is moveable relative to the chamber, so as to rotate about the axis A depending on the orientation of the apparatus 10. Alternatives to liquid can be used. For example, a powder or particulate substance could be positioned within the tube 22. Alternatively still, the viewable indicator may include one or a plurality of indicator members which may be substantially spherical or spherical, e.g. ball bearing or the like.

In order for the user to be able to view the viewable indicator, it is necessary for the device 20 to be positioned either close to an end of the apparatus of the main body or within a transparent or translucent part of the main body (as shown in figure 2). In one envisaged embodiment the device 20 may be positioned within a periphery of one of the wheels 14, 16.

The provision of the viewable indicator in the device 20 means that it is moveable under the action of gravity to rest at an equilibrium position within the tube 22. This means that in any working orientation of the apparatus 10, remote ends/surfaces 27 of the liquid 25 are horizontally aligned with each other, i.e. they are self-levelling. This can be seen in more detail in figures 3, 4 The device 20 in accordance with the present invention means that the user can determine whether the chamber 1 7 has reached its maximum fill quantity in any rotational orientation of the apparatus 1 0. Referring to figure 3 this shows the apparatus 1 0 in a generally upright condition with the primary air inlet 1 8 thereof extending generally upwardly. In this condition it can be seen that the ends 27 of the liquid 25 are aligned horizontally with one another and indicate to a user that the level 28 of dirt within the chamber 1 7 is not yet at the maximum permitted quantity. Turning to figure 4, this shows a first rotational condition Ri where the apparatus has been rotated clockwise such that the primary air inlet 1 8 is now closer to a ground surface F. Rotation of the apparatus about its elongate axis A correspondingly moves the device 20 such that the tube 22 also rotates a corresponding amount. However, the liquid 25 within the tube 22 adopts an equilibrium position such that its ends/surfaces 27 are horizontally aligned with one another. The rotation of the apparatus about its axis A also means that the dirt within the dirt collection container falls under gravity towards the ground surface F. Thus, the user can see that the dirt within the chamber 1 7 is not at the maximum permitted quantity.

Correspondingly, when the apparatus is rotated counter-clockwise, R ₂ (see figure 5), the opposite applies, also indicating to a user that the volume of dirt within the chamber 17 is not at the maximum permitted quantity. Advantageously, therefore, the apparatus 1 0 in accordance with the present invention permits the user to determine whether the dirt within the chamber has reached a predetermined quantity in at least two orientations of the chamber. In this particular embodiment those orientations are rotational orientations about the elongate axis A of the apparatus, but in alternative embodiments they need not necessarily be rotational positions. In alternative embodiments, an example of which is shown in figures 6 and 7, the device for indicating to a user when the quantity of dirt contained within the chamber has reached a predetermined quantity may take the form of a substantially disc-shaped member/volume 40 which positioned in a plane which lies substantially perpendicular to an elongate axis of the apparatus, and preferably substantially perpendicular to an elongate axis of the dirt collection chamber. In such an embodiment the disc-shaped member/volume 40 may be filled with a liquid or other indicator member(s) 41 which self-level under the action of gravity to indicate to a user when the dirt within the chamber has reached a predetermined quantity, e.g. a maximum permitted quantity. In the example in figures 6 and 7 the disc-shaped member/volume 40 is formed in or as part of a (e.g. pivotally) moveable lid 43.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.