IMPROVEMENTS TO FLOOR CLEANERS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to floor cleaning apparatus, and particularly 5 although not exclusively to vacuum cleaners.

Background to the Invention

In general, domestic vacuum cleaners fall into two categories, upright cleaners and cylinder cleaners. 0

Cylinder cleaners are generally of a size and shape so as to be pulled around on the floor by a user, a body of the cleaner being dragged by a flexible hose which is attached to a suction cleaning head, whereas upright cleaners are pushed by a user so that the whole vacuum cleaner moves around in a sweeping motion. 5

Known domestic cylinder vacuum cleaners include bagless cylinder cleaners, which are low to the ground and have a dust chamber without a dust bag.

Upright cleaners which can be pushed or pulled around, either have a dust o bag, inside a casing or inside a separate bag, or have a bagless upright cylinder.

Conventional bagless vacuum cleaners, both of the upright and cylinder type, can have cyclonic chambers, where the dust swirls around in the chamber. Cyclonic vacuum cleaners have a substantially cylindrical dust chamber where 5 dust and air circulates around an internal filter device. It is known to provide a transparent or translucent dust chamber wall, so that when the vacuum cleaner is in operation, a user can see the dust swirling around inside the dust chamber, and therefore verify visually that the vacuum cleaner is operating correctly. If, when the vacuum cleaner is turned on, the user cannot see the dust cycling around inside o the vacuum cleaner, then it is evident that there may be a blockage either in a flexible hose, or in some other air passage of the cleaner, or the dust chamber

may need emptying. If the dust chamber wall is made of transparent plastic, then this distracts from the overall aesthetic appeal of the vacuum cleaner, since the dust and debris within the dust chamber can be viewed inside the vacuum cleaner. Often the dust chambers are of colored transparent plastic. However it may be difficult to see the dust inside the dust chamber, and to tell whether the vacuum cleaner is operating correctly or not.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect there is provided a floor cleaning apparatus comprising: a dust chamber to collect dust from the airflow passing through said cleaning apparatus; an illumination means configured for illuminating an interior of said chamber; characterised in that: said chamber comprises a chamber wall configured such that when said chamber is illuminated internally by said illumination means it is possible to view the interior of said chamber from a position outside said chamber; and when said chamber is not illuminated internally said chamber wall substantially prevents the interior of said chamber from being viewed from outside said chamber.

Said illumination means may be operable to illuminate an interior of said dust chamber when said floor cleaning apparatus is in operation.

Preferably, said dust chamber wall comprises a substantially transparent plastics material having a partially light reflective and partially light transmissive coating.

Said illumination means may be positioned outside of said dust chamber, such that light emitting from said illumination means passes through a relatively less reflective portion of a wall of said dust chamber to illuminate an interior of said dust chamber.

Preferably, said dust chamber wall has a semi mirrored portion having light reflecting properties such that, when said dust chamber is not illuminated, said dust chamber wall appears to be substantially fully reflective; and

5 when said dust chamber is illuminated, said dust chamber wall appears to be transparent, translucent, or semi transparent/translucent, such that an interior of said chamber can be viewed from a position outside said the chamber.

Preferably, said dust chamber comprises a fully transparent window o portion, said window portion arranged to locate adjacent a said illumination means, such that in use, when said illumination means operates, light passes through said transparent window portion to illuminate an interior of said dust chamber.

According to one embodiment, the chamber wall may comprise a smoked 5 plastics material configured to be transparent, translucent and/or semi transparent/translucent. The chamber wall may additionally comprise a mirrored or semi mirrored finish at the external or internal surface of the chamber wall.

Preferably, the cleaning apparatus is a cyclonic vacuum cleaner including a o single cyclonic unit or a dual cyclone or multi cyclone unit.

Said dust chamber may be detachable from said main body.

Said dust chamber may comprise a substantially cylindrical bin which 5 locates onto a main body of said floor cleaning apparatus,

wherein said illumination means are positioned in said main body of said cleaning apparatus such that when said dust chamber is located to said main body, said illumination means lays adjacent to a transparent wall portion of said o dust chamber.

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Said illumination means may be located in a main body of said apparatus, externally of said dust chamber.

Preferably, said illumination means comprises a light source selected from the set: a fluorescent tube; a light emitting diode; a filament light bulb.

Preferably, said dust chamber wall has a coating, comprising an element or compound selected from the set: gold; silver; aluminium; copper; titanium; chromium; an alloy containing gold, silver, aluminium, copper or titanium or a combination thereof.

Preferably, said apparatus, further comprises an electronic control circuit for controlling said illumination means in any one or more of the following modes of operation:

the illumination means illuminate when a suction pump of the apparatus is operating:

the illumination means operate to illuminate when the vacuum cleaner is plugged into a mains power supply;

the illumination means are configured to illuminate when the "on/off' power suction of the vacuum cleaner is set to "on";

the illumination means are set to operate when a set of rotating brushes in a cleaning head are operating.

The apparatus may comprise an upright vacuum cleaner, or a cylinder vacuum cleaner.

Aecording to a second aspect, there is provided a floor cleaning apparatus comprising:

a main body, capable of mounting a dust chamber;

a dust chamber having a chamber wall, which appears substantially fully reflective from a position outside said dust chamber in ambient light conditions, and which appears substantially transparent from a position outside said dust chamber such that an interior of said dust chamber is visible when said dust chamber is illuminated; and

an illumination means configured for illuminating an interior of said dust chamber through a wall of said dust chamber, said illumination means positioned on said body and outside of said dust chamber, adjacent a relatively less reflective portion of said chamber wall, such that light emitted from said illumination means illuminates an interior of said dust chamber, when said illumination means are in an operating condition.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a floor cleaning apparatus comprising: a dust chamber having a partially transparent and/or partially reflective chamber wall; and an illumination means configured for illuminating an interior of said dust chamber.

Brief Description of the Drawings For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, there will now be described by way of example only, specific embodiments, methods and processes according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 illustrates schematically the main body of a first vacuum cleaner, of the cylinder type, according to a first specific embodiment; in an unilluminated condition.

Figure 2 illustrates schematically the first vacuum cleaner in an illuminated condition;

Figure 3 illustrates schematically the first vacuum cleaner of fig 1 having its cylinder removed;

Figure 4 illustrates schematically a second vacuum cleaner, of the upright cylinder type according to a second specific embodiment in an unilluminated condition;

Figure 5 illustrates schematically the second vacuum cleaner of figure 4 in view from one side in an illuminated condition; and

Figure 6 illustrates schematically the second vacuum cleaner having its detachable cylinder removed and showing a set of light sources.

Figure 7 illustrates schematically a specific embodiment of the vacuum cleaner in which the light sources are positioned in the canister lid.

Detailed Description There will now be described by way of example a specific mode contemplated by the inventors. In the following description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding. It will be apparent however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without limitation to these specific details. In other instances, well known methods and structures have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the description.

Rθferring to figures 1 and 2 herein, there is illustrated schematically a first vacuum cleaner apparatus according to a first specific embodiment. The first vacuum cleaner, which is of a cylinder type, comprises a chassis 100, which is 5 mounted on a set of wheels so as to enable the cleaner be pulled around by a person, a dust inlet 101 to which can be fitted a flexible hose, and a cleaning head attachment; a dust chamber 102 in the form of a substantially cylindrical bin closed off at a lower end; internal to the dust chamber, an air filter 103; an air pump for producing a reduced pressure at the dust inlet, so as to suck dust into a cleaning o head attached to the flexible hose, an electric motor for powering the pump, a set of control electronics and associated power flexes and an on/off switch.

As shown in figure 1, the dust chamber has a plastics wall, which under normal light conditions, is substantially reflective such that a user viewing the 5 vacuum cleaner cannot see inside the dust chamber.

The plastics wall of the dust chamber comprises a first region having a two way mirror reflective coating, which is substantially reflective under normal ambience light conditions, and a second region which is substantially transparent. o The dust chamber locates on the chassis such that the transparent portions of the dust chamber wall align with one or a plurality of light sources located on the chassis, such that when the light sources are illuminated, light passes through the transparent portion of the dust chamber wall into the dust chamber, giving the appearance of lighting up the dust chamber from inside. 5

Referring to figure 2 herein, there is illustrated schematically the first vacuum cleaner of figure 1 in an operational mode. In use, the dust chamber 102 is illuminated by a plurality of illumination means which are positioned outside the dust chamber, in the chassis, but hidden from view of a user by the dust chamber o itself. Illumination means are positioned outside the dust chamber, such that in use, light emitting from the illumination means passes through the wall of the dust

chamber, and lights up the inside of the dust chamber. This has the effect that in use, the interior of the dust chamber including the filter 103 is visible, and the dust and debris may be seen swirling around inside the dust chamber giving the user a visual indication that the vacuum is operating correctly.

When the vacuum cleaner is turned off, the illumination means also turns off, so that the dust chamber is no longer illuminated. The dust chamber reverts to its mirrored finish, reflecting a large percentage of incident light and appearing to the user to be a highly reflective mirror. The interior of the dust chamber is not visible under normal ambient light conditions.

Referring to figure 3 herein, there is illustrated schematically the chassis 100 of a vacuum cleaner with the dust chamber removed. A chamber lid 200 closes off an upper end of the dust chamber, and is hinged so as to swing away from the dust chamber to open an upper end of the dust chamber, and allow removal of the dust chamber from the chassis.

Arranged in the body of the chassis are a plurality of light sources 300 - 303. The light sources are arranged in a recess of the chassis, into which the dust chamber locates, such that when a dust chamber is located on the chassis, a transparent or substantially transparent part of the wall of the dust chamber is placed adjacent and opposite the light sources, so that when the light sources are activated to illuminate, light emitted by the light sources shines into the dust chamber, lighting up the interior of the dust chamber. Since the dust chamber has a two way mirror finish, upon lighting up of the light sources, when viewed from a position external of the chamber, the dust chamber appears to be lit up and the interior of the dust chamber is visible through the two way mirror outer wall of the dust chamber.

The electronic control circuit may control the light sources in a variety of ways. Options include:

• The light sources may illuminate when the suction pump is "on", so that the vacuum cleaner is fully operational to create a partial vacuum

• The light sources may illuminate when the vacuum cleaner is plugged into a main power supply

• The light sources may be configured to illuminate when the "on/off ¹ power suction of the vacuum cleaner is set to "on".

In the best mode, the illumination means is set to illuminate when the power supply is connected, when the on/off switch is set to "on", and when the suction pump is operating, to create a partial vacuum.

Referring to figure 4 herein, there is illustrated schematically a second vacuum cleaner according to a second specific embodiment. The second vacuum cleaner comprises an upright cylinder cleaner having a cleaning head 300 comprising a rotating brush mechanism; a set of wheels; an upright handle 301 for use by a user to move the vacuum cleaner around on a floor; a dust collection cylinder 302 for collection of dust and debris; internally of the dust collection cylinder, a filter mechanism; an air pump for creating a partial vacuum for drawing air into a dust collection passage which extends from the cleaning head into the dust collection cylinder, one or more illumination means for lighting up the dust collection cylinder, an electronic circuit to control operation of the illumination means and an associated power lead and power supply switch.

In figure 4, the second vacuum cleaner is shown in an "off ¹ condition, in which the illumination means are turned off. Under these conditions, the substantially reflective outer wall of the dust collection cylinder appears to have a mirrored finish, and the interior of the dust collection cylinder is obscured from view by the mirror finish wall.

Referring to fig 5 herein, there is illustrated schematically the second vacuum cleaner of figure 4, in side view, in an "on" condition. In the on condition, the detachable dust chamber 302 is illuminated by the illumination means, such that an interior of the dust chamber 302 is visible by a user. As can be shown, an air

5 filter 303 can be seen inside the illuminated dust chamber.

Various modes of operation of the illumination means are possible including:

• The illumination means emits light when the power switch is turned "on" o • The illumination means emits light when the air suction pump is on, creating a reduced pressure at the cleaning head

• The illumination means is activated and emits light when the brushes in the cleaning head are rotating.

5 The dust chamber comprises a substantially tubular bin having an outer wall which is preferably constructed of a plastics material and having a two way mirror finish for all parts of the bin which are visible when the dust collection cylinder is fitted to the vacuum cleaner, but also having a portion of the outer wall which is transparent or translucent to allow a passage of light from the main body of the o vacuum cleaner into the interior of the dust collection cylinder in order to illuminate the interior of the dust collection cylinder.

Referring to figure 6 herein, there is illustrated schematically the second vacuum cleaner of figs 4 and 5, with the detachable dust cylinder removed. 5

In figure 6, with the dust cylinder removed, there can be seen a first illumination means 600, in the form of a "C" shaped fluorescent tube positioned underneath a base of the cylinder. Additionally, there are first and second linear fluorescent tube illumination means 601 , 602 respectively, which are positioned to o abut the wall of the dust chamber, when fitted to the vacuum cleaner, such that light shines through the transparent wall of the dust chamber, and illuminates the

interior of the dust chamber when the vacuum cleaner is in operation. When the vacuum cleaner is in an off condition, or an idle condition, for example with the handle in an upright condition, but with the electric motor still running, the lights may be either turned off, or may remain on.

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Referring to figure 7, a further embodiment of the present vacuum cleaner is disclosed comprising an array of LEDs 701 mounted at chamber lid 200. The array of LEDs comprises a plurality of LEDs mounted at a plurality of mounting blocks 700 extending from an end surface (not shown) of lid 200. Each mounting o block 703 comprises a groove 702 into which each LED 701 sits so as to be recessed from the innermost surface 703 of each mounting block 700.

When chamber lid 200 is closed as illustrated in figure 2, the array of LEDs

701 are concealed by the annular lip 705 having lower drcumfrencial edge 704. 5 That is, when the vacuum cleaner of figures 1 to 6 is viewed in normal use the array of LEDs 701 do not protrude beyond rim 704 and are therefore not directly visible to a user.

In general, the illumination means may be electronically controlled by an o electronic controlled circuit such that whenever the electric motor is on, and the air pump is creating a partial vacuum, so that dust is sucked into the dust chamber, then the dust chamber may be illuminated. Whenever the air pump is "off", the illumination means may also be turned off, so that when the vacuum cleaner is not in use, the dust chamber has an external appearance of being a high quality 5 reflective material, and so that a user cannot see inside the dust chamber.

In either of the above embodiments, Illumination means may comprise any suitable illumination means which can be powered electrically, and which gives sufficient light to pass through a transparent or semi transparent part of a dust o chamber or dust cylinder from a position outside the dust chamber/cylinder, so as to illuminate the dust chamber cylinder, such that the interior of the cylinder can be

viewed from a position outside the cylinder through a partially reflective and partially transmissive coated dust chamber wall.

In the best mode, mini fluorescent tubes, in particular neon fluorescent tubes have been found to be optimal, although other light sources such as light emitting diodes (LED's) in the red, green, blue or orange colored wave length spectra may be used. Alternatively, simple filament light bulbs may be used.

The dust chamber preferably comprises a tubular structure having a substantially circular cross section, and the chamber wall is preferably of a plastics material.

Other suitable light sources include cold cathode light sources. Cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) technologies may be particularly suitable. A cold cathode fluorescent is generally constructed from a sealed glass tube equipped with electrodes at both ends. The glass tube is filled with an inert gas and a small amount of mercury and has an inner coating of a phosphor or phosphorescent material. The phosphorescent material is capable of emitting light when eradicated with particles of electromagnetic radiation. When high voltage current is applied to the electrodes of the cold cathode fluorescent lamp, a resulting arc causes the gas to ionize, which results in the creation of ultra violet (UV) light, which in turn excites the phosphorescent coating. The wavelength of light, and therefore the color of light emitted by the CCFL is determined by the composition of the internal phosphor coating.

CCFL lights have the following basic advantages:

• Increase brightness in comparison to filament lamps for the same electrical power consumption • High efficiency transformation of electrical energy to light

• Increase reliability in comparison to prior art light sources

• A relatively long working life time and high reliability in comparison to other light sources such as filament bulbs

• Low power consumption

In particular, the long working life of a CCFL light source means that the light source will rarely require replacing during the lifetime of the floor cleaning appliance, thereby ensuring reliability and increasing service intervals.

The reflective coating is preferably applied to an inner surface of the dust chamber wall. However, other structures such as a composite sandwich arrangement having an outer wall and an inner wall, the reflective coating sandwiched there between may also be used. In other embodiments, the reflective coating may be applied to an exterior surface of the dust chamber wall.

Any suitable material may be used for the reflective coating of the dust chamber wall. Suitable materials include those which have a higher reflectivity for visible light, and which are capable of being deposited on the surface of the dust chamber wall, and which have adequate scratch resistance in normal day to day household, commercial or domestic use.

Suitable materials for the partially reflective coating include metals such as gold, silver, aluminum, copper, titanium and the like, or alloys of those metals. In general, metals are preferred as they tend to have a high reflective for visible light. In a best mode application, a titanium coating has been found to be scratch resistant enough to withstand normal domestic household use.

The dust chamber wall preferably comprises a transparent material which is resistant to thermal shock. Borosilicate glass compositions, such as Pyrex® or Duran® have been found to be particularly suitable. Borosilicate glasses typically have a composition in the region of 81 % SiO ₂ , 13% B ₂ O ₃ , 4% Na ₂ O + K ₂ O and 2%

AI ₂ O ₃ . Other materials, such as different glass compositions, glass ceramics and

plastics may also be used provided they have sufficient transparency to transit light from the light source from within the dust chamber, and sufficient resistance to physical shock, and sufficient durability.

5 The reflective coating is preferably applied to an inner surface of the dust chamber wall. However, other structures, such as a composite sandwich arrangement having an outer wall and an inner wall, the reflective coating sandwiched there between may also be used. In other embodiments, the reflective coating may be applied to an exterior surface of the dust chamber wall. 0

In a further embodiment, a wall material and a surface coating may be used in combination to form a two way mirror, which is configured to substantially reflect a proportion of incident light, and to reflect a remaining proportion of the incident light, enabling the wall and surface coating to function either as a mirror or as a 5 window, depending on the relative light levels either side of the partially light reflective/light transmissive surface coating.

Advantages of the specific embodiments include:

o When the vacuum cleaner is turned off, the two way mirrored surface of the dust chamber reflects light, so the user cannot see inside the dust chamber. However, when the vacuum cleaner is in operation, the user can see inside the dust chamber, to see that the vacuum cleaner is working correctly. Therefore, the vacuum cleaner products may have aesthetic appeal and present a stylish exterior 5 to the user when turned off, but when turned on, the user can see the operation of the dust collection process due to the illuminated dust collection chamber.

In general, clear plastic containers give a perception of being light weight to a user. However, for consumer products, users can be attracted to products which o have the visual appearance of being of higher manufactured quality. By applying a darker coloured tint to the dust collection chamber, the weight perception of the

product to the user can be increased, giving the visual appearance of a higher quality, more reliable and robust product for a product of a relatively low weight material, for example plastics material. Consequently, using a tinted two way mirror dust collection chamber in the off condition, the perception of a well made solid well engineered product can be achieved, whilst in the on mode, where the wall of the dust collection chamber can be viewed through, the functionality of the product can be seen by the user, and at the same time the product can be made of light weight materials, such as injection moulded plastics.

Although in the foregoing description there have been described embodiments which include a detachable dust chamber and a set of one or more light sources positioned outside said dust chamber, in other embodiments, the light source may be positioned inside the dust chamber itself, so as to illuminate an interior of the dust chamber.

As well as or instead of illuminating the dust chamber from a position behind the dust chamber, as viewed when the dust chamber is fitted to the chassis, the dust chamber could be illuminated from a position at the top of the dust chamber, for example from a light source in the chamber lid 200, or additionally or alternatively, from underneath the base of the dust chamber.

In yet further embodiments, the dust chamber is fixed to a main body or chassis of the floor cleaner apparatus, and need not be detachable. Whilst in the specific embodiments described herein, dust chambers having a substantially tubular generally cylindrical shape has been disclosed, in other embodiments, dust chambers of other shapes may be used. In the general case, non cylindrical dust chambers may be provided. For example, dust chambers having a substantially tubular hollow rectangular shape, or tubular oval, elliptical, substantially square, or asymmetric e.g. egg shaped cross sections may be provided. In yet further embodiments, substantially spherical, globe shaped, or egg shaped dust chambers may be provided.

The chassis may be contoured such that the dust chamber fits onto the chassis into a recessed contoured portion of the chassis specifically shaped to fit the dust chamber. The illumination means may be positioned in the recessed

5 contoured portion of the chassis, so as to illuminate the dust chamber either from underneath, from behind, or from above.

In yet further embodiments, the two way mirror partially reflective nature of the dust chamber wall may be dispensed with, and the dust chamber may o comprise a substantially transparent or substantially translucent clear plastics outer wall, such that the internal aspects of the dust chamber are visible even in an unilluminated condition. In the same manner as described above, the dust chamber may be illuminated from a position externally or within the dust chamber, from above, to the rear or from underneath. 5

According to a specific embodiment, the dust chamber wall may be smoked so as to obscure the internal components of the chamber when the light source is inoperative. The extent of the 'smoking' is such that when the light source is operative the chamber interior may be viewed. Alternatively, the chamber walls o may be opaque. The opacity may be selected such that the chamber walls are at least partially transparent to the wave length of light emitted by the light source whilst reflecting or absorbing most natural light and/or artificially created environment lighting found in both domestic and industrial buildings. This way, with the light source turned off the chamber contents would be obscured by the 5 chamber walls. According to specific implementations, the chamber walls may be reflective and/or partially transparent/translucent and/or opaque.

Where the chamber walls are plastic the opacity, partial transparency and/or translucency may be created by the incorporation of small particles in particular o metal oxide particles within the plastic.

The vacuum cleaner may be configured with suitable sensors and control means for the light source. In response to blockage or malfunctioning of the vacuum cleaner the light source may be configured to flash so as to indicate to a user that there is a problem with the vacuum cleaner. Different coloured bulbs could also be utilised and illuminated in response to particular types of malfunction associated with the airflow passage and/or various individual components of the vacuum cleaner such as the rotating beater bar in conventional upright vacuum cleaners.