Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a vacuum cleaner, such as a vacuum cleaner of the type including a disposable or cleanable particulate filter.

Background

Vacuum cleaners are known for removing particulates, such as dust and debris, from a surface through suction. Various types of vacuum cleaner are known, such as upright, stick and robotic vacuum cleaners. Typically, such vacuum cleaners include a motor that draws air (and dust and debris) into an inlet and discharges the air through an outlet. Between the inlet and outlet, the air passes through a particulate filter. The particulate filter removes the dust and debris from the air and prevents it from passing through the motor and being discharged through the outlet.

In some vacuum cleaners, such as bagged vacuum cleaners, the particulate filter is intended to be replaced once it becomes clogged with particulate matter (reducing the performance of the vacuum cleaner). That is, the particulate filter is disposed of and replaced with a new particulate filter. In other vacuum cleaners, the particulate filter is of a type that can be cleaned and replaced in the vacuum cleaner so that it does not need to be disposed of by a user.

Whilst such vacuum cleaners are effective at removing dust and debris from a space, they are ineffective at removing odours. To address this problem, it has been proposed to provide a vacuum cleaner where a fragrance is discharged in order to mask any odours that are present. However, this relies on the fragrance being desirable to a user. Likewise, any such a fragrance must be particularly strong to overpower any odours present in a space, and this can be undesirable. Further, there is potential for odours (and indeed emitted fragrances), and gases associated with odours (such as formaldehyde) to be detrimental to the health of people that are exposed to them over a significant period of time.

The present disclosure has been devised in light of the above considerations.

Summary

In a first aspect there is provided a vacuum cleaner comprising: an airflow path extending from an air inlet to an air outlet; an air mover for moving air along the airflow path from the air inlet to the air outlet; one or more particulate filters through which the airflow path passes, the one or more particulate filters configured to remove particles from air flowing therethrough; and a malodour filter through which the air flow path passes, the malodour filter comprising an odour-capturing material configured to capture odour chemicals in air flowing through the malodour filter; wherein the malodour filter is removably mounted in the vacuum cleaner, the mounting being such that the malodour filter is replaceable independently of the one or more particulate filters.

The provision of a malodour filter allows the removal of odours from a space, which means, for example, that a fragrance is not required to mask odours. Similarly, the ability to remove odours (rather than simply mask them) may reduce or avoid any potential health risks associated with those odours.

The ability to remove the malodour filter from the vacuum cleaner means that a user can replace or clean (or otherwise regenerate) the malodour filter so that the useful life of the vacuum cleaner is not dependent on the useful life of the malodour filter.

Similarly, the ability to remove the malodour filter independently of the one or more particulate filters means the malodour filter can be cleaned or replaced independently of the one or more particulate filters. This permits, for example, the malodour filter to be disposed of (and replaced) without also needing to replace the one or more particulate filters (which may be of the type that can be cleaned rather than disposed of by a user).

For the avoidance of doubt, the term “odour chemicals’’ refers to chemicals that produce an odour sensation in humans.

Optional features of the first aspect will now be set out. These are applicable singly or in any combination with any aspect.

The malodour filter may be downstream of at least one of the one or more particulate filters. This may prevent (or at least reduce the amount of) particulates passing through the malodour filter because such particulates will be removed from the air by the one or more particulate filters. In turn, this can increase the performance and/or the useful life of the malodour filter.

The vacuum cleaner may comprise a plurality of particulate filters and the malodour filter may be downstream of all of the particulate filters.

The malodour filter may be downstream of the air mover. This may increase the accessibility of the malodour filter for removal by a user.

Alternatively, the malodour filter may be upstream of the air mover. Positioning the malodour filter upstream of the air mover may mean that air passing through the malodour filter is cooler than would otherwise be the case if the malodour filter was downstream of the air mover (due to heating of air as it passes through the air mover). In some cases, a malodour filter can perform better and/or last longer with cooler air.

The malodour filter may be removably mounted in the vacuum cleaner by way of e.g. an interference fit, receipt in a cavity, snap-fit engagement, a magnetic engagement, etc.

The malodour filter may be tubular (and in some cases may have an annular cross-sectional shape). The malodour filter may surround the air mover. The malodour filter may be arranged concentrically about the air mover. The airflow path may extend through the malodour filter in a direction perpendicular to a central axis of the malodour filter (e.g. the airflow path may extend through the malodour filter in a radial direction).

The malodour filter may have an undulating outer and/or inner circumferential surface (e.g. may be pleated). This may increase the surface area of the outer and/or inner surface of the malodour filter (i.e. when compared to a smooth curved or planar surface).

The malodour filter may comprise a porous outer wrapper. For example, the wrapper may be formed of a non-woven material or a scrim material, or may be in the form of a cage (e.g. a plastic cage).

The outer wrapper may be formed of a biodegradable material (e.g. a biodegradable polymer). This may minimise the impact the malodour filter has on the environment when disposed of by a user. For example, the malodour filter may be compostable (e.g. a user may be able to dispose of the malodour filter in compost and gases trapped by the malodour filter may simply be released into the compost for breaking down). Positioning the malodour filter downstream of at least one of the one or more particulate filters (as discussed above) may facilitate this in that it may prevent non-biodegradable/compostable particulates from being captured by the malodour filter.

The odour-capturing material may be granular. Thus, the malodour filter may comprise granules of odour-capturing material contained within the outer wrapper. Alternatively, the (e.g. granular) odour-capturing material may be captured in a mesh of fibres (e.g. captured within a non-woven material).

The malodour filter may alternatively be in the form of a monolith of odour-capturing material (e.g. comprising channels therethrough for flow of air).

The odour-capturing material may be configured to capture the odour chemicals by adsorption of the odour chemicals.

The odour-capturing material may comprise one or more of activated carbon, cucurbituril, a zeolite, zinc ricinoleate, and a metal organic framework (MOF). The odour-capturing material may be configured to capture a single odour (e.g. a wet dog odour). Alternatively, the odour-capturing material may alternatively be configured to capture a range of chemicals associated with a plurality of different odours (e.g. odours typically found in a home). For example, activated carbon can be modified to target particular odours, or (unmodified) can capture a large range of odours.

The odour chemicals(that the odour-capturing material is configured to capture) may comprise one or more of 1-octen-3-ol, 3-octanone, 3-methylbutanal, dimethyl disulphide, p-cresol, propane-1, 2-diol and 2,3-diethyl-5-methylpyrazine.

As may be appreciated, the vacuum cleaner may comprise a plurality of malodour filters. Each malodour filter may be as described above.

The one or more particulate filters may be formed of a different material to the malodour filter. At least one of the one or more particulate filters may, for example, be formed of non-woven and/.or membrane materials (e.g. needlefelt, thermally bonded carded material, meltblown material, spunbond material, ePTFE and/or PU membrane). The one or more particulate filters may be devoid of odour-capturing material.

The one or more particulate filters may be of the type intended for cleaning by a user. The one or more particulate filters may be fixedly mounted in the vacuum cleaner (i.e. may be permanent components of the vacuum cleaner).

The one or more particulate filters may comprise a pre-filter and a post-filter. The post-filter may be downstream of the pre-filter. The pre-filter may be upstream of the air mover (e.g. immediately upstream). The post-filter may be downstream of the air mover (e.g. immediately downstream).

The malodour filter may be downstream of post-filter. Alternatively, the malodour filter may be downstream of the pre-filter and upstream of the post-filter. Alternatively, the malodour filter may be upstream of the pre-filter.

The malodour filter may be directly adjacent to the pre-filter and/or the post-filter. The malodour filter may be in contact with the pre-filter and/or post-filter.

At least one of the one or more particulate filters may be tubular. The malodour filter may be arranged concentrically with at least one of the one or more particulate filters (e.g. the at least one tubular particular filter).

At least one of the one or more particulate filters may surround the air mover. At least one of the one or more particulate filters may be arranged concentrically about the air mover. The air mover may comprise a motor (e.g. may be fan, pump or turbine). The air mover may comprise a circumferentially extending inlet. The air mover may comprise an outlet arranged to discharge air in an axial direction (e.g. along a longitudinal axis of the vacuum cleaner).

The vacuum cleaner may further comprise a main body housing the air mover. The main body may comprise a bin for collection of dust and debris. The main body may comprise a cyclonic separator for separating dust and debris form the air flowing therethrough. The cyclonic separator may be upstream of the pre-filter. The cyclonic separator may be upstream of the malodour filter.

The vacuum cleaner may further comprise a detachable portion (e.g. a filter assembly) detachably mounted to the main body. The malodour filter and at least one of the one or more particulate filters may be mounted to the detachable portion (or may form part of the detachable portion). The malodour filter may be removably mounted to the detachable portion.

Accordingly, the malodour filter may be removably mounted in the vacuum cleaner (and replaceable independently of the one or more particulate filters) by first detaching the detachable portion from the main body of the vacuum cleaner, and then removing the malodour filter from the detachable portion.

The one or more particulate filters may be removably mounted to the detachable portion (or may be fixedly mounted to the detachable portion).

The detachable portion may be attachable to the main body by e.g. snap-fit engagement, magnetic engagement, a bayonet fitting, etc.

The vacuum cleaner may be a cordless vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner may comprise a battery operatively connected to the motor for supplying power to the motor.

Brief Summary of the Figures

Embodiments will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

Figure 1A is a side section view of a vacuum cleaner including a filter assembly;

Figure 1 B is a side section view of the filter assembly of the vacuum cleaner of Figure 1A;

Figure 1C is an end view of the filter assembly of Figure 1 B;

Figures 2A and 2B are respective side section and end views of a first variation of the filter assembly of Figure 1 B;

Figures 3A and 3B are respective side section and end views of a second variation of the filter assembly of Figure 1B; and Figures 4A and 4B are respective side section and end views of a first variation of the filter assembly of Figure 1 B.

Detailed Description

Aspects and embodiments will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures. Further aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Figures 1A illustrates a vacuum cleaner 10 in which a detachable filter assembly 11 is installed. The vacuum cleaner 10 includes an inlet 12 (connectable to vacuum head, e.g. by a tubular vacuum wand) fluidly connected to an outlet 13 by an airflow path 14 that extends through a main body 16 of the vacuum cleaner 10. An air mover 15, in the form of a motor, is disposed along the airflow path 14 (towards the outlet 13). When activated, the air mover 15 draws air into the inlet 12, moves air along the airflow path 14 and discharges air from the outlet 13.

Although not shown, the vacuum cleaner 10 includes a cyclonic separator (upstream of the air mover 15) for separating dust and debris from the airflow, and a bin for collecting the separated dust and debris.

As should be apparent from Figure 1A, the air mover 15 includes a circumferential inlet (not shown) such that air flowing along the airflow path 14 enters the air mover 15 in a radial and inward direction. The outlet of the air mover 15 is disposed at an end of the air mover 15 and is arranged to discharge air in an axial direction from the end of the air mover 15.

The filter assembly 11 , which is shown separated from the main body 16 of the vacuum cleaner 10 in Figures 1B and 1C, is mounted over the air mover 15. The filter assembly 11 includes a tubular pre-filter 17, a tubular post-filter 18 and a tubular malodour filter 19. The post-filter 18 is arranged concentrically about (and adjacent to) the malodour filter 19, and both the post-filter 18 and malodour filter 19 are located axially in a downstream direction of the pre-filter 17. The malodour filter 19 and post-filter 18 are partly housed within a filter housing 20 that includes a tubular sidewall 22 (circumferentially surrounding the post-filter 18) and an end wall 23. Openings 21 are formed in the tubular sidewall 22, which define the outlet of the vacuum cleaner 10.

The pre- and post-filters 17, 18 are particulate filters, configured to remove particles (e.g. dust and debris) from the airflow. The pre-filter 17 is formed of a fibrous, non-woven material and the post-filter 18 is formed of an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membrane with a non-woven support structure. In other embodiments, however, the pre-filter 17 and/or the postfilter may be formed of e.g. needlefelt, thermally bonded carded material, a meltblown material, spunbond, material, ePTFE membrane and/or polyurethane (PU) membrane.

The malodour filter 19, on the other hand, comprises an odour-capturing material configured to capture odour chemicals in the air flowing through the malodour filter 19. In the present embodiment, the malodour filter 19 comprises activated carbon in granular form, captured within a biodegradable non-woven fabric wrapper.

As apparent from Figure 1 A, when the filter assembly 11 is (removably) installed in the vacuum cleaner 10, a portion of the air mover 15 is received in the central cylindrical hollow of the tubular pre-filter 17 (i.e. such that the pre-filter 17 circumferentially surrounds the circumferential inlet of the air mover 15). In this way, the pre-filter 17 is upstream of the air mover 15 and any air passing into the air mover 15 first passes through (and is filtered by) the pre-filter 17.

The malodour filter 19 is downstream of the air mover 15 and the post-filter 18 is downstream of the malodour filter 19. Thus, air that is discharged from the air mover 15 first passes through the malodour filter 19, where odour chemicals are captured by the odour-capturing material, and then through the post-filter 18 which captures any particulates remaining in the airflow. In particular, the air mover 15 discharges air in an axial direction, which then turns and passes through the malodour filter 19 and then post-filter 18 in a radial direction (so as to be discharged from the outlet 13 of the vacuum cleaner 10 in a radial direction).

The positioning of the malodour filter 19 downstream of the pre-filter 17 means that most particulates are filtered out of the airflow before the air reaches the malodour filter 19, such that few particulates pass through the malodour filter 19. This can extend the useful life of the malodour filter 19. The positioning of the malodour filter 19 upstream of the post-filter can help to protect the malodour filter 19 from the external environment. Again, this can help to extend the useful life of the malodour filter.

In the present embodiment, when the malodour filter 19 is depleted (i.e. it is no longer adequately capturing odour chemicals), it can be removed from the vacuum cleaner 10 and disposed of by a user. To allow this, the malodour filter 19 is configured to be replaceable independently of the pre- and post-filters 17, 18. In the present embodiment, the malodour filter 19 is removably mounted within the hollow of the post-filter 18 so that it can be slid from the filter assembly 11 (in a direction from right to left as illustrated). Once removed, a new replacement malodour filter 19 can be inserted into the filter assembly 11 , which can then be remounted to the vacuum cleaner 10.

Figures 2A to 4B depict three variations of the filter assembly 11 in which the malodour filter 19 is located in different positions. Other than the positioning of the malodour filter 19, each of the variations of Figures 2A to 4B are the same as the filter assembly of Figures 1A to 1C. For this reason, the same reference numerals have been used.

In the filter assembly 1 T of Figures 2A and 2B, the malodour filter 19 is downstream of the prefilter 17 and the post-filter 18. Thus, the post-filter 18 is arranged concentrically about the malodour filter 19, and air passes through the malodour filter immediately before being discharged from the vacuum cleaner 10. In the filter assembly 11” of Figures 3A and 3B, the malodour filter 19 is arranged concentrically about the pre-filter 17. Thus, the malodour filter 19 is upstream of both the pre-filter 17 and the post-filter 18. Thus, airflow through the vacuum 10 first passes through the malodour filter 19 before the pre-filter 17, air mover 25 and the post-filter 18. One advantage of locating the malodour filter 19 upstream of the air mover 25 is that the air may be cooler at this point along the airflow path 15 (because it has not been heated by the air mover 15). In some cases, odour-capturing materials can perform more effectively, and can have a longer useful life, with cooler air.

In the filter assembly 1 T” of Figures 4A and 4B, the malodour filter 19 is, again, upstream of the air mover 15 (when the filter assembly 1 T” is mounted to the vacuum cleaner 10). In this case, however, the malodour filter 19 is arranged concentrically about the air mover 15, and within the pre-filter 17. Thus, the malodour filter 19 is downstream of the pre-filter 17 and upstream of the air mover 15 and the post-filter 18. In this way, the malodour filter 19 may benefit from receiving pre-filtered air (as discussed above) and also from receiving air that has not yet passed through the air mover 15 and thus may be cooler.

The exemplary embodiments set forth above are considered to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes to the described arrangements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The odour capturing material, for example, may comprise cucurbituril , a zeolite, zinc ricinoleate, and/or a metal organic framework (MOF). Likewise, the odour capturing material may take other forms (other than granular) and/or be contained in other ways. As an example, the odour capturing material may be a monolith. The odour capturing material may be contained by sandwiching between layers (e.g. scrim) or may be contained within a plastic cage.

For the avoidance of any doubt, any theoretical explanations provided herein are provided for the purposes of improving the understanding of a reader. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.

Any section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

Throughout this specification, including the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” and “include”, and variations such as “comprises”, “comprising”, and “including” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by the use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The term “about” in relation to a numerical value is optional and means for example +/- 10%.