Vacuum Cleaner Filter

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner having a base adapted for movement on a surface to be cleaned, a rear housing pivotally attached at a first end to the base, a vacuum source, a dirt collection container, and a handle attached to a second end of the rear housing. The handle has a grip structure having a substantially circular opening through it. The opening is adapted to receive a hand of a user for use in directing the vacuum cleaner.

1 - 24 . (canceled)  
   
   
       25 . A vacuum cleaner comprising: 
 a base having an inlet nozzle, the base being adapted for movement on a surface to be cleaned;    a rear housing pivotally attached at a first end of the rear housing to the base;    a directing handle attached to a second end of the rear housing, the directing handle having a grip structure adapted to receive a hand of a user for use in directing the vacuum cleaner;    a carrying handle attached to the second end of the rear housing, the carrying handle comprising an open loop shape adapted to store a vacuum hose on an upper surface thereof and receive a hand of a user for use in carrying the vacuum cleaner;    a dirt collection container located on one of the base and the rear housing; and    a vacuum source located in one of the base and the rear housing, the vacuum source being adapted to convey dirt-laden air from the inlet nozzle to the dirt collection container.    
   
   
       26 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 25 , wherein the directing handle further comprises a telescoping handle post joining the hear housing to the grip structure, the telescoping handle post being telescopically affixed to the rear housing and adapted to be adjustable between at least a collapsed position and an extended position.  
   
   
       27 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 25 , wherein the dirt collection container comprises a vacuum bag or a dirt cup.  
   
   
       28 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 25 , wherein the dirt collection container comprises: 
 a dirt cup having an open top, the dirt cup being adapted to receive and store dirt collected from the surface to be cleaned; and    a lid adapted to be attached to the open top of the dirt cup to close the dirt cup;    wherein the cyclone container assembly is adapted to generate a cyclonic airflow to assist with separating dirt from the dirt-laden air.    
   
   
       29 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 28 , wherein the dirt collection container is adapted to be attached to and removed from the rear housing without removing the lid from the dirt cup.  
   
   
       30 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 28 , further comprising a filter adapted to be positioned in the dirt cup to assist with removing dirt from the dirt-laden air.  
   
   
       31 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 30 , wherein the filter is removably attached to the lid.  
   
   
       32 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 31 , wherein the filter comprises a filter vane  1227  adapted to at least partially direct the dirt-laden air in a cyclonic pattern within the dirt cup.  
   
   
       33 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 30 , wherein the dirt collection container comprises an inlet passage in fluid communication with the inlet nozzle, the inlet passage comprising an opening in a side of the dirt cup.  
   
   
       34 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 33 , wherein the inlet passage is adapted to direct the dirt-laden air into the dirt cup in a tangential manner.  
   
   
       35 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 33 , wherein the dirt collection container comprises an outlet passage positioned below the inlet passage.  
   
   
       36 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 35 , further comprising a filter adapted to be positioned in the dirt cup and forming a permeable barrier between the inlet passage and the outlet passage to assist with removing dirt from the dirt-laden air.  
   
   
       37 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 36 , wherein the outlet passage comprises a conduit extending into the dirt cup, and the filter is adapted to be positioned on and end of the conduit.  
   
   
       38 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 25 , wherein the vacuum source is located in the rear housing and positioned generally below the dirt collection chamber when the rear housing is pivoted to an upright position relative to the base.  
   
   
       39 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 25 , wherein the carrying handle extends laterally across the rear housing.  
   
   
       40 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 25 , wherein the dirt collection chamber is selectively attachable to the rear housing and the carrying handle is positioned generally above the dirt collection container when the rear housing is pivoted to an upright position relative to the base and the dirt collection chamber is attached to the rear housing.  
   
   
       41 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 25 , wherein the dirt collection chamber is selectively attachable to the rear housing and the carrying handle is attached to the rear housing separately from the dirt collection chamber such that the carrying handle remains on the rear housing when the dirt collection chamber is removed from the rear housing.  
   
   
       42 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 25 , wherein the carrying handle is positioned in front of the directing handle.  
   
   
       43 . A vacuum cleaner comprising: 
 a base having an inlet nozzle, the base being adapted for movement on a surface to be cleaned;    a rear housing pivotally attached at a first end of the rear housing to the base;    a directing handle telescopically attached to a second end of the rear housing and adapted to be adjustable between at least a collapsed position and an extended position, the directing handle having a grip structure adapted to receive a hand of a user for use in directing the vacuum cleaner;    a carrying handle attached to the second end of the rear housing, the carrying handle being positioned in front of the directing handle and comprising an open loop shape extending laterally from one side of the rear housing to an opposite side of the rear housing;    a dirt collection container located on one of the base and the rear housing; and    a vacuum source located in one of the base and the rear housing, the vacuum source being adapted to convey dirt-laden air from the inlet nozzle to the dirt collection container.    
   
   
       44 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 43 , wherein the carrying handle is adapted to store a vacuum hose on an upper surface thereof.  
   
   
       45 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 43 , wherein the dirt collection container comprises: 
 a dirt cup having an open top, the dirt cup being adapted to receive and store dirt collected from the surface to be cleaned; and    a lid adapted to be attached to the open top of the dirt cup to close the dirt cup;    wherein the cyclone container assembly is adapted to generate a cyclonic airflow to assist with separating dirt from the dirt-laden air.    
   
   
       46 . A vacuum cleaner comprising: 
 a base having an inlet nozzle, the base being adapted for movement on a surface to be cleaned;    a rear housing pivotally attached at a first end of the rear housing to the base;    a directing handle attached to a second end of the rear housing, the directing handle having a grip structure adapted to receive a hand of a user for use in directing the vacuum cleaner;    a carrying handle attached to the second end of the rear housing, the carrying handle being positioned in front of the directing handle and comprising an open loop shape;    a dirt collection container selectively attachable to the rear housing; and    a vacuum source located in one of the base and the rear housing, the vacuum source being adapted to convey dirt-laden air from the inlet nozzle to the dirt collection container;    wherein the carrying handle is attached to the rear housing separately from the dirt collection chamber such that the carrying handle remains on the rear housing when the dirt collection chamber is removed from the rear housing.    
   
   
       47 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 46 , wherein the carrying handle is adapted to store a vacuum hose on an upper surface thereof.  
   
   
       48 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 46 , wherein the dirt collection container comprises: 
 a dirt cup having an open top, the dirt cup being adapted to receive and store dirt collected from the surface to be cleaned; and    a lid adapted to be attached to the open top of the dirt cup to close the dirt cup;    wherein the cyclone container assembly is adapted to generate a cyclonic airflow to assist with separating dirt from the dirt-laden air.