Surface cleaning apparatus

Abstract

A surface cleaning apparatus including a separator having an inlet for receiving dirt laden air and an outlet. The surface cleaning apparatus further includes a suction source and a chamber having an inlet in communication with the separator outlet and outlet in communication with the suction source. The chamber inlet and the chamber outlet are offset from each other.

1 . A surface cleaning apparatus including:
 a separator having an inlet for receiving dirt laden air and an outlet;   a suction source; and   a chamber having:
 an inlet in communication with the separator outlet; and 
 an outlet in communication with the suction source, 
   
       wherein the chamber inlet and the chamber outlet are offset from each other. 
     
     
         2 . A surface cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the chamber inlet and the chamber outlet are radially offset from each other. 
     
     
         3 . A surface cleaning apparatus including:
 a separator having an inlet for receiving dirt laden air and an outlet;   a suction source; and   a chamber having:
 an inlet in communication with the separator outlet; and 
 an outlet in communication with the suction source, 
   
       wherein the chamber inlet and the chamber outlet are not aligned. 
     
     
         4 . A surface cleaning apparatus including:
 a separator having an inlet for receiving dirt laden air and an outlet;   a suction source; and   a chamber having:
 an inlet in communication with the separator outlet; and 
 an outlet in communication with the suction source, 
   
       wherein the chamber inlet and the chamber outlet are positioned such that air is caused to change direction as it passes through the chamber from the chamber inlet to the chamber outlet. 
     
     
         5 . A surface cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the chamber includes a part for changing the direction of airflow as the airflow passes through the chamber from the chamber inlet to the chamber outlet. 
     
     
         6 . A surface cleaning apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the part includes a ramped or curved surface. 
     
     
         7 . A surface cleaning apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the ramped or curved surface is substantially aligned with the chamber inlet when viewed through the chamber from the chamber inlet end, so as to cause the air to change direction as it passes through the chamber from the chamber inlet to the chamber outlet. 
     
     
         8 . A surface cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the chamber outlet includes an aperture which is partially occluded by a shield. 
     
     
         9 . A surface cleaning apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the chamber includes a part for changing the direction of airflow as the airflow passes through the chamber from the chamber inlet to the chamber outlet, and wherein the shield is spaced from the part by spaced-apart legs to provide a passage which permits air to flow from the part towards the suction source. 
     
     
         10 . A surface cleaning apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the chamber outlet includes an array of further apertures surrounding the passage. 
     
     
         11 . A surface cleaning apparatus according to  claim 5 , including a sound dampener located adjacent to the part. 
     
     
         12 . A surface cleaning apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the sound dampener is at least partially housed within a cavity of the part, the cavity being provided underneath the or a ramped or curved surface of the part. 
     
     
         13 . A surface cleaning apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the sound dampener is formed from rubber. 
     
     
         14 . A surface cleaning apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the part includes ribs for providing strength to the part. 
     
     
         15 . A surface cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1 , including:
 a first housing part;   a second housing part; and   a third housing part,   
       wherein the suction source is held within the first housing part, wherein the first housing part is held within the second housing part, and wherein the second housing part is held within the third housing part. 
     
     
         16 . A surface cleaning apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the first housing part includes apertures formed in a wall thereof to permit air to flow from the first housing part and into the second housing part, and wherein the second housing part is configured such that the air then flows either:
 circumferentially around the first housing part; or   beneath the first housing part.   
     
     
         17 . A surface cleaning apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the second housing part includes apertures formed in a wall thereof to permit air to flow from the second housing part and into the third housing part, and wherein the third housing part is configured such that the air then flows either:
 circumferentially around the second housing part; or   beneath the second housing part.   
     
     
         18 . A surface cleaning apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the third housing part includes an exhaust air filter. 
     
     
         19 . A surface cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the suction source includes an electric motor in driving connection with an airflow-creating fan. 
     
     
         20 . A surface cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the separator is a cyclonic separator. 
     
     
         21 . A surface cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is a cylinder vacuum cleaner an upright vacuum cleaner, or a hand-held vacuum cleaner. 
     
     
         22 .- 25 . (canceled)