EP2134225A1

EP2134225A1 - Vacuum cleaner nozzle

Info

Publication number: EP2134225A1
Application number: EP08724107A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Bo Pilsmo; Henrik Nygren; Tommy Lindquist
Original assignee: Electrolux AB
Current assignee: Electrolux AB
Priority date: 2007-03-09
Filing date: 2008-03-05
Publication date: 2009-12-23
Anticipated expiration: 2028-03-05
Also published as: SE531204C2; CN101636101A; WO2008111891A1; SE0700617L; EP2134225B1; CN101636101B; EP2134225A4

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner nozzle (1) comprises a suction plate (10), which is provided with a suction opening (12) and at least a first lint picker (20) located at one side of the suction opening (12). The suction plate (10) comprises at least one sealing edge (24) extending substantially vertically from the suction plate (10). The first lint picker (20) is at least partly located between a first portion (26) of said sealing edge (24) and said suction opening (12). The first portion (26) of said sealing edge (24) seals the suction opening (12) and said first lint picker (20).

Description

VACUUM CLEANER NOZZLE

Field of the invention

The present invention concerns a vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising a suction plate, which is provided with a suction opening and at least a first lint picker located at one side of the suction opening, the suction plate being connected to a nozzle outlet, such that the suction opening is in fluid communication with the nozzle outlet, the suction plate comprising at least one sealing edge extending substantially vertically from the suction plate.

Background of the invention

A vacuum cleaner is normally provided with a vacuum cleaner nozzle. The vacuum cleaner nozzle is utilized for removing objects like dust, particles, fibres, hair, etc., from floors and carpets by means of an air stream, and for forwarding removed objects, via a hose, to the body of the vacuum cleaner in which the removed objects are captured in a dust bag. The vacuum cleaner nozzle may be provided with one or more lint pickers, such as plush pads, in order to improve the removal of elongated objects, such as hair, fibres, etc., from carpets and the like. WO 02/26097 describes a floor tool in the form of a vacuum cleaner nozzle being provided with two lint pickers comprising tufts of fine hair. The tufts of each lint picker are aligned in the same direction, such that the lint picker will collect hair, fibres, lint, etc., in one stroke of the vacuum cleaner nozzle, and release such collected hair, fibres, and lint in the opposite stroke. The lint pickers are provided on either side of a suction channel. It has been found, however, that the efficiency of collecting fibres, hair, etc., from a carpet by means of the vacuum cleaner nozzle of WO 02/26097 is not very high. For that reason, a person using such a vacuum cleaner nozzle may have to move the vacuum cleaner nozzle over the carpet many times to effectively remove the fibres, hair, etc., from it. The user may then even have to remove the fibres, hair, etc., manually from the lint pickers .

Summary of the invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, which vacuum cleaner nozzle is more efficient in collecting elongated objects, such as fibres, hair, etc., than the known vacuum cleaner nozzles.

This object is achieved by a vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising a suction plate, which is provided with a suction opening and at least a first lint picker located at one side of the suction opening, the suction plate being connected to a nozzle outlet, such that the suction opening is in fluid communication with the nozzle outlet, the suction plate comprising at least one sealing edge extending substantially vertically from the suction plate, the vacuum cleaner nozzle being characterized in that said first lint picker is at least partly located between a first portion of said sealing edge and said suction opening, said first portion of said sealing edge sealing the suction opening and said first lint picker. An advantage of this vacuum cleaner nozzle is that an increased suction force can be obtained, and that said suction force can benefit also said first lint picker, since the first lint picker is sealed, together with the suction opening, by means of said first portion of said sealing edge. The increased suction force on the first lint picker will improve the ability of objects, such as fibres and lint, picked up by the first lint picker to be released and to be transferred to the suction opening.

Thereby the efficiency of collecting hair, fibres, lint, etc., is increased, and the need for manually removing collected objects from the first lint picker is reduced. The sealing edge may have various designs. According to one embodiment, the sealing edge could be located mainly in the area of the first lint picker. According to a further embodiment, the sealing edge could extend along an entire long side of the suction opening. According to a still further embodiment the sealing edge could completely encircle the first lint picker and the suction opening. As alternative, a sealing edge could be provided that has larger or smaller interruptions, in particular in the area of the short sides of the suction opening. The sealing edge may be provided, also in other areas, with small openings, allowing a limited amount of air to enter through the sealing edge. The sealing edge could be made of a solid material, such as a suitable plastic material or a metal material, or of a more or less porous material, that may allow a limited leakage of air. The material of the sealing edge should be such that the suction plate slides with a rather low friction when moved over a carpet or the like. Often it is preferred that the sealing edge is a solid edge that extends at least along an entire long side of the suction opening, without any interruptions or openings along that long side. According to one embodiment said suction opening has a substantially rectangular shape, said first lint picker being located at one of the long sides of said suction opening, said first portion of said sealing edge extending along said one of the long sides of the suction opening and sealing the suction opening and said first lint picker. An advantage of this embodiment is that it provides a vacuum cleaner nozzle in which the first lint picker is located for efficient collection of lint during the forward and/or backward stroke of the vacuum cleaner nozzle in a direction being perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the rectangular suction opening. According to a preferred embodiment said suction plate is provided with at least a second lint picker, said second lint picker being at least partly located between a second portion of said sealing edge and said suction opening and opposite, with respect to the suction opening, to the location of said first lint picker, such that the first and second lint pickers oppose one another and are confined between said first and said second portions of said sealing edge together with the suction opening, a gap being formed between the first and second lint pickers. An advantage of this vacuum cleaner nozzle is that it can easily be adapted for collecting elongated objects, such as fibres and lint, by means of the first and second lint pickers, in both the forward and in the backward stroke. Furthermore, the suction force is further improved since the first and second portions of the sealing edge confines between them the first and second lint pickers, and the suction opening. More preferably at least a portion of said gap between said first and said second lint pickers has a width of at least 10 mm. A width of the gap of less than 10 mm increases the risk that objects are stuck between the lint pickers, and that larger clusters of collected fibres etc., cannot be transferred to the suction opening. Still more preferably, at least a portion of said gap between said first and said second lint pickers has a width of 10-30 mm. A width of the gap of more than 30 mm decreases the efficiency of the first and second lint pickers of picking up objects, in particular in cases in which the suction plate is tilted in the forward and backward strokes of the vacuum cleaner nozzle.

In accordance with one embodiment said first lint picker comprises a multitude of bristles attached to a main body, said first portion of said sealing edge extending past the main body of said first lint picker in the vertical downward direction, as seen with the suction plate in position on a horizontal surface. An advantage of this embodiment is that the first portion of the sealing edge will be the outmost edge on which the suction plate may rest on a horizontal surface, such that an improved sealing is obtained. Furthermore, the sealing edge can more easily function to agitate the structures, such as bristles, of a carpet, such that objects, such as hair and fibres, can be effectively removed from the carpet. Still further, the main body of the lint picker will not slide directly on the carpet, which decreases the risk that collected objects on the lint picker are rubbed off by the carpet instead of being transferred to the suction opening. More preferably said first portion of said sealing edge extends a distance of 0.1 to 4 mm past said main body of said first lint picker. If said first portion of said sealing edge extends less than 0.1 mm past said main body of said first lint picker, then the sealing may be less efficient, and there is a large risk that collected objects may be rubbed off from the first lint picker. If said first portion of said sealing edge extends more than 4 mm past said main body of said first lint picker, then the lint picker may have difficulties in efficiently picking up objects such as hair and fibres, in particular from hard carpets.

According to one embodiment said first lint picker extends, at least partly, over the suction opening. An advantage of this embodiment is that the suction opening may be given a more narrow cross-section in the area of the lint picker. This may increase the air velocity in the region of the lint picker, and may thereby improve the transfer of collected objects from the lint picker to the suction opening. Furthermore, in the case of two lint pickers located on opposite sides of the suction opening, by having at least one of the two lint pickers extending, at least partly, over the suction opening it will be possible to locate the two lint pickers close to each other, i.e., with a narrow gap between them, without having to apply tight constrictions to the entire suction opening. Tight constrictions in the suction opening would increase the risk of objects getting stuck in the suction opening, and are not desired.

In accordance with one preferred embodiment there is a free horizontal passage, as seen with the suction plate in position on a horizontal surface, from the first lint picker to the suction opening. An advantage of this embodiment is that collected objects, such as fibres, hair and lint, that are released from the lint picker, readily can be transferred to the suction opening via such a horizontal passage. More preferably said first lint picker extends past a lint picker mounting means, which is at least partly located between the first lint picker and the suction opening, in the vertical downward direction, as seen with the suction plate in position on a horizontal surface. An advantage of this embodiment is that it becomes easier for the collected objects, that are released from the lint picker, to be transferred into the suction opening when the lint picker mounting means does not form a barrier in the way of such released objects. Still more preferably said horizontal passage has a vertical extent, when said suction plate is in position on a horizontal surface, of at least 0.5 mm. A vertical extent of the horizontal passage of less than 0.5 mm makes it more difficult for collected objects to be transferred from the lint picker to the suction opening. According to one embodiment the vertical extent of the horizontal passage corresponds to at least half of the vertical extent of the first lint picker. According to a further embodiment the vertical extent of the horizontal passage is larger than the vertical extent of the first lint picker. A vertical extent of more than 5 mm may increase the vertical height of the vacuum cleaner nozzle without bringing further improvements in the transfer of collected objects from the lint picker to the suction opening. Further objects and features of the present invention will be apparent from the description and the claims .

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the appended drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a three-dimensional view and illustrates a vacuum cleaner nozzle. Fig. 2 is a three-dimensional view and illustrates a suction plate of the vacuum cleaner nozzle.

Fig. 3a is a cross-section and illustrates the cross-section IHa-IIIa of Fig. 2.

Fig. 3b is an enlargement of the area IHb of Fig. 3a.

Fig. 3c is a cross-section and illustrates the cross-section IIIc-IIIc of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the vacuum cleaner nozzle in a "hard-floor mode". Fig. 5a is a cross-sectional view of the vacuum cleaner nozzle in "carpet mode" and during a forward stroke .

Fig. 5b is a cross-sectional view of the vacuum cleaner nozzle in "carpet mode" and during a backward stroke.

Description of preferred embodiments

Fig. 1 illustrates a vacuum cleaner nozzle 1. The vacuum cleaner nozzle 1 comprises a nozzle body 2, which is connected to a nozzle outlet 4. The nozzle outlet 4 is adapted for being connected to the suction hose of a vacuum cleaner. The nozzle body 2 supports two brushes 6, 8 and a suction plate 10, which is located between the two brushes 6, 8. The suction plate 10 is preferably a plastic part, which has been formed by means of, e.g., injection moulding it in one piece, or a metal part. The brushes 6, 8 are preferably manually or automatically retractable, such that the brushes 6, 8 can be retracted into the nozzle body 2 when the vacuum cleaner nozzle 1 is used on carpets and the like.

Fig. 2 illustrates the suction plate 10 in more detail. The suction plate 10 comprises a suction opening 12. The suction opening 12 has a substantially rectangular shape and has a first long side 14 and a second long side 16. The long sides 14, 16 are perpendicular to the normal direction of movement of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 1. The suction opening 12 is connected to a tube 18, by means of which a suction can be applied to the suction opening 12.

A first lint picker 20 is located at the first long side 14. A second lint picker 22 is located at the second long side 16. Thus, the two lint pickers 20, 22 are located opposite, with respect to the suction opening 12, to each other. A sealing edge 24 is operative to seal the suction opening 12, the first lint picker 20, and the second lint picker 22 against a carpet, such that a large suction can be generated by means of the suction plate

10. When the suction plate 10 is in position on a carpet, as will be illustrated below, the sealing edge 24 extends substantially vertically from the suction plate 10 towards the carpet. A first portion 26 of the sealing edge 24 is located outside, as seen with respect to the location of the suction opening 12, of the first lint picker 20 and seals said first lint picker 20 and said suction opening 12 along the first long side 14 of the suction opening 12. A second portion 28 of the sealing edge 24 is located outside, as seen with respect to the location of the suction opening 12, of the second lint picker 22 and seals said second lint picker 22 and said suction opening 12 along the second long side 16 of the suction opening 12. End portions 30, 32, which are optional, of the sealing edge 24 connect said first and second portions 26, 28, such that the sealing edge 24 forms an unbroken sealing edge 24 that encircles the first and second lint pickers 20, 22 and the suction opening 12.

Fig. 3a is a cross section of the suction plate 10, as seen along the cross section IHa-IIIa of Fig. 2. As can be seen in Fig. 3a the first lint picker 20 extends partly over the suction opening 12. The second lint picker 22 is almost entirely located over the suction opening 12. A gap 34 is formed between the two lint pickers 20, 22. The gap 34 has a width WG of about 14 mm. A narrow gap 34 is preferable since it improves the ability of the lint pickers 20, 22 to collect objects, such as hair, fibres and lint, and to forward collected objects to the suction opening 12. However, the width of the gap 34 must not be too narrow, since large objects, such as popcorn, might get stuck in the gap 34. As seen in Fig. 3a the first portion 26 of the sealing edge 24 and the second portion 28 of the sealing edge 24 will confine, between them, the first lint picker 20, the second lint picker 22 and the suction opening 12. In that way, air is prevented from entering the suction opening

12 both from the forward end, i.e., from the left as seen in Fig. 3a, and from the backward end, i.e., from the right as seen in Fig. 3a. This makes it possible to obtain a high suction force in the suction opening 12, which improves the dust collecting efficiency of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 1. Furthermore, since the two lint pickers 20, 22 are also located in this area of high suction force, the efficiency of the lint pickers 20, 22 will also be supported by the high suction force, as will be described hereinafter.

Fig. 3b illustrates the first lint picker 20 mounted in the suction plate 10 in more detail. The first lint picker 20 comprises a main body 36 to which a number of bristles 38 are attached. As can be seen in Fig. 3b the bristles 38 are all aligned such as to point generally in the direction of the suction opening 12. By such alignment the bristles 38 will collect objects, such as hair, fibres and lint, from a carpet 40 when the vacuum cleaner nozzle is moved in its backward stroke, i.e., to the right as seen in Fig. 3b. When the vacuum cleaner nozzle is moved in its forward stroke, i.e., to the left as seen in Fig. 3b, the bristles 38 will release the collected objects such that the collected objects are sucked into the suction opening 12. Due to the high suction force that can be achieved thanks to the sealing edge 24, which extends substantially vertically from the suction plate 10 towards the carpet 40 and encloses the lint pickers 20, 22 together with the suction opening 12, the objects that have been collected by the first lint picker 20 during the backward stroke are efficiently sucked into the suction opening 12 during the forward stroke.

In order to increase the suction force of the suction plate 10, the first portion 26 of said sealing edge 24 extends past the main body 36 of the first lint picker 20 in the vertical downward direction, as seen with the suction plate 10 in position on a horizontal surface, i.e., on the carpet 40. Preferably the first portion 26 of the sealing edge 24 extends a distance H of 0.1 to 4 mm, typically about 2 mm, past the main body 36 of the first lint picker 20. In that way the suction plate 10 will rest, when located on a horizontal surface, such as a carpet 40, on the sealing edge 24, rather than on the first lint picker 20, such that an efficient sealing is provided by means of said sealing edge 24. Preferably the length of the bristles 38 is longer than the distance H, such that, as illustrated in Fig. 3b, the bristles 38 will extend from the main body 36 and into the carpet 40 when the suction plate 10 rests on the sealing edge 24. The sealing edge 24 may have the additional function of agitating bristles of the carpet 40, such that objects, such as lint, can be more easily removed from the carpet 40. The first lint picker 20 is mounted on a mounting means in the form of a bracket 42, which is included in the suction plate 10. The bracket 42 has an inner wall 44. The first lint picker 20 is supported, in the horizontal direction, between the inner wall 44 of the bracket 42 and the first portion 26 of the sealing edge 24. There is provided a free horizontal passage 46 for allowing the passage of objects from the first lint picker 20 to the suction opening 12, as seen with the suction plate 10 in position on a horizontal surface, i.e., on the carpet 40. The free horizontal passage 46 makes it easy for objects that have been collected by the first lint picker 20 in the backward stroke to be released and sucked into the suction opening 12 in the forward stroke. Hence, the first lint picker 20 extends past a lint picker mounting means in the form of the inner wall 44, which is at least partly located between the first lint picker 20 and the suction opening 12, in the vertical downward direction, as seen with the suction plate 10 in position on a horizontal surface, thereby forming the free horizontal passage 46. Thus, the inner wall 44 will not hinder the first lint picker 20 from collecting objects in the backward stroke, and the inner wall 44 will not hinder the transfer of collected objects from the first lint picker 20 to the suction opening 12 in the forward stroke. The horizontal passage 46 preferably has a vertical extent HP, when said suction plate 10 is in position on a horizontal surface, of at least 0.5 ^'mm, i.e. the vertical distance HP from the lower end of the inner wall 44 of the bracket 42 to the lower end of the first portion 26 of the sealing edge 24, on which the suction plate 10 rests on the carpet 40, is at least 0.5 mm. As can be seen from Fig. 3b, the vertical extent HP of the horizontal passage 46 corresponds to more than half of the vertical extent of the first lint picker 20. Often a vertical extent HP of the horizontal passage 46 of 0.5 to 5 mm is suitable. The second lint picker 22, which is shown in Fig. 3a, is similar to the first lint picker 20 as described with reference to Fig. 3b, with the exception that the second lint picker 22 has been turned such that its bristles point to the left of Fig. 3a, i.e., towards the suction opening 12. Hence, the second lint picker 22 collects objects in the forward stroke, and releases the collected objects, such that they can be sucked into the suction opening 12, in the backward stroke. The second lint picker 22 is held in place by a bracket 48, which is similar to the bracket 42, with the exception that the bracket 48 extends further over the suction opening 12. The distances H and HP that have been described hereinbefore with reference to Fig. 3b and in conjunction with the first lint picker 20 can be applied to the second lint picker 22 in a similar manner.

Fig. 3c illustrates the suction plate 10 as seen in the cross section IIIc-IIIc of Fig. 2. As can been seen from Fig. 3c, the first and second portions 26, 28 of the sealing edge 24 do not only extend in the area of the first and second lint pickers 20, 22 respectively, but along the entire extent of the respective first and second long sides 14, 16. It can be seen that the suction opening 12 has a cross-section, outside of the area of the tube 18, which is close to rectangular.

Fig. 4 is a cross-section of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 1 in a "hard-floor mode". In this mode the brushes 6, 8 are in their lower positions. In the "hard-floor mode" the vacuum cleaner nozzle 1 will slide on the brushes 6, 8 over a hard floor, such as a clinker floor 50, and the first and second lint pickers 20, 22 will be inactive .

Fig. 5a is a cross-section of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 1 in a "carpet mode" and in a forward stroke, as indicated by an arrow F in Fig. 5a. In this mode the brushes 6, 8 have been retracted into the nozzle body 2, for clarity the brushes are not shown in Fig. 5a. In the "carpet mode" the vacuum cleaner nozzle 1 will slide on the sealing edge 24 and on sliding surfaces 52, 54 located adjacent to the sealing edge 24. In the forward stroke the suction plate 10 is slightly tilted in an anti-clockwise direction, as shown in Fig. 5a. The tilting of a suction plate is per se known from, for example, WO 02/26097, see e.g. page 6 and Figures 9 and 10 of that document.

By means of the suction plate 10 of one embodiment of the present invention an increased suction force can be achieved compared to the known vacuum cleaner nozzles. As can be seen from Fig. 5a the sealing edge 24 efficiently seals the suction opening 12 and the lint pickers 20, 22 from the surroundings, such that the suction opening 12 and the lint pickers 20, 22 may work the carpet 40 under a high suction force. Thanks to this increased suction force a portion of the carpet 40 will be lifted upwards to form a carpet "hill" 56 just below the suction opening 12, as illustrated in Fig. 5a. The hill 56 of the carpet 40 will get into close contact with the second lint picker 22. In the forward stroke illustrated in Fig. 5a the second lint picker 22 will efficiently, due to the alignment of the bristles 38 as described hereinbefore with reference to Fig. 3a and Fig 3b, collect objects, such as fibres, hair and lint, from the hill 56. The first lint picker 20 will, in this forward stroke, release objects that it has picked up previously. Thanks to the large suction force generated by the suction opening 12, which is confined together with first and second lint pickers 20, 22 by means of the sealing edge 24, the objects released by the first lint picker 20 will be efficiently transferred, via the free horizontal passage 46, from the first lint picker 20 to the suction opening 12, as is illustrated by means of an arrow in Fig. 5a.

Fig. 5b is a cross-section of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 1 in the "carpet mode", like in Fig. 5a, but in a backward stroke, as indicated by an arrow B in Fig. 5b. In the backward stroke the suction plate 10 is slightly- tilted in a clockwise direction, as shown in Fig. 5b. Again, the carpet 40 will be lifted upwards to form a carpet "hill" 56 just below the suction opening 12. The hill 56 of the carpet 40 will get into close contact with the first lint picker 20. As can be seen from Fig. 5b the sealing edge 24 efficiently seals the suction opening 12 and the lint pickers 20, 22 from the surroundings, such that the suction opening 12 and the lint pickers 20, 22 may work the carpet 40 under a high suction force. In the backward stroke illustrated in Fig. 5b the first lint picker 20 will collect objects from the hill 56. The second lint picker 22 will, in this backward stroke, release the objects that were picked up in the forward stroke illustrated in Fig. 5a. The objects released by the second lint picker 22 will be efficiently transferred, via a horizontal passage 58, from the second lint picker 22 to the suction opening 12, as illustrated by an arrow in Fig. 5b.

It will be appreciated that numerous variants of the above described embodiments are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

As described and illustrated herein, the vacuum cleaner nozzle 1 is provided with a first and a second lint picker 20, 22 located opposite to each other with respect to the suction opening 12. It will be appreciated that more lint pickers could be provided on either long side 14, 16 of the suction opening 12. Furthermore, it is also possible to provide a vacuum cleaner nozzle which is provided with only one lint picker. Such a vacuum cleaner nozzle would, however, only collect lint in one of the strokes, i.e., either in the forward or in the backward stroke . The sealing edge 24 described hereinbefore encircles completely the first and second lint pickers 20, 22 and the suction opening 12. As alternative a sealing edge could be provided that has larger or smaller interruptions, in particular in the area of the short sides of the suction opening.

The lint picker described above comprises a main body to which bristles are attached. Such a lint picker could be provided in the form of a plush pad, as is per se known. It will be appreciated that other types of lint pickers could also be utilized. In general any lint picker that is able to collect objects, such as fibres, hair, etc., in one stroke of the vacuum cleaner nozzle, and to release the collected objects in the opposite stroke, is useful.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising a suction plate (10), which is provided with a suction opening (12) and at least a first lint picker (20) located at one side of the suction opening (12), the suction plate (10) being connected to a nozzle outlet (4), such that the suction opening (12) is in fluid communication with the nozzle outlet (4), the suction plate (10) comprising at least one sealing edge (24) extending substantially vertically from the suction plate (10) , c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said first lint picker (20) is at least partly located between a first portion (26) of said sealing edge (24) and said suction opening (12), said first portion (26) of said sealing edge (24) sealing the suction opening (12) and said first lint picker (20).

2. A vacuum cleaner nozzle according to claim 1, wherein said suction opening (12) has a substantially rectangular shape, said first lint picker (20) being located at one (14) of the long sides (14, 16) of said suction opening (12), said first portion (26) of said sealing edge (24) extending along said one (14) of the long sides (14, 16) of the suction opening (12) and sealing the suction opening (12) and said first lint picker (20) .

3. A vacuum cleaner nozzle according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein said suction plate (10) is provided with at least a second lint picker (22), said second lint picker (22) being at least partly located between a second portion (28) of said sealing edge (24) and said suction opening (12) and opposite, with respect to the suction opening (12), to the location of said first lint picker (20), such that the first and second lint pickers (20, 22) oppose one another and are confined between said first and said second portions (26, 28) of said sealing edge (24) together with the suction opening (12), a gap (34) being formed between the first and second lint pickers (20, 22) .

4. A vacuum cleaner nozzle according to claim 3, wherein at least a portion of said gap (34) between said first and said second lint pickers (20, 22) has a width (WG) of at least 10 mm.

5. A vacuum cleaner nozzle in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first lint picker (20) comprises a multitude of bristles (38) attached to a main body (36), said first portion (26) of said sealing edge (24) extending past the main body (36) of said first lint picker (20) in the vertical downward direction, as seen with the suction plate (10) in position on a horizontal surface.

6. A vacuum cleaner nozzle in accordance with claim 5, wherein said first portion (26) of said sealing edge (24) extends a distance (H) of 0.1 to 4 mm past said main body (36) of said first lint picker (20).

7. A vacuum cleaner nozzle in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first lint picker (20) extends, at least partly, over the suction opening (12) .

8. A vacuum cleaner nozzle in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein there is a free horizontal passage (46), as seen with the suction plate (10) in position on a horizontal surface, from the first lint picker (20) to the suction opening (12) .

9. A vacuum cleaner nozzle in accordance with claim 8, wherein said first lint picker (20) extends past a lint picker mounting means (42, 44), which is at least partly located between the first lint picker (20) and the suction opening (12), in the vertical downward direction, as seen with the suction plate (10) in position on a horizontal surface.

10. A vacuum cleaner nozzle in accordance with claim 8 or 9, wherein said horizontal passage (46) has a vertical extent (HP), when said suction plate (10) is in position on a horizontal surface, of at least 0.5 mm.