GB2101472A - A vacuum cleaning unit - Google Patents

Abstract

A vacuum cleaning unit 1 for collecting swept up dirt comprises a casing having an upwardly extending face 3 with a slot 4 at the bottom thereof, and suction means 5 (e.g. a centrifugal fan) within the casing having a suction inlet 6 disposed adjacent the slot 4. Dirt swept to the unit may be drawn through the slot 4 by the suction means 5 and collected in a bag 7. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A cleansing unit The present invention relates to a cleansing unit.

Kitchen floors are frequently cleaned by means of a soft-bristle brush which is in many instances more suitable than a mobile vacuum cleaner since the latter may not be able to remove dirt (e.g.

crumbs, fluff, etc.) from corners, this being a simple operation with the soft bristles of the brush. However, the swept up dirt has normally either to be collected with a dust pan or like utensil, which can be a tiresome operation, or swept outside.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cleansing unit which allows swept-up dirt to be removed quickly and easily.

According to the present invention there is provided a cleansing unit comprising at least one upwardly extending face with a lowermost aperture, and suction means disposed within the casing, said suction means having a suction inlet disposed proximate said opening and being associated with dirt collection means to which dirt is delivered by the suction means.

The cleaning unit of the invention may be positioned, preferably fixed in position, on the floor of a kitchen or other room or area to be swept. Dirt or the like may be swept along the floor towards the opening in the cabinet and, when sufficiently close thereto, can be sucked into the unit upon activation of the suction means and collected in the dirt collection means. Suitable controls, e.g. a switch, may be provided on or in the vicinity of the unit for operating the suction means when desired to collect the swept-up dirt. The need to remove the dirt from the floor by means of a dustpan or the like is thus avoided.

The casing of the unit may be formed of any suitable material, for example wood or plywood.

For installation in a fitted kitchen the casing may be of the same colour and appearance as other units (e.g. cupboards) in the kitchen so as to blend with surrounding fitments and be unobtrusive.

The suction means is for preference a material handling fan, most preferably a centrifugal fan.

The suction inlet may be a nozzle, e.g. of fish-tail configuration, which is provided at or in the vicinity of the opening in the casing. Dirt collection means may be provided by a bag, preferably a cloth bag, to which dirt is passed from the suction means.

The invention will be further described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawing showing an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of cleansing unit in accordance with the invention.

The illustrated cleansing unit includes a box like casing 1 sitting on the floor 2 of a room and having a front face 3, shown removed in the drawings for the purpose of clarity. An elongate slot 4 is provided at the bottom of face 3.

Within the casing 1 is mounted a centrifugal fan 5 associated with a fish-tail configuration suction nozzle 6, the inlet of which locates at the slot 4 when the face 3 is in position. A cloth dirt collection bag 7 communicates with the centrifugal fan 5 via a tube 8 on the end of which the bag 7 is removably mounted. An access opening (not shown) is provided in the casing so that access may be gained for removing the bag 7 from tube 8 for emptying purposes. Suitable controls, not shown, are provided for operating the fan 4.

In use of the unit 1, dirt is swept from the floor 2 of the room towards the slot 4. The fan 5 may then be operated to suck the dirt through the nozzle 6 such that it is collected in bag 7. Once the bag 7 is full it may be emptied as indicated above and subsequently replaced.

It will thus be appreciated that the invention provides a simple and effective solution for removing swept up dirt from the floor of a room.

1. A cleansing unit comprising at least one upwardly extending face with an aperture at or adjacent the bottom thereof, and suction means disposed within the casing, said suction means having a suction inlet disposed proximate said opening and being associated with dirt collection means to which dirt is delivered by the suction means.

2. A cleansing unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the suction means is a material handling fan.

3. A cleansing unit as claimed in claim 2 wherein the material handling fan is a centrifugal fan.

4. A cleansing unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the suction inlet is of fishtail configuration.

5. A cleansing unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the dirt collection means is a bag.

6. A cleansing unit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION A cleansing unit The present invention relates to a cleansing unit. Kitchen floors are frequently cleaned by means of a soft-bristle brush which is in many instances more suitable than a mobile vacuum cleaner since the latter may not be able to remove dirt (e.g. crumbs, fluff, etc.) from corners, this being a simple operation with the soft bristles of the brush. However, the swept up dirt has normally either to be collected with a dust pan or like utensil, which can be a tiresome operation, or swept outside. It is an object of the present invention to provide a cleansing unit which allows swept-up dirt to be removed quickly and easily. According to the present invention there is provided a cleansing unit comprising at least one upwardly extending face with a lowermost aperture, and suction means disposed within the casing, said suction means having a suction inlet disposed proximate said opening and being associated with dirt collection means to which dirt is delivered by the suction means. The cleaning unit of the invention may be positioned, preferably fixed in position, on the floor of a kitchen or other room or area to be swept. Dirt or the like may be swept along the floor towards the opening in the cabinet and, when sufficiently close thereto, can be sucked into the unit upon activation of the suction means and collected in the dirt collection means. Suitable controls, e.g. a switch, may be provided on or in the vicinity of the unit for operating the suction means when desired to collect the swept-up dirt. The need to remove the dirt from the floor by means of a dustpan or the like is thus avoided. The casing of the unit may be formed of any suitable material, for example wood or plywood. For installation in a fitted kitchen the casing may be of the same colour and appearance as other units (e.g. cupboards) in the kitchen so as to blend with surrounding fitments and be unobtrusive. The suction means is for preference a material handling fan, most preferably a centrifugal fan. The suction inlet may be a nozzle, e.g. of fish-tail configuration, which is provided at or in the vicinity of the opening in the casing. Dirt collection means may be provided by a bag, preferably a cloth bag, to which dirt is passed from the suction means. The invention will be further described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawing showing an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of cleansing unit in accordance with the invention. The illustrated cleansing unit includes a box like casing 1 sitting on the floor 2 of a room and having a front face 3, shown removed in the drawings for the purpose of clarity. An elongate slot 4 is provided at the bottom of face 3. Within the casing 1 is mounted a centrifugal fan 5 associated with a fish-tail configuration suction nozzle 6, the inlet of which locates at the slot 4 when the face 3 is in position. A cloth dirt collection bag 7 communicates with the centrifugal fan 5 via a tube 8 on the end of which the bag 7 is removably mounted. An access opening (not shown) is provided in the casing so that access may be gained for removing the bag 7 from tube 8 for emptying purposes. Suitable controls, not shown, are provided for operating the fan 4. In use of the unit 1, dirt is swept from the floor 2 of the room towards the slot 4. The fan 5 may then be operated to suck the dirt through the nozzle 6 such that it is collected in bag 7. Once the bag 7 is full it may be emptied as indicated above and subsequently replaced. It will thus be appreciated that the invention provides a simple and effective solution for removing swept up dirt from the floor of a room. CLAIMS

1. A cleansing unit comprising at least one upwardly extending face with an aperture at or adjacent the bottom thereof, and suction means disposed within the casing, said suction means having a suction inlet disposed proximate said opening and being associated with dirt collection means to which dirt is delivered by the suction means.

2. A cleansing unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the suction means is a material handling fan.

3. A cleansing unit as claimed in claim 2 wherein the material handling fan is a centrifugal fan.

4. A cleansing unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the suction inlet is of fishtail configuration.

5. A cleansing unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the dirt collection means is a bag.

6. A cleansing unit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.