WO2021108496A1

WO2021108496A1 - Cleaning device

Info

Publication number: WO2021108496A1
Application number: PCT/US2020/062158
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hugh James Croggon; Samuel Emrys JAMES; Michael James DOUGLAS; Brandon SULESKI
Original assignee: Sharkninja Operating Llc
Priority date: 2019-11-25
Filing date: 2020-11-25
Publication date: 2021-06-03
Also published as: EP4064952A4; US20210153705A1; EP4064952A1

Abstract

Apparatus and method for receiving and holding debris in a collection chamber of a vacuum cleaner. A cleaning head is coupled to a body of the vacuum cleaner via one or more suspension elements that comply to horizontal oscillations of the cleaning head imparted by an offset bearing of a vertical gear drive driven by a motor mounted to the body. A vacuum source draws air in from a suction nozzle at a forward underside portion of the cleaning head adjacent to a cleaning pad, and the air travels through an air filter disposed between the vacuum source and the collection chamber. In some embodiments, the air filter comprises one or more pleats adjacent to the vacuum source.

Description

CLEANING DEVICE FIELD

Embodiments disclosed herein related generally to cleaning devices, and more specifically, to vacuums and cleaning heads for vacuums.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART Cleaning devices are used in the home and office to clean floors and other surfaces. Various types of cleaning devices are known, such as vacuums with disposable bags, and vacuums with dirt bins that can be emptied and re-used. SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, a cleaning head includes a debris collection chamber and a cleaning sheet. The cleaning sheet is attached to an underside of a lower wall of the debris collection chamber.

It should be appreciated that the foregoing concepts, and additional concepts discussed below, may be arranged in any suitable combination, as the present disclosure is not limited in this respect. The foregoing and other aspects, embodiments, and features of the present teachings can be more fully understood from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various figures is represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning device according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a top, front perspective view of a cleaning head according to some embodiments;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a second connector of the cleaning head of

FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the cleaning head of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a top, rear perspective view of the cleaning head of FIG. 2, with an air filter shown removed;

FIG. 6 is a top, rear perspective view of a cleaning head according to some embodiments, with an air filer shown removed;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a cleaning head according to some embodiments;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of the cleaning head of FIG. 7, with a partially lifted top chamber w all ;

FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of a tray according to some embodiments;

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the tray of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of a cleaning head according to some embodiments;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional side view of the cleaning head of FIG. 11, with a partially lifted top chamber wall;

FIG. 13 is an exploded view of a cleaning head according to some embodiments; FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional side view of the cleaning head of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is an exploded view of a cleaning head according to some embodiments;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional side view of the cleaning head of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a top perspective view of a cleaning head according to some embodiments; with an air filter shown removed;

FIG. 18 is a side view of the cleaning head of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional side view of the cleaning head of FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 is a bottom view of the cleaning head of FIG. 17;

FIG. 21 is a top perspective view of a cleaning head according to some embodiments; with an air filter shown removed;

FIG. 22 is a side view of the cleaning head of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional side view of the cleaning head of FIG.21;

FIG. 24 is a bottom view of the cleaning head of FIG. 21;

FIG. 25 is a top perspective view of a cleaning head according to some embodiments; with an air filter shown removed;

FIG. 26 is a side view of the cleaning head of FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional side view of the cleaning head of FIG. 25;

FIG. 28 is a bottom view of the cleaning head of FIG. 25;

FIG. 29 is a top perspective view of a cleaning head according to some embodiments; with an air filter shown removed;

FIG. 30 is a side view of the cleaning head of FIG. 29; FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional side view of the cleaning head of FIG. 29;

FIG. 32 is a bottom view of the cleaning head of FIG. 29;

FIG. 33 is an exploded view of a cleaning head and sheet assembly;

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional front view of a cleaning head and partially lifted top chamber wall according to some embodiments;

FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional front view of a cleaning head and a partially lifted top chamber wall according to alternative embodiments;

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of a cleaning head with a cover stabilizer according to some embodiments; FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional side view of a cleaning head with a chamber inlet cover arrangement according to some embodiments;

FIG. 38 is a top, front perspective view of a cleaning head according to some embodiments;

FIG. 39 is a cutaway view of the cleaning head of FIG. 38; FIG. 40 is a partially exploded view of the cleaning head of FIG. 38;

FIG. 41 is an enlarged view of an inlet of the cleaning head of FIG. 38;

FIG. 42 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the cleaning head of FIG. 38 showing a valve in a closed position and an opened position;

FIG. 43 is an exploded view of a cleaning head and sheet assembly according to a further embodiment;

FIG. 44 illustrates stacked cleaning heads; FIGS. 45-46 illustrate a process of assembling a cleaning head according to some embodiments;

FIG. 47 is a perspective view of a lower portion of a cleaning device having a cleaning head coupled thereto; FIG. 48 is a perspective view of a vertical suspension element;

FIG. 49 is a perspective view of a motor coupled to a gear drive;

FIGS. 50-51 are top views of horizontal suspension elements;

FIG. 52 is a view top perspective view of an air filter having pleats;

FIG. 53 is a cutaway view thereof; and FIG. 54 is a close-up cutaway view thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Conventional bag vacuums typically require the user to remove a bag from a housing interior, dispose of the bag, and insert a new bag. Removing the bag can put dust in the air and/or result in spilled debris. Cyclonic vacuum cleaners often have a debris collection chamber that can be removed from the body of the vacuum, emptied, and reused.

For cleanup jobs that do not require a full-size vacuum cleaner, the inventors have appreciated that a debris collection chamber that remains closed upon removal from the vacuum can be helpful. Disclosed herein are debris collection chamber arrangements which allow debris- entrained air to be suctioned into a collection chamber through an inlet opening when the vacuum cleaner is turned on. The collection chamber arrangements may be arranged to cover the inlet opening when the vacuum cleaner is turned off, which may limit undesirable release of debris from the collection chamber, such as when the collection chamber is being disposed.

In some embodiments, the chamber inlet opening may be arranged to be automatically closed when the vacuum cleaner is turned off. In such embodiments, the collection chamber may be completely enclosed to limit release of debris. Such an arrangement also may be helpful to limit spillage or egress of collected debris from the collection chamber when the userremoves and/or transports the collection chamber for debris disposal.

In some embodiments, the collection chamber may be adapted for reuse and include an aperture which is selectively openable to discard debris from the chamber. In other embodiments, the collection chamber may be adapted to be disposed of once the chamber is full. For example, in some embodiments the collection chamber may have no openings other than the inlet opening. In some embodiments, the collection chamber is not openable by a user to dispose of debris from the debris collection chamber without damaging the debris collection chamber.

In some embodiments, the collection chamber is attached to a cleaning head, and the entire cleaning head is disposable. For example, the collection chamber may be permanently attached to, and form at least a portion of, a disposable cleaning head in some embodiments, such that the entire head is disposed of after use.

For purposes herein, debris being suctioned into the debris collection chamber may include dry and/or wet media. For example, in some embodiments, a liquid applied to the surface may be absorbed by a cleaning sheet and/or suctioned by the vacuum into the debris collection chamber. In some embodiments, the wet media may be absorbed by at least a portion of the material used to form the debris collection chamber. In some embodiments, the debris collection chamber may be formed of a material which allows for fluid absorption into the material but does not allow for liquid transfer through the material. In such embodiments, liquid may not travel through the debris collection chamber. For example, the material used to form the debris collection chamber may be absorptive on an inner side of the debris collection chamber, but liquid impermeable.

In some embodiments, advantages may be realized if the user does not have to handle the wet or dirty cleaning head after operation of the cleaning device. For example, the cleaning device may be arranged to release the cleaning head after using the cleaning device such that the user does not have to grasp the cleaning head to discard it. In some embodiments, with a permanently attached debris collection chamber and a release arrangement that does not require the user to touch the cleaning head, the cleaning head can be disposed of with limited or no user contact.

In some embodiments, the cleaning head includes a support structure to which the debris collection chamber is attached. In such embodiments, the user may simply attach the cleaning head to the cleaning device, operate the cleaning device to remove dirt from a surface into the debris collection chamber, remove the cleaning head, and dispose of the cleaning head in a trash receptacle.

In some embodiments, the cleaning heads are arranged for space-efficient stacking for ease of storage and transport (see, e.g., FIG. 44). For example, in some embodiments, the debris collection chambers are arranged to be collapsible. In an illustrative example, the debris collection chamber may include a bag. In some embodiments, the cleaning head may be stackable in a collapsed, disassembled arrangement. In such embodiments, the cleaning head may be assembled by the user prior to use, such as by popping open or folding together the cleaning head.

FIG. 1 shows a cleaning device 100 according to some embodiments. The cleaning device 100 includes a body 102 with a handle 104 and a cleaning head 108 which may be removably attachable to the body 102, such as via a first connector 106. For example, the cleaning head may have a corresponding second connector 109 that engages with the first connector to attach the cleaning head 108 to the body 102 (see FIG. 3). In some embodiments, the cleaning head 108 may be flexibly secured to the body 102 via a vertical suspension 174 and a horizontal suspension 176 (see FIGS. 47-48). In such embodiments, the cleaning head 108 may undergo an oscillating motion relative to the body 102 under the influence of a gear drive 172 coupled to a motor 170 mounted to the body 102. In some embodiments, the handle may have a length that is adjustable to allow a user to adjust the height of the cleaning device.

As shown by way of example in FIGS. 2-5, the cleaning head 108 may include a suction nozzle 107 to remove debris from a surface, and a debris collection chamber 112, also referred to herein as a collection chamber, to collect the debris removed from the surface. In some embodiments, as shown in these views, the suction nozzle 107 may extend laterally along a front portion of the cleaning head 108. The suction nozzle 107 may have any suitable shape and size. For example, the suction nozzle 107 may extend along an entire width of the cleaning head 108 in some embodiments, although in other embodiments, the nozzle 107 may extend along only a portion of the width of the cleaning head. As shown in these views, in some embodiments, the nozzle 107 is attached, such as integrally formed with, the debris collection chamber 112. The suction nozzle 107 also may be fixedly attachable to the cleaning head 108 (e.g., to the debris collection chamber 112). In other embodiments, instead of being attached to the debris collection chamber 112, the suction nozzle 107, or at least a portion of the suction nozzle 107, may be formed on part of the vacuum cleaner device 100, such as on the first connector 106. In such embodiments, once the collection chamber 112 is attached to the cleaning device 100, the suction nozzle 107 forms a flow path to the collection chamber inlet opening 116.

The debris collection chamber 112 may be any suitable type of container for collecting debris such as dirt, dust, food, or wet media. In some embodiments, the debris collection chamber 112 may be permanently or removably attached to a cleaning sheet 114. For example, the collection chamber 112 may be glued, heat sealed, or otherwise permanently affixed to cleaning sheet 114. As will be further described, the cleaning sheet 114 and the collection chamber need not be the same shape or size. For example, the cleaning sheet 114 may be larger than the collection chamber 112 in some embodiments.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 13, at least a portion of the cleaning sheet 114 may be wrapped round the cleaning head 108. For example, the cleaning sheet 114 may extend along at least a bottom and a top portion of the cleaning head 108. In still another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, the cleaning sheet 114 may be attached to a bottom and rear side of the cleaning head 108.

In some embodiments, a support structure 110 may be provided to attach the cleaning sheet to the collection chamber. For example, a substantially planar support structure 110 (see, e.g., FIG. 6) may be provided between the collection chamber 112 and the cleaning sheet 114, although the support structure 110 may have other suitable arrangements. In some embodiments, the support structure 110 is arranged to hold the cleaning sheet 114 to the cleaning head 108. In some embodiments, the support structure 110 is arranged to hold the collection chamber 112 to the cleaning head 108. In some embodiments, the support structure 110 may be permanently or removably attached to the cleaning head 108. In some embodiments, the cleaning head 108 may not include a support structure 110. In such embodiments, the cleaning sheet 114 may be arranged to secure the collection chamber 112 to the cleaning head 108. In some embodiments, the cleaning sheet 114 may be attached to an underside of a lower wall of a debris collection chamber 112. For example, as shown in FIG. 19, the cleaning sheet 114 may be attached directly to an underside surface of a bottom wall 111 of the debris collection chamber 112. The bottom wall 111 of the debris collection chamber 112 may form at least a portion of a bottommost surface of the cleaning head 108 to which the cleaning sheet 114 is attached. In some embodiments, the bottommost surface of the cleaning head may include a bottommost surface of a tray 113, as will be described.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, for example, the collection chamber 112 may protrude upwardly from the cleaning sheet 114 and/or from a support structure 110. For purposes herein, the term “protruding upwardly” means that the collection chamber 112 protrudes away from the support structure 110 and/or cleaning sheet 114, in a direction away from the surface being cleaned. In some embodiments, as shown by way of example in FIGS. 7-32, the debris collection chamber 112 may be formed as part of a tray 113. In such embodiments, cleaning sheet 114 may be attached to a bottom, surface-facing side, of the tray 113. In some embodiments, the bottom, surface-facing side of the tray 113 may include the bottommost surface of the cleaning head 108 (see, e.g., FIG. 19). In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 7-8, an air filter 128 may be attached to a top surface of the tray 113. In some embodiments, the air filter 128 may form a top wall of the collection chamber 112.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 4-5, the collection chamber 112 includes a suction inlet 115 having an inlet opening 116. In some embodiments, the inlet opening 116 may be located at a top portion of the collection chamber 112. For example, the inlet opening

116 may be formed by a top rim 118 of an upwardly extending wall 120. In some embodiments, the inlet 115 may have a ramp 122 extending from a suction inlet 115, such as a suction nozzle, into the collection chamber 112 to aid in moving debris from the suction inlet 115 into collection areas 126a, 126b of the collection chamber 112. Though, in some embodiments, the area below the inlet opening 116 may have a floor that is coplanar with a bottom 127 of the collection areas 126a, 126b of the collection chamber 112.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, the inlet opening 116 of the collection chamber 112 may extend along only a portion a length of the cleaning head 108. In some embodiments, the inlet opening 116 may be extend along less than a third of a length of the cleaning head 108. In some embodiments, the inlet opening 116 may be positioned equidistant between first and second lateral (opposite) sides of the cleaning head 108. In other embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 7-9, for example, the inlet opening 116 may extend along an entire length of the cleaning head 108. In some embodiments, having an inlet opening 116 that extends along the entire length of the cleaning head 108 may create increased suctioning of debris from the surface to be cleaned. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6, the inlet opening 116 may face in a generally upward direction. For purposes herein, an upward direction means a direction opposite a surface to be cleaned (e.g., away from the cleaning sheet 114) when the cleaning head 108 is placed on a surface. As will be appreciated, in such embodiments, debris may travel up and into the debris collection chamber 112 from the suction inlet 115. In some embodiments, the inlet opening 116 may be substantially parallel to the surface when the cleaning head 108 is placed on the surface. For example, as shown in FIG. 23 a plane P extending through the inlet opening 116 may extend substantially parallel to the surface to be clean. The inlet opening 116 also may extend substantially parallel to a plane S extending through a cleaning sheet 114 attached to the tray 113 and to a plane V extending through an internal valve 145 arranged to close the suction inlet 115. In some embodiments, the plane V extending through the internal valve 145 may be co-planar with the plane P extending through the inlet opening 116.

In other embodiments, such as that shown in FIG. 19, the inlet opening 116 may be positioned in a generally upward direction, but may be angled relative to the cleaning sheet 114 (and/or to the surface being cleaned). For example, the inlet opening 116 may be angled between about 25 degrees and about 75 degrees relative to the cleaning sheet 114 (and/or surface to be cleaned). In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 20, the inlet opening 115 may be substantially parallel to an internal valve 145 arranged to close the inlet opening 116 (see the planes labelled P and V) yet be noncoplanar. In some embodiments, the inlet opening 116 may be formed in a forward wall 117 of the debris collection chamber 112.

In still other embodiments, such as those shown in FIGS. 27 and 31, the inlet opening 116 may be reward facing. For purposes herein, facing rearwardly means that the suction inlet 115 faces in a direction away from a leading edge (e.g., towards a rear) of the cleaning head 108 when the cleaning head is on a surface to be cleaned. A shown in FIGS. 27 and 31, in such embodiments, the inlet opening 116 may face the debris collection chamber 112. As with the above, the inlet opening 116 may be formed in the forward wall 117 of the debris collection chamber 112.

In some embodiments, the inlet opening 116 may be angled relative to the cleaning sheet 114 (and/or to the surface to be cleaned). For example, the inlet opening 116 may be angled between about 75 degrees and 115 degrees relative to the cleaning sheet 114. In some embodiments, the inlet opening 116 may be substantially perpendicular to the cleaning sheet 114 (and/or the surface to be cleaned).

In some embodiments, such as that shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the collection chamber 112 may have a single collection area. In some embodiments, the collection area may extend along the entire length of the tray 113, although the collection area may extend along only a portion of the length of the length of the tray 113. In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4-6, the collection chamber 112 may include two collection areas 126a and 126b. Each of the collection area 126a and 126b may have similar or dissimilar shape and size with respect to each other. In still other embodiments collection chamber 112 may have more than three collection areas. In such embodiments, the collection areas may be aligned in rows and/or columns, or may be offset from one another in the tray 113.

In some embodiments, a divider 160 (see FIGS. 5-6) may be provided, such as behind the suction inlet 115 to stiffen the collection chamber 112. In such embodiments, the divider 160 may separate the collection chamber 112 into the collection areas 126a and 126b. The collection chamber need not include such a divider 160. In some embodiments, additional walls similar to the divider 160 may be positioned in the collection chamber 112, in some cases to guide air flow within the collection chamber 112.

As described above, the air filter 128 may be attached to the collection chamber 112, such as to form a top of the collection chamber. In some embodiments, the air filter 128 may be attached via an elastic connection. For example, an elongated strip of elastic material may connect the air filter 128 to a top portion of the collection chamber 112 along a forward wall 117 of the collection chamber 112. A similar elongated elastic strip may connect the air filter 128 to the top portion of the collection chamber 112 along the rear wall of the collection chamber 112. In such examples, the stretchability of the elongated strips allows the air filter 128 to move away from the inlet opening 116. In some embodiments, elastic connectors also may be used on one or both walls at the lateral sides of the collection chamber 112.

In some embodiments, only a portion of the air filter 128 may rise from the collection chamber 112 when negative pressure is applied to the cleaning head 108. For example, elastic connectors may be provided along only certain portions of the air filter 128. The elastic portions also may be provided in an area of the air inlet opening 116 such that the air filter 128 lifts only in the area of the air filter 128 at or near the air inlet opening 116, while the remaining areas of the air filter 128 are not substantially lifted. For purposes herein, applying a negative pressure to a collection chamber 112 may include applying a negative pressure to the outside of an air- permeable portion of the collection chamber 112 and/or applying a negative pressure to an opening in the collection chamber 112.

In still further embodiments, the air filter 128 may be connected to the collection chamber 112 without any elastic connectors such that the air filter 128 does not move at the connection points. In such an embodiment, the air filter 128 may have a size and shape which allows the air filter 128 to sufficiently lift away from the air inlet opening 116 when under negative pressure such that the air filter 128 lifts away from the air inlet opening 116. For example, adhesive strips 123 may be provided on the filter material 128, to secure the filter material to the collection chamber 112, as shown by way of example in FIG. 4.

In some embodiments, materials other than an air filter 128 may be used to cover the inlet opening 116. For example, as shown in FIG. 33, a section of air-impermeable material may be used in the area of the top wall of the collection chamber 112 as a cover 134 for the inlet opening 116. In some embodiments, the cover 134 may have the same shape as a perimeter of the chamber inlet opening 116, or it may have a different shape. In some embodiments, an underside of cover 134 may be provided with an additional material layer. For example, a layer of material which conforms easily to the rim 118 forming the suction inlet 115 may be adhered to an underside of the air filter 128. Such a layer may act to seal the inlet opening 116 against passage of debris. The cover 134 also may be formed as an additional material layer that is adhered to the underside of an air-filter material used to form the top of the collection chamber 128.

Although the portions of the top wall outside of the cover 134 are shown as being an air filter 128 in the embodiment of FIG. 33, other materials may be used to form the top wall of the collection chamber 112. In some embodiments, the entire top wall may be air- impermeable, with one or more air filters being provided elsewhere in the arrangement. For example, the air-filter material may be limited to specific sections of the collection chamber 112.

In some embodiments, a top chamber wall similarly arranged to the air filter 128 shown in FIG. 33 may have air permeable sections only at or near lateral ends of the top chamber wall, with an air-impermeable material in the remaining section(s). In other embodiments, air- permeable sections may be positioned close to a centered inlet opening 116. Air-permeable sections also may be positioned on one or more sides, such as on both sides, of a centered inlet opening 116. One or more inlet openings 116 may be formed in any suitable portion of the collection chamber 112, with air-permeable material in corresponding locations on the top of the collection chamber. In some embodiments, a collection chamber 112 may include more than one inlet opening 116 and a cover 134 for each of the inlet openings 116.

In some embodiments, as also shown in FIG. 33, for example, the collection chamber 112 may include stiffening ridges 137 along a bottom of the collection chamber 112. In some embodiments, the stiffening ridges 137 may allow for less material to be used in forming the collection chamber 112. In some embodiments, the stiffening ridges 137 may extend between the front and back of the collection chamber 112. Stiffening ridges 137 may be positioned and sized in any suitable manner. For example, stiffening ridges 137 may extend only part way between the front and back of the collection chamber 112. Stiffening ridges 137 also may extend at least part way between the lateral sides of the collection chamber 112, or between the sides of the collection areas 126a and 126b. The stiffening ridges may extend substantially perpendicular to a suction nozzle 107 of the cleaning head, although they instead may be angled relative to the suction nozzle 107. The shape and size of each of the stiffening ridges 137 may be the same as one another, though the shape and size may vary from ridge to ridge.

Stiffening ribs or grooves also may be used instead of, or in addition to, stiffening ridges 137. In some embodiments, the same material used in forming the collection chamber 112 may be used to form the stiffening ribs or grooves. In such embodiments, a different material may be used to form the stiffening ridges 137.

In some embodiments, the collection chamber 112 may be formed via a plastic thermoforming process, although collection chamber 112 may be manufactured using any suitable process. For example, the collection chamber 112 may be injection molded or compression molded. In some embodiments, the collection chamber 112, the suction nozzle 107, and the suction inlet 115 may be formed as a unitary piece (e.g., tray 113). In some embodiments, the collection chamber 112, the suction nozzle 107, and the suction inlet 115 may be integrally formed, such as by thermoforming. In other embodiments, one or more of the collection chamber 112, the suction nozzle 107, and the suction inlet 115 may be separately formed and later attached to one another. For example, the suction nozzle 107 and suction inlet 115 may be integrally formed, with the collection chamber 112 being separately formed and later attached. As shown in FIGS. 19, 23, 27, and 31, the suction nozzle 107 may have any suitable arrangement and/or cross-sectional shape. For example, in some embodiments, at least a portion of the suction nozzle 107 may be curved (see e.g., FIG. 31). In some embodiments, the suction nozzle 107 may have a straight top (see, e.g., FIG. 27 and 31). The suction nozzle 107 also may include one or more undercuts (see, e.g., FIGS. 19 and 23).

In some embodiments, a cleaning sheet 114 may be attached to the collection chamber 112 (e.g., the bottom, surface-facing side of the collection chamber 112) to clean a surface. The cleaning sheet 114 may be formed of any suitable material, and may be made of a single layer or multiple layers. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 33, the cleaning sheet 114 may include multiple layers such as a multifunctional strip 138, a face layer 139, and first and second absorbent layers 140 and 141. The face layer 139 and absorbent layers 140 and 141 may be made from various non-woven materials, woven materials, and/or plastics, or any other suitable materials. The absorbent layers 140 and 141 may be configured to wick moisture away from the face layer 139. The multifunctional strip 138 may be used for scrubbing in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the multifunctional strip 138 may provide friction to help prevent the cleaning device 100 from slipping when propped against a wall.

As described above, and as shown in FIG. 33, a cover 134 may be used to cover the inlet opening 116 of the collection chamber 112. In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 34 and 35, the cover 134 may include one or more portions which extend downwardly into the inlet opening 116 and/or around the outside of the inlet opening 116. For example, a collar 142 may be attached to an underside of the air filter 128 such that when the vacuum is turned off (e.g., the negative pressure applied the air filter is released) and the air filter 128 returns to a home position, (see FIGS. 34 and 35), the collar 142 covers some or all of the perimeter of the inlet opening 116.

In the home position, the air filter 128 is no longer subject to negative pressure, and thus moves in a direction toward the collection chamber 112. In some embodiments, the home position is the same as the first position described above, with the air filter 128 and/or cover 134 being placed and/or held against the inlet opening 116 to block debris from exiting the collection chamber 112. In other embodiments, in the home position, the air filter 128 and/or cover 134 may be at least partially spaced from a top surface of the inlet opening 116, although the air filter 128 may contact or be attached to other portions of the collection chambers 112. Even though the air filter 128 and/or cover 134 may be at least partially spaced from a top surface of the inlet opening 116, the inlet opening 116 may still be closed such that debris may not escape from the collection chamber 112 when the cleaning device 100 is powered down. For example, as will be described, the air filter 128 and/or cover 134, along with the portions that extend into and/or around the outside of the inlet opening 116, may cooperate to close the inlet opening 116 when the cleaning device 100 is powered down.

In some embodiments, a collar 142 may be connected to an underside of the air filter 128, as shown in FIG. 34. When the air filter 128 is moved to the home position, the collar 142 may be positioned next to, and/or in contact with, an outside portion of the upwardly extending wall 120. As shown in this view, air filter 128 is shown slightly higher than the inlet opening 116 when the air filter 128 is in the home position of FIG. 34. In some embodiments, the collar 142 may be made of a rigid material, although the collar 142 may be made of a flexible material.

Referring to FIG. 35, in some embodiments, a downwardly extending member may be positioned inside the inlet opening 116 when the air filter 128 is in the home position. In such embodiments, a collar 144 is adapted to be positioned next to or in contact with an inside portion of the upwardly extending wall 120. As with the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 34, the collar 144 may be made of a rigid material or a flexible material.

The downwardly extending cover structures shown in FIGS. 8-9 may be used in addition to or instead of a substantially horizontal cover portion of the airfilter 128.

In some embodiments, a cover stabilizer 150 may be implemented to help maintain contact between the cover 134 and a rim 118 of the inlet opening 116. For example, as shown in FIG.

36, a cover stabilizer 150 may be used with a similar shape to the rim 118 of the outlet opening 116 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. In some embodiments, the stabilizer 150 is pivotally attached to the airfilter 128 at a pivot joint 152, and is biased downwardly by a torsion spring 154. In other embodiments, the cover stabilizer 150 may be formed with or otherwise attached to the first connector 106. The force applied by the cover stabilizer 150 may press the underside of air filter 128 to secure contact with the rim 118 of the air inlet opening 116. The weight of the stabilizer 150 and the strength of the torsion spring 154 may be configured such that when the air filter 128 is lifted from the collection chamber 112, the stabilizer 150 does not overly deform the shape of the air filter 128. In some embodiments, a mechanical limit to the rotation of the cover stabilizer 150 may be implemented, for example at the pivot joint 152.

A conduit end does not have to be fully exposed to be considered to be an inlet opening 116 that is not covered by a cover 134. For example, if the air inlet opening 116 for a debris collection chamber 112 is formed by an upright cylindrical column with a top circular rim, and the air filter 128 is removed from a sufficient portion of the circular rim during vacuuming to permit flow of air and debris into the collection chamber 112, the air inlet opening 116 may be considered to be not covered by the cover 134.

As mentioned above, the air filter 128 (or other collection chamber wall) may be connected to the collection chamber 112 without any elastic connectors. FIG. 37 shows one embodiment where the air filter 128 is attached to the collection chamber 112 with a pleated material 129. The air filter 128 is shown slightly lifted from the collection chamber 112 in FIG. 37. In some embodiments, when negative pressure is applied to the air filter 128, the air filter

128 pulls on and unfolds the pleats of the pleated material 129. In some embodiments, the pleats may be biased toward the folded position, such that when the negative pressure is released, the pleats may return toward the folded position such that the air filter 128 covers the inlet opening 116. In some embodiments, a cover stabilizer 150, such as is shown in FIG. 36, may be used in conjunction with a pleated arrangement or other non-elastic arrangement.

Instead of, or in addition to, using air filter 128 as the top wall of the collection chamber 112, the pleated material 129 may be formed of an air-filtering material. For example, the top wall of the collection chamber 112 may be formed of an air- impermeable material, and the cleaning device 100 may be configured to encompass at least the top wall and the pleated sides of the pleated material 129. When negative pressure is applied to the collection chamber 112, the top wall of the collection chamber 112 may be lifted upwardly and away from the inlet opening 116, exposing the air-filtering material of the pleated sides of the pleated material 129. Air may then be withdrawn from the collection chamber 112 via the pleated sides of the pleated material 129.

In some embodiments, the air filter 128 itself may have one or more pleats 130 formed thereon or therein. FIGS. 52-54 show an embodiment of the air filter 128 having two pleats 130, although it may have a fewer or greater number of pleats 130. The air filter 128 may be attached to a top surface of a tray 113, or the air filter 128 may form a top wall of the collection chamber 112. When negative pressure is applied to the collection chamber 112, the air filter 128 may be lifted upward and away from the collection chamber 112. Accordingly, the pleats 130 of the air filter 128 may unfold and/or expand. This increases the surface area of the air filter 128 that is exposed to the flow of air, which increases the amount of airborne debris that may be captured. Additionally, the unfolding and/or expanding of the pleats 130 as the air filter 128 lifts upwards and away from the collection chamber 112 effectively increases the volume of the air chamber 112. This may permit more debris to be captured within the debris collection chamber 112. FIG. 52 shows an embodiment of an air filter 128 having pleats 130a and 130b. The length (i.e., longitudinal dimension) of each pleat 130a and 130b may extend from a first lateral end of the air filter 128 to a second, opposite lateral end of the air filter 128. In some embodiments, each pleat 130a and/or 130b may terminate a predetermined distance from one or both opposite lateral ends of the air filter 128. FIG. 53 shows a cross-sectional view of the air filter show in FIG. 52, and FIG. 54 shows a close-up thereof. In this exemplary embodiment, the interior fold of pleat 130a faces the interior fold of pleat 130b, and the fold of pleat 130a extends further than the fold of pleat 130b. In some embodiments, the interior folds may be facing the same or opposite directions, and they may be of equal or unequal sizes. In some embodiments, each pleat 130a and/or pleat 130b may have multiple interior folds. While the embodiments illustrated herein show the inlet opening 116 facing upward and the air filter 128 positioned such that the air filter 128 acts as a top wall of the collection chamber 112, the air filter 128 may be positioned elsewhere on the collection chamber 112 and still function as a removable cover for the inlet opening 116. For example, instead of facing upwardly as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the inlet opening 116 may face rearwardly, and the air filter 128 may be positioned at the back of the collection chamber 112. In the home position, the air filter 128 may be held against the inlet opening 116, for example with elastic connectors, to cover the inlet opening 116. When negative pressure is applied, the air filter 128 be moved away from the inlet opening 116.

Although embodiments have been shown and described with only the top wall of the collection chamber 112 moving in response to negative pressure, in some embodiments, more than one wall of the collection chamber 112 may move in response to negative pressure. For example, in some embodiments, a top wall and one or more side walls of the collection chamber 112 may move in response to an applied pressure. In some embodiments, a movable wall may include a flexible bag structure. In some embodiments, the entire debris collection chamber 112 may be formed as a flexible bag attached to the chamber inlet opening 116. In some embodiments, a portion of the bag may be positioned against the inlet opening 116 when no negative pressure is applied to the collection chamber 112. In such embodiments, the bag may expand from the application of negative pressure such that the portion of the bag covering the inlet opening 116 moves away to allow debris-entrained air to enter the bag. As described herein, walls of the collection chamber 112 may be planar and/or rigid in some embodiments, although the walls, or at least a portion of the walls, may be flexible in other embodiments such that the collection chambers 112 may have a combination of rigid and flexible walls.

In some embodiments, such as those shown in FIGS. 40-42, the collection chamber 112 may include a lip and internal valve 145 that keeps dust, dry media, and/or wet media within the collection chamber 112 once the dirt has been moved into the collection chamber 112, thereby preventing dust and dry media from exiting via the inlet opening 116 of the inlet 115, such as when the cleaning device 100 is powered off. In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 40-42, the internal valve 145 of the collection chamber 112 may be selectively openable and closeable at or near the inlet opening 116. For example, as shown in FIG. 42, the internal valve 145 may be pivotable between an open position O when the cleaning device 100 is powered on and a closed position C when the cleaning device 100 is powered off.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 40-42, the internal valve 145 may be integrally or attachably formed with at least a portion of the cleaning head 108. For example, the internal valve 145 may be integrally formed with or protrude from a top rim 118 of an upwardly extending wall 120 that forms a perimeter of the collection chamber 112. The internal valve 145 also may protrude downwardly from the top rim 118 of the upwardly extending wall 120 to block or otherwise obscure the inlet opening 116 when, for example, the cleaning device 100 is powered off. In other embodiments, the internal valve 145 may be attachably received at an elongated strip or other portion of the air filter 128. In some embodiments, the elongated strip may be at least partially formed by the air filter 128 or may be attachably received at the air filter 128 and, in some embodiments, protrude downwardly from the air filter 128. For purposes herein, the term “protrudes downwardly” means that the internal valve 145 and/or elongated strip protrudes away from the air filter 128 in a direction toward a surface being cleaned.

In some embodiments, the internal valve 145 may be permanently or removably attached to the top rim 118 of the upwardly extending wall 120, the elongated strip, and/or at least a portion of the air filter 128. For example, the internal valve 145 may be glued, heat sealed, or otherwise permanently affixed to the top rim 118, the elongated strip, and/or the air filter 128. In some embodiments, the internal valve 145 may include or be formed of one or more flaps. In some embodiments, the one or more flaps may include the elongated strip or at least a portion of the air filter 128. In some embodiments, the flaps together aid in moving debris from the suction inlet 115 of the cleaning head 108 into the collection areas 126a and 126b of the collection chamber 112 and inhibit debris that has already been collected in collection areas 126a and 126b from moving over the upwardly extending wall 120 (see FIG. 4) and through the inlet opening 116 of the suction inlet 115.

The internal valve 145 and/or the one or more flaps may be formed of any suitable material, and may be made of a single layer or multiple layers of, for example, non-woven materials, woven materials, and/or plastics, or any other suitable materials. The one or more flaps may be glued, heat sealed, or otherwise permanently affixed to each other, the top rim 118, the elongated strip, and/or the air filter 128 to form the internal valve 145. For example, in some embodiments, the internal valve 145 may be formed of multiple layers including a first layer made of a lightweight, non- woven material and at least a second layer made of a stiff, non- porous material. An adhesive strip 123 may be provided on the filter material of the air filter 128 or on the elongated strip protruding downwardly from the air filter 128 to secure the internal valve 145 to the air filter 128. In some embodiments, during a manufacturing process, the first layer of the internal valve 145 may be heat sealed or otherwise adhered to the adhesive strip 123 provided on the filter material or to an elongated strip of the air filter 128. A single fold or pleat may be made in a first layer of the internal valve 145, causing a first side of the first layer to move in a first direction toward the air filter 128 during the manufacturing process. The second layer of the internal valve 145 may be heat sealed or otherwise adhered to a second side opposite the first side of the first layer.

In some embodiments, when a negative pressure is applied to or released from the air filter 128, the negative pressure may pull on or release the internal valve 145, causing the internal valve 145 to pivot at the single fold or pleat between an open position when the cleaning device 100 is powered on and a closed position when the cleaning device 100 is powered off.

As shown in FIG. 42, in the closed position C, the internal valve 145 may be fully sealed against the inlet opening 116 of the suction inlet 115 of the collection chamber 112. For example, as shown in FIG. 41, a frame portion may extend along a perimeter edge of the inlet opening 116 of the suction inlet 115 and be positioned 2 ± 0.5 mm from the perimeter edge of the inlet opening 116. In the closed position C, when the cleaning device 100 is powered off, the internal valve 145 may rest on the frame portion such that the internal valve 145 is fully sealed against the inlet opening 116 of the suction inlet 115.

In some embodiments, the cleaning sheet 114 may be attached to the collection chamber 112 and be positioned behind the suction nozzle 107 such that debris may be suctioned into the nozzle 107 and collection chamber 112 before reaching the cleaning sheet 114. In some embodiments, the cleaning sheet 114 includes multiple layers including a multifunctional strip 138, a face layer 139, and first and second absorbent layers 140 and 141. The face layer 139 and absorbent layers 140 and 141 may be made from various non-woven materials, woven materials, and/or plastics, or any other suitable materials. The absorbent layers 140 and 141 may be configured to wick moisture away from the face layer 139. The multifunctional strip 138 may be used for scrubbing a surface in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the multifunctional strip 138 may provide friction to help prevent the cleaning device 100 from slipping when propped against a wall. In some embodiments, the debris collection chamber 112 may be permanently or removably attached to the cleaning sheet 114. In some embodiments, when the cleaning head 108 is attached to the cleaning device 100, at least a portion of the debris collection chamber 112 may be concealed. For example, in some embodiments, the debris collection chamber 112 may be covered by the first connector 106 used to connect the cleaning head 108 to the cleaning device 100.

In some embodiments, once the cleaning sheet 114 has been attached to the cleaning device 100, such as via the first connector 106, the user may operate a vacuum or suction source of the cleaning device 100 to clean a surface. In some embodiments, the cleaning device 100 may include one or more actuators for actuating the suction source. As described above, upon actuation of the suction source, at least a portion of the air filter 128 may move away from the inlet opening 116 to allow debris-entrained air to enter into the collection chamber 112. The suction source may be an electric motor in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the cleaning device 100 also may include one or more actuators for applying a liquid to a surface or to a component of the cleaning device 100, for example the cleaning sheet 114. A user may actuate the liquid actuators at the same time that the vacuum source is being applied to the surface, although the user may actuate the suction source before and/or after actuating the liquid applicators. In some embodiments, the cleaning head 108 may be flexibly secured to the body 102 via vertical suspension elements 174 and horizontal suspension elements 176. In such embodiments, the cleaning head 108 may undergo an oscillating motion relative to the body 102 under the influence of a gear drive 172 coupled to a motor 170 mounted to the body 102. As shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 47 and 49, a shaft of the motor 170 is disposed horizontally and is coupled to a vertical gear drive 172. The gear drive 172 is in turn coupled to the cleaning head 108 via an offset bearing 194 disposed on a shaft 192 of the gear drive 172. The offset bearing imparts a horizontal oscillating motion to the cleaning head 108 when the motor 170 is powered on.

FIG. 47 shows two vertical suspension elements 174 near opposite lateral portions of the body 102 and cleaning head 108. There may be a greater or fewer number of vertical suspension elements 174, and the vertical suspension elements 174 may be positioned at various locations instead of or in addition to the illustrated lateral positions.

FIG. 47 further shows two horizontal suspension elements 176 near front portions of the body 102 and cleaning head 108. There may be a greater or fewer number of horizontal suspension elements 176, and the horizontal suspension elements 176 may be positioned at various locations other than or in addition to the illustrated frontal positions.

FIG. 48 shows a closeup view of an exemplary vertical suspension element 174. This vertical suspension element 174 comprises an upper base 180 mounted to or integrated with the body 102 and a lower base 182 mounted to or integrated with the cleaning head 108. A pair of vertical columns 184 couple the upper base 180 to the lower base 182. There may be a greater or fewer number of vertical columns 184 per vertical suspension element 174. The vertical columns 184 enable the cleaning head 108 to undergo horizontal oscillatory motion relative to the body 102 while maintaining a substantially constant vertical separation between the cleaning head 108 and the body 102. The vertical columns 184 may be formed of or comprise a substantially non- compressible compliant material. FIGS. 50-51 show closeup views of exemplary horizontal suspension elements 176. Each horizontal suspension element 176 comprises a plurality of arcuate members 186 that extend radially from a substantially central inner hub 188 to a substantially circumferential outer frame 190. FIG. 50 shows three arcuate members 186 and FIG. 51 shows two arcuate members 186. There may be a greater or fewer number of arcuate members 186 per horizontal suspension element 176. The arcuate members 186 enable the cleaning head 108 to undergo horizontal oscillatory motion while providing a bias to return the cleaning head 108 to a home position relative to the body 102. The arcuate members 186 may be formed of or comprise a compliant material.

The cleaning head 108 described herein may be constructed and arranged to permit efficient packing or stacking of multiple cleaning heads 108 in some embodiments (see, e.g., FIG. 44). In some embodiments, the debris collection chamber 112 and suction nozzle 107 may be sized and positioned on a cleaning sheet 114 and/or support structure 110 such that an inverted cleaning head 108 is stackable on an upright cleaning head 108 in such a manner that the most upwardly-facing surface is substantially level. An alternative embodiment of a cleaning head 108 with an attached cleaning sheet 114 is shown in FIG. 43. As shown in this view, the cleaning head may include a debris collection chamber 212 and a non-return valve 214. As with the above, the non-return valve may be arranged to keep dust, dry media, and/or wet media within the debris collection chamber 212 once the dirt has been moved into the chamber, such that dust and dry media may be prevented from exiting via a chamber inlet opening of a suction inlet, such as when the cleaning device 100 is powered off. In some embodiments, the debris collection chamber 212 may be formed as part of a tray 216, which may be constructed of a thermoformed plastic in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the non-return valve 214 opens when a suction is turned on, and returns to a closed position when the suction is turned off. In some embodiments, the non-retum valve 214 may be formed of a polypropylene.

In some embodiments, an air filter 218 covers a top portion of the debris collection chamber 212 . The air filter 218 may be made with a hydrophobic material to impede liquid penetration. In some embodiments, the air filter 218 may be made of a polypropylene. A cleaning sheet may be attached to the underside of the tray 216 in some embodiments. The cleaning sheet may include one or more layers. For example, in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 43, a multifunctional strip 220 is attached to a face layer 222, which is backed by an acquisition layer 224 and a retention layer 226. As shown in FIG. 43, for example, the multifunctional strip 220 may include a long, narrow piece of material that is attachable to a surface-facing side of the face layer 222. The multifunctional strip 220 may be placed on any suitable portion of the face layer 222, although it is shown in FIG. 43 as being located in a central portion of the face layer 222. For example, the multifunctional strip 220 may be located in between a forward edge and a rear edge of the face layer 222. In some embodiments, the multifunctional strip 220 may extend along an entire width of the cleaning sheet, although the strip may extend along only a portion of the width of the cleaning sheet in other embodiments.

In some embodiments, each of the face layer 222, the acquisition layer 224, and the retention layer 226 are the same shape and same size, although their relative shapes and sizes may vary. As shown in FIG. 43, in some embodiments, each of the face layer 222, the acquisition layer 224, and the retention layer 226 may be substantially rectangular in shape.

In some embodiments, each of the face layer 222, the acquisition layer 224, and the retention layer 226 includes a cutout in a central portion of the front edge of the respective layer. In some embodiments, the cutout is adjacent to a central portion of the suction nozzle 107 when the cleaning sheet is attached to the tray 216. The face layer 222 may be made with a hydrophobic material. The hydrophobic material may be arranged such that the weight of the unit puts a pressure on the face layer 222 such that liquid is allowed to penetrate the face layer 222 from surface, but the material is able to help hold acquired liquid within the cleaning sheet. The face layer 222 may be treated with paraffin. In some embodiments, the paraffin improves the retention of solid particles on the cleaning sheet when the cleaning sheet is wetted, thereby reducing the potential for redeposit.

The face layer 222 may include a texture to aid with capturing debris from a surface. For example, the face layer 222 may include an embossed three-dimensional pattern with crevices in which debris can be held. The use of the cleaning device 100 in combination with the cleaning sheet sheet reduces the amount of solid debris reaching the embossment of the face layer 222, thereby allowing the face layer 222 to be used on a wet surface. The face layer 222 may include a PET spunlace that is hydroentangled.

The acquisition layer 224 may be formed of thermal bonded airlaid. A density may be used which permits liquid to be absorbed from a surface and desorbed into the retention layer 226. The acquisition layer 224 may be formed with a suitable percentage of bi-component to increase mechanical stability and reduce wet collapse. For example, in some embodiments, the thermal bonded airlaid may be formed with 70% pulp and 30% bi-component. In some embodiments, the material may be formed with at least 30% of bi-component.

The retention layer 226 may have a higher density airlaid than the acquisition layer 224 to promote liquid migration from the acquisition layer 224 into the retention layer 226. The higher density airlaid provides mechanical structure to reduce compression and retain liquid. In some embodiments, the retention layer 226 material may be formed with 80% pulp and 20% bi- component. The retention layer 226 material may be formed with 20% or less bi-component in some embodiments.

The multifunctional strip 220 may be formed with hydrophilic meltblown polypropylene in some embodiments. By using a hydrophilic material, the cleaning sheet may provide a more even wipe to reduce streakiness. The multifunctional strip 220 may help to break up stains in some embodiments. Additionally, in some embodiments, by providing a source of friction that is higher than tht of the face layer 222, the multifunctional strip 220 can provide feedback to the user indicating when more liquid as needed.

According to some embodiments, a debris collection chamber 212 may be constructed and arranged such that bins can be temporarily held together for storage and shipping. For example, as shown in FIG. 44, debris collection chambers 212a and 212b are constructed such that the underside of a first debris collection chamber 212a can be inserted into the top of a second debris collection chamber 212b, and the outsides of the front and rear walls of the first debris collection chamber 212a form an interference fit with the insides of the front and rear walls of the second debris collection chamber 212b. The top of a debris collection chamber 212 (e.g., an air filter 218) may be sized to allow a first debris collection chamber 212a to push the top of a second debris collection chamber 212b downward when the debris collection chambers 212a and 212b are stacked together. In some embodiments, the top of a debris collection chamber 212 may be made of a resilient stretchable material.

FIGS. 45-46 illustrate a method of assembling a cleaning head 108 that is stacked in a collapsed, unassembled position. In some embodiments, a user may fold a first panel of the cleaning head 108 toward a second panel of the cleaning head 108, and attach the first and second panels. See, e.g., FIG. 15 showing the debris collection chamber 112 and cleaning head 108 in an assembled configuration. The first and second panels may have one or more tabs that engage with corresponding openings. In some embodiments, once the debris collection chamber 112 is in the assembled configuration, a cleaning sheet 114 may be attached thereto (e.g., via an adhesive and/or hook and loop fasteners).

Although a cleaning sheet 114 is described as having some layers joined via adhesive and others via welding and/or sealing, it will be appreciated that all of the layers may be joined to one another via an adhesive. In such examples, an adhesive may be applied between each adjacent layer (e.g., between an acquisition layer 224 and a face layer222, and between a face layer 222 and a multifunctional strip 220). The layers also may be joined together via other suitable arrangements.

While the present teachings have been described in conjunction with various embodiments and examples, it is not intended that the present teachings be limited to such embodiments or examples. On the contrary, the present teachings encompass various alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only.

Various aspects of the present invention may be used alone, in combination, or in a variety of arrangements not specifically discussed in the embodiments described in the foregoing and is therefore not limited in its application to the details and arrangement of components set forth in the foregoing description or illustrated in the drawings. For example, aspects described in one embodiment may be combined in any manner with aspects described in other embodiments.

Also, embodiments of the invention may be embodied as a method, of which an example has been provided. The acts performed as part of the method may be ordered in any suitable way Accordingly, embodiments may be constructed in which acts are performed in an order different than illustrated, which may include performing some acts simultaneously, even though shown as sequential acts in illustrative embodiments.

Use of ordinal terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., in the claims to modify a claim element does not by itself connote any priority, precedence, or order of one claim element over another or the temporal order in which acts of a method are performed, but are used merely as labels to distinguish one claim element having a certain name from another element having a same name (but for use of the ordinal term) to distinguish the claim elements.

Also, the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and variations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.

Claims

1. A cleaning device, comprising: a vacuum body that includes a handle that is coupled to a head, the head including a lower base that is moveably mounted to the head; a motor being connected to the lower base such that the motor is operable to impart motion to the lower base relative to the head; a replaceable cleaning head that includes a cleaning pad and a dust chamber, the replaceable cleaning head is configured to be removably attached to the lower base, and the cleaning pad has a cleaning surface; a source of suction located on at least one of the body or replaceable cleaning head; wherein the replaceable cleaning head, when attached to the lower base, is movable with the lower base relative to the head.

2. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the lower base is connected to the head by at least one flexible suspension element.

3. The cleaning device of claim 2, wherein the lower base is connected to the head by at least two flexible suspension elements.

4. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the motor is configured to impart an oscillating motion on the lower base.

5. The cleaning device of claim 4, wherein the motor is connected to the lower base with a shaft and an offset bearing.

6. The cleaning device of claim 4, wherein the oscillating motion imparted on the lower head is in a plane that is generally parallel to the cleaning surface of the replacement head when the replacement head is connected to the lower head.

7. The cleaning device of claim 6, wherein the cleaning sheet includes a multi-function strip that is located on the cleaning surface of the cleaning sheet, the multi-function strip being moveable with the replacement head.

8. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the source of suction is powered by a second motor that is separate from the motor that powers the motion of the lower base.

9. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the replaceable cleaning head includes a filter.

10. A replacement head, comprising: a tray having a dust chamber, the dust chamber having an air permeable opening that is configured to be attached to a source of suction; a cleaning pad having a layer of at least one material coupled to the tray; a filter coupled to the tray such that the filter covers the air permeable opening; wherein the filter includes a first pleat, the first pleat including a first interior fold that is oriented in a first direction; wherein the filter also includes a second pleat including a second interior fold that is oriented in a second direction that is different than the first direction.

11. The replacement head of claim 10, wherein the first pleat and the second pleat are approximately the same size.

12. The replacement head of claim 10, wherein the first pleat is larger than the second pleat.

13. The replacement head of claim 10, wherein the first direction is generally opposite to the second direction.

14. The replacement head of claim 10, wherein the filter is permanently connected to the tray.

15. The replacement head of claim 10, wherein the filter completely covers the opening.