A filter system for a vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The system comprises a housing reconfigurable relative to a bin between an operative configuration in which the housing is disposed upon the bin so that dirt separated from dirt-laden air can collect in the bin, and an idle configuration in which the housing is removed from the bin. The housing comprises an inlet for receiving dirt-laden air into the housing, an outlet via which cleaned air can exit the housing. The system further comprises first filtering means and second filtering means disposed within the housing, the first filtering means being positioned upstream of the second filtering means. The first and second filtering means comprises a filter medium configured to separate dirt from the dirt-laden air passing from the inlet to the outlet through the filter medium. The system further comprises filter cleaning means for removing dirt from the filter medium of the first filtering means when the housing is configured at least in the operative configuration.

A surface cleaning apparatus has a surface cleaning head having a pivoting connector, an upper end of the pivoting connector providing an air outlet of the surface cleaning head. A support consisting of an upflow duct is pivotally mounted to the surface cleaning head by the pivoting connector. A surface cleaning unit is vertically removably mounted to an upper end of the support. The surface cleaning unit comprises a cyclone unit, a pre-motor filter, a suction motor and flexible hose.

A surface cleaning apparatus has a surface cleaning head having a pivoting connector, an upper end of the pivoting connector providing an air outlet of the surface cleaning head. A support consisting of an upflow duct is pivotally mounted to the surface cleaning head by the pivoting connector. A surface cleaning unit is vertically removably mounted to an upper end of the support. The surface cleaning unit comprises a cyclone unit, a pre-motor filter, a suction motor and flexible hose.

A vacuum cleaner has an upright support structure pivotally mounted to a cleaning head. A portable surface cleaning unit is removably mounted to the upright support structure. The portable surface cleaning unit has a cyclone chamber, a dirt collection chamber exterior to the cyclone chamber and a suction motor. When the portable surface cleaning unit is mounted to the upright support structure and the upright support structure extends upwardly from the cleaning head, the upper end wall of the dirt collection chamber and the cyclone chamber end wall are an openable upper wall of the portable surface cleaning unit.

A vacuum cleaner has an upright support structure pivotally mounted to a cleaning head. A portable surface cleaning unit is removably mounted to the upright support structure. The portable surface cleaning unit has a cyclone chamber, a dirt collection chamber exterior to the cyclone chamber and a suction motor. When the portable surface cleaning unit is mounted to the upright support structure and the upright support structure extends upwardly from the cleaning head, the upper end wall of the dirt collection chamber and the cyclone chamber end wall are an openable upper wall of the portable surface cleaning unit.

A vacuum cleaner having a hand unit and an elongated member having a nozzle end portion and a handle end portion. The vacuum cleaner has a valve arranged at the nozzle end portion, the valve having a valve member being movable between a first and a second position. In the first position the valve member directs an airflow from a floor nozzle to the hand unit while preventing an airflow to flow through the handle end portion. In the second position the valve member directs the airflow from the floor nozzle to the handle end portion and to the hand unit. Vacuum cleaning may be performed with the floor nozzle both when the hand unit is connected at the nozzle end and at the handle end.

A vacuum cleaner having a hand unit and an elongated member having a nozzle end portion and a handle end portion. The vacuum cleaner has a valve arranged at the nozzle end portion, the valve having a valve member being movable between a first and a second position. In the first position the valve member directs an airflow from a floor nozzle to the hand unit while preventing an airflow to flow through the handle end portion. In the second position the valve member directs the airflow from the floor nozzle to the handle end portion and to the hand unit. Vacuum cleaning may be performed with the floor nozzle both when the hand unit is connected at the nozzle end and at the handle end.

Described and shown is an article of manufacture, system and process for the collection and capture of a desired substance, either solid or liquid, such as debris or residue. The present invention is particularly useful for the cleanup of glue or other substance (e.g. excess caulking or silicone sealant) employed during fabrication or construction where one or more components are assembled and affixed together using a fluid adhesive or are sealed together, etc. Additionally, the present invention concerns a vacuum tool comprising a substance capture reservoir in communication with a substance collection conduit and attachable to a vacuum source for the collection and capture of various substances, both liquid and solid.

Described and shown is an article of manufacture, system and process for the collection and capture of a desired substance, either solid or liquid, such as debris or residue. The present invention is particularly useful for the cleanup of glue or other substance (e.g. excess caulking or silicone sealant) employed during fabrication or construction where one or more components are assembled and affixed together using a fluid adhesive or are sealed together, etc. Additionally, the present invention concerns a vacuum tool comprising a substance capture reservoir in communication with a substance collection conduit and attachable to a vacuum source for the collection and capture of various substances, both liquid and solid.

Systems and methods for providing an air agitator nozzle system are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the system comprises a vacuum and a nozzle. The vacuum is configured to suck particles from a floor surface. The nozzle is configured to spray air at the floor surface to loosen the particles and to push the loosened particles toward the vacuum to be sucked from the floor surface.