VACUUM CLEANER UTENSIL

Abstract

In a vacuum cleaner utensil (1) comprising a suction opening (3) and a lint picker (5) at a side of the suction opening (3), the lint picker (5) is mounted in a recessed portion having a plurality of rims (7a-7d) along lines at an angle between 20° and 70° to a longitudinal axis (A-A) of the suction opening (3) that form edges pointing towards the suction opening (3). Preferably, the lint picker has a plurality of triangular-shaped elements (5a-5d). Preferably, the lint picker has a plurality of elements (5a-5d) that have first and second boundaries along lines at an angle between 20° and 70° to the longitudinal axis (A-A) of the suction opening (3), an angle between the first and second boundaries not exceeding 120°. Another aspect of the invention provides a vacuum cleaner comprising a suction unit, and a nozzle arranged for being coupled to the suction unit, wherein the nozzle is formed by such a vacuum cleaner utensil (1).

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner utensil 44, comprising: a suction opening; a lint picker at a side of the suction opening, wherein the lint picker is mounted in a recessed portion, characterized in that the recessed portion has a plurality of rims along lines at an angle between 20° and 70° to a longitudinal axis of the suction opening, which rims form edges pointing towards the suction opening.

2. The vacuum cleaner utensil as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lint picker has a plurality of triangular-shaped elements.

3. The vacuum cleaner utensil as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lint picker has a plurality of elements that have first and second boundaries along lines at an angle between 20° and 70° to the longitudinal axis of the suction opening, an angle between the first and second boundaries not exceeding 120°.

4. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a suction unit, and a nozzle arranged for being coupled to the suction unit, wherein the nozzle is formed by a vacuum cleaner utensil as claimed in claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate embodiments of a vacuum cleaner utensil in accordance with the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a bottom view of a vacuum cleaner utensil in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention. Only the essential elements are shown, other elements not relevant to this invention, like wheels and brushes, are left out. The vacuum cleaner utensil (e.g. a nozzle) 1 has a suction opening 3, and a lint picker 5 having plurality of triangular elements 5a-5d pointing towards the suction opening 3. In an embodiment, another, similar lint picker is placed at the opposite end of the suction opening 3. Each triangular elements 5a-5d is mounted in a respective recess having 3 rims, one of which (shown in a solid line) is parallel to the suction opening 3, and two of which (shown in dotted lines) with reference signs 7a-7d are oriented along lines at an angle between 20° and 70° to a longitudinal axis A-A of the suction opening 3, an angle between the first and second boundaries being 120°. The pairs of boundaries 7a-7d form edges pointing towards the suction opening 3.

[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom view of a vacuum cleaner utensil in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention. Compared to FIG. 1, the lint picker 5 has plurality of rectangular elements 5a-5h pointing towards the suction opening 3. Here, the recessed portion is formed by a plurality of recessed portions, each housing a respective one of the rectangular elements 5a-5h. Each rectangular element 5a-5h is housed in a respective recessed portion that has pairs of two rims 7a-7h (out of the four rims shown in dotted lines) that meet each other close to the suction opening 3, thereby forming edges pointed towards the suction opening 3. These rims 7a-7h are oriented along lines at an angle between 20° and 70° to a longitudinal axis A-A of the suction opening 3. An angle between the rims of each pair of rims 7a-7h is 90°. In an alternative embodiment, the rectangular elements 5a-5h do not have spaces between them, and then there may be a single recessed portion housing the lint picker 5. Also, the elements 5a-5h may have a straight lower boundary parallel to the lower boundary of the vacuum cleaner utensil 1 (like in FIG. 1), and then the recessed portion or portions housing the elements 5a-5h may likewise have a straight lower boundary parallel to the lower boundary of the vacuum cleaner utensil 1.

[0012] It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. For example, the lint pickers 5 may be mounted in inclined portions of the sole plate of the nozzle 1, and the lint picker 5 does not need to be immediately adjacent to the suction opening 3. For example, there may be a flat portion of the nozzle's sole plate directly adjacent to the suction opening 3, while the lint picker 5 is present on an inclined portion of the sole plate adjacent to that flat portion. The elements of the lint picker 5 do not need to be distinct elements; they may overlap and/or have a common base as long as parts point towards the suction opening 3. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word “comprising” does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in a claim. The word “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements. In the device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. Measures recited in mutually different dependent claims may advantageously be used in combination.