US 12,234,087 B2
Dust and allergen control for surface cleaning apparatus
Wayne Ernest Conrad, Hampton (CA)
Assigned to Omachron Intellectual Property Inc., Hampton (CA)
Filed by Omachron Intellectual Property Inc., Hampton (CA)
Filed on Jan. 6, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/569,622.
Application 17/569,622 is a continuation of application No. 16/584,013, filed on Sep. 26, 2019.
Application 16/584,013 is a continuation of application No. 15/393,003, filed on Dec. 28, 2016, granted, now 10,464,746, issued on Nov. 5, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0127074 A1, Apr. 28, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B65F 1/14 (2006.01); A47L 9/10 (2006.01); A47L 9/12 (2006.01); A47L 9/16 (2006.01); B65F 1/10 (2006.01); B65F 1/16 (2006.01)
CPC B65F 1/14 (2013.01) [A47L 9/106 (2013.01); A47L 9/12 (2013.01); A47L 9/16 (2013.01); A47L 9/1683 (2013.01); B65F 1/105 (2013.01); B65F 1/1607 (2013.01); B65F 2210/129 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for emptying a dirt collection region of a surface cleaning apparatus, the dirt collection region comprising a first end, an opposed second end and a sidewall extending between the first and second ends, the first end comprising an openable portion and a closure member securing the openable portion in a closed position, the apparatus comprising:
an air flow passage from an inlet port to an air outlet wherein the dirt collection region is removably positionable in flow communication with the air flow passage and, when the dirt collection region is positioned in flow communication with the air flow passage, a deformable member engages the sidewall of the dirt collection region whereby the inlet port is substantially sealed, and
a release actuator which, when the openable portion is aligned with the inlet port, drives the closure member from an engaged position, in which the closure member secures the openable portion in the closed position, to a disengaged position, in which the openable portion is spaced from the closure member, whereby the openable portion is opened and the dirt collection region is emptyable,
wherein the apparatus is free standing on a floor.