Abstract:
A separating apparatus for a cleaning appliance, such as a vacuum cleaner, includes a separator for separating dirt and dust from a fluid flow and a collecting chamber arranged to collect dirt and dust separated by the separator. A first catch for opening a closure member on the collecting chamber is provided, with first releasing means for releasing this catch. There is also provided a second catch for releasing the collecting chamber from the separator and second releasing means for releasing the second catch. The second releasing means is inaccessible when the first catch is engaged. A cover associated with the first releasing means obscures the second releasing means until the first catch has been released. The invention prevents the user from accidentally releasing the collecting chamber from the separator when it was the user&#39;s intention simply to empty dirt and dust from the collecting chamber.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the priority of United Kingdom application No. 0902199.9, filed Feb. 11, 2009 and GB0821827.3, filed Nov. 28, 2008, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to separating apparatus for a cleaning appliance such as a vacuum cleaner. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Vacuum cleaners which utilise cyclonic separators are known. In a typical cyclonic vacuum cleaner, an airflow in which dirt and dust is entrained enters a first cyclonic separator via a tangential inlet which causes the airflow to follow a spiral or helical path within a collecting chamber. This causes dirt and dust to be separated from the airflow. Relatively clean air passes out of the chamber while the separated dirt and dust is collected therein. In some appliances, the airflow is then passed to a second cyclonic separator stage which is capable of separating finer dirt and dust than the first cyclonic separator. This fine dirt and dust is typically also collected in the collecting chamber. The cleaned airflow then exits the collecting chamber. 
         [0004]    The absence of a bag in a cyclonic vacuum cleaner can create difficulties for the disposal of the dirt and dust which is collected by the cleaner. When the collecting chamber of a cyclonic vacuum cleaner becomes full, a user typically removes the collecting chamber from the main body of the machine and tips the collecting chamber upside down. Often it may be necessary for the user to dislodge the dirt manually, which can be inconvenient. 
         [0005]    An improved separating apparatus is disclosed in EP 1370172 and is shown in  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b.  The separating apparatus  1  comprises a separator  2  and a collecting chamber  3 . In the illustrated separator  2 , airflow passes through a first separation stage  4  and then a second separation stage  5  which comprises a set of tapered cyclonic chambers arranged in parallel with one another. Dirt which is separated by the first  4  and second  5  cyclonic stages collects at the bottom of the chamber  3 , against its base  6 . The base  6  is pivotably attached, by means of a hinge, to the cylindrical wall that makes up the sides of the chamber  3 . The base  6  is held firmly closed by means of a first catch  7 , which is operable by the user by means of a trigger  8 . When the user operates the trigger  8 , the base  6  swings open and the material in the collector falls out of the collecting chamber  3 . 
         [0006]    It is also useful to be able to remove the collecting chamber  3  from the separator  2 . To this end, a second catch  9  is provided. When the user operates the second catch  9 , the collecting chamber  3  and separator  2  may be disengaged from each other so that the user may, for example, clear large blockages from the separating apparatus or clean the interior of the collecting chamber. 
         [0007]    A problem which may be encountered with this type of arrangement is that the user may inadvertently operate the wrong catch. For example, the user may operate the second catch  9  instead of the first catch  7  so that, even though the user intends only to open the base of the collecting chamber for emptying, the entire collecting chamber may come away from the separator. This can be frustrating and confusing for the user and may result in dirt and dust spilling out of the collecting chamber. It is desirable that the user is able to empty the collecting chamber in an efficient and hygienic manner. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The invention provides a separating apparatus comprising a separator for separating dirt and dust from a fluid flow and a collecting chamber arranged to collect dirt and dust separated by the separator, a first catch for opening a closure member on the collecting chamber, first releasing means arranged to be capable of releasing the first catch, a second catch for releasing the collecting chamber from the separator and second releasing means arranged to be capable of releasing the second catch, in which the second releasing means is inaccessible when the first catch is engaged 
         [0009]    By presenting the user with only one releasable catch at a time, the user automatically operates those catches in the correct sequence—namely the catch for releasing the closure member and emptying dirt from the separating apparatus, followed by the catch for releasing the collecting chamber from the separator, if required. The invention prevents the user from accidentally releasing the collecting chamber from the separator when it was the user&#39;s intention simply to empty dirt and dust from the collecting chamber. 
         [0010]    Preferably, the second releasing means is at least partially obscured when the first catch is engaged, so that the user is not confused by being presented with more than one catch. 
         [0011]    Advantageously, the second releasing means is made inaccessible and/or is obscured by the first releasing means. The first releasing means may be arranged to move from a first position, in which the first releasing means obscures the second releasing means, to a second position in which the second releasing means is accessible and visible. 
         [0012]    Alternatively, the second releasing means may be made inaccessible, and/or is obscured by, part of the collecting chamber, such as the closure member. 
         [0013]    The invention is particularly applicable to cleaning appliances having at least one cyclonic separator. The separating apparatus may be releasably held on the main body. The first releasing means may also be employed by a user to release the separating apparatus from the main body. Alternatively, the separating apparatus may remain held to the main body, even when the collecting chamber is released from the separating apparatus. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1   a  is a sectional view of a conventional separating apparatus with the base of the collecting chamber in a first position; 
           [0016]      FIG. 1   b  is a sectional view of a conventional separating apparatus with the base of the collecting chamber in a second position; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a front view of an upright vacuum cleaner incorporating separating apparatus according to the invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3   a  is a side view of the cleaner of  FIG. 1  showing the separating apparatus being removed; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3   b  is a magnified portion of the separating apparatus of  FIG. 3   a;    
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of the separating apparatus of  FIG. 2  showing the base of the collecting chamber in a closed position; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of the separating apparatus of  FIG. 2  showing the base of the collecting chamber in an open position; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6   a  is a sectional view of part of the separating apparatus of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6   b  is a magnified portion of part of  FIG. 6   a;    
           [0024]      FIG. 6   c  is a view of the same part of the separating apparatus as is shown in  FIG. 6   b  in a different position; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a rear perspective view of the separating apparatus of  FIG. 2  with the separator and collecting chamber detached from one another; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view from underneath of a hand-held vacuum cleaner incorporating separating apparatus constructed according to an alternative embodiment of the invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is a sectional side view of part of the vacuum cleaner of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view from underneath of the vacuum cleaner of  FIG. 8 , with the base of the collecting chamber in an open position; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  is a sectional side view of part of the vacuum cleaner of  FIG. 8 , with both first and second catches disengaged. 
       
    
    
       [0030]    Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the specification. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0031]    With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3   a , an upright vacuum cleaner is shown and indicated generally by the reference numeral  10 . The vacuum cleaner  10  comprises a main body  11  which includes a motor and fan unit (not shown) and a pair  12  of wheels. A cleaner head  13  is pivotably mounted on the lower end of the main body  11  and a dirty air inlet  14  is provided in the underside of the cleaner head  13  facing the floor surface. The main body  11  further includes a spine  15  which extends vertically upward and merges into a hand grip  16 . The hand grip  16  can be manipulated by a user to manoeuvre the vacuum cleaner  10  across a floor surface. The main body  11  further includes outlet ports  17  for exhausting air from the vacuum cleaner  10 . 
         [0032]    Separating apparatus  18  is releasably held on the main body  11  of the vacuum cleaner  10 . The separating apparatus  18  comprises a separator  19  and a collecting chamber  20 . The separating apparatus  18  is supported on the main body  11  above the outlet ports  17  and lies adjacent the spine  15 . The interior of the separating apparatus  18  is in communication with the dirty air inlet  14  through ducting  21  adjacent the spine  15 . The separating apparatus  18  can be removed from the main body  11  for emptying and for maintenance. 
         [0033]    In use, the motor and fan unit draws dirty air into the vacuum cleaner  10  via the dirty air inlet  14 . The dirty air is carried to the separating apparatus  18  via the ducting  21  adjacent the spine  15 . The separating apparatus  18  includes an upstream cyclone  22  in the collecting chamber  20 . An air inlet  23  is formed in the cylindrical side wall  24  of the chamber  20 . When the separating apparatus  18  is held on the main body  11  of the vacuum cleaner  10 , the air inlet  23  is in communication with the dirty air inlet  14  and forms a communication path between the ducting  21  adjacent the spine  15  and the interior of the upstream cyclone  22 . The air inlet  23  is arranged tangentially to the upstream cyclone  22  so that the incoming air is encouraged to follow a helical path around the interior of the upstream cyclone. 
         [0034]    A shroud  25  is located inwardly of the cylindrical wall  24  of the upstream cyclone  22 . The shroud  25  comprises a cylindrical wall having a plurality of through-holes. The shroud  25  provides a communication path between the upstream cyclone  22  and a downstream cyclone assembly  26 . 
         [0035]    The downstream cyclone assembly  26  comprises a plurality of downstream cyclones  27  arranged in parallel. In this embodiment, seven downstream cyclones  27  are provided. Each downstream cyclone  27  is in communication with a downstream collector  28  forming part of the collecting chamber  20 . The downstream collector  28  has a collector wall  29  located inwardly of the shroud  25 . Each of the downstream cyclones  27  has a diameter smaller than that of the upstream cyclone  22 . Therefore, the downstream cyclones  27  are able to separate smaller particles of dirt and dust from the partially-cleaned airflow than the upstream cyclone  22 . Separated dirt and dust exits the downstream cyclones  27  and passes into the downstream collector  28 . 
         [0036]    Cleaned air then flows back up through the downstream cyclones  27  and enters a duct  30 . The cleaned air then passes from the duct  30  sequentially through a pre-motor filter  31 , the motor and fan unit, and a post-motor filter  32  before being exhausted from the vacuum cleaner  10  through the outlet ports  17 . 
         [0037]    A handle  33  is located over the separating apparatus  18  and is arranged to allow a user to carry the vacuum cleaner  10 . When the separating apparatus  18  is released from the main body  11 , as is shown in  FIG. 3   a , the handle  33  may also be used to carry the separating apparatus alone. With reference to  FIG. 3   a , a user-operable button  34  is located on the separating apparatus  18  at the upper end portion of the handle  33 . By depressing the button  34 , the user releases a catch holding the separating apparatus 18  to the main body  11 . The user can then place the separating apparatus  18  over a suitable dirt and dust receptacle such as a dustbin for emptying of dirt and dust that has been collected in the collecting chamber  20 . 
         [0038]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the collecting chamber  20  includes a closure member which, in this embodiment, comprises the base  35  of the collecting chamber. The base  35  is pivotably mounted on the lower end of the cylindrical side wall  24  by means of a hinge  36 . The base  35  is retained in a closed position (as shown in  FIG. 4 ) by means of a first catch  37 . The first catch  37  includes a lug  38  and a flange  39 . In this embodiment, the lug  38  and flange  39  are integral with the base  35  and extend from it. The lug  38  is inwardly directed and is received by a cooperating groove  40  formed in the external surface of the cylindrical side wall  24 . The lug  38  is formed from a resilient material which biases the lug into the groove  40  when the base  35  is in the closed position. The flange  39  extends outwardly and upwardly from the lug  38 . 
         [0039]    The separating apparatus  18  further includes first releasing means in the form of an actuator  41 . The actuator  41  comprises a first push member  42  and a second push member  43  which are generally in the form of elongated rods. The first push member  42  is arranged at the upper end of the rear of the separating apparatus  18 , adjacent some of the downstream cyclones  27 . The uppermost end portion of the first push member  42  includes the user-operable button  34  at the upper end of the handle  33 . The button  34  is biased upwardly by a spring (not shown). The first push member  42  is arranged to be slideably movable by depression of the button  34  against the bias of the spring. The first push member  42  is supported by a guide  44  that constrains the first push member to slide in a generally vertical direction, namely towards the base  35  of the collecting chamber  20 . 
         [0040]    The second push member  43  is arranged on the lower portion of the rear of the separating apparatus  18 , adjacent the collecting chamber  20 . The second push member  43  is supported by a plurality of guides  45   a ,  45   b ,  45   c  that constrain the second push member  43  also to slide in a generally vertical direction. An upper portion of the second push member  43  comprises a cover  46  which, in this embodiment, takes the form of a triangular-shaped member which extends to one side of the elongate rod. A lower portion of the second push member has a thick dog-leg shape for increased robustness. The second push member  43  is not biased in any direction. The lower end portion of the second push member  43  is arranged to abut the flange  39  of the first catch  37 . In this embodiment, the second push member  43  is interposed between the flange  37  and the wall  24  of the collecting chamber  20 . 
         [0041]    When a user decides to empty the collecting chamber  20  of the separating apparatus  18 , he pushes the button  34  against the force of the spring, as shown in  FIG. 3   b . The guide  44  constrains the first push member  42  to slide downwardly towards the collecting chamber  20  into a lower second position. The lower end of the first push member  42  normally abuts the upper end of the second push member  43 , and so the action of pushing down the first push member also urges the second push member downwardly into a lower second position. The bottom end of the second push member  43  is forced against the flange  39  of the first catch  37  and applies an outwardly-directed force to it. The lug  38 , being integral with the flange  39 , also experiences an outwardly-directed force, which force urges the lug  38  away from the groove  40 . Thus, the first catch  37  holding the base  35  to the cylindrical side wall  24  of the collecting chamber  20  is released. The action of the second push member  43  against the flange  39  forces the base  35  to swing open on its hinge  36 , as is shown in  FIG. 5 . The dirt and dust collected in the collecting chamber  20  can thus be emptied conveniently and efficiently. The upstream cyclone  22  and the downstream collector  28  are emptied simultaneously during this process. 
         [0042]    When the user releases pressure on the button  34 , the spring urges the button and the first push member  42  upwards into their original positions. The second push member  43  is not biased and so remains in its lower second position as shown in  FIG. 4 . In moving the second push member  43  from its original position to its lower position, the cover  46  associated with the second push member slides downwardly to reveal a second catch  47 , which was concealed behind the cover. This second catch  47  holds the collecting chamber  20  to the separator  19 . 
         [0043]    The second catch  47  is shown in more detail in  FIGS. 6   b  and  6   c . The second catch  47  comprises second releasing means in the form of a user-operable button  48  on separator  19 , close to the downstream cyclones  27 , which button engages with an aperture  49  in an upper region of the cylindrical side wall  24  of the collecting chamber  20 . The button  48  is pivotably attached to the separator  19  by means of a hinge  50  that extends along its lower portion. The button  48  is based outwardly by means of a spring  51 . When the separator  19  and collecting chamber  20  are attached, the button  48  extends outwardly though the aperture  49  in the upper portion of the side wall  24  of the collecting chamber  20 . The button  48  stands proud of the side wall  24  so as to be conspicuous to, and easily manipulated by, the user. The button  48  comprises part of the second catch  47  but is also the releasing means for this catch. 
         [0044]    The user may wish to separate the collecting chamber  20  and the separator  19  for the purpose of, for example, clearing large clumps of dirt or foreign objects that may have entered the cyclonic separator  19 , to wipe hair and fibres from the shroud  25 , to wash the collecting chamber or to repair or replace the collecting chamber or the separator. In order to detach the collecting chamber  20  from the separator  19 , the user depresses the button  48  that forms the second releasing means against the force of the spring  51 . The button  48  is caused to pivot inwardly by means of hinge  50  until it is clear of the side wall  24  of the collecting chamber  20 , at which point the collecting chamber and the separator  19  may be disengaged from one another.  FIG. 7  shows the separator  19  and the collecting chamber  20  separated from each other. 
         [0045]    This configuration of the catches  37 ,  47  prohibits the user from releasing the second catch until the first catch has been released. This makes the apparatus intuitive to use: the button  48  for the second catch  47  is normally concealed by the cover  46 , and is revealed only by operation of the first catch  37 , which moves the cover. Thus, the user instinctively empties the collecting chamber  20  before detaching the chamber from the separator  19 . The catches  37 ,  47  are releasable only according to a predetermined sequence: namely, the first catch followed by the second catch. When the user wishes to re-assemble the apparatus, there is no sequence for locking the catches  37 ,  47 ; they may be re-engaged in either order. 
         [0046]    For example, when the user is ready to re-assemble the separating apparatus  18 , he may decide firstly to close the collecting chamber  20  by manually moving the base  35  back into the closed position. The side wall  24  of the collecting chamber  20  bears against the flange  39 , causing it to flex outwardly so that the flange and lug  38  slide against the outer surface of the side wall  24  as the base  35  is pushed towards its closed position. The flange  39  and lug  38  are biased inwardly so that, when the lug reaches the groove  40  in the side wall  24  of the collecting chamber  20 , it slots into the groove, re-engaging the first catch  37 . The second push member  43  is urged by the flange  39  into its first, higher position in which the cover  46  lies over the aperture  49  in the side wall  24  of the collecting chamber  20 . The user can then bring the separator  19  and the collecting chamber  20  together again. In fact, the arrangement of the invention assists the user in re-attaching the separator  19  and collecting chamber  20 , as the button  48  and the cover  46  are conspicuous visual indicators of the correct orientation of the separator with respect to the collecting chamber. As the user pushes the separator  19  and collecting chamber  20  together, the side wall  24  of the collecting chamber pushes the button  48  inwardly so that the button slides against the inner surface of the side wall. The force of the spring  51  acting on the button  48  urges it through the aperture  49  on the side wall  24  of the collecting chamber  20  as the chamber and separator  19  are pushed together, thereby re-engaging the second catch  47 . 
         [0047]    Alternatively, the user may firstly re-attach the collecting chamber  20  to the separator  19 , which action re-engages the second catch  47 . Then, the user may push the base  35  into its closed position, and in doing so, re-engage the first catch  37 . 
         [0048]    The invention is not limited to the detailed description given above. Variations will be apparent to the person skilled in the art. For example, the cover  46  obscuring the second catch  47  has been shown as part of the first push member  42  employed to actuate the first catch  37 . However, the cover  46  may instead be part of another component associated with the first catch  37 —for example, the second push member  43 , the button  34  or the lug  38  or flange  39 . 
         [0049]    Alternatively, the second catch may be hidden or made inaccessible by something other than a component associated with the first catch. Such an arrangement is shown in  FIGS. 8 to 11 , which show a vacuum cleaner in the form of a hand-held vacuum cleaner. 
         [0050]    With reference to  FIG. 8 , the hand-held vacuum cleaner  52  comprises a main body  53  which includes a motor and fan unit  53   a . Separating apparatus  54  is held on the main body  53 . A forwardly-directed nozzle  55  is rigidly mounted to the front of the separating apparatus  54 . A dirty air inlet  56  is provided at the end of the nozzle  55 , which forms an airflow path between the dirty air inlet and the separating apparatus  54 . The main body  53  further includes a hand grip  57 , which can be employed by a user to manoeuvre and manipulate the vacuum cleaner  52 . The hand grip  57  is at the rear of the vacuum cleaner  52 , and extends transversely between the motor and fan unit  53   a  and a battery pack  58  at the base of the vacuum cleaner  52 . The battery pack  58  provides power for the motor of the motor and fan unit  53   a . The main body  53  further includes outlet ports  59  for exhausting air from the vacuum cleaner  52 . 
         [0051]    The separating apparatus  54  comprises a separator  60  and a collecting chamber  61 . In use, the motor and fan unit  53   a  draws dirty air into the vacuum cleaner  52  via the dirty air inlet  56 . The dirty air is carried to the separating apparatus  54  via the nozzle  55 . The separating apparatus  54  includes an upstream cyclone  62  in the collecting chamber  61 . Incoming air is encouraged to follow a helical path around the interior of the upstream cyclone  62 . A shroud  63  ( FIGS. 9 and 11 ) is located in the upstream cyclone  62 . The shroud  63  comprises a cylindrical wall having a plurality of through-holes located inwardly of the cylindrical side wall  61   a  of the collecting chamber. The shroud  63  provides a communication path between the upstream cyclone  62  and a downstream cyclone assembly  64 . 
         [0052]    The downstream cyclone assembly  64  comprises a plurality of downstream cyclones  65  arranged in parallel. Each downstream cyclone  65  is in communication with a downstream collector  66  ( FIGS. 9 and 11 ) forming part of the collecting chamber  61 . Each of the downstream cyclones  65  has a diameter smaller than that of the upstream cyclone  62 . Therefore, the downstream cyclones  65  are able to separate smaller particles of dirt and dust from the partially-cleaned airflow than the upstream cyclone  62 . Separated dirt and dust exits the downstream cyclones  65  and passes into the downstream collector  66 . Cleaned air then flows back up through the downstream cyclones  65  and passes sequentially through a pre-motor filter  67  and the motor and fan unit  53   a  before being exhausted from the vacuum cleaner  52  through the outlet ports  59 . 
         [0053]    The collecting chamber  61  includes a closure member which, in this embodiment, comprises the base  68  of the collecting chamber. The base  68  is pivotably mounted on the lower end of the side wall  61   a  of the collecting chamber  61  by means of a hinge  69 . The base  68  is retained in a closed position (as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 ) by means of a first catch  70 . The first catch  70  includes a flange  71  which, in this embodiment, is integral with the base  68  and extends from it. The flange  71  has a first portion that extends upwardly and inwardly so that it bears against the external surface of the side wall  61   a  when the base  68  is in the closed position. A second portion of the flange  71  extends outwardly and upwardly from the first portion. 
         [0054]    The main body  53  of the vacuum cleaner  52  further includes first releasing means in the form of an actuator  72 . The actuator  72  comprises a user-operable push member, which incorporates an integral elongated rod, not visible in these drawings. The actuator  72  is arranged on one side of the main body  53  adjacent the collecting chamber  61 . The actuator  72  is arranged to be slideably movable by a user pushing against a lip  73  extending outwardly from the actuator. The actuator  72  is constrained to slide in a generally vertical direction, namely towards the base  68  of the collecting chamber  61 . 
         [0055]    When a user decides to empty the collecting chamber  61  of the separator  60 , he pushes downwardly the lip  73  of the actuator  72 . In doing so, the push-rod of the actuator  72  is forced against the flange  71  and applies an outwardly-directed force to it so that it moves away from, and out of engagement with, the side wall  61  a. Thus, the first catch  70  holding the base  68  to the collecting chamber  61  is released. The action of releasing the first catch causes the base  68  to swing open on its hinge  69 , as is shown in  FIG. 10 . The dirt and dust collected in the collecting chamber  61  can thus be emptied conveniently and efficiently. The upstream cyclone  62  and the downstream collector  66  are emptied simultaneously during this process. 
         [0056]    When the base  68  is in the open position, a second actuator  74  comprising releasing means for a second catch  75  is revealed. The second actuator  74  had previously been concealed and rendered inaccessible by a flap  76  comprising an extension of part of the base  68 . This second catch  75  holds the collecting chamber  61  to the separator  60 . 
         [0057]    The second actuator  74  comprises a second user-operable button  77 , which is pivotably attached to the main body  53  of the hand-held vacuum cleaner  52 . The button  77  is located behind the collecting chamber  61  and faces downwardly towards the base of the vacuum cleaner  52 . The second actuator  74  forms part of the second catch  75 . The uppermost surface of the button  77  of the second actuator  74  engages with a first hook  78  that protrudes from the rear of the side wall  61   a  of the collecting chamber  61 . The second actuator  74  and first hook  78  together form the second catch  75 . Further up the side wall  61  a protrudes a second hook  79 , which extends upwardly and engages with a recess  80  on the main body  53  close to the pre-motor filter  67 . When the first hook  78  engages with the button  77 , and the second hook  79  engages with the recess  80 , the collecting chamber  61  is held securely on the main body  53 . 
         [0058]    When the user wishes to separate the collecting chamber  61  from the separator  60  and the rest of the vacuum cleaner  52  for the purpose of, for example, cleaning the collecting chamber, the user presses the button  77  that forms part of the second releasing means. The button  77  pivots outwardly until it is clear of the first hook  78  on the side wall  61   a  of the collecting chamber  61 , at which point the collecting chamber may be moved outwardly and downwardly with respect to the main body  53 . This action releases the second hook  79  from the recess  80 , and so the separator  60  on the main body  52  and the collecting chamber  61  can be separated from each other. 
         [0059]    The invention has been described with reference to part of the second catch itself being revealed by the action of releasing the first catch: however, a separate actuator for the second catch may be provided and this actuator may be the component that is obscured, and then revealed by operation of the first catch. 
         [0060]    The separating apparatus need not be a cyclonic separator. Other forms of separating apparatus could be used, for example, a porous bag or filter. Additionally, the separating apparatus need not be located in the collecting chamber. A separate collecting chamber may be provided. What is important is that the collecting chamber collects dirt and dust which is then emptied by the user. 
         [0061]    A part of the collecting chamber other than the base of the collecting chamber may be movable for emptying purposes. Other forms, arrangements and locations of closure members may be used. For example, the side or top of the collecting chamber may be movable. Further, the closure member need not be pivotable. Other opening arrangements for the closure member may be used; for example, sliding, retracting or rotating closure members. 
         [0062]    The cleaning appliance need not be an upright vacuum cleaner or a hand-held vacuum cleaner. The invention is applicable to other types of vacuum cleaner, for example, cylinder machines and stick-vacuums. Further, the present invention is applicable to other types of cleaning appliances, for example, a wet and dry machine or a carpet shampooer.