Abstract:
A vacuum cleaner with a cyclone module assembly comprises a cyclone separation chamber for separating dust and debris from air, a dirt cup for collecting dust and debris that is separated from the air in the cyclone separation chamber, wherein the separation chamber further includes an exhaust grill with apertures formed at an acute angle relative to the working air flow. In an alternate embodiment, the vacuum cleaner further includes a hair collection assembly that can be latched in one of the engaged and disengaged positions. In yet another embodiment, the dirt cup is sealingly biased to the cyclone separation chamber by a cam or a coil spring.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/036,701, filed Mar. 14, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The invention relates to suction cleaners. In one of its aspects, the invention relates to a suction cleaner having cyclonic dirt separation. In another of its aspects, the invention relates to a cyclone separator with an improved exhaust grill. In another of its aspects, the invention relates to a vacuum cleaner with a moveable pet hair removal device that is selectively retained in contact with a surface to be cleaned. In still another of its aspects, the invention relates to a dirt cup latching mechanism. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Upright vacuum cleaners employing cyclone separators are well known. Many conventional cyclone separators use frusto-conical shape separators or high-speed rotational motion of the air/dirt to separate the dirt by centrifugal force. Typically, working air enters and exits at an upper portion of the cyclone separator while the bottom portion of the cyclone separator is used to collect debris. In an effort to reduce weight, the motor/fan assembly that creates the working air flow is typically placed at the bottom of the handle, below the cyclone separator. 
         [0006]    BISSELL Homecare, Inc. presently manufactures and sells in the United States an upright vacuum cleaner that has a cyclone separator and a dirt cup. A horizontal plate separates the cyclone separator from the dirt cup. The air flowing through the cyclone separator passes through an annular cylindrical cage with baffles and through a cylindrical filter before exiting the cyclone separator at the upper end thereof. The dirt cup and the cyclone separator are disclosed in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 6,810,557, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,571,772 to Dyson discloses an upright vacuum cleaner employing a two stage cyclone separator. The first stage is a single separator having an outlet in series with an inlet to a second stage frusto-conical separator. 
         [0008]    U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0130441 to Oh discloses an exhaust grill for a cyclone separator. Air passages in the grill have a leading surface facing toward the direction of air flow around the grill. It is taught that the direct flow of air into the grill prevents stagnant vortices from forming in the grill air passages, thus preventing debris build-up. 
         [0009]    U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0143954 to Graham discloses a hair collection assembly mounted to the cleaning head of a vacuum cleaner for movement between a use position in which the hair collection element is in contact with the surface to be cleaned and a second position in which the hair collection element is spaced from the surface. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    A vacuum cleaner according to the invention comprises a cleaning head assembly having a suction nozzle adapted to be moved along a surface to be cleaned, a hair collection assembly having a hair collection element adapted to collect hair from the surface to be cleaned, wherein the hair collection assembly is mounted to the cleaning head for movement of the hair collection element between a first position in which the hair collection element is in contact with the surface to be cleaned, and a second position, in which the hair collection element is spaced from the surface to be cleaned, and a latch assembly to selective retain the hair collection assembly on the surface to be cleaned. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment, the latch assembly further comprises a latch portion as a part of one of the cleaning head assembly and the hair collection assembly and a catch portion as a part of the other of the cleaning head assembly and the hair collection assembly. 
         [0012]    In another embodiment, the catch portion is made of a resilient material. The latch portion can include a disengaging member that is adapted to selectively deform the catch portion to release the latch assembly when the disengaging member is actuated by a user. 
         [0013]    In another embodiment, a spring biasing member biases the hair collection assembly to the second position to move the hair collection assembly from the first position to the second position when the catch portion is released from the latch portion. 
         [0014]    In another embodiment, a vacuum cleaner according to the invention comprises an exhaust grill in the cyclone separation chamber to filter out larger debris, the exhaust grill comprising a plurality of apertures whereby a leading edge of the aperture forms an acute angle relative to the flow of working air. 
         [0015]    Further according to the invention, a vacuum cleaner comprises a cleaning head assembly having a suction nozzle, a housing coupled to the cleaning head assembly, a suction source mounted in the housing for creating a flow of working air and a cyclone module assembly mounted in the housing in fluid communication with the suction nozzle and the suction source. The cyclone module assembly comprises a cyclone separation chamber for separating dust and debris from air, the cyclone separation chamber having an inlet opening in fluid communication with the suction nozzle through the working air path, an outlet opening for discharging cleaned air and a particle discharge outlet for discharging dust and debris separated from air and a dirt cup removably mounted to the cyclone separation chamber in fluid communication with the particle discharge outlet for collecting dust and debris that is separated from the air in the cyclone separation chamber. A dirt cup latch is mounted between the housing and the dirt cup to selectively bias the dirt cup into sealing engagement with the cyclone separation chamber. 
         [0016]    In one embodiment, the dirt cup latch comprises a grip and a cam whereby the dirt cup is biased into sealing engagement with the cyclone separation chamber when the grip is placed in an upwardly vertical position and the dirt cup is disengaged from sealing engagement for removal from the cyclone separation chamber when the grip is placed in a downwardly vertical position. 
         [0017]    In another embodiment, the dirt cup latch comprises a resilient biasing member. In a preferred embodiment, the biasing member is a compression coil spring. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    In the drawings: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an upright vacuum cleaner with a cyclone module assembly according to the invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is an exploded right quarter perspective view of the cyclone module assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the cyclone module assembly taken through line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the cyclone module taken through line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the vacuum cleaner of  FIG. 1  taken through line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 1  and illustrating a latch in an engaged position. 
           [0024]      FIG. 5A  is an enlarged view of the circled portion of  FIG. 5  identified as  FIG. 5A  showing the latch in a disengaged position. 
           [0025]      FIG. 6A  is a front perspective view of the base of the vacuum cleaner of  FIG. 1  with a portion of the latch exploded from a latch support of the latch mechanism of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 6B  is a right side rear perspective view of a portion of the base of the vacuum cleaner of  FIG. 1  with a portion of the portion of the latch exploded from the latch support as in  FIG. 6A . 
           [0027]      FIG. 6C  is a perspective view similar to  FIG. 6B  with the latch portion assembled to the latch support. 
           [0028]      FIG. 6D  is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the base of the vacuum cleaner of  FIG. 1  showing the latch support without the latch portion therein. 
           [0029]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the disassembled swing arm, hinge cap, and torsion spring of the foot assembly of the vacuum cleaner of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 8  is a schematic view of one embodiment of a dirt cup latch according to the invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 9  is a schematic view of another embodiment of a dirt cup latch according to the invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0032]    Referring to the drawings, and particularly to  FIG. 1 , an upright vacuum cleaner  10  according to the invention comprises an upright handle assembly  12  pivotally mounted to a conventional foot assembly  14 . The handle assembly  12  comprises a primary support section  16  with a grip  18  on one end to facilitate movement by the user. A motor cavity  20  is formed at an opposite end of the handle assembly  12  and contains a conventional fan/motor assembly (not shown) oriented transversely therein. The handle assembly  12  pivots relative to the foot assembly  14  through an axis formed relative to a shaft within the fan/motor assembly. A cyclone recess  24  provided by the primary support section  16  is configured to removably receive a cyclone module assembly  26  and dirt cup assembly  60 . 
         [0033]    The foot assembly  14  comprises a lower housing  28  that mates with an upper housing  30  to form a brush chamber  32  in a forward portion thereon. A rotating brush roll assembly  34  is positioned within the brush chamber  32 . A pair of rear wheels  36  is secured to a rearward portion of the foot assembly  14 , rearward being defined relative to the brush chamber  32 . It is contemplated that a variety of foot assemblies  14  can be interchanged with the handle assembly  12  and other possible foot assembly configurations can be utilized. 
         [0034]    A suction nozzle  38  ( FIG. 5 ) is formed at a lower surface of the brush chamber  32  on the foot assembly  14  and is in fluid communication with the surface to be cleaned. An air conduit (not shown) provides an air path from the suction nozzle  38  through the foot assembly  14  and to the inlet aperture of the fan/motor assembly. A pet hair removal device  300  is included at a forward portion of the foot assembly. 
         [0035]    The cyclone module assembly  26  separates and collects debris from a working air stream. After each cleaning operation is complete, or after a number of cleaning operations have been completed, the debris can be disposed of. As shown herein, the vacuum cleaner  10  is provided with a two stage cyclone module assembly  26 , although other cyclone module assemblies and other possible cyclone module configurations are contemplated. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the cyclone module assembly  26  comprises a cyclone separation housing  58  forming a second stage or second cyclone  62  that is substantially surrounded by a first stage or first cyclone  64 . The cyclone separation housing  58  comprises a first stage cyclone housing  70 , first stage cyclone inlet  66 , and a second stage cyclone outlet  68 , which can be integrally molded. As illustrated, the first stage cyclone housing  70  is generally cylindrical and hollow in shape with a substantially closed top and an open bottom. Alternatively, the cyclone housing  70  can be tapered or formed having an inverted frusto-conical shape depending upon manufacturing and aesthetic desires. The first stage cyclone inlet  66  comprises a generally cylindrical hollow conduit and can be formed integrally with the cyclone housing  70  at an upper portion thereof. In operation, first stage the cyclone inlet  66  is in fluid communication with the first cyclone. As illustrated, the second stage cyclone outlet  68  comprises a generally rectangular and hollow conduit formed integrally with the cyclone housing  70  at an upper portion thereof. Alternatively, the second stage cyclone outlet  68  can have any shape suitable for the purposes described herein, such as a tubular shape. In operation, the second stage cyclone outlet  68  is in fluid communication with the second cyclone. 
         [0037]    The cyclone module assembly  26  further comprises an upstream separator  84 , a downstream separator  86 , and a separator plate  88  that together form a cyclone separator  90 . The upstream separator  84 , downstream separator  86 , and separator plate  88  can be integrally molded of a material suitable for the purposes described herein, such as plastic. Alternatively, the different parts of the cyclone separator  90  can be formed separately and attached to one another in any suitable manner, such as by gluing or welding. 
         [0038]    The upstream separator  84  comprises two half-cylindrical members  85  positioned opposite each other and connected by an upstream flange  92  that depends horizontally outward from the uppermost edges of the cylindrical members  85 . The half-cylindrical members  85  are equal in size and have open tops and bottoms. The half-cylindrical members  85  are positioned as if a cylinder was cut in half and one of the halves was moved slightly to one side relative to the other. This displacement creates two spaces between the ends of the half-cylindrical members  85  that form two second stage inlets  94  on radially opposite sides of the upstream separator  84 . 
         [0039]    The downstream separator  86  comprises a generally frusto-conical and hollow member  87  having an open bottom and top. The downstream separator  86  further comprises a downstream flange  96  depending generally horizontally outward from an uppermost edge of the frusto-conical member  87 . 
         [0040]    The separator plate  88  comprises a relatively thin, disc-like member  89  having a central opening sized to align with the bottom opening of the frusto-conical member  87 . The disc-like member  89  is configured to fit coaxially within the cyclone housing  70 . The disc-like member  89  is sized such that when assembled within the cyclone housing  70 , a space exists radially between the circumference of the disc-like member  89  and the cyclone housing  70 . The separator plate  88  further comprises a lip  98  and a gasket-receiving member  99 . The lip  98  comprises a thin wall positioned slightly below and vertically aligned with the central opening of the disc-like member  89 . The lip  98  can have a substantially circular shape sized similarly to the central opening but having a slightly smaller area than the central opening such that debris and air can flow through the central opening and around the lip  98 . The gasket-receiving member  99  is spaced from and surrounds a circumference of the lip  98  and is configured to receive a conventional gasket  100 . 
         [0041]    The cyclone separator  90  is formed such that the upstream separator  84  is coaxially aligned with the downstream separator  86 . The cylindrical member  85  of the upstream separator  84  sits atop the downstream flange  96  such that the majority of the bottom opening of the cylindrical member  85  is in fluid communication with the top opening of the frusto-conical member  87 . The separator plate  88  is aligned coaxially with the upstream separator  84  and downstream separator  86  such that a first stage debris outlet  102  is formed by the space existing between the circumference of the disc-like member  89  of the separator plate  88  and the cyclone housing  70 . The central opening of the disc-like member  89  is also in fluid communication with the bottom opening of the frusto-conical member  87  such that the lip  98 , gasket-receiving member  99 , and gasket  100  together form a second stage debris outlet  104  enabling the passage therethrough of debris and air from the downstream separator  84  via the bottom opening of the frusto-conical member  87 . The debris outlet  104  also functions as a vortex stabilizer. 
         [0042]    The cyclone module assembly  26  further comprises a perforated grill  110 . The perforated grill  110  comprises an inner grill cylinder  112 , an outer grill cylinder  114 , and an upper wall  116  integrally formed with and connecting the top edges of the grill cylinders  112 ,  114 . The inner and outer grill cylinders  112 ,  114  are concentric and have open bottoms. The outer grill cylinder  114  comprises a plurality of apertures  120  enabling the passage of air an debris therethrough. The apertures  120  are formed at an acute angle relative to the direction of flow of working air at an outer surface of the outer grill cylinder  114  during operation of the vacuum. The apertures  120  can be formed by injection molding using a tool with a plurality of slides and/or lifters having varying die-draw angles with respect to the vertical axes of the part. Each slide and/or lifter comprises a plurality of pins, that, when pulled during the ejection process, form the apertures  120  at varying angles with respect to the outer grill cylinder  114 . The angular relationship between the longitudinal axis of the apertures  120  and the outer grill cylinder  114  preferably ranges from 10 degrees to 60 degrees. 
         [0043]    When assembled, the upper wall  116  sits atop the upstream flange  92 , and the outer grill cylinder  112  is configured and sized for placement around the upstream separator  84  such that the bottom edge of the outer grill cylinder  112  sits atop the downstream flange  96 . The inner grill cylinder  114  is configured and size for placement within the upstream separator  84  such that a bottom opening of the inner grill cylinder  114  is in fluid communication with the top opening of the downstream separator  86 . 
         [0044]    The dirt cup assembly  60  is positioned adjacent the cyclone separation housing  58  and is selectively sealingly mated to the cyclone housing  70  via a sealing lip  150  formed around the bottom edge of the cyclone housing  70  and a sealing ring  152 . The sealing lip  150  is configured to receive the sealing ring  152  as well as an upper edge  154  of a dirt cup housing  160 . The dirt cup housing  160  comprises an inner collection cylinder  162  and an outer collection cylinder  164 . The collection cylinders  162 ,  164  are concentric and substantially hollow. Both collection cylinders  162 ,  164  are open at their top ends but closed at their bottom ends. The inner collection cylinder  162  has a radius slightly smaller than that of the gasket  100  and also smaller than the outer collection cylinder  164 . The dirt cup housing  160  can include any number of additional features within one or both of the collection cylinders  162 ,  164 . 
         [0045]    When the cyclone module assembly  26  is assembled with the dirt cup assembly  60 , a first stage collection area  166  is formed by the space between the outer circumference of the inner collection cylinder  162  and the dirt cup housing  160 . A second stage collection area  168 , which is sealed off from the first stage collection area  166 , is formed within the inner collection cylinder  162 . The first stage collection area  166  is in fluid communication with the first stage cyclone  64 , and debris can fall into the first stage collection area  166  from the first stage cyclone  64  via the first stage debris outlet  102 . The separation plate  88  serves to reduce re-entrainment of debris collected in the first stage collection area  166  into the first stage cyclone  64 . The second stage collection area  168  is in fluid communication with the second stage cyclone  62  via the second stage debris outlet  104  to receive debris therethrough. 
         [0046]    As indicated by the arrows shown in  FIG. 3 , in operation, the fan/motor assembly is positioned downstream of the second stage cyclone outlet  68 . The fan/motor assembly draws air from the first stage cyclone inlet  66  into the cyclone housing  70 , causing the air to swirl around the inner wall of the cyclone housing  70  and the downstream separator  86  to form the first cyclone  64 . The separation of larger debris occurs in the first cyclone  64  with the larger debris falling into the first stage collection area  166  of the dirt cup assembly  60  via the first stage debris outlet  102 . 
         [0047]    Referring also to  FIG. 4 , the air then travels passes through the perforated grill  110  and enters the cyclone separator  90  via the second stage inlets  94  of the upstream separator  84 . The apertures  120  in the perforated grill  110  are formed at an acute angle relative to the working air flow, shown by the arrows labeled A, at the outer surface of the outer grill cylinder  114 . In order for the air to pass through the apertures  120  in the perforated grill  110 , the working air flow must change direction and reverse back as shown by the arrows labeled B. The change in the direction of working air flow propels debris out of the working air flow, which minimizes the debris passing through the apertures  120  and significantly reduces potential clogging. 
         [0048]    Once through the perforated grill  110 , the working air flows through the second stage inlets  94 . The second stage inlets  94  direct the air tangentially and downwardly along an inside surface of the downstream separator  86 . The airflow turns near the second stage debris outlet  104  and proceeds directly upward to the second stage outlet  68 . The dirt removed by the frusto-conical downstream separator  86  falls into the second stage collection area  168 . 
         [0049]    The dirt cup assembly  60  can be detached from the cyclone housing  70  to provide a clear, unobstructed path for the debris captured in both the first stage collection area  166  and the second stage collection area  168  to be removed. Removal can be accomplished by inverting the dirt cup assembly  60 . 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  5  and  7 , a pet hair removal device  300  is attached to a forward portion of the foot assembly  14 . A pair of opposed hinge caps  302  are fixedly attached to an outer surface of the brush chamber  32 . A pair of opposed swing arms  304  rotate within each hinge cap  302 . A pair of torsion springs  301  ( FIG. 7 ) are positioned between the hinge caps  302  and the swing arms  304  to bias the pet hair removal device  300  in an upward position above the brush chamber  32  and away from the surface to be cleaned. Each of the torsion springs  301  can be received in a recess  303 A in each swing arm  304 . The recess  303 A is configured to receive a coil  305 A of the spring  301 . A hook end  305 B of the torsions spring  301  is retained by a flange  303 B on the swing arm  304 . Each of the hinge caps  302  includes a spool  311  that mounts the spring coil  305 A and a securing recess  309  for receiving a second end  305 C of each of the torsion springs  301 . The spool  311  and spring  301  are received in the recess  303 A. 
         [0051]    A pet brush cover  306  is fixed to an end of the swing arms  304  opposite the hinge caps  302 . A pet hair remover  308  is attached to a lower portion of the pet brush cover  306  and comprises one of a number of commonly known hair removal materials. A pet brush bumper  310  comprising a relatively soft and/or resilient material can be affixed to a forward surface of the pet brush cover  306  to prevent damage to furnishings as is commonly known in the vacuum cleaner art. A more detailed description of a suitable pet hair removal device is found in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0143954 to Graham et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
         [0052]    As shown in  FIGS. 5-6D , a latch mechanism  400  selectively secures the pet hair removal device  300  in an in-use position. The latch mechanism  400  comprises a latch portion  402  attached to or formed by the foot assembly  14  upper cover  30  and a catch portion  404  attached to or formed with the pet hair removal device  300 . The latch portion  402  further comprises a latch button  406  that slides vertically within a channel that is formed in a corresponding latch support  408  that is formed by or attached to the upper cover  30 . A latch plate  409  is mounted to the inside of the channel formed by the latch support  408  and has a catching surface  418  and a chamfered surface  420  at a lower portion thereof. An actuation surface  410  is formed on an upper surface of the latch button  406 . The latch portion  402  is mounted to the latch support  408  through a pair of resilient fingers  422  that are slidably received in a slot  415  at a bottom of the latch support  408  as seen in  FIG. 6D . The resilient fingers  422  have outwardly directed barbs on an outer end thereof for retaining the resilient fingers  422  in the slot  415  after the fingers have been mounted in the slot. The resilient fingers flex inwardly as the fingers are pushed into the slot  415  as the sides of the slot push against the barbs. The latch portion  402  further comprises a plurality of resilient latch fingers  424  that are positioned between the resilient fingers  422  and slide within the slot  415 . Each of the latch fingers  424  has a disengaging portion  412  is formed on an opposite, lower surface. The disengaging surface  412  is preferably chamfered or angled relative to a vertical axis. 
         [0053]    A pair of biasing members  405  in the form of resilient spring arms are integrally formed on a rear support of the latch portion  402  below the latch button  406 . The biasing members  405  are cantilevered from the support and extend laterally outwardly and upwardly to rest on two support posts  407  that are formed on the latch support  408 . The support posts  407  are spaced apart and extend upwardly from opposite sides of the latch support  408 . When the latch portion  402  is assembled to the latch support  408 , the biasing members  405  each press against a corresponding support post  407 , which forces the latch portion  402  towards an uppermost position relative to the latch support  408 . At the same time, the lower portion of the latch portion  402 , including the disengaging surface  412 , extends downward through an slot  415  at a bottom of the latch support  408 . 
         [0054]    The catch portion  404  is made of a resilient material and is fixed to the pet hair removal device  300  at one end by commonly know fastening mechanisms  413 , such as screws, rivets, adhesives, ultrasonic welding, or the like. An end of the catch portion  404  opposite the fixed end comprises a releasing surface  414  that is chamfered or angled to mate with the disengaging portion  412  chamfered surface. A catch surface  416  is formed contiguous with the releasing surface  414 . The latch support  408  further comprises a catching surface  418  and a chamfered surface  420  that corresponds to the releasing surface  414  of the catch portion  404 . 
         [0055]    In operation, the latch portion  402  is biased in the upward direction by the interaction between the biasing members  405  and the support posts  407 . There is no force present between the disengaging portion  412  of the latch mechanism  400  and the releasing surface  414  of the catch portion  404 . The pet hair removal device  300  maintains its position due to the interference of the catching surface  418  with the catch surface  416 . This interference is created by the upward bias of the resilient catch portion  404 . 
         [0056]    To release the pet hair removal device  300 , downward pressure is applied to the actuation surface  410 , forcing the latch portion  402  down over the support posts  407  by overcoming the force provided by the biasing members  405  and moving the disengaging portion  412  into contact with the releasing surface  414 . As the latch portion  402  moves further, the catch surface  416  deflects downwardly and moves below the chamfered surface  420  allowing the catch surface  416  to clear the catching surface  418 . The torsion springs in the hinge caps  302  bias the pet hair removal device  300  to a position above the foot  14  and away from the surface to be cleaned. 
         [0057]    To place the pet hair removal device  300  back into the in-use position, the user grasps the pet brush cover  306  and rotates the device about the hinge caps  302  until the releasing surface  414  contacts the chamfered surface  420 . The catch portion  404  deflects in a downward direction, and the releasing surface  414  slides past the chamfered surface  420 . The catch portion  404  returns to is normal or straight position, and the catch surface  416  interfaces with the catching surface  418  to lock the pet hair removal device  300  into the in-use position. 
         [0058]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 8 , the vacuum cleaner  10  further includes a dirt cup latch assembly  500  for use in mounting the dirt cup assembly  60  in the recess  24  and to the cyclone module assembly  26 . In the illustrated embodiment, the cyclone module assembly  26  is mounted to the handle  12 . However, it is possible in other embodiments that the cyclone module assembly  26  is removably mounted within the recess  24  and can be attached to the dirt cup assembly  60 , which can in turn be used to mount both itself and the attached cyclone module assembly  26  to the vacuum cleaner  10 . The dirt cup latch assembly  500  comprises a latch assembly  502  and a support platform  504 . The latch assembly  502  comprises a pivot bearing  506  in spaced relation to a cam surface  508 . The pivot bearing  506  is secured to a pivot support  509  that is anchored to a floor of the recess  24 . A lever  510  extends away from the pivot bearing  506  toward the forward portion of the handle  12  and is accessible to the user via a grip  512 . The cam surface  508  contacts a lower surface  516  of the support platform  504  while a lower portion of the dirt cup housing  160  removably contacts an upper surface  518  of the support platform  514   
         [0059]    In operation, the lever  510  is placed in its lowermost position (shown in dotted lines), moving the support platform  504  down and thus creating the maximum space between the upper surface  518  of the support platform  504  and the lip  150  on the cyclone separation housing  58 . The dirt cup assembly  60  is placed on the upper surface  518  of the support platform  504  within the recess  24 . The user lifts the lever  510  via the grip  512 , which rotates the latch assembly  502  about the pivot bearing  506 . This action moves the cam surface  508  relative to the lower surface  516  of the support platform  504 . The extended length of the cam surface  508  moves the support platform  504  upwardly (shown in solid lines) and, with it, the dirt cup assembly  60 , until the upper edge  154  of the dirt cup housing  150  sealingly engages with the lip  150  on the cyclone separation housing  58 . An over-center design is implemented with the pivot bearing  506  relative to the cam surface  508  so that the latch assembly  502  remains in the upward or latched position. 
         [0060]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 91 , an alternate dirt cup assembly latching mechanism comprises a biasing member  520  in place of the latch assembly  502  previously described. In this embodiment, the biasing member  520  is positioned between the recess  24  and the lower surface  516  of the support platform  504 . In operation, the dirt cup assembly  60  is placed on the upper surface  518  of the support platform  504  and the user pushes down on the dirt cup housing  160 , compressing the biasing member  520  until the upper surface of the dirt cup housing  160  clears the lip  150  in the cyclone module  26 . Once the upper edge  154  of the dirt cup housing  160  is positioned within the lip  150 , the user releases the dirt cup housing  160 , the biasing member  520  expands vertically, and the dirt cup housing  160  seals at the lip  150 . 
         [0061]    While the invention has been specifically described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation. It is anticipated that the cyclone separators described herein can be utilized for both dry and wet separation. Furthermore, the features described can be applied to any cyclone separation device utilizing a single cyclone, or two or more cyclones arranged in any combination of series or parallel airflows. In addition, whereas the invention has been described with respect to an upright vacuum cleaner, the invention can also be used with other forms of vacuum cleaners, such as canister or central vacuum cleaners. Reasonable variation and modification are possible within the forgoing disclosure and drawings without departing from the spirit of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.