Patent ID: 7377010

Claim:
A dirt collecting system for a floor care appliance, comprising: a dirt cup for receiving dirt particles collected by the floor care appliance, the dirt cup having open top end an open bottom end; and a downwardly opening lid for sealing the open bottom end of the dirt cup, said lid being pivotally attached by at least one hinge to a sidewall of the dirt cup for allowing said lid to be moved between an open position for emptying the dirt cup and a closed position for collecting dirt particles; a latch for securing the lid in the closed position, said latch comprising: a lever pivotally attached to a sidewall of the dirt cup opposing said hinge; a recess formed in the sidewall of the dirt cup opposed from said lever; and a slide member operably connected to said lever, said slide member traversing an underside of the lid and normally having one end engaging said recess for securing said pivoting lid in the closed position; wherein said lever when depressed causes said slide member to retract from said recess allowing said pivoting lid to be moved to the open position.