CA2658033A1

CA2658033A1 - Nozzle for a hand vacuum cleaner

Info

Publication number: CA2658033A1
Application number: CA 2658033
Authority: CA
Inventors: Wayne Ernest Conrad
Original assignee: GBD Corp
Current assignee: GBD Corp
Priority date: 2009-03-11
Filing date: 2009-03-11
Publication date: 2010-09-11

Abstract

A hand vacuum cleaner comprises an air flow passage extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet. An air treatment unit is positioned in the air flow passage. A suction motor is positioned in the airflow passage. The air treatment unit has an air treatment unit air inlet. The hand vacuum cleaner further comprises an airflow chamber having a closed upper end, at least one open side wall, and an open lower end. The air treatment unit air inlet is spaced from the open side wall. The air flow chamber defines a flow passage such that air travels from the at least one open side wall under the hand vacuum cleaner to the air treatment unit air inlet.

Description

p TITLE: NOZZLE FOR A HAND VACUUM CLEANER
FIELD
The specification relates to vacuum cleaners, and particularly, to cyclonic hand vacuum cleaners. More specifically, the specification relates to hand vacuum cleaners having an airflow chamber upstream from an inlet to an air treatment unit.

INTRODUCTION
The following is not an admission that anything discussed below is prior art or part of the common general knowledge of persons skilled in the art.

PCT publication WO 2008/009890 (Dyson Technology Limited) discloses a handheld cleaning appliance comprising a main body, a dirty air inlet, a clean air outlet and a cyclonic separator for separating dirt and dust from an airflow. The cyclone separator is located in an airflow path leading from the air inlet to the air outlet. The cyclonic separator is arranged in a generally upright orientation (i.e. the air rotates about a generally vertical axis in use). A
base surface of the main body and a base surface of the cyclonic separator together form a base surface of the appliance for supporting the appliance on a surface.
See also PCT publication WO 2008/009888 (Dyson Technology Limited), and PCT publication WO 2008/009883 (Dyson Technology Limited).

United States patent 7,370,387 (Black & Decker Inc.) discloses a hand-holdable vacuum cleaner that uses one or more filters and/or cyclonic separation devices, and means for adjusting an angle of air inlet relative to a main axis of said vacuum cleaner. In particular, the vacuum cleaner further comprises a rigid, elongate nose having the air inlet at one end thereof, the nose being pivotal relative to a main axis of the vacuum cleaner through an angle of at least 135 degrees.

SUMMARY

The following introduction is provided to introduce the reader to the more detailed discussion to follow. The introduction is not intended to limit or define the claims.

According to one broad aspect, a hand vacuum cleaner is provided wherein the nozzle comprises an open sided airflow chamber. The nozzle comprises a channel or airflow chamber extending from a dirty air inlet to an enclosed passage leading to an air treatment unit. At least a portion, and preferably all, of the lower side of the channel is open. Accordingly, when the nozzle is placed on a surface to be cleaned (e.g., a floor), the floor effectively defines the lower side of the channel. The air travels through the channel, preferably underneath part or all of the air treatment unit to an enclosed passage leading to the air treatment passage.

In accordance with this aspect, the hand vacuum cleaner may comprise an air flow passage extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet with an air treatment unit and a suction motor positioned in the airflow passage.
The air treatment unit has an air treatment unit air inlet. The hand vacuum cleaner may further comprise an airflow chamber having a closed upper end, at least one open side wall, and an open lower end. The air treatment unit air inlet is spaced from the open side wall and may be provided in the upper end. The air flow chamber defines a flow passage such that air travels from the at least one open side wall under the hand vacuum cleaner to the air treatment unit air inlet.

In some examples, the airflow chamber further comprises a depending wall extending downwardly from the upper wall. The depending wall may be generally U-shaped.

In some examples, the hand vacuum cleaner further comprises a plurality of wheels. The wheels may have a lower end wherein the depending wall has a lower end that is spaced above the lower end of the wheels.

In some examples, the lower end of the depending wall is positioned above a hard surface when the wheels are placed on the hard surface.

In some examples, the airflow chamber extends to the front of the hand vacuum cleaner. The dirty air inlet may be positioned at the front of the hand vacuum cleaner. The airflow chamber may extend from the dirty air inlet rearwardly to the air treatment unit air inlet. The air treatment unit air inlet may be positioned forwardly of a rear depending wall.

In some examples, the hand vacuum cleaner further comprises a plurality of wheels and the airflow chamber has an airflow chamber axis that extends generally horizontally when the wheels are in contact with a surface to be cleaned.

In some examples, the air treatment unit air inlet faces a surface to be cleaned when the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned on a surface to be cleaned.

In some examples, the airflow chamber has an upper wall that comprises at least a portion of a lower wall of the hand vacuum cleaner, the airflow chamber has an open side positioned adjacent a surface to be cleaned when the hand vacuum cleaner is in use, and the air flow chamber has a height that extends between the lower wall of the hand vacuum cleaner and the lower end of the depending wall.

In some examples, the air treatment unit inlet is positioned in the upper wall. The air treatment unit may be positioned above the airflow chamber.
In some examples, the air treatment unit comprises at least one cyclone.

In some examples, the hand vacuum cleaner has a perimeter, a front end, a rear end and sides extending between the front end and the rear end. The at least one open side wall may be positioned at the perimeter, and the air treatment unit air inlet may have a width and may be positioned inwardly from the sides by at least the same distance as the width. Further, the air treatment unit air inlet may have a longitudinal length, and may be positioned rearwardly from the front end by at least the same distance as the longitudinal length.

In some examples, the air treatment unit air inlet has a width in a direction transverse to the longitudinal length and is positioned inwardly from the sides by at least the same distance as the width.

It will be appreciated that a hand vacuum cleaner may incorporate one or more of the features of each of these examples.

DRAWINGS

In the detailed description, reference will be made to the following drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side plan view of an example of a hand vacuum cleaner;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the hand vacuum cleaner of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a front plan view of the hand vacuum cleaner of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a partially exploded rear perspective view of the hand vacuum cleaner of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a partially exploded front perspective view of the hand vacuum cleaner of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a cross section taken along line 6-6 in Figure 2; and Figure 7 is a bottom perspective view of the hand vacuum cleaner of Figure 1.

DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EXAMPLES

Various apparatuses or methods will be described below to provide an example of each claimed invention. No example described below limits any claimed invention and any claimed invention may cover processes or apparatuses that are not described below. The claimed inventions are not limited to apparatuses or processes having all of the features of any one apparatus or process described below or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses described below. It is possible that an apparatus or process described below is not an embodiment of any claimed invention.

Referring to Figures 1 to 7, an example of a vacuum cleaner 100 is shown. The vacuum cleaner 100 is a hand vacuum cleaner, and is movable along a surface to be cleaned by gripping and maneuvering handle 102. The vacuum cleaner includes an upper portion 104, a lower portion 106, a front 108, and a rear 110. In the example shown, handle 102 is provided at the upper portion 104. In alternate examples, handle 102 may be provided elsewhere on the vacuum cleaner 100, for example at the rear 110, and may be of any design.
The vacuum cleaner 100 may be of various configurations (e.g., different positioning and orientation of the air treatment unit, the suction motor and differing air treatment units that may comprise one or more cyclones and/or filters) provided the nozzle is positionable against a surface to be cleaned.

In the example shown, the vacuum cleaner 100 comprises a nozzle 112 and an air treatment unit 114, which together form a surface cleaning head 116 of the vacuum cleaner 100. In the example shown, the surface cleaning head 116 is preferably provided at the front 108 of the vacuum cleaner 100.

Nozzle 112 engages a surface to be cleaned, and comprises a dirty air inlet 118, through which dirty air is drawn into the vacuum cleaner 100.
An airflow passage extends from the dirty air inlet 118 to a clean air outlet 120 of the cleaner 100. In the example shown, clean air outlet 120 is at the rear 110 of the cleaner 100.

Air treatment unit 114 is provided in the airflow passage, downstream of the dirty air inlet 118. In the example shown, the air treatment unit 114 comprises one cyclone 122, and one dirt chamber 124 and may accordingly be referred to as a cyclone unit. In alternate examples, the air treatment unit 114 may include more than one cyclonic stage, wherein each cyclonic stage comprises one or more cyclones and one or more dirt chambers.
Accordingly, the cyclones may be arranged in parallel and/or in sequence.
While it is preferred to utilize at least one cyclone, it will be appreciated that, in other embodiments, the air treatment unit may comprise a plurality of filters and/or other dirt separation means and may not include any cyclones.

In the example shown, the nozzle 112 is positioned at the lower portion 106 of the vacuum cleaner 100. Preferably, as exemplified, nozzle 112 is positioned at the bottom of the vacuum cleaner 100, and preferably beneath the air treatment unit 114. Accordingly, as exemplified, nozzle 112 may be on lower surface 157 of the air treatment unit 114. In a particularly preferred design, the upper wall of the nozzle may be a lower wall of the air treatment unit 114. As shown in Figure 6, the air treatment unit is a cyclone unit and dirt chamber surrounds the lower portion of cyclone 122. Accordingly, the upper wall of nozzle 112 may be part of the lower wall of the dirt chamber. It will be appreciated that if dirt chamber 124 does not extend around the lower portion of cyclone 122, then the upper wall of nozzle 112 may be part of a lower wall of cyclone 122.
Preferably, as example shown, the nozzle 112 is fixedly positioned at the lower portion 106 of the vacuum cleaner 100. That is, the nozzle 112 is not movable (e.g., rotatable) with respect to the remainder of the vacuum cleaner 100, and is fixed at the lower portion 106 of the vacuum cleaner 100.

Nozzle 112 has a width WN, and air treatment unit or cyclone unit 114 has a width WC. Preferably, WN, and WC are about the same. An advantage of this design is that the hand vacuum may have a cleaning path that is essentially as wide as the hand vacuum itself.

Referring now to Figure 7, nozzle 112 defines an airflow chamber 136 wherein at least a portion, and preferably a majority, of the lower surface of the chamber is open. Nozzle 112 comprises an upper nozzle wall 126, which defines a closed upper end of the airflow chamber 136. In the example shown, the upper nozzle wall 126 comprises a portion of a lower wall of the vacuum cleaner 100, and more particularly, a lower portion 119 of a wall 115 of the air treatment unit.

Preferably one or more depending walls 128 extends downwardly from the upper nozzle wall 126. The depending wall is preferably generally U-shaped. Depending walls 128 may extend a substantial distance to the front end 108 and, preferably, essentially all the way to front end 108. The depending walls may be continuous to define a single wall as shown, or may be discontinuous.
The depending walls are preferably rigid (e.g., integrally molded with air treatment unit 114). However, they may be flexible (e.g., bristles or rubber) or moveably mounted to cyclone unit 114 (e.g., hingedly mounted).

Preferably, the lower end 132 of depending wall 128 is spaced above the surface being cleaned when the hand vacuum cleaner is placed on a surface to be cleaned. As exemplified in Figure 6, when vacuum cleaner 100 is placed on a floor F, lower end 132 of depending wall 128 is spaced a distance H
above the floor. Preferably distance H is from 0.01 inches to 0.175 inches, more preferably from 0.04 inches to 0.08 inches.

The height of the depending wall (between upper nozzle wall 126 and lower end 132) defines the height of the airflow chamber 136. That is, the height of the airflow chamber extends between wall 126 and a lower end 132 of the depending wall. In some examples, the depending wall 128 may have a height of between about 0.05 inches and about 0.875 inches, preferably between about 0.125 inches and about 0.6 inches and more preferably between about 0.2 inches and about 0.4 inches. The height of depending wall 128 may vary but is preferably constant.

As exemplified, the open end of the U-shape defines an open side 130 of the airflow chamber 136, and forms the dirty air inlet 118 of the cleaner 100. A closed rear side 129 is opposed to the open side 130. In use, when optional wheels 135 are in contact with a surface, the open side 130 sits above and is adjacent a surface to be cleaned (e.g. floor F).

As mentioned hereinabove, preferably, lower end 132 of depending wall 128 is spaced above floor F. Accordingly, some air may enter nozzle 112 by passing underneath depending wall 132. In such a case, the primary air entry to nozzle 112 is via open side 130 so that dirty air inlet 118 is the primary air inlet, with a secondary air inlet being under depending wall 128.

When viewed in plan view from above, as shown in Figure 2, vacuum cleaner 100 defines a perimeter 172, which is defined by front 108, rear 110, and sides 109 and 111 extending therebetween. In the example shown, the open side 130 is positioned at the perimeter, and more particularly, at the front 108. Accordingly, airflow chamber 136 extends to the front 108 of the vacuum cleaner 100, and the dirty air inlet 118 is provided at the front 108 of the vacuum cleaner 100.

In the example shown, the lower end 132 of the depending wall 128 defines an open lower end 134 of the airflow chamber 136. The open lower end 134 preferably extends to the front 108 of the cleaner 100, and merges with the open side 130. In use, the exemplified nozzle has an open lower end 134 that faces a surface to be cleaned.

In the example shown, a plurality of wheels 135 are mounted to the depending wall 128. The lower end of the wheels extends lower than the lower end 132 of the depending wall 128. That is, the lower end 132 of the depending wall 128 is spaced above the lower end of the wheels 135. Accordingly, in use, when wheels 135 are in contact with a surface to be cleaned, such as a hard horizontal surface, the lower end 132 of the depending wall 128 is spaced from and above the surface, as mentioned hereinabove. As mentioned hereinabove, the space between the lower end of the depending wall 128 and the surface forms a secondary dirty air inlet to the vacuum cleaner 100. It will be appreciated that wheels 135 are optional. Preferably, wheels 135 are positioned exterior to the airflow path through nozzle 112, e.g., laterally outwardly from depending wall 128. Preferably a pair of front wheels 135 is provided. Preferably, the wheels are located adjacent front 108. Optionally, one or more rear wheels 108 may be provided. In an alternate embodiment, no wheels may be provided.

In use, when wheels 135 are in contact with a horizontal surface, the nozzle 112 and the airflow chamber 136 preferably extends generally horizontally, along a nozzle axis 113.

In the example shown, an opening 138 is provided in the upper nozzle wall 126, and is in communication with the airflow chamber 136. Opening 138 may be of any size and configuration and at various locations in upper nozzle wall 126. Opening 138 defines an inlet to an enclosed passage 139 or conduit leading to the air treatment unit. Opening 138 is positioned rearwardly of open side 130, preferably forwardly of a closed rear side 129, and above the airflow chamber 136. Accordingly, airflow chamber 136 extends from the dirty air inlet 118 rearwardly to the opening 138. Opening 138 has a width Wo, and in the example shown, is positioned inwardly from sides 109 and 111 by a distance that is at least the same as the width. Further, opening 138 has a length Lo transverse to the width Wo, and, in the example shown, opening 138 is positioned rearwardly from the front 108 by distance that is at least the same as length Lo. In use, when wheels 135 are in contact with a surface and the opening 138 faces a surface to be cleaned, air travels from the open side wall 130, preferably generally horizontally through the airflow chamber 136 at least a portion of which is under the vacuum cleaner 100, into the opening 138 and enters the air treatment unit 114. Opening 138 is in communication with inlet passage 139, which is in communication with, e.g., a cyclone air inlet 140 of cyclone 122.

If air treatment unit 114 includes a cyclone, then cyclone 122 may be of any configuration and orientation. Preferably, cyclone 122 comprises a chamber wall 142, which in the example shown, is cylindrical. The cyclone chamber is located inside chamber wall 142. The cyclone 122 extends along an axis 123, which, in the example shown, is parallel to the nozzle axis 113, and extends generally horizontally when cleaner 100 is in use and wheels 135 are seated on a surface. The cyclone 122 has an air inlet 140 and an air outlet 145, which preferably are at the same end of cyclone 122. Preferably the air inlet and the air outlet are distal to front end 108. The cyclone air inlet and cyclone air outlet may be of any configuration known in the art and the cyclone air outlet may be covered by a screen or shroud or filter as is known in the art.

As exemplified, the cyclone air inlet 140 is defined by an aperture in the chamber wall 142. As can be seen in Figure 5, the inlet passage 139 is configured such that air enters the cyclone 122 in a tangential flow path, e.g., passage 139 may be arcuate. The air travels in a cyclonic path in the cyclone, and dirt in the air is separated from the air. The air exits the cyclone via an outlet passage 144. In some examples, as shown in Figure 6, a plate 174 may be provided adjacent outlet passage 144, spaced from and facing the inlet 176 to outlet passage 144. Plate 174 may be mounted to cyclone 122 via legs 178. In the example shown, plate 174, and legs 178 form an assembly 182 that is removably mounted in cyclone 122. In some examples, a screen may be mounted around legs 178.

The dirt chamber may be internal or external to the cyclone chamber. Preferably, as exemplified, the dirt chamber is external and the dirt that is separated from the air exits the cyclone via dirt outlet 146, and enters dirt chamber 124. The dirt chamber may be in communication with the cyclone chamber by any means known in the art. Accordingly, one or more dirt outlets may be provided. Preferably, the dirt outlet is at the end opposed to the air inlet and, preferably, the dirt outlet is at the front end 108.

In the example shown, dirt chamber 124 comprises two portions.
A first portion 148 is provided immediately adjacent the dirt outlet 146, and is at the front 108 of the cleaner 100. A second portion 150 is concentric with the cyclone 122. A lower portion 152 of the second portion 150 is below the cyclone.
As exemplified, nozzle 112 is positioned below first portion 148, and lower portion 152. Accordingly, dirt chamber 124 may comprise an annular chamber surrounding the cyclone 122.

A separation plate 154 may be provided in the dirt chamber 124, adjacent the dirt outlet 146. The separation plate 154 aids in preventing dirt in dirt chamber 124 from re-entering cyclone 122. Preferably, plate 154 is spaced from dirt outlet 146 and faces dirt outlet 146. Plate 154 may be mounted by any means to any component in cyclone unit 114. As exemplified, the separation plate is mounted on an arm 156, which extends from a front wall 158 at the front 108 of the cleaner 100.

Cyclone unit 114 may be emptied by any means known in the art.
For example, one of the ends of the cyclone unit 114 may be openable. As exemplified in Figures 4 and 5, front wall 158 is pivotally mounted to the air treatment unit wall 115, such that cyclone unit 114 may be opened, and dirt chamber 124 may be emptied. When front wall 158 is pivoted away from the remainder of the cyclone unit 114, separation plate 154 and arm 156 also pivot away from the remainder of the air treatment unit. A latch 159 is provided, which secures front wall 158 to wall 115. Alternately, the opposed end of the cyclone unit 114 may be openable. A front opening wall 158 may be used to empty a dirt container even if a cyclone is not used.

The clean air exiting cyclone 122 passes through outlet passage 144, exits surface cleaning head 116, and passes into the cleaner body 160. In the example shown, the cleaner body 160 is positioned rearward of the surface cleaning head 116. The cleaner body comprises a housing 161, which preferably houses an optional pre-motor filter 162, a suction motor 164, and an optional post-motor filter 166.

In the exemplified embodiments, the vacuum cleaner has a linear configuration. Accordingly, pre-motor filter 162 is preferably provided in the airflow path adjacent and downstream of the outlet passage 144. Pre-motor filter 162 serves to remove remaining particulate matter from air exiting the cyclone 122, and may be any type of filter, such as a foam filter. One or more filters may be used. If the vacuum cleaner is of a non-linear configuration, then pre-motor filter 162 need not be located adjacent outlet passage 144.

Suction motor 164 is provided in the airflow path adjacent and downstream of the pre-motor filter 162. The suction motor draws air into the dirty air inlet 118 of the cleaner 100, through the airflow path past the suction motor 164, and out of the clean air outlet 120. The suction motor 164 has a motor axis 165. In the example shown, the motor axis 165 and the cyclone axis 122 extend in the same direction and are generally parallel. The suction motor 164 may be any type of suction motor. If the vacuum cleaner is of a non-linear configuration, then motor 164 need not be located adjacent pre-motor filter 162.

Post motor filter 166 is provided in the airflow path downstream of, and preferably adjacent, the suction motor 164. Post motor filter serves to remove remaining particulate mater from air exiting the cleaner 100. Post-motor filter may be any type of filter, such as a HEPA filter.

Clean air outlet 120 is provided downstream of post-motor filter 166. Clean air outlet 120 comprises a plurality of apertures preferably formed in housing 161.

In the example shown, cleaner body 160 is removably mounted to surface cleaning head 116. For example, cleaner body 160 may be entirely removable from surface cleaning head 116, or pivotally mounted to surface cleaning head 116. Accordingly, cleaner body 160 and surface cleaning head 116 may be separated in order to provide access to the interior of cleaner body 160 or surface cleaning head 116. This may allow pre-motor filter 162 to be cleaned, changed, or serviced, or motor 164 to be cleaned, changed or serviced. Alternately or in addition, surface cleaning head 116 may be cleaned or serviced. For example, any dirt stuck in outlet passage 144 may be removed.
Alternately, a replacement cleaner body 160 or surface cleaning head 116 may be provided, and may be mounted to an existing surface cleaning head 116 or cleaner body 160, respectively. If no filter element is fixedly mounted to cleaning head 116, then cleaning head 116 may be removed and washed with water.

As can be seen in Figure 6, housing 161 preferably comprises a first portion 168 housing pre-motor filter 162, and suction motor 164, and a second portion 170 housing post-motor filter 166. Second portion 170 is openable, such as by being removably mounted to first portion 168, such that post-motor filter 166 may be cleaned, changed, or serviced.

One or more additional wheels 180 may be mounted to housing 161, preferably at lower portion 106, and may be used in conjunction with wheels 135. Preferably, a single rear wheel 180 is provided. Preferably, rear wheel is located on a centre line of the vacuum cleaner and rearward of the depending wall 128.

Claims

1 A hand vacuum cleaner comprising:

(a) an air flow passage extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;

(b) an air treatment unit positioned in the air flow passage;
(c) a suction motor positioned in the airflow passage;

(d) the air treatment unit having an air treatment unit air inlet; and, (e) an airflow chamber having a closed upper end, at least one open side wall and an open lower end, the air treatment unit air inlet spaced from the open side wall, the air flow chamber defining a flow passage such that air travels from the at least one open side wall under the hand vacuum cleaner to the air treatment unit air inlet.

2. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein the air treatment unit air inlet provided in the upper end.

3. The hand vacuum cleaner of any of claims 1-2 the airflow chamber further comprises a depending wall extending downwardly from the upper wall.

4. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 3 wherein the depending wall is generally U-shaped.

5. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 3 further comprising a plurality of wheels, the wheels having a lower end wherein the depending wall has a lower end that is spaced above the lower end of the wheels.

6. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 5 wherein the lower end of the depending wall is positioned above a hard surface when the wheels are placed on the hard surface.

7. The hand vacuum cleaner of any of claims 1-6 wherein the airflow chamber extends to the front of the hand vacuum cleaner.

8. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 7 wherein the dirty air inlet is positioned at the front of the hand vacuum cleaner.

9. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 8 wherein the airflow chamber extends from the dirty air inlet rearwardly to the air treatment unit air inlet.

10. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 9 wherein the air treatment unit air inlet is positioned forwardly of a rear depending wall.

11. The hand vacuum cleaner of any of claims 1-4 further comprising a plurality of wheels and the airflow chamber has an airflow chamber axis that extends generally horizontally when the wheels are in contact with a surface to be cleaned.

12. The hand vacuum cleaner of any of claims 1-11 wherein the air treatment unit air inlet faces a surface to be cleaned when the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned on a surface to be cleaned.

13. The hand vacuum cleaner of any of claims 5-12 wherein the airflow chamber has an upper wall that comprises at least a portion of a lower wall of the hand vacuum cleaner and the airflow chamber has an open side positioned adjacent a surface to be cleaned when the hand vacuum cleaner is in use, the air flow chamber has a height that extends between the lower wall of the hand vacuum cleaner and the lower end of the depending wall.

14. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 13 wherein the air treatment unit inlet is positioned in the upper wall.

15. The hand vacuum cleaner of any of claims 1-14 wherein the air treatment unit is positioned above the airflow chamber.

16. The hand vacuum cleaner of any of claims 1-15 wherein the air treatment unit comprises at least one cyclone.

17. The hand vacuum cleaner of any of claims 1-16 wherein the hand vacuum cleaner has a perimeter, a front end, a rear end and sides extending between the front end and the rear end, the at least one open side wall is positioned at the perimeter, and the air treatment unit air inlet has a width and is positioned inwardly from the sides by at least the same distance as the width.

18. The hand vacuum cleaner of any of claims 1-16 wherein the hand vacuum cleaner has a perimeter, a front end, a longitudinally displaced rear end and sides extending between the front end and the rear end, the at least one open side wall is positioned at the perimeter, and the air treatment unit air inlet has a longitudinal length and is positioned rearwardly from the front end by at least the same distance as the longitudinal length.

19. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 18 wherein the air treatment unit air inlet has a width in a direction transverse to the longitudinal length and is positioned inwardly from the sides by at least the same distance as the width.