Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

The 'Freedom' and 'Slalom' uprights, and the 'Xarion' cylinder cleaner. All employ 'Airvolution' technology.

You'll have to wander about the Argos site yourselves, as I can't be bothered battling with the silly formatting of pictures on this forum, and the website linking didn't work either.

Here is a link to the involute vortex technology:

http://www.bhrgroup.co.uk/bhrsoln/process/isep.htm

Trilobite wrote:

Thanks Trilobbite,

If a picture paints a thousand words then the PDF certainly did the trick for me.  I also noticed that the BHR listed one of its applications as vacuum cleaners.  However, I got to thinking somehow I'd seen this before and then it struck me that this may be the same idea used in bagless vacuums that claim multiple cyclones.  Your final description of how one  works also describes how the dozen or so in my LG-cloned Kenmore bagless work.  The votes aren't in as to whether more is better but  I wonder if it might prove a legal loophole.

Venson

Trilobite,

I have not seen the Vortex vacuum but the term “trumpet” shaped cyclone or alike came up often and that was where the infringement took place.

 

Venson,

The question amongst collectors most always is…  Others invented the [dual] cyclone before Dyson.  I have seen an upright (possibly Rexair?) patent, but I was not able to determine how it filtered exactly.  This is very important to note...  Hoover UK countersued Dyson and attempted to get the Dyson patent voided.  Hoover’s position was - there was (much older) prior art out there.  If I rember correctly, no Rexair patents of any sort were not used to demonstrate prior art, but instead 2 other and much older (than Dyson) U.S. patents (canisters, I think) were presented and the judge and he find prior art that pre-dated Dyson.

 

I have some personal things that need attending and so in the future I may or may not be posting much.        DIB

Here is an X-ray type photograph, showing the trumpet-shaped cyclone. The involute separator sits above this. This is the photo that was printed upon the sales brochures, item cartons, etc.

http://www.bhrgroup.co.uk/bhrsoln/process/sephome.htm

Trilobite,

Thanks the link.  If the Hoover Vortex’s x-ray image is enlarged, Dyson’s patented technologies arrangement is clearly seen.        DIB

.

Some news on Hoover UK and this line...

http://www.prweek.com/uk/home/article/841343/lawson-dodd-hoovers-vacuum-brand/

Hi guys,

This may be equally edifying.  Please use the following link -- http://service.hoover.co.uk/fault-finder/FaultFinder.aspx?Section=43

I could not find a URL to download a user's manual for the Xarion but did find a page that links to aids for maintaining and trouble shooting this canister. 

This next link leads to a downloadable PDF of the Slalom's user guide.  http://service.hoover.co.uk/manuals/pdfs/SL8127-PETS.pdf

I will say up front that the Slalom does not provide a carpet height adjustment.  Instead it features a suction relief valve underneath the base of the cleaner which is claimed to be set at low at the factory.  Users may use a coiin to turn the valve from low to medium or high to suit their needs.  This is the manner in which you would make pushing the machine easier.

To facilitate fairness and an even playing field in regard to what's wonderful and what's not, I also include a link to Dyson's user page for the DC25. http://www.dyson.com/support/help.asp?article=1169&product=DC25-ALLFLOORS

Best,

Venson

Hello Venson:

Thanks for taking the extra effort to post the URL's.  The HOOVER cann [Xarion] and upright [Slalom] appear to be very worthy and competitive bagless vacuums.  I gleaned the Web Site for the Xarion and User Guide for the Slalom and will go back to both and spend some more time to read and digest.  And looked at the dyson DC25 Support Web Site you posted too.  Thanks for your assistance and efforts.

I like the step by step breakdown of the troubleshooting directions for the Xarion.  Very detailed and explicit yet simple and easy to follow and understand.  Nice aids for the vacuum buyer/consumer.

I'm sure it is strictly coincidental and my own perspective.  The images of the new Slalom put me in mind of the HOOVER Lark stick vacuum from the early 60's.  Do you remember that model?  Especially in the images of the upper [off the ground] part of the vacuum.  A more recent similarity with the Slalom that comes to my mind too is the HOOVER Floormate, especially with the upper part of the vacuum. 

I still haven't seen the new HOOVER TTI Whispertone yet.  And would like to match the two new HOOVER's [USA:Whispertone and UK Slalom] for differences and likenesses. 

Carmine D.

I've seen the New Hoover Freedom Upright in a shop, very heavy to lift on brief inspection it had an info leaflet attached to the handle detailing the 'new' airvolution technology.

I've not seen the Slalom as yet but on first seeing some pictures of it looks very impressive!  It reminds me a bit of the Sebo Felix and the way the cleaning head\nozzle protrudes the cleaning base bit like the Dyson DC18 Slim!  I see you have to call hoover to have the belt changed\replaced on the Slalom!

I noticed no one has found the below links having done some searches myself on the Hoover Slalom a few weeks or so ago, I thought I would post them as they may be of interest to some of you:

Pictures someone has posted (notice the brush bar in one picture!  Look very plastic, not like the normal Hoover Brush Bars! Also note the Airvolution Cyclone pictures where it has been pulled apart to view):

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chestermikeuk/sets/72157606427015333/

Link to Video of the Slalom in use on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDL85A06yAU&feature=related

DC18

Thanks again DC18.  The links were great.  My only problem with the You Tube clip is that the guy's house was too darn clean to tell how well it performed.

I notice that the Slalom has no front wheels or rollers of enough size to give it significan support meaning the front end of the cleaner has to "float".   Is it possible that carpeting with deep pile might be a challenge for it?  I don't know what carpeting preferences are like in the UK or Europe.

Best,

Venson

Your welcome Venson.  I know what you mean, least you get to see how it operates to a degree and the sound of it!   Yes I noticed that about the Slalom but it has that air release valve not sure how much help that is to the floating effect!  It will be interesting to see how light this vacuum is compared to the Freedom!  Deep pile could be an issue, the brush bar wasn't much to shout about from the pictures!   As for carpeting preferences in the UK (Europe tends to be hard floors, like tiles with rugs!), back in the 90's and ealry 00's laminate floor was the 'in thing'!  Still is to a degree, with tiled flooring in kitchens and hallways etc..  People still have carpeting, in fact carpeting I believe in the UK is having a bit of a revival!  I would say most carpets in UK homes is of medium pile.  So the Slalom may cope ok!

I noticed the hose on the Freedom comes out from the front, can not see the vacuum moving with the hose very easily!   Simiular to one of the Vax Upright here in the UK (no longer available!)

DC18