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127-470: SEBO is the brand name of vacuum cleaners made by Stein & Co GmbH , a company based in the German town of Velbert . They produce a range of upright and cylinder vacuum cleaners for domestic and commercial use. SEBO stands for SEmigewerbliche BOdenpflege , German for semi-commercial floor care . SEBO was established in 1978 by two German engineers, Klaus Stein and Heinz Kaulig, who were seeking to build

254-513: A HEPA certified dirt containment filter bag, labeled as "Micron Magic" which minimizes dust being expelled into the air from the machine. Beginning with the Generation 3, all Kirby's are installed with a self-propelled transmission, called "Tech Drive Power Assist", which is engaged with a lever at the bottom next to the foot operated power switch. In the 1930s and the 1940s, Kirby started to offer their products in retail environments, and introduced

381-469: A dustbin . They can usually navigate around furniture and come back to a docking station to charge their batteries, and a few are able to empty their dust containers into the dock as well. Most models are equipped with motorized brushes and a vacuum motor to collect dust and debris. While most robotic vacuum cleaners are designed for home use, some models are appropriate for operation in offices, hotels, hospitals, etc. In December 2009, Neato Robotics launched

508-471: A hovercraft , although that was not true of the earliest models, which had a rotating hose, the intention being that the user would place the unit in the center of the room, and work around the cleaner. The Constellation was changed and updated over the years until discontinued in 1975. Later Constellations routed all of the exhaust under the vacuum using an airfoil. The updated design was quiet even by modern standards, particularly on carpet, because it muffled

635-468: A manual vacuum cleaner , utilizing a spring-loaded worm gear driven by pulling the vacuum cleaner backwards; when pushing the machine forward, the worm gear would power a turbine that provided suction (in the late 1980s the Vacuette name was resurrected and used on a corded handheld vacuum called Vacuette Handvac, which in design closely resembled Royal's iconic Dirt Devil corded handheld vacuum but featured

762-489: A 3 layer electrostatic fabric disposable bag for the Felix/Dart, which is an improvement on earlier paper bags. The original SEBO Felix/Dart is rated at 1300W for the suction motor and 175W for the powerhead motor. The new EU directive for reducing vacuum cleaner wattage from September 2014 means a whole re-launch for SEBO products. Felix & Dart are fitted with 700 watts for the domestic market and 1000 watt Dart models for

889-516: A 700 watt motor to comply with the impending EU law requiring vacuum cleaners to be limited to 1600 watts (from Sept 2014) and later (by 2017) to 900 watts. The K3 Vulcano variant is discontinued in September 2014, following the new ECO range introduction, although SEBO have launched both 1200 watt models alongside the 700 watt models. In 2010, SEBO replaced the C series vacuum with the D1, D2, D3 and D4 series -

1016-495: A German design specialist, the E Airbelt cylinder vacuum features a 3.5 litre dust capacity, lightweight and space efficient design with a one touch cord rewind, a motor protection system built in and a new filtration system. It is intended to eventually replace the AIRBELT K series compact vacuum and will be available in E1 and E3 models. Models with 700 watts and 1200 watts are available, as is

1143-576: A belt driven fan cranked by hand that made it awkward to operate, although it was commercially marketed with mixed success. A similar model was constructed by Melville R. Bissell of Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1876, who also manufactured carpet sweepers . The company later added portable vacuum cleaners to its line of cleaning tools. The end of the 19th century saw the introduction of powered cleaners, although early types used some variation of blowing air to clean instead of suction. One appeared in 1898 when John S. Thurman of St. Louis , Missouri, submitted

1270-455: A built-in headlight). As long as the cleaner was consistently pulled backwards, tension in the spring would remain constant and the turbine would continue spinning. It was designed for rural areas that did not have electricity and was very similar to the carpet sweeper . In 1935, the company introduced the Kirby Model C, the first product to carry Jim Kirby's name. One of the key features is

1397-512: A child. The North Dakota Supreme Court also held Kirby liable in a similar rape incident, where the salesman was hired after being convicted of assault and with charges of criminal sexual misconduct in the third degree pending against him. A federal class-action lawsuit is pending against Kirby under the civil action provisions of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), for allegedly selling used vacuums as new;

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1524-459: A compact, handheld vacuum with extension hose attachments for various cleaning chores. This versatility also provides for add-on sales or bundling of the complete system. Starting in the late 1940s the carpet cleaning floor nozzle with the brush roller could be removed, and the 1948 owners manual for the Model 508 called it the "Triple-Cushion Vibrator", which was powered by a removable rubber belt that

1651-407: A drive-belt powered by the suction motor to rotate the brush-roll. However, a more common design of dual motor upright is available. In these cleaners, the suction is provided via a large motor, while the brushroll is powered by a separate, smaller motor, which does not create any suction. The brush-roll motor can sometimes be switched off, so hard floors can be cleaned without the brush-roll scattering

1778-481: A few times per year for an ordinary household. The central unit usually stays in stand-by, and is turned on by a switch on the handle of the hose. Alternately, the unit powers up when the hose is plugged into the wall inlet, when the metal hose connector makes contact with two prongs in the wall inlet and control current is transmitted through low voltage wires to the main unit. A central vacuum typically produces greater suction than common portable vacuum cleaners because

1905-462: A few years. Between 1996 and 1999, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection received 50 complaints regarding Kirby dealers, and concluded from its investigation that Kirby, through its distributors, engaged in a "statewide pattern of trade practices" violation of state consumer-protection laws. The Wall Street Journal records examples where an elderly couple

2032-595: A higher motor increase to 1000 watts before it is replaced by the X1.1 in 1999. The X1.1 remains to be a UK specific model only compared to the X4 Extra with slightly uprated motor power to 1300 watts. Both models with different colours are available to buy in the UK. A larger "big foot" model based on the X4 was also launched a few years later, called the "X5," available worldwide. In September 2014,

2159-418: A larger fan and more powerful motor can be used when they are not required to be portable. A cyclonic separation system , if used, does not lose suction as the collection container fills up, until the container is nearly full. This is in marked contrast to filter-bag designs, which start losing suction immediately as pores in the filter become clogged by accumulated dirt and dust. A benefit to allergy sufferers

2286-418: A longer 2.1 metre hose on higher variant models (Komfort, Pet, Vulcano and Premium) and 1.8 metres on the red base model K1 Airbelt. Later, 1800 watts remained the standard for the base level K1 Airbelt, whilst 2100 watt motors were fitted to all other K models, to compete with Miele's 2200 watt vacuums. To conform to EU Directive (EU) No 666/2013 of 8 July 2013, SEBO launched an updated K1 Eco Comfort Plus with

2413-513: A longer domestic market hose and 6 metres of cable length, the K series remains popular. SEBO further offered the K1 "Komfort" featuring two different floor heads - a parquet head and full size turbo brush; the K1 "Pet" which included a turbo mini head and full size turbo brush, (but no specific head for hard floors); the K3 "Vulcano" with a remote electronic suction control added to the handle grip and supplied with

2540-491: A lower court in that Circuit based on similar trademark claims against an unauthorized distributor. Kirby also did not prevail in a similar action against an unauthorized dealer in Minnesota, where it asserted trademark infringement, false and unfair competition, and trade disparagement; the authorized dealer prevailed on a $ 90,000 counterclaim against Kirby for defamation and then in a suit against an insurer who refused to defend

2667-531: A nap, and return to vacuum that area. Portable vacuum cleaners working on the cyclonic separation principle became popular in the 1990s. This dirt separation principle was well known and often used in central vacuum systems. Cleveland's P.A. Geier Company had obtained a patent on a cyclonic vacuum cleaner as early as 1928, which was later sold to Health-Mor in 1939, introducing the Filter Queen cyclonic canister vacuum cleaner. In 1979, James Dyson introduced

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2794-622: A patent (U.S. No. 634,042) for a "pneumatic carpet renovator" which blew dust into a receptacle. Thurman's system, powered by an internal combustion engine , traveled to the customer's residence on a horse-drawn wagon as part of a door-to-door cleaning service. Corrine Dufour of Savannah, Georgia , received two patents in 1899 and 1900 for another blown-air system that seems to have featured the first use of an electric motor. In 1901 powered vacuum cleaners using suction were invented independently by British engineer Hubert Cecil Booth and American inventor David T. Kenney . Booth also may have coined

2921-557: A portable unit with cyclonic separation, adapting this design from industrial saw mills. He launched his cyclone cleaner first in Japan in the 1980s at a cost of about US$ 1800 and in 1993 released the Dyson DC01 upright in the UK for £200. Critics expected that people would not buy a vacuum cleaner at twice the price of a conventional unit, but the Dyson design later became the most popular cleaner in

3048-570: A power on/off kick switch on the side of the cleaner head, single motor, and re-designed cord replacement. In the UK, this range replaces the 370 Comfort uprights. In 2022, Sebo revealed the SoftCase BP60 at the Interclean floor show in Amsterdam. It is a cordless, battery-powered upright vacuum with a soft outer bag. SEBO's first cylinder/canister vacuum cleaner for the domestic market, the C series

3175-453: A professional dance group, along with actors highlighting the company's success and other topics showcasing the importance of maintaining customer loyalty and satisfaction, the newest model Kirby vacuum is unveiled, along with new Kirby home cleaning products and accessories along with demonstrations of those items (in other convention rooms). Sales awards and bonuses were also given out to Dealers and distributors for their best overall sales from

3302-481: A rape committed by one of its door-to-door salesmen, finding that the manufacturer maintained control of its distributors and their salespeople, by requiring its distributors to make sales via in-home visits, and that the risk was foreseeable. In that case, the court found that, had the employee's references been checked, Kirby would have discovered complaints of inappropriate sexual behavior at his previous employer and an arrest and deferred adjudication for indecency with

3429-548: A reliable, powerful and easy to use commercial upright vacuum cleaner. Klaus Stein had previously worked at Vorwerk , the manufacturer of the Kobold vacuum cleaner since 1929. The first SEBO factory was located in Velbert , West Germany in a disused weaving factory where they developed in 1978 the SEBO 350 upright commercial vacuum cleaner. The 350 was their first upright vacuum cleaner and it

3556-464: A removable, flexible pipe, to which a variety of shaped nozzles could be attached. In 1906 James B. Kirby developed his first of many vacuums called the "Domestic Cyclone". It used water for dirt separation. Later revisions came to be known as the Kirby Vacuum Cleaner. The Cleveland, Ohio factory was built in 1916 and remains open currently, and all Kirby vacuum cleaners are manufactured in

3683-547: A separate electric motor or a turbine which uses the suction power to spin the brushroll via a drive belt. Drum or shop vac models are essentially heavy-duty industrial versions of cylinder vacuum cleaners, where the canister consists of a large vertically positioned drum which can be stationary or on wheels. Smaller versions, for use in garages or small workshops, are usually electrically powered. Larger models, which can store over 200 litres (44 imp gal; 53 US gal), are often hooked up to compressed air, utilizing

3810-505: A share, or $ 420 million. Warren Buffett has singled out Scott Fetzer to Berkshire's shareholders as the "prototype" for the "kind of company — and acquisition — he was interested in." According to Berkshire managers, "absolutely no changes were made to the existing Scott Fetzer business or management, and the entire business (and its jet) was preserved." As of 2003, Kirby was the largest source of revenue and profit for Scott Fetzer, with approximately 500,000 sales per year, about

3937-459: A similar attachment for Kirby Vacuum Cleaners , the Felix/Dart is the only machine offering this feature. The Dart 1 and Dart 2 machines feature a similar power head range to the Felix, and in 2 widths, 31 cm, and 37 cm (similar to the commercial BS36 and BS46 and SM1/SM2) but no facility to shut off brush roll is offered for longevity of usage in commercial areas. The Dart 4 is supplied with

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4064-575: A third of which are outside the United States. In 2003, Scott Fetzer sold the vacuums to about 835 factory distributors, who in turn sell the vacuums door-to-door. As an incentive to new customers, Kirby offers the Service Center Vacuum Rebuild Program for original owners who have been registered with the company. As long as the customer owns the machine as the registered owner, if the cleaner needs repair, they can send it back to

4191-585: A trial judge to recuse himself. Kirby has sued unauthorized Kirby vacuum dealers for United States trademark infringement where the vacuums are identified by the Kirby name and logo. The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has held that such use does not constitute trademark infringement. The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit vacated an injunction granted in Kirby's favor by

4318-473: A variety of sizes and types, including stick vacuums, handheld vacuums, upright vacuums, and canister vacuums. Specialized shop vacuums can be used to clean both solid debris and liquids. Although vacuum cleaner and the short form vacuum are neutral names, in some countries (UK, Ireland) hoover is used instead as a genericized trademark , and as a verb. The name comes from the Hoover Company , one of

4445-453: Is a manufacturer of vacuum cleaners , home cleaning products and accessories, located in Cleveland , Ohio , United States. It is a division of Right Lane Industries. Dealers, sales reps, service centers, and distributors are located in over 50 countries. Kirby Vacuums are sold via door-to-door or though arranged-scheduled in-home demonstrations via their website and the company is a member of

4572-426: Is cooled by the airstream passing through it. Fan-bypass vacuums are good for both carpet and above-floor cleaning, since their suction does not significantly diminish over the distance of a hose, as it does in direct-fan cleaners. However, their air-paths are much less efficient, and can require more than twice as much power as direct-fan cleaners to achieve the same results. The most common upright vacuum cleaners use

4699-450: Is designed to be user/owner repairable. The design continues on with the cosmetic X1.1, X4 and X5 with increased motors from 1150 watts to 1300 watts. SEBO's commercial machines continued to supply the industry market with commercial products as well as bigger floor head versions such as X2 and X3, two versions that are still available to buy in other European countries. Eventually the X1A receives

4826-415: Is flexibility, as the user can attach different heads for different tasks, and maneuverability (the head can reach under furniture and makes it very easy to vacuum stairs and vertical surfaces). Many cylinder models have power heads as standard or add-on equipment containing the same sort of mechanical beaters as in upright units, making them as efficient on carpets as upright models. Such beaters are driven by

4953-409: Is included by Lon L. Fuller and Melvin A. Eisenberg , professors of Contract Law at Harvard Law School and UC Berkeley School of Law / Columbia Law School , as a textbook example of unconscionability . Kirby has been subject to relentless criticism by consumer protection agencies. As of 1999, of the 22 state consumer protection agencies, 15 had received a total of more than 600 complaints in just

5080-459: Is less efficient, since the airflow is lost when it passes through a long hose, and the fan has been optimized for airflow volume and not suction. Fan-bypass uprights have their motor mounted after the filter bag. Dust is removed from the airstream by the bag, and usually a filter, before it passes through the fan. The fans are smaller, and are usually a combination of several moving and stationary turbines working in sequence to boost power. The motor

5207-411: Is long discontinued, but parts and accessories are still available. The K1 and K3 series "compact" cylinder vacuum was launched in 2002, designed to offer domestic homes with a smaller version of the C series. Using a four layer filtration 3 litre dust bag, (also with the bag door forming part of the underside of the machine) and similar Hospital grade filter system developed on the C series, the K series

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5334-717: Is no longer staffed, and briefly in the 1920s as Vacuette's, Ltd in the Miller Building at 48 York Street in Toronto. Since the mid to late 1980's, the Kirby Company has hosted a world convention every few years called "Kirby World", usually held in Nashville , Tennessee , bringing together from all over the world, dealers, sales representatives, and distributors. Over a three–day period, speeches & lectures given by Kirby company executives and other keynote speakers, musical numbers by

5461-403: Is that unlike a standard vacuum cleaner, which must blow some of the dirt collected back into the room being cleaned (no matter how efficient its filtration), a central vacuum removes all the dirt collected to the central unit. Since this central unit is usually located outside the living area, no dust is recirculated back into the room being cleaned. Also it is possible on most newer models to vent

5588-519: Is the ET-1 (premium) type which has a foot pedal recline similar to the X series. The ET1 features a manual 4 position height adjustment dial to suit different flooring types. LED control panel indicates brush roll monitoring at all times if height adjustment is set too high and automatic shut off of the motor if brushroll becomes obstructed, strained or jammed. The brush roll motor can be switched off manually for use on hard floors, and automatically shuts off when

5715-544: The Chicago , Illinois based Right Lane Industries, ending its nearly century long history with Scott Fetzer. A major facelift was done to the Kirby line with the Generation 3 series in 1990, with G3 and later models maintaining a traditional form, but with a modern look and tech-drive transmission. Internal improvements between models have continued (such as HEPA filtration, beginning with the Gsix in 1999), but outward changes throughout

5842-502: The Direct Selling Association . The Kirby website can also take vacuum cleaner orders and ship directly to the customer as well, without having to arrange for a scheduled an in-home demonstration. All Kirby Vacuum Cleaners are built in both Edgewater , Cleveland , Ohio and Andrews, Texas , United States. Jim Kirby (1884–1971) designed the first Kirby vacuums for George Scott and Carl Fetzer after World War I , although

5969-529: The Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act , seeking an injunction against any other home sales. Public authorities flooded with complaints about Kirby vacuum cleaners is not a recent phenomenon; even in the 1960s and 1970s, Kirby had been "cited by various agencies a number of times" and the Detroit Better Business Bureau had received so many complaints that it decided to turn

6096-485: The Venturi effect to produce a partial vacuum. Built-in dust collection systems are also used in many workshops. Wet or wet/dry vacuum cleaners are a specialized form of cylinder/drum models that can be used to clean up wet or liquid spills. They are generally designed to be used both indoors and outdoors and to accommodate both wet and dry debris; some are also equipped with an exhaust port or detachable blower for reversing

6223-477: The Wall Street Journal , the device "costs more than four times what other top-of-the-line vacuum cleaners do." Kirby compares the price difference to that between luxury and economy cars, yet "luxury-car dealers don't make house calls in trailer parks. But Kirby dealers do." The Kirby vacuum cleaner is "marketed exclusively door-to-door — often to people who cannot afford a $ 1,500 gadget, but succumb to

6350-516: The "R" series. They are identical to their "C" series, with differences being the power switch installed on the handle. The first model was the R, followed by the 2R, 3R and 4R. In 1970, input from Kirby distributors, dealers, management and customers guided Kirby engineers in developing the second-generation models, introduced as the Kirby Classic. This gave the opportunity to expand its manufacturing facilities outside of Cleveland. This coincided with

6477-475: The "Rug Renovator" that was first introduced with the two speed motor on the Dual Sanitronic 50 and is also still available. The carpet shampoo cleaning solution is in a clear tank that attaches to the motor exhaust where the dirt collection bag is attached as a vacuum cleaner, and uses compressed air generated by the electric motor. A plastic tube then sends the shampoo to the carpet scrubber brush that agitates

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6604-461: The "Sani-Pocket" introduced in 1964 with the Sanitronic, where embedded dirt could be dislodged from the interior surface of the bag while keeping the dirt contained inside. The owners manual for the cloth bag equipped machines recommended that the cloth bag be emptied after cleaning had been finished, to avoid dirt, fungus and bacteria from setting in the fibers of the bag, and preparing the machine for

6731-454: The 1860s, and the first motorized designs appeared at the turn of the 20th century, with the first decade being the boom decade. In 1860 a manual vacuum cleaner was invented by Daniel Hess of West Union, Iowa . Called a "carpet sweeper", it gathered dust with a rotating brush and had a bellows for generating suction. Another early model (1869) was the "Whirlwind", invented in Chicago in 1868 by Ives W. McGaffey . The bulky device worked with

6858-463: The 1930s, 40s, 50s and 60s are in operation worldwide and can be repaired or rebuilt with factory original parts. All models used a cloth bag that allowed airflow to pass through and clean the air exiting the machine. Earlier versions of the cloth bag used dense duvetyne , and later corduroy cotton and wool fabric bags where fine grit, dander and other foreign contaminants collected. The cotton bag briefly had an integrated cleaning pocket within, called

6985-605: The 1980s, and Shark began in the 1990s. Introduced in 1916, the Edgewater, Ohio factory was opened by the Scott & Fetzer Company at Locust Ave. (now Franklin Blvd.) and W. 114th St., and the Vacuette Electric was introduced. It featured a removable floor nozzle and handle and became the forerunner of current multi-attachment Kirby vacuum models. The Vacuette was briefly offered as

7112-515: The Automatic X1 included a holster wand that was easily removed from the machine and stored simple cleaning attachments on the back. Featuring a low watt 850 watt motor, computer controlled height adjustment, a lifetime guaranteed drive belt system, S-Class filtration, easy access block-check doors and an easy access brush-roll with shut off mechanism to sense clogs or obstructions, the X1 Automatic

7239-561: The BS36/46 models dependent on floor head widths for the commercial and retail market. In 1991, SEBO began to branch into the domestic market with an upright cleaner known as "Automatic X1" upright and built from commercial components and low energy release motor. A re-designed version of the earlier 360, the BS36 was also introduced. Other manufacturers offered an integrated attachment hose that would extend for cleaning hard to reach areas or dusting, but

7366-557: The British John Lewis Department Stores . In 2018, Sebo released the Sebo Automatic X7. This vacuum had a different exhaust filter design to the previous X models. It also had a better automatic height adjustment and other upgraded features. In 2005, SEBO launched the "swivel neck" upright, which meant the connector to the motorized brush cleaning unit could turn aiding in flexibility. The SEBO Dart, aimed at

7493-647: The Commonwealth's wage and hour laws by the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office in July 2010. The 12 distributors were cited for a variety of different wage and hour violations including nonpayment of wage, nonpayment of minimum wage, misclassification, child labor, retaliation and record-keeping violations. The distributors were fined a total of $ 199,300 for the violations and also ordered to pay restitution. The Supreme Court of Texas held Kirby liable for

7620-557: The D series including the D4 Premium are fitted with a 2100W motor. To comply with the EU directive, the latest D2 series from SEBO features a range of 700 watt or 1200 watt models to replace older 1600 watt/2100 watt models. The ET-1 power nozzle remains unchanged rated at 175 watts. In other countries and Germany, the D1 and D3 series offer several different permutations including a lower energy model with 1200 watts. Designed in conjunction with

7747-553: The Deluxe Kombi head plus the full size turbo brush, and a small dusting brush; and the K3 "Premium" top of the range model, with remote control handle grip, dusting brush and an electric ET-H power head similar to the C3. As from early 2014, SEBO have now started supplying the K3 Premium with the later ET-1 powerhead which is fitted to the current Felix range, and the D4 Premium. All models in

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7874-584: The E3 Premium with ET-1 power nozzle. The E3's fan motor and tapered suction hose design are similar to the D3 In addition to their vacuum cleaners, SEBO also offer a dry powder cleaning agent for carpets called Duo P. This powder can be distributed across carpet using a sprinkler dispenser, and scrubbed into the carpet with a brush or the SEBO Duo Daisy, which is a wheeled long handled brush, for easier distribution of

8001-407: The ET-1 power head option and handle remote control with the white D4 model called the "D4 Premium", and in late 2011, a commercial version known as the "Professional D" is also launched with an pigtail interchangeable industry manual cord, low eco friendly 1200 watt motor and a design specifically catered for the commercial market. The D4 Premium also features a unique novel ring of blue LED's around

8128-674: The Good Housekeeping Institute and was the first cylinder vacuum on the market to be credited with the British Allergy Foundation seal of approval among other organisations. By using the same capacity large dust bag as the X1 Automatic upright, this feature allowed buyers to independently choose between an upright vacuum or a more compact cylinder vacuum. Eventually SEBO launched the C1, C2.1 and premium C3 series with an electric power nozzle floor head, known as "ET-H." The C Series

8255-510: The K series have an orange bag full indicator light, and the Vulcano and Premium models also have a green "mains on" / standby light. K1 models have a lightweight crushproof hose that swivels both ends, but the K3 Vulcano and Premium have a heavier electric hose that does not swivel at the machine end, so does tend to be a slightly more unwieldy in use. In 2011, SEBO further enhanced the K series with

8382-425: The Kirby name was not used on a vacuum cleaner until the 1930s. James Kirby invented the "vacuette" circa 1919. The company's primary competitors included The Hoover Company and The Eureka Company , both of which began operations in 1909, as well as Bissell that started building carpet sweepers in 1876. Their primary European competitor was Electrolux , which started 1924. Dyson , Miele and Sebo followed in

8509-475: The Rebuild Department and have it restored to "like-new" condition. The company will completely disassemble it, repair or replace any worn Kirby parts, and sandblast, polish and buff metal parts back to a shiny "new" appearance. Internal components are also thoroughly inspected and repaired with Kirby replacement parts so that it will perform as originally designed. In 2021, Berkshire Hathaway sold Kirby to

8636-477: The SEBO "Kombi" floor head and offers variable suction control. Other versions of Dart has fixed suction. All models feature a 3.5 litre bag capacity and piston bag full indicator set into the lid of the bag housing. A unique feature of the Felix and the Dart is that the main exhaust filter also forms the covering of the bag compartment, and on the Felix, can be customised with different colour fabric designs. Sebo supply

8763-480: The SEBO K3 Premium has received yearly recommendations by the group. Vacuum cleaner A vacuum cleaner , also known simply as a vacuum , is a device that uses suction , and often agitation, in order to remove dirt and other debris from carpets and hard floors. The dirt is collected into a dust bag or a plastic bin. Vacuum cleaners, which are used in homes as well as in commercial settings, exist in

8890-465: The UK. Cyclonic cleaners do not use filtration bags. Instead, the dust is separated in a detachable cylindrical collection vessel or bin. Air and dust are sucked at high speed into the collection vessel at a direction tangential to the vessel wall, creating a fast-spinning vortex . The dust particles and other debris move to the outside of the vessel by centrifugal force , where they fall due to gravity. In fixed-installation central vacuum cleaners ,

9017-548: The US, UK, and numerous Commonwealth countries, but unusual in some Continental European countries. They take the form of a cleaning head, onto which a handle and bag are attached. Upright designs generally employ a rotating brushroll or beater bar, which removes dirt through a combination of sweeping and vibration. There are two types of upright vacuums; dirty-air/direct fan (found mostly on commercial vacuums), or clean-air/fan-bypass (found on most of today's domestic vacuums). The older of

9144-514: The United States. In 1907 department store janitor James Murray Spangler (1848–1915) of Canton, Ohio , invented the first portable electric vacuum cleaner, obtaining a patent for the Electric Suction Sweeper on 2 June 1908. Crucially, in addition to suction from an electric fan that blew the dirt and dust into a soap box and one of his wife's pillow cases, Spangler's design utilized a rotating brush to loosen debris. Unable to produce

9271-526: The X series is modified to reduce the maximum motor input power from 1300W to 1100W, and it is known as "X series ECO". X1.1, X4 and X5 all have an 1100 watt motor and only differ from different specs and colours. In March 2015, SEBO presents the X4 Pet Boost upright with a central push button for deeper cleaning option on carpets and hard floors. Private franchise labels are introduced to exclusive SEBO models such as X4 Pro for Euronics stores and X4 Excel for

9398-427: The addition of features like a clutch-protected brush roller, a by-pass motor and hospital-grade filtration, the first SEBO found acceptance in the market by 1979. Commercial cleaning manufacturers such as Windsor Kärcher and Jeyes Hygiene re-branded SEBO uprights under their own name during the early 1980s. In 1986, the SEBO 360 was launched to replace the 350. The 360 had a simple warning light that would notify if there

9525-411: The airflow, a useful function for everything from clearing a clogged hose to blowing dust into a corner for easy collection. Shop vacs are able to collect large, bulky or otherwise inconvenient material that would damage or foul household vacuum cleaners, like sawdust, swarf , and liquids. They use wide hoses, which open directly into the collection chamber (usually a bucket-like cylinder constituting

9652-408: The amount of suction the motor generates. Beginning in the 1950s, owner's manuals listed an innovation the company called "Triple-Cushion Vibration" rug cleaning action. The current Avalir 2 has been given an airflow rating of 132 Cubic feet per minute , which allows it to lift the carpet off the floor, flexing the surface to be cleaned, whereby the brush roll that spins at 3,200 RPM agitates and lifts

9779-431: The appliance must be partially disassembled and cleaned after picking up wet materials to avoid developing unpleasant odors. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, several companies developed robotic vacuum cleaners , a form of carpet sweeper usually equipped with limited suction power. Some prominent brands are Roomba , Neato , and bObsweep . These machines move autonomously while collecting surface dust and debris into

9906-515: The beater bar in 1919 ("It beats as it sweeps as it cleans"), disposal filter bags in the 1920s, and an upright vacuum cleaner in 1926. In Continental Europe , the Fisker and Nielsen company in Denmark was the first to sell vacuum cleaners in 1910. The design weighed just 17.5 kg (39 lb) and could be operated by a single person. The Swedish company Electrolux launched their Model V in 1921 with

10033-496: The body of the vacuum). As the airstream enters the larger volume, its flow slows down, allowing the material to drop into the chamber before air is sucked out through the filter and to the vacuum's exhaust. Shop vacs' performance can be evaluated by a number of metrics. Commonly used ones include the motor's rating (using power measurements like watts or horsepower ), the vacuum's ability to develop suction (using pressure measurements like inches of water ), and total airflow through

10160-629: The center of the vortex is expelled from the machine after passing through a number of successively finer filters at the top of the container. The first filter is intended to trap particles which could damage the subsequent filters that remove fine dust particles. The filters must regularly be cleaned or replaced to ensure that the machine continues to perform efficiently. Since Dyson's success in raising public awareness of cyclonic separation, several other companies have introduced cyclone models. Competing manufacturers include Hoover, Bissell, Bosch, Eureka, Electrolux and Vax. This high level of competition means

10287-421: The cheapest models are generally no more expensive than a conventional cleaner. Central vacuum cleaners, also known as built-in or ducted, are a type of canister/cylinder model which has the motor and dirt filtration unit located in a central location in a building, and connected by pipes to fixed vacuum inlets installed throughout the building. Only the hose and cleaning head need be carried from room to room, and

10414-510: The circular front, with its patented airbelt bumper, is ideal for negotiating obstacles, houses an easy to remove filter inside, and allows a large capacity 6 litre disposable high filtration dust bag. An extra long 12m cable contributes to an incredible 15.5m cleaning range, twice the cord length that other German brands supply. To give maximum performance the air path has been optimised and a cone shaped hose has also been used, which improves suction and prevents clogging. A new turbo fan motor uses

10541-417: The cleaned air may be exhausted directly outside without need for further filtration. A well-designed cyclonic filtration system loses suction power due to airflow restriction only when the collection vessel is almost full. This is in marked contrast to filter bag systems, which lose suction when pores in the filter become clogged as dirt and dust are collected. In portable cyclonic models, the cleaned air from

10668-469: The commercial market and its domestic equivalent, the Felix with additional features that domestic customers demand, to include interchangeable floor heads or a power nozzle that are available for both machines to deal with a variety of floor types. The floorhead/powerhead can also be removed from the main body, and the handle folded down to convert the unit into a portable, handheld cleaner in a canister mode. The powerhead fitted to all Felix models (Not Dart)

10795-475: The commercial markets. A new F9 filter has been redesigned and fitted to the SEBO Felix Pet, designed to give heat protection and increased allergen retention. Launched in 2014, consisting of three (Evolution 300, 350 and 450) models with varying cleaning widths, this range is literally an "evolution" of the old BS36/46 commercial, incorporating refreshed styling similar to the BS36/46, but differences include

10922-416: The complaint alleges that "Not only is Kirby aware of this practice, it 'participates in the scheme by, among other things, selling to its distributors duplicate or replacement "Original Purchaser's Registration" cards to be given to secondhand purchasers.'" The complaint also alleges that "Kirby commonly sells distributors new empty boxes and packaging material for the obvious purpose of repackaging units that

11049-499: The control dial that highlights visual suction speed according to motor speed. Lower models such as the D2 Storm, D2 Titan, and D2 Total only have a single LED next to the rotary power adjustment knob to indicate power on status. The D series features a mechanical piston bag full indicator next to the hose outlet, and 4 swivel castors on the underside for maximum movement in space restricted areas. As of March 2014 most UK domestic models of

11176-413: The design himself due to lack of funding, he sold the patent in 1908 to local leather goods manufacturer William Henry Hoover (1849–1932), who had Spangler's machine redesigned with a steel casing, casters, and attachments, founding the company that in 1922 was renamed the Hoover Company . Their first vacuum was the 1908 Model O, which sold for $ 60 ($ 2,035 in 2023 dollars ). Subsequent innovations included

11303-569: The development of a new type of machine—the autonomous robotic vacuum cleaner. In 1997 Electrolux of Sweden demonstrated the Electrolux Trilobite , the first autonomous cordless robotic vacuum cleaner on the BBC-TV program Tomorrow's World , introducing it to the consumer market in 2001. A wide variety of technologies, designs, and configurations are available for both domestic and commercial cleaning jobs. Upright vacuum cleaners are popular in

11430-505: The dirt, while grooming the carpet fibers from the base of the carpet. The owners manual recommend that the carpet nozzle be lowered close enough to the surface so as to maintain a secure suction and minimize breaking the suction while cleaning the carpet. Another feature of the Kirby system is the modular design of both vacuum and accessories, allowing machines to be configured for numerous uses, from normal floor cleaning, tile surface scrubbing, wet floor mopping, to furniture shampooing and as

11557-479: The dirt. It may also have an automatic cut-off feature which shuts the motor off if the brush-roll becomes jammed, protecting it from damage. Canister models (in the UK also often called cylinder models) dominate the European market . They have the motor and dust collectors (using a bag or bagless) in a separate unit, usually mounted on wheels, which is connected to the vacuum head by a flexible hose. Their main advantage

11684-678: The distributor previously sold to a prior customer." Kirby's motion to dismiss was rejected. After Kirby refused discovery requests for its sales contracts and other documents, Judge Clay D. Land compelled Kirby to disclose the requested documents. A class-action lawsuit was also filed against Kirby in Bullock County Court in Alabama over its sales practices, specifically its use of credit cards issued expressly to fund Kirby purchases, under Truth in Lending laws. Kirby succeeded in persuading

11811-454: The domestic market was built in 1905 by Walter Griffiths, a manufacturer in Birmingham , England. His Griffith's Improved Vacuum Apparatus for Removing Dust from Carpets resembled modern-day cleaners; it was portable, easy to store, and powered by "any one person (such as the ordinary domestic servant )", who would have the task of compressing a bellows-like contraption to suck up dust through

11938-490: The entire Kirby production have been mostly in color scheme or minor detail. Pricing of new, used and older Kirby vacuum models sold online or by secondhand thrift stores can vary widely based on overall condition and what number parts; attachments & accessories are included with it in the sale. A number of companies and secondhand dealers also offer refurbished Kirby vacuums. The practices of some of Kirby's independent distributors have been subject to criticism. The Kirby

12065-427: The exhaust entirely outside, even with the unit inside the living quarters. Another benefit of the central vacuum is, because of the remote location of the motor unit, there is much less noise in the room being cleaned than with a standard vacuum cleaner. Introduced in 1954, The Hoover Company 's Constellation was of the cylinder type and lacked wheels. Instead the vacuum cleaner floated on its exhaust, operating as

12192-535: The first and most influential companies in the development of the device. In New Zealand, particularly the Southland region, it is sometimes called a lux , likewise a genericized trademark and used as a verb. The device is also sometimes called a sweeper although the same term also refers to a carpet sweeper , a similar invention. The vacuum cleaner evolved from the carpet sweeper via manual vacuum cleaners . The first manual models, using bellows, were developed in

12319-589: The floor, and vacuums the dirty water into a collection tank. A vacuum's suction is caused by a difference in air pressure. A fan driven by an electric motor (often a universal motor ) reduces the pressure inside the machine. Atmospheric pressure then pushes the air through the carpet and into the nozzle, and so the dust is literally pushed into the bag. Kirby Company 41°28′44″N 81°46′04″W  /  41.4788673°N 81.7676539°W  / 41.4788673; -81.7676539 Kirby Opco, LLC , doing business as The Kirby Company (stylized as KIRBY),

12446-629: The handle. The same model was marketed in the UK under the Maytag brand, called the Satellite because of licensing restrictions. It was sold from 2006 to 2009. See vacuum truck for very big vacuum cleaners mounted on vehicles. Some other vacuum cleaners include an electric mop in the same machine: for a dry and a later wet clean. The iRobot company developed the Scooba , a robotic wet vacuum cleaner that carries its own cleaning solution, applies it and scrubs

12573-434: The hose is commonly 8 m (25 ft) long, allowing a large range of movement without changing vacuum inlets. Plastic or metal piping connects the inlets to the central unit. The vacuum head may be unpowered, or have beaters operated by an electric motor or by an air-driven turbine . The dirt bag or collection bin in a central vacuum system is usually so large that emptying or changing needs to be done less often, perhaps

12700-617: The innovation of being able to lie on the floor on two thin metal runners. In the 1930s the German company Vorwerk started marketing vacuum cleaners of their own design which they sold through direct sales . For many years after their introduction, vacuum cleaners remained a luxury item, but after the Second World War, they became common among the middle classes . Vacuums tend to be more common in Western countries, because in most other parts of

12827-466: The largest cylinder vacuum SEBO has ever produced for the domestic market and specifically designed for large homes. Designed in collaboration with Achim Heine, Professor of product design and member of the German Design Council, whose timeless design is famous with Braun's small appliances, this innovative new vacuum emanates form and function, led by SEBO's original design knowledge. For example,

12954-418: The latest turbine technology to give superlative cleaning power that reduces motor noise and the vacuum carries on with the famous AirBelt clean air diffuser bumper as well as protecting both the vacuum and general usage in a home. The D series vacuum cleaner is an instant success with GHI. Red Dot Award and other organisations approving this model for its excellent new filtration design and usage. SEBO also add

13081-507: The machine is in the upright locked position. Like the X series, the brush roll can be easily removed for cleaning or replacement. In 2010, SEBO introduces the "DISCO" polisher buffer. With an optional hard floor round crystal and polishing discs for polishing and cleaning hard floors, the DISCO head can be used with both Felix and Dart models. The Dart 3 comes as a package with the Disco head. Other than

13208-951: The matter over to the Wayne County prosecutor. Kirby asserts it is not liable for the actions of its sales force, whom it describes as independent contractors . Its "Distributor Code of Ethics" enumerates 12 principles, including "observe the highest standards of character, honesty and integrity in dealings with my customers, fellow Distributors and other members of the Kirby profession." Kirby also asserts that it teaches its distributors direct-sales laws, and that it requires them to resolve complaints within 24 hours under threat of termination. Between 1998 and 2001, in Alabama alone, more than 100 lawsuits were filed against Kirby and its affiliates and subsidiaries, resulting in nearly $ 2 million in judgements and settlements. Twelve distributors of Kirby vacuums in Massachusetts were cited for violations of

13335-468: The next time. Starting with the Tradition model, an internal, disposable paper bag was introduced in addition to the cotton cloth bag. The disposable paper bag provided a protective barrier against the interior surface of the cloth bag and offered the convenience of storing the cleaner when finished, and not requiring that the bag be emptied every time. With the introduction of the Generation 3 model in 1990,

13462-411: The powder. After the powder has been allowed to permeate the carpet fibres for an hour, it can be vacuumed up, with any vacuum cleaner. Alternatively, the motorized SEBO Duo cleaning machine can be used, which achieves the best results on large areas of carpet. SEBO has routinely ranked highly in tests by Australian consumer group CHOICE Magazine for the performance of its vacuum cleaners. Since 2011,

13589-630: The previous year through the "Kirby opportunity" and "Road to success" programs. In the months to follow, VHS tape and DVD box sets of that years "Kirby World" convention were later sent out to Dealers and distributors to help aide in training of new sales representatives. These convention video box sets (VHS or DVD.) are hard to find as these were never made available to the general public; however, some have surfaced every now and then on auction sites such as eBay . Berkshire Hathaway bought Kirby's parent Scott Fetzer in 1986 for $ 315 million. Two years prior, Ivan Boesky had offered to buy Scott Fetzer for $ 60

13716-553: The rising popularity of wall-to-wall custom installed carpet . In 1972, after Kirby Company founder Jim Kirby 's death the previous year (1971), Kirby West began operations in Andrews, Texas at 1345 NW 101 Street (also known as North Seminole Highway), which doubled the company's manufacturing capacity. The company maintained a presence in Canada, located at 1009 Burns Street East in Whitby, which

13843-423: The rubber drive belt and allowed other attachments to be installed on the drive unit. To accommodate cleaning rugs of a delicate nature, the "Belt Lifter" could disengage the rubber drive belt, allowing just suction to clean the surface which is still offered on all machines. These attachments are still offered and the floor buffer was updated in the mid-1960s with a dry foam carpet shampoo attachment Kirby called

13970-547: The sales pitch nonetheless." In 2001, the West Virginia Attorney General obtained more than $ 26,000 in refunds and credits for dissatisfied Kirby buyers. In 2002, ABC 's Primetime conducted a hidden-camera investigation in response to more than a thousand complaints regarding Kirby's salespeople. In June 2004, the Arizona Attorney General filed suit against Kirby distributors for violations of

14097-458: The sound. Those models float on carpet or bare floor although, on hard flooring, the exhaust air tends to scatter any fluff or debris around. Hoover re-released an updated version of the later-model Constellation in the US (model # S3341 in Pearl White and # S3345 in stainless steel). Changes included a HEPA filtration bag, a 12-amp motor, a turbine-powered brush roll, and a redesigned version of

14224-597: The suit when the dealer refused Kirby's settlement offer. Kirby's parent lost another such suit in Minnesota based on trademark infringement and other related state law claims. Nor did Kirby prevail in a tortious interference with contractual relations claim in Washington against an unauthorized retailer; the Washington Supreme Court awarded attorney's fees to the retailer. However, Kirby has prevailed in cases where unauthorized retailers went farther than using

14351-489: The surface to be cleaned. Kirby has remained with its original design, materials and functionality with enhancements added to aid in its operation and durability, and uses the "dirty-air" vacuum design. The company changes the appearance of the cleaner with revised color schemes and introduces new models with a similar core design. The attachments and appearance items are interchangeable between generations and some machines consist of parts from multiple models. Machines built in

14478-520: The system (using volume rate measurements like cubic feet per minute ). Related to the wet vacuum is the extraction vacuum cleaner used mainly in hot water extraction , a method of cleaning hard-to-move pieces of fabric like carpets. These machines are able to spray hot soapy water and then suck it back out of the fabric, removing dirt in the process. Wet vacuum cleaner have been modified by end users, adding an internally-mounted sump pump for continuous removal of liquids without having to stop to empty

14605-441: The tank. Pneumatic or pneumatic wet/dry vacuum cleaners are a specialized form of wet/dry models that hook up to compressed air. They commonly can accommodate both wet and dry soilage, a useful feature in industrial plants and manufacturing facilities. Backpack vacuum cleaners are commonly used for commercial cleaning: they allow the user to move rapidly about a large area. They are essentially small canister vacuums strapped onto

14732-447: The two designs, direct-fan cleaners have a large impeller (fan) mounted close to the suction opening, through which the dirt passes directly, before being blown into a bag. The motor is often cooled by a separate cooling fan. Because of their large-bladed fans, and comparatively short airpaths, direct-fan cleaners create a very efficient airflow from a low amount of power, and make effective carpet cleaners. Their "above-floor" cleaning power

14859-457: The user's back. Lightweight hand-held vacuum cleaners, either powered from rechargeable batteries or mains power, are also popular for cleaning up smaller spills. Frequently seen examples include the Black & Decker DustBuster , which was introduced in 1979, and numerous handheld models by Dirt Devil , which were first introduced in 1984. Some battery-powered handheld vacuums are wet/dry rated;

14986-461: The vacuum and emits clean air from the sides of the vacuum cleaner as opposed to the top of the vacuum that can affect the breathing of the owner at time of usage. With a foot-operated roller suction dial and a comfort handle, also copied by Miele on their later machines, SEBO's highly compact C series also uses the X series large disposable dust bag, loaded from underneath the machine to cut costs and extend accessibility. The design amasses awards from

15113-465: The word "vacuum cleaner". Booth's horse-drawn combustion-engine-powered "Puffing Billy", maybe derived from Thurman's blown-air design, relied upon just suction with air pumped through a cloth filter and was offered as part of his cleaning services. Kenney's was a stationary 4,000 lb (1,800 kg) steam-engine-powered system with pipes and hoses reaching into all parts of the building. The first vacuum-cleaning device to be portable and marketed at

15240-417: The world's first robotic vacuum cleaner which uses a rotating laser-based range-finder (a form of lidar ) to scan and map its surrounding. It uses this map to clean the floor methodically, even if it requires the robot to return to its base multiple times to recharge itself. In many cases it will notice when an area of the floor that was previously inaccessible becomes reachable, such as when a dog wakes up from

15367-447: The world, wall-to-wall carpeting is uncommon and homes have tile or hardwood floors , which are easily swept, wiped or mopped manually without power assist. The last decades of the 20th century saw the more widespread use of technologies developed earlier, including filterless cyclonic dirt separation, central vacuum systems and rechargeable hand-held vacuums. In addition, miniaturized computer technology and improved batteries allowed

15494-480: Was a brush obstruction or if the disposable filter bag was full. By 1998, the company celebrated 20 years of SEBO Stein & Co. and the 1,500,000th unit built was a SEBO AUTOMATIC X1. Launched in May 2014, the new SEBO EVOLUTION commercial upright brings more improvements to the existing range. SEBO's products are offered in two formats, canisters and uprights. The models consist of the 350, 360 and successor 370 models and

15621-510: Was also awarded with the British Allergy Foundation seal of approval and carried on with the AirBelt Clean Air diffuser design. Unlike the C series, the K series has only 3 swivel castors. The K is designed to be space efficient and smaller than the C series. Initially fitted with an 1800 watt motor to compete in the market with rivals and featured a new 500gram lighter tube and hose system earned design awards for this model. Also equipped with

15748-433: Was engineered for commercial use, designed to pass the hardest test: to survive the abuse and neglect of cleaning professionals. Due to the patented technical features that allowed effective cleaning of all kinds of carpets and bare floors, plus the ability to clean in the tightest corners, the 350, which indicated that the brush vibrator bar was 35 cm (14 in), was sold and used in hotels, hospitals and offices. With

15875-404: Was in contact with a metal shaft extending from the vacuum turbine blades , powered by the electric motor, and reattached to a brush used to polish floors , or an extended plastic hose that could accommodate a furniture dusting attachment. The Model 508 was also the first to offer a simple device on the front of the carpet nozzle called the "Belt Lifter" which was a metal lifter that easily removed

16002-419: Was launched in 1995 and though cited as a main rival to Miele and other premium brands, the C series offered an eco-friendly 1500 watt motor when most of the rivals had much more powerful motors. Equipped with an award-winning Ergo-handle and a highly efficient filter system called "AirBelt," the C series quickly became a worldwide success. The AirBelt design acts to diffuse clean air from the main filters on board

16129-589: Was unable to remove three Kirby salesmen from their home for over five hours; in another example, a disabled woman who had been living alone in a mobile home on $ 1000/month in Social Security payments and suffering from Alzheimer's disease was discovered to own two Kirby vacuum cleaners, having paid $ 1,700 for the second one. In 2002, the Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner obtained $ 13,000 in refunds for 13 senior citizens. According to

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