A modular vacuum system includes a plurality of power heads configured to be removably coupled to a plurality of canisters, each canister having a debris collection chamber of a different capacity, a first power source configured to output a first voltage, and a second power source configured to output the first voltage. A first power head of the plurality of power heads is configured to receive the first power source, and includes a first suction motor rated to operate at a first performance level defined by the first voltage. A second power head of the plurality of power heads is configured to receive the first power source with the second power source, and includes a second suction motor rated to operate at a second performance level greater than the first performance level.

A handheld suction device may provide an ergonomic and convenient device for cleaning a variety of floor surface soils, including liquid soils. In different configurations, the device may provide a variety of different features to efficiently collect and hold liquid removed from the floor surface and/or prevent vacuum motor flooding if the operator over rotates the device when filled with liquid. In some applications, the handheld suction device provides an interchangeable system that allows the operator to switch between different suction attachments designed for picking up liquid soil and solid soil.

A flange unit for a filter unit for positioning in a water treatment device, the water treatment device including a water reservoir and a suction head. The flange unit includes a base plate having a central recess for accommodating a filling piece of the suction head, a connecting unit for detachably connecting the flange unit to an inner side of the water reservoir, a closure element for closing the recess, and a handle unit for detaching the connecting unit from the flange holding device and for carrying the filter unit.

A hand held surface cleaning apparatus has a fluid flow path extending from a dirty fluid inlet provided at a front end of the hand held surface cleaning apparatus to a clean air outlet, the fluid flow path including a separator and a suction motor, wherein the suction motor is positioned rearward of the dirty fluid inlet. A separation stage comprising the separator, a solid collection chamber in communication with a separated element outlet of the separator and a separated liquid reservoir in communication with the solid collection chamber is provided. The solid collection chamber is positioned rearward of the separated liquid reservoir and the separator is positioned rearward of the solid collection chamber.

A portable surface cleaning apparatus for a floor surface includes a main housing assembly adapted to be hand carried by a user, the main housing assembly carrying a fluid delivery system adapted for storing cleaning fluid and delivering the cleaning fluid to the surface to be cleaned, and a fluid recovery system adapted for removing the cleaning fluid and debris from the surface to be cleaned and storing the cleaning fluid and debris that was recovered, the main housing assembly comprising a base housing, a supply tank received on the main housing assembly, a recovery tank received on the main housing assembly separately from the supply tank.

Aspects of the present invention relate to a triggerless extractor surface cleaning device for cleaning a surface in which a cleaning solution is distributed to the surface and extracted using suction along with dirt and/or debris on the surface in a continuous operation as the extractor moves along the surface. The extractor further comprises an encoder positioned adjacent a wheel of the extractor for detecting a rotational direction and speed of the wheel to generate a signal. Based on receiving the signal, a controller controls operation of a valve to situationally distribute the cleaning solution to the surface depending on a forward rotation of the wheel and independent of user actuation of a trigger positioned on a handle used to propel the extractor along the surface. Distribution of the cleaning solution can be further optimized based on the detected rotational speed of the wheel.

A waste collection bag may be used by an autonomous cleaning robot (e.g., an autonomous vacuum) to store waste during a plurality of cleaning processes. The waste collection bag comprises a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion includes an opening for waste to enter the waste collection bag. The top portion is composed of a porous material to filter air through the porous material. The bottom portion is composed of a non-porous material configured to hold liquid waste and includes an absorbent for interacting with liquid waste to form semi-solid waste.

A seal assembly for a waste water tank. The seal assembly comprises: a base (2) disposed at a waste water tank (1); a linkage (3) movably disposed at the base (2); a sealing cover (4) connected to the linkage (3) and disposed at a waste water inlet (101) and on a suction opening (102); and a push rod (5) connected to the linkage (3) and used for pushing the linkage (3) to press the sealing cover (4)so as to seal the waste water inlet (101) and the suction opening (102). A bottom end of the push rod (5) is connected to a side wheel component (6) of a floor cleaning machine and the push rod (5) can move up and down along the side wheel component (6).

Aspects of the present invention relate to a recovery tank support structure for a surface cleaning device such as an extractor. The support structure partially encircles and supports the recovery tank removably mounted to a base in order to prevent any unwanted movement of the tank or its contents during operation of the extractor. The support structure creates a void for housing the recovery tank, wherein a locking mechanism may be employed to engage the recovery tank and secure it in position. An upper portion having a handle for propelling the extractor is pivotable about the base independent of the support structure thereby allowing a user access to a wide range of pivoting motion and maneuverability during extractor operation.

A portable surface cleaning apparatus for a floor surface includes a recovery tank and a supply tank separated by a partition, and further includes a carry handle defining a handle grip spaced above the supply and recovery tanks, wherein the handle grip does not intersect the supply tank or the recovery tank.