An improved shop vacuum with wet/dry capability uses a vacuum tube that terminates in a space between the canister and the vacuum compartment such that the fluid and content exiting the vacuum tube is not directly opposed the negative pressure source. This allows the fluid to drain into the canister in a more controlled and less volatile condition, reducing splashing and entrainment of the fluid. Moreover, a second exit for the vacuum has been added to the canister to improve the efficiency of the vacuum and the overall performance of the device.

An extraction cleaner includes a suction nozzle having an inlet path and suction fan configured to provide suction. The inlet path brings liquid and air into the extraction cleaner. Suction fan has a fan entrance, a recovery tank is spaced from the fan entrance. A separator element configured to allow liquid to flow into the recovery tank, inhibit the flow of liquid out of the recovery tank, and inhibit liquid from reaching the fan entrance, or all three. The separator element may be a butterfly valve configured to selectively close the fan entrance. The separator element may be a funnel extending into the recovery tank to block liquid from leaving the recovery tank during inversion. The separator element may be a fan separator adjacent the suction fan, which directs liquid outward, away from the fan separator, within the extraction cleaner, such that liquid is moved away from the suction fan.

A surface cleaning apparatus such as an extractor has a fluid flow path extending from a dirty fluid inlet head to a clean air outlet. The fluid flow path upstream of the separation stage comprises a removable portion.

A floor cleaner including a recovery tank. The recovery tank includes a tank body having a lower end wall, an open upper end, and a sidewall that extend upwardly from the lower end wall. A cover that includes a suction air outlet in fluid communication with a vacuum source. An inlet duct extends upwardly from the lower end wall. The recover tank includes a shutoff float including a float body and a closure. The float body is configured to float on a surface of cleaning fluid and the closure is received in the suction air outlet to close the suction air outlet. The float body moves along the inlet duct as the float body floats on the surface of the cleaning fluid. The float body includes an aperture extending through the float body and the inlet duct extends through the aperture of the float body.

A filter for a vacuum cleaner includes a top having an open center, a bottom plate having an outermost edge, a center, an inside surface facing towards the top, an outside surface facing away from the top, and a catch extending from the inside surface annularly around the center, filter material being secured between the top and bottom plate. An adaptor for a filter cage or the filter cage itself includes a radial retention ring that engages the catch of the filter.

An improved shop vacuum with wet/dry capability uses a vacuum tube that terminates in a space between the canister and the vacuum compartment such that the fluid and content exiting the vacuum tube is not directly opposed the negative pressure source. This allows the fluid to drain into the canister in a more controlled and less volatile condition, reducing splashing and entrainment of the fluid. Moreover, a second exit for the vacuum has been added to the canister to improve the efficiency of the vacuum and the overall performance of the device.

A surface cleaning apparatus such as an extractor has a liquid delivery system comprising at least one spray nozzle that delivers at least one liquid and an inverted cyclone comprising, when the surface cleaning apparatus is in a floor cleaning orientation, a lower end, a lower end wall, an upper end and an upper end wall, the lower end having a cyclone fluid inlet and a cyclone air outlet and the upper end has a separated element outlet, wherein the cyclone air outlet comprises a treated air outlet conduit and a liquid blocking collar is provided on an outer surface of the treated air outlet conduit below an inlet to the treated fluid outlet conduit. A solid and liquid collection chamber is in communication with the separated element outlet.

Devices for collecting patient excretions utilize existing suction sources and facilitate the cleaning of bedding and/or a patient. Patient excretion collection devices comprise a collection reservoir and a collection wand which are attached to an existing source of suction.

A floor cleaner includes a recovery tank including an inflow path allowing liquid-laden air to enter the recovery tank, an outflow path allowing air to exit the recovery tank; and a chamber for storing liquid. The chamber includes an inlet, a separator that separates liquid from the liquid-laden air, an air outlet, and a float. The float includes a base and a valve with an indicator. The float is moveable between a first position and a second position. In the first position the valve is spaced away from the air outlet and air is allowed to exit the chamber. In the second position the valve is adjacent the outlet and impedes air from exiting the chamber. In the second position the indicator is visible when the chamber is full.

Such a vacuum-interface lid may have the ability to adapt common containers to work with a vacuum system to safely intercept, collect, transport, and store materials with minimal handling provides. A vacuum-interface lid may include, but is not limited to: an output port couplable to a vacuum source; an intake port couplable to a material conduit; and a flange portion including a seal configured to engage a top rim of a container.