Wet cleaning apparatus and method

Abstract

Provided is a wet cleaning apparatus (10), such as a wet vacuum cleaner, which uses a separator unit (18) for separating liquid and particles from a flow of air, e.g. a suction flow. The separator unit comprises a flow path member (36) and an outlet member (38) which adjoins or substantially adjoins the flow path member, and extends from the flow path member. The flow path member changes the flow direction of the flow of air such that any water and/or dirt particles entrained in the air are thrown against an interior surface portion (36A) of the flow path member. In this way, such water and/or dirt particles are separated from the flow of air. The outlet member has an opening to which the separated water and/or dirt particles are guided. The outlet member is arranged, when the apparatus is orientated for use, to guide and accumulate the separated water and/or dirt particles towards a region (52) at the opening. The separated water and/or dirt particles flow from the region towards a collection volume (28) along a first flow path (39). The air separated from the water and/or dirt particles is directed towards an air passage (22) which is spaced apart from the outlet member and the collection volume. A second flow path (32A) is provided for the separated air between the opening of the outlet member and the air passage, which second flow path is directed away from the first flow path. This assists to minimise or prevent re-entrainment of the water and/or dirt particles in the flow of air. Further provided is a method of separating water and/or dirt particles from a flow of air.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.