Abstract: A fluid knife for use with a workpiece treatment/cleaning apparatus, the fluid knife including a front blade and a bottom blade cooperating to form a nozzle. The front blade is pivotally mounted whereby pivoting the blade increases the size of the nozzle to purge the nozzle of any particulate matter caught or trapped in the nozzle.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a vortex wherein the vortex is typically formed of a fluid injected into a cavity formed in a cup-shaped member. The interior surface of the cup is formed of two discreet sections, a cylindrical section and a hemispherical section. An inlet port provides an ingress for fluid into the cavity. The fluid strikes the hemispherical surface upon entering the cavity and is redirected or diffused such that the fluid forms a vortex. The cylindrical section aids to stabilize the vortex enabling the vortex to extend above the surface of the cup-shaped member prior to degenerating.