Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a surface cleaning apparatus. The apparatus has substantially elongate and laterally extending head portion and a handle portion defining a longitudinal axis generally perpendicular to the head portion. The head portion includes opposite lateral ends, a first housing defining a first chamber and a rim forming an opening via which water from a surface to be cleaned enters the first chamber, a squeegee connected to the rim for directing the water via the opening to the first chamber, and guide means for guiding the water from the squeegee to the first chamber for initial containment, thus minimizing the water from dripping away from the apparatus in use, and the handle portion includes a second housing forming the handle portion and defining a second chamber for receiving and containing the water from the first chamber for subsequent containment.

Abstract: A surface cleaning device, such as a floor mop, has a handle via which a user holds on to the device and maneuvers the device during use, a head to which the handle connects, a base at which the head is secured and is situated, in normal use, below the head. The base is provided with, in normal use, a lower surface for engaging a surface to be cleaned via a removable or disposable substrate material, wherein the base is provided with a plurality of grippers for securing the disposable substrate material, the base and the grippers belong to an integral component.

Abstract: A surface cleaning device, such as a floor mop, has a handle via which a user holds on to the device and maneuvers the device during use, a head to which the handle connects, a base at which the head is secured and is situated, in normal use, below the head. The base is provided with, in normal use, a lower surface for engaging a surface to be cleaned via a removable or disposable substrate material, wherein the base is provided with a plurality of grippers for securing the disposable substrate material, the base and the grippers belong to an integral component.

Abstract: The invention provides cyclonic separating apparatus comprising a tapering cyclone having a larger end a smaller end, a fluid outlet located at the larger end of the cyclone, the fluid outlet becoming located coaxially with the cyclone, and a tangential offtake conduit communicating with the fluid outlet, wherein the distance between the tangential offtake conduit and the smaller end of the cyclone increases in the downstream direction of the tangential offtake conduit. Preferably, the tengential offtake conduit follows a substantially helical path. This reduces the turbulence created in the tangential offtake conduit and allows kinetic energy of the exiting fluid to be recovered as pressure energy.

Abstract: The invention provides a tool holder for a vacuum cleaner having a main body, a wand and a hose therebetween, the tool holder (10) comprising attachment means (12, 14) for attaching the tool holder (10) to the vacuum cleaner and tool receiving means (22) for receiving at least one tool (30, 32, 34), wherein the attachment means (12, 14) are adapted such that the tool holder (10) is attachable directly to the hose (16) at any point between the main body and the wand.

Abstract: A rechargeable filter comprises first and second spaced particle-retaining meshes in which the first mesh (64) is continuous and forms a series of "V" shapes, and the second mesh comprises a number of closed "V"-shaped mesh elements (68), each second mesh element projecting into one "V" of the first mesh. The meshes are spaced at a constant distance by rigid projections (70) which also laterally space the upper parts (72) of the second mesh elements so that particles of filter material (74) can be loaded and unloaded.