CN219538175U - Surface cleaning apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a surface cleaning apparatus comprising: a main body portion to which the cleaning base portion is pivotably connected; the cleaning base receives the cleaning liquid supplied by the cleaning liquid tank so as to perform wet cleaning on the surface to be cleaned; the sewage tank is used for collecting the solid-liquid mixture after the cleaning base cleans the surface to be cleaned; the fluid generator is used for generating a flowing gas path from the cleaning base part to the main body part and discharging the gas in the flowing gas path to the outside of the surface cleaning equipment; the waterproof breathable film is arranged in the main body part; wherein the flow gas path is in fluid exchange relationship with the waterproof and breathable membrane and such that gas in the flow gas path is permitted to pass through the waterproof and breathable membrane and water vapor in the flow gas path is blocked from exiting the exterior of the surface cleaning apparatus.

Description

Surface cleaning apparatus

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a surface cleaning apparatus.

Background

For better cleaning of surfaces such as floors, carpets, etc., floor washers are currently emerging which are suitable for cleaning not only hard surfaces such as tiles and hard wood, but also soft surfaces such as carpets, etc.

Typically, the floor washing machine includes a fluid delivery system that delivers cleaning liquid to the cleaning surface and a recovery system that extracts the cleaned liquid and debris (which may include dirt, dust, soil, hair, and other debris). Accordingly, in order to pump the cleaned liquid and debris to the recovery system, the floor scrubber further comprises a suction device capable of providing a negative pressure to the recovery system.

However, although the suction device has a certain waterproof structure, the motor is not polluted and damaged when the sewage is sucked; however, in some floor washers, because of structural design, when the floor washer is operated forward and backward by a user to a large extent or collides with an obstacle, the sewage in the sewage tank may be severely surge, so that a part of the sewage is sucked into the suction device with a strong air flow generated by the suction device, and the sewage is discharged out of the floor washer with a discharge air flow.

In addition, since some use situations require the floor scrubber body to be laid flat, and when the floor scrubber is laid flat, the sewage tank is horizontally placed together with the body, and water in the sewage tank flows into the suction device along with the surge along with the sewage suction airflow and is discharged outside the floor scrubber.

Disclosure of Invention

In order to solve one of the above technical problems, the present disclosure provides a surface cleaning apparatus.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a surface cleaning apparatus comprising:

the main body part is provided with a plurality of grooves,

a cleaning base pivotally connected with the main body portion;

a cleaning tank for storing a cleaning liquid, the cleaning base receiving the cleaning liquid supplied from the cleaning tank so as to wet clean a surface to be cleaned;

a sump for collecting a solid-liquid mixture after the cleaning base cleans a surface to be cleaned;

a fluid generator for generating a flowing gas path from the cleaning base portion to the main body portion and discharging gas in the flowing gas path to the outside of the surface cleaning apparatus; and

a waterproof breathable membrane disposed within the body portion and remote from the fluid generator;

wherein the flow gas path is in fluid exchange relationship with the waterproof and breathable membrane and such that gas in the flow gas path is allowed to pass through the waterproof and breathable membrane and water vapor in the flow gas path is blocked from exiting the exterior of the surface cleaning apparatus.

A surface cleaning apparatus in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the tank includes an airflow outlet located in the flow gas path, the waterproof breathable membrane being located at the airflow outlet.

A surface cleaning apparatus in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a lid assembly on which the airflow outlet is located.

According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the upper cover assembly forms a gas flow passage, and an outlet of the gas flow passage forms the gas flow outlet.

According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the sewage tank includes a cap assembly forming a gas circulation channel, and the waterproof and breathable membrane is provided at an inlet of the gas circulation channel.

A surface cleaning apparatus according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure further includes a filter located in the flow gas path, the waterproof and breathable membrane being disposed at the filter.

According to a surface cleaning apparatus of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the filter is disposed within the tank.

According to a surface cleaning apparatus of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the filter is provided to a cover assembly of the sump.

According to a surface cleaning apparatus of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the waterproof breathable membrane is disposed proximate a lower surface of the filter.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the fluid generator includes a gas flow channel formed as part of the flow gas path, the waterproof breathable membrane being disposed at an inlet of the gas flow channel.

A surface cleaning apparatus in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a housing portion and a motor, the housing portion being disposed at least partially around the motor and defining an airflow passage therethrough.

According to a surface cleaning apparatus of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the inlet of the air flow channel is located at the lower end of the housing portion.

According to the surface cleaning apparatus of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the waterproof and breathable film is provided at the housing portion and is located outside the housing portion.

According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the waterproof breathable membrane is remote from the motor of the flow generator.

According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the breathable film has a breathable content per square centimeter of greater than 1500ml/min at a pressure differential of 7 Kpa.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural view of a surface cleaning apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a schematic structural view of a sewage tank according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4 is a schematic structural view of a recycling storage container according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 5 is a schematic structural view of a solid-liquid separator and upper cover assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged schematic view of a portion a of fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional structural view of a surface cleaning apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged schematic view of a portion B of fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional structural view of a surface cleaning apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged schematic view of a portion C of fig. 9.

The reference numerals in the drawings specifically are:

100 handle portion

110 handle portion

120 connecting rod

200 main body

210 front housing part

220 frame portion

230 rear housing part

300 clear water tank

400 sewage tank

410 recovery storage container

420 solid-liquid separator

430 suction tube

440 upper cover assembly

450 filter

500 connection parts

600 cleaning base

700 fluid generator

800 waterproof breathable film.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure is described in further detail below with reference to the drawings and the embodiments. It is to be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the relevant content and not limiting of the present disclosure. It should be further noted that, for convenience of description, only a portion relevant to the present disclosure is shown in the drawings.

In addition, embodiments of the present disclosure and features of the embodiments may be combined with each other without conflict. The technical aspects of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings in conjunction with embodiments.

Unless otherwise indicated, the exemplary implementations/embodiments shown are to be understood as providing exemplary features of various details of some ways in which the technical concepts of the present disclosure may be practiced. Thus, unless otherwise indicated, features of the various implementations/embodiments may be additionally combined, separated, interchanged, and/or rearranged without departing from the technical concepts of the present disclosure.

The use of cross-hatching and/or shading in the drawings is typically used to clarify the boundaries between adjacent components. As such, the presence or absence of cross-hatching or shading does not convey or represent any preference or requirement for a particular material, material property, dimension, proportion, commonality between illustrated components, and/or any other characteristic, attribute, property, etc. of a component, unless indicated. In addition, in the drawings, the size and relative sizes of elements may be exaggerated for clarity and/or descriptive purposes. While the exemplary embodiments may be variously implemented, the specific process sequences may be performed in a different order than that described. For example, two consecutively described processes may be performed substantially simultaneously or in reverse order from that described. Moreover, like reference numerals designate like parts.

When an element is referred to as being "on" or "over", "connected to" or "coupled to" another element, it can be directly on, connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. However, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element, there are no intervening elements present. For this reason, the term "connected" may refer to physical connections, electrical connections, and the like, with or without intermediate components.

For descriptive purposes, the present disclosure may use spatially relative terms such as "under … …," under … …, "" under … …, "" lower, "" above … …, "" upper, "" above … …, "" higher "and" side (e.g., as in "sidewall"), etc., to describe one component's relationship to another (other) component as illustrated in the figures. In addition to the orientations depicted in the drawings, the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use, operation, and/or manufacture. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "under" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "over" the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term "below" … … can encompass both an orientation of "above" and "below". Furthermore, the device may be otherwise positioned (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, when the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," and variations thereof, are used in the present specification, the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof is described, but the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof is not precluded. It is also noted that, as used herein, the terms "substantially," "about," and other similar terms are used as approximation terms and not as degree terms, and as such, are used to explain the inherent deviations of measured, calculated, and/or provided values that would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural view of a surface cleaning apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of fig. 1.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the surface cleaning apparatus may include a handle portion 100, a body portion 200, a fresh water tank 300, a sewage tank 400, a connection portion 500, and a cleaning base portion 600.

The handle portion 100 may include a handle portion 110 and a connecting rod 120. The handle portion 110 is intended to be held by a user for operating the surface cleaning apparatus. The connection rod 120 may be disposed between the handle portion 110 and the body portion 200 so as to connect the handle portion 100 with the body portion 200. During the surface cleaning apparatus cleaning a surface to be cleaned, a user can hold the handle 110 with the main body 200 in an inclined state, while the cleaning base 600 is in contact with and moves over the surface to be cleaned, thereby achieving a surface cleaning operation.

Wherein the main body 200 of fig. 1 and 2 is in an inclined state, i.e., in a state where the surface to be cleaned can be cleaned.

In the present disclosure, the main body part 200 may include a front housing part 210, a frame part 220, and a rear housing part 230, wherein the front housing part 210 and the rear housing part 230 constitute a housing of the surface cleaning apparatus, and accordingly, a receiving hole is formed in the front housing part 210 such that the sewage tank 400 is located in the receiving hole of the front housing part 210. Preferably, the sump 400 is located at the lower half of the main body portion 200, thereby enabling the center of gravity of the surface cleaning apparatus to be lowered with the use time, and facilitating the user's operation.

In the present disclosure, the clear water tank 300 may be disposed inside the main body 200 and located at the upper half of the main body 200. In one embodiment, the fresh water tank 300 can be secured to the frame portion 220, thereby enabling the location of the fresh water tank 300 to be fixed.

On the other hand, the clear water tank 300 may be provided in the front case portion 210, for example, a housing hole may be formed in the front case portion 210, and the clear water tank 300 may be provided in the housing hole.

The clear water tank 300 may be provided in the rear housing portion 230, and in this case, the rear housing portion 230 may be provided with a receiving hole, and the clear water tank 300 may be positioned in the receiving hole; accordingly, when the rear housing part 230 accommodates only the clear water tank 300, the clear water tank 300 is disposed near the lower end of the main body part 200, so that the center of gravity of the surface cleaning apparatus can be lowered.

As other implementation forms, the clean water tank 300 and the sewage tank 400 may be both disposed in the rear housing portion 230, or the clean water tank 300 may be disposed in the front housing portion 210, and the sewage tank 400 may be disposed in the rear housing portion 230, etc., which will not be described in detail herein.

The lower end of the connection rod 120 of the handle part 100 may be connected with the upper end of the frame part 220, thereby enabling the operation of the body part 200 by operating the handle part 100. In one embodiment, the front housing portion 210 is formed separately from the frame portion 220 and is mounted to the frame portion 220; of course, the front housing 210 and the frame 220 may be integrally formed. In another embodiment, the rear housing part 230 is formed separately from the frame part 220 and is mounted thereto; of course, the rear housing portion 230 may be integrally formed with the frame portion 220.

The clean water tank 300 is used to store a cleaning liquid. In one embodiment, the clean water tank 300 includes a cavity formed by a plurality of walls so as to contain the cleaning liquid, and the capacity of the clean water tank 300 may be set to 500mL or the like.

The clear water tank 300 is arranged to automatically add a cleaning liquid when the clear water tank 300 is located inside the main body part 200. That is, the surface cleaning apparatus includes a water supply port at this time, and when the water supply port is connected to a water supply port of a base station or a tap water pipe or the like, cleaning liquid can be automatically replenished to the clean water tank 300.

When the clear water tank 300 is detachably provided to the main body part 200, i.e., the outer surface of the clear water tank 300 is formed as a part of the outer surface of the main body part 200, the clear water tank 300 can be manually detached and a cleaning liquid is manually added; when a predetermined amount of cleaning liquid is replenished into the clean water tank 300, the clean water tank 300 may be mounted to the main body 200.

The fresh water tank 300 further includes a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet, etc. for adding or providing a cleaning liquid, and more preferably, the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet may be implemented through the same channel, and the structures of the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet are not described in detail herein.

Also, in order to achieve the internal air pressure balance of the clean water tank 300, the clean water tank 300 further includes an air hole capable of exhausting air when the cleaning liquid is added into the clean water tank 300 and of supplying air when the clean water tank 300 supplies the cleaning liquid to the outside.

Fig. 3 is a schematic structural view of a sewage tank 400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the sump 400 is used to collect the solid-liquid mixture after the cleaning base 600 cleans the surface to be cleaned. The sewage tank 400 may include a recovery storage container 410 and a solid-liquid separator 420, wherein the solid-liquid separator 420 is disposed in the recovery storage container 410 such that at least a portion of the solid-liquid separator 420 is positioned in the recovery storage container 410, and a solid-liquid mixture can be separated by the solid-liquid separator 420 after entering the sewage tank 400, when the solid garbage is held in the solid-liquid separator 420 and the liquid is held in the recovery storage container 410.

Fig. 4 is a schematic structural view of a recycling storage container according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

In the present disclosure, as shown in fig. 4, the recovery storage container 410 is formed in a box shape with an upper end opening, and at this time, a lower end of the solid-liquid separator 420 is inserted into the recovery storage container 410 from the upper end opening of the recovery storage container 410, thereby causing at least a portion of the solid-liquid separator 420 to be located within the recovery storage container 410.

The bottom wall of the recovery storage container 410 is formed with an inlet port, and the lower end of the suction pipe 430 is provided to the recovery storage container 410 and communicates with the inlet port, whereby the solid-liquid mixture can enter the solid-liquid separator through the inlet port and the suction pipe 430 to achieve solid-liquid separation.

Fig. 5 is a schematic structural view of a solid-liquid separator and upper cover assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in fig. 5, the sewage tank 400 of the present disclosure further includes an upper cover assembly 440; the upper cover assembly 440 can be formed as a member closing an upper end opening of the recovery storage container 410; in a preferred embodiment, the upper cap assembly 440 can be formed as one piece with the solid-liquid separator 420.

Thus, the upper cover assembly 440 may be formed as an upper end of the solid-liquid separator 420; the upper cover assembly 440 may be formed as at least a portion of an outer surface of the surface cleaning apparatus when the tank 400 is mounted to the surface cleaning apparatus.

In the present disclosure, the upper cap assembly 440 forms a gas flow passage (which is formed as a part of a flowing gas path) that allows a gas within the gas flow passage to flow when a negative pressure is applied to one end of the gas flow passage of the upper cap assembly 440; the bottom of the upper cap assembly 440 is formed with an opening, and the opening of the bottom of the upper cap assembly 440 is formed as an inlet of the gas flow passage; accordingly, the top of the upper cap assembly 440 is also formed with an opening, and the opening of the top of the upper cap assembly 440 is formed as an outlet of the gas flow passage.

That is, when a negative pressure is applied to the opening of the top of the upper cover assembly 440, the gas in the gas circulation channel can be caused to flow from the inlet to the outlet; preferably, a filter 450 may be provided in the gas flow passage, and the filter 450 may be implemented using a HEPA assembly or the like, whereby solids and/or liquids passing through the gas flow passage can be filtered by the filter 450, thereby making the discharged gas drier and cleaner.

The connection part 500 is used to connect the main body part 200 with the cleaning base part 600, the connection part 500 may be a hollow structure, and all of air, fluid communication, and lines required for power supply, etc. between the main body part 200 and the cleaning base part 600 such as a floor brush may be realized by the connection part 500, so that power supply, communication of air and/or liquid, etc. may be realized between the main body part 200 and the cleaning base part 600 via wiring and/or piping through the connection part 500. Furthermore, a flexible hose for sucking and recovering liquid may pass through the connection part.

According to one embodiment, the connection part 500 may include a universal joint to enable the main body part 200 to rotate in two directions with respect to the cleaning base part 600.

According to one embodiment, the connection part 500 may include a multi-axis joint that may couple the main body part 200 with the cleaning base part 600 so as to allow the main body part 200 to rotate in the first and second directions with respect to the cleaning base part 600.

The cleaning base 600 receives the cleaning liquid supplied from the cleaning tank to wet clean the surface to be cleaned. In the present disclosure, the cleaning base 600 may include a cleaning tool such as a roll brush or a track type cleaning member, and the cleaning base 600 includes a suction port defining a start point of a flowing gas path. In one embodiment, the suction inlet is positioned at the rear of the cleaning tool, with the direction of movement of the surface cleaning apparatus when cleaning the surface to be cleaned being in front, so that it is convenient to collect the mixture of liquid and solids after cleaning the surface to be cleaned by the cleaning tool to the suction inlet and through the suction inlet into the recovery line (part of the flow gas path) and further into the sump 400.

In the present disclosure, the flow generator 700 is used to generate a flowing gas path from the cleaning base 600 to the main body 200, i.e., gas can flow from the cleaning base 600 to the main body 200, more specifically, to the sewage tank 400 provided to the main body 200, and then the flow generator 700 discharges the gas in the flowing gas path to the outside of the surface cleaning apparatus.

In terms of location, the flow generator 700 is located at the upper portion of the sump 400. In one implementation, the flow generator 700 is located between the clean water tank 300 and the sewage tank 400 when the clean water tank 300 is located above the sewage tank 400.

The waterproof breathable membrane 800 is disposed within the body portion 200 and remote from the fluid generator; in a preferred embodiment, the waterproof breathable membrane 800 is remote from the motor of the flow generator 700; the flow gas path is in fluid exchange relationship with the waterproof and breathable membrane 800 and such that gas in the flow gas path is allowed to pass through the waterproof and breathable membrane 800 and water vapor in the flow gas path is blocked from exiting the exterior of the surface cleaning apparatus. In other words, water vapor in the flowing gas is prevented from exiting the exterior of the surface cleaning apparatus by the provision of the waterproof breathable membrane 800 and by the fluid transfer of the flowing gas.

The sewage tank 400 includes an air flow outlet located in the flowing air path, and the waterproof and breathable membrane 800 is located at the air flow outlet, whereby liquid can be prevented from being discharged from the sewage tank 400 and into the fluid generator 700 by the waterproof and breathable membrane 800. In the present disclosure, the outlet of the gas flow channel of the upper cover assembly 440 may be the gas flow outlet, and the waterproof and breathable film 800 may be fixed to the upper cover assembly 440.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged schematic view of a portion a of fig. 2.

As shown in fig. 6, the upper cover assembly 440 forms a gas circulation channel, and the waterproof and breathable film 800 is disposed at the inlet of the gas circulation channel, that is, the waterproof and breathable film 800 can be fixed on the upper cover assembly 440, so that liquid can be effectively prevented from entering the HEPA assembly, and the service life of the HEPA assembly is affected.

Fig. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional structural view of a surface cleaning apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 8 is an enlarged schematic view of a portion B of fig. 7.

The waterproof and breathable membrane 800 is disposed at the filter 450. In one embodiment, the waterproof and breathable membrane 800 may be secured to the filter 450 proximate to the lower surface of the filter 450. Preferably, the waterproof and breathable membrane 800 is detachable from the filter 450, so that the waterproof and breathable membrane 800 does not need to be replaced when the filter 450 is replaced, thereby improving the service life of the waterproof and breathable membrane 800.

Of course, the waterproof and breathable membrane 800 may also be disposed adjacent to the upper surface of the filter 450.

Fig. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional structural view of a surface cleaning apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 10 is an enlarged schematic view of a portion C of fig. 9.

As shown in fig. 9 and 10, the flow generator 700 includes a gas flow passage formed as a part of the flowing gas path, and the waterproof and breathable membrane 800 is provided at an inlet of the gas flow passage.

Specifically, the flow generator 700 includes a housing portion disposed at least partially around the motor and defining an airflow passage therethrough, and a motor. The structure of the flow generator 700 may be a structure in the prior art, and will not be described in detail herein.

As shown in fig. 10, the inlet of the air flow passage is located at the lower end of the housing part; accordingly, the waterproof and breathable membrane 800 may be fixed to the housing portion and located outside the housing portion, so that the waterproof and breathable membrane 800 may be conveniently replaced.

In another embodiment, the waterproof and breathable membrane 800 may also be disposed inside the housing portion, and this structure will not be described in detail.

In a preferred embodiment, the waterproof and breathable membrane 800 has a ventilation capacity of greater than 1500ml/min per square centimeter under a pressure differential of 7Kpa, thereby enabling the waterproof and breathable membrane 800 to both not significantly affect the gas flow and effectively vent the vapor in the flowing gas path.

In the description of the present specification, reference to the terms "one embodiment/manner," "some embodiments/manner," "example," "a particular example," "some examples," etc., means that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment/manner or example is included in at least one embodiment/manner or example of the utility model. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms are not necessarily for the same embodiment/manner or example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in any one or more embodiments/modes or examples. Furthermore, the various embodiments/modes or examples described in this specification and the features of the various embodiments/modes or examples can be combined and combined by persons skilled in the art without contradiction.

Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and the like, are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying a relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defining "a first" or "a second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one such feature. In the description of the present utility model, the meaning of "plurality" means at least two, for example, two, three, etc., unless specifically defined otherwise.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the above-described embodiments are merely for clarity of illustration of the disclosure, and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Other variations or modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art from the foregoing disclosure, and such variations or modifications are intended to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims (15)

1. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising:

the main body part is provided with a plurality of grooves,

a cleaning base pivotally connected with the main body portion;

a cleaning tank for storing a cleaning liquid, the cleaning base receiving the cleaning liquid supplied from the cleaning tank so as to wet clean a surface to be cleaned;

a sump for collecting a solid-liquid mixture after the cleaning base cleans a surface to be cleaned;

a fluid generator for generating a flowing gas path from the cleaning base portion to the main body portion and discharging gas in the flowing gas path to the outside of the surface cleaning apparatus; and

a waterproof breathable membrane disposed within the body portion and remote from the fluid generator;

wherein the flow gas path is in fluid exchange relationship with the waterproof and breathable membrane and such that gas in the flow gas path is allowed to pass through the waterproof and breathable membrane and water vapor in the flow gas path is blocked from exiting the exterior of the surface cleaning apparatus.

2. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tank includes an airflow outlet located in the flow gas path, the waterproof breathable membrane being located at the airflow outlet.

3. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 2, wherein the tank includes a cover assembly, and the airflow outlet is located on the cover assembly.

4. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the cover assembly defines a gas flow passage, and the outlet of the gas flow passage defines the gas flow outlet.

5. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tank includes a cover assembly that forms a gas flow passage, the waterproof breathable membrane being disposed at an inlet of the gas flow passage.

6. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a filter located in the flow gas path, the waterproof, gas-permeable membrane disposed at the filter.

7. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 6, wherein the filter is disposed within the tank.

8. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 7, wherein the filter is disposed on a cover assembly of the tank.

9. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 8, wherein the waterproof breathable membrane is disposed proximate a lower surface of the filter.

10. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flow generator includes a gas flow channel formed as part of the flow gas path, the waterproof gas permeable membrane being disposed at an inlet of the gas flow channel.

11. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 10, wherein the flow generator includes a housing portion and a motor, the housing portion being disposed at least partially around the motor and defining an airflow passage therethrough.

12. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 11, wherein the inlet of the airflow passage is located at a lower end of the housing portion.

13. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 12, wherein the waterproof and breathable membrane is disposed on the housing portion and is located outside the housing portion.

14. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 11, wherein the waterproof breathable membrane is remote from a motor of the flow generator.

15. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the waterproof breathable membrane has a breathable content per square centimeter of greater than 1500ml/min at a pressure differential of 7 Kpa.