PORTABLE, FLEXIBLE ABRASIVE BLASTING CONTAINER

Abstract

A portable, flexible abrasive blasting container that is easily transportable and accommodates larger work pieces has a frameless, flexible containment assembly, and a support member to support the assembly and work piece. The blasting container is under positive pressure relative to the outside atmosphere. The containment assembly may be located around the work piece for those work pieces that are not removable from their locations.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a portable, flexible abrasive blasting container and, more specifically, to a blasting container that is inexpensive, is easy to ship and store, can accommodate large work pieces, and allows for better visibility of the work pieces during blasting.

2. Technical Background

Abrasive blasting cabinets and enclosures have been used for very long time. In an abrasive blasting cabinet, a fluidized stream of abrasives (e.g., particles or sand) is directed towards a work piece. Cabinets or enclosures are used to contain the abrasives used to clean or abrade the work piece. In so doing, the abrasives can be contained, recaptured, and recycled. The cabinets also prevented a “sand storm” that accompanies abrasive blasting in open space. However, the prior art of abrasive blasting cabinets are generally one of two types. The first type of abrasive blasting cabinet is a large cabinet allowing for the abrasive blasting of large pieces (e.g., doors, auto parts, etc.), but is of a rigid construction that is not easily transported. In fact, the work pieces are transported to the abrasive blasting cabinet, rather than the other way around. The second type of abrasive blasting cabinet is a smaller, portable cabinet that is quite limited in its size due to its portability. Therefore, an abrasive blasting cabinet is needed that is portable and yet can be used with larger work pieces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed herein is a portable, flexible abrasive blasting container that is easily transportable and accommodates larger work pieces.

In one aspect, a portable, flexible abrasive blasting container is disclosed that includes a frameless, flexible containment assembly for enclosing a work piece to be abraded, the frameless, flexible containment assembly further includes a frameless, deformable, flexible containment member, at least one viewing portal disposed in the flexible containment member for viewing the work piece therein, at least one closable opening in the flexible containment member through which the work piece can be inserted, at least two access ports for accessing an interior portion of the flexible containment member from a position exterior the flexible containment member, and an opening in the flexible containment member for exhausting air therefrom, a support member to support the frameless, flexible containment assembly and work piece from above the frameless, flexible containment assembly.

In some embodiments, the blasting container is under positive pressure.

In one embodiment, the flexible containment member is a sheet folded back onto itself and sealed along its edges.

In another embodiment, the flexible containment member is secured around the work piece, which is unremovably attached to a structure, thereby preventing the work piece from being placed inside an abrasive blasting container.

In another aspect, a portable, flexible abrasive blasting container is disclosed that includes a frameless, flexible containment assembly for enclosing a work piece to be abraded, the frameless, flexible containment assembly further includes a frameless, deformable, flexible containment member, the flexible containment member being translucent, at least one viewing portal disposed in the flexible containment member for viewing the work piece therein, at least one closable opening in the flexible containment member through which the work piece can be inserted, at least two access ports for accessing an interior portion of the flexible containment member from a position exterior the flexible containment member, and an opening in the flexible containment member for exhausting air from the deformable, flexible containment member, a filter in fluid communication with the opening in the flexible containment member to exhaust air therefrom, an opening for supplying air to the flexible containment assembly, a container for holding abrading material attached to the flexible containment member, and a support member to support the frameless, flexible containment assembly from above the frameless, flexible containment assembly.

In yet another aspect, a portable, flexible abrasive blasting container for containing an abrading device and a work piece to be abraded is disclosed, the abrasive blasting container includes a frameless, flexible containment assembly for enclosing the work piece to be abraded, the frameless, flexible containment assembly further includes a frameless, deformable, flexible containment member defining an abrading chamber, at least one viewing portal disposed in the flexible containment member for viewing the work piece therein, at least one closable opening in the flexible containment member through which the work piece can be inserted into the abrading chamber, and an opening in the flexible containment member for exhausting air therefrom, and a support member to support the frameless, flexible containment assembly and work piece from above the frameless, flexible containment assembly, wherein the abrading device causes positive pressure in the flexible containment member thereby inflating the flexible containment member to enlarge the abrading chamber.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the invention as described herein, including the detailed description which follows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings.

it is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present embodiments of the invention, and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the invention as it is claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operations of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment portable, flexible abrasive blasting container according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the portable, flexible abrasive blasting container of FIG. 1 in an unpressurized state;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a portable, flexible abrasive blasting container according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of another embodiment of a portable, flexible abrasive blasting container according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the portable, flexible abrasive blasting container of FIG. 4 sealed around a work piece; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a portable, flexible abrasive blasting container according to the present invention encapsulating a work piece that is unremovably attached to a structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiment(s) of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

Illustrated in FIG. 1 is a portable, flexible abrasive blasting container 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The abrasive blasting container 10 includes a flexible containment assembly 12 and a support member 14, the support member 14 supports the flexible containment assembly 12 and the work piece (not shown) from above. The flexible containment assembly 12 preferably includes a frameless, flexible containment member 16 that is preferably translucent (but may also be clear) to allow light to penetrate the containment assembly 12. In one embodiment, the flexible containment member 16 is made from a heavy duty plastic containment bag or sheet. The flexible containment assembly 12 preferably includes at least one viewing portal 18 allows for easy viewing of the work piece. The flexible containment assembly 12 also preferably includes at least one closable opening 20 through which the work piece can be inserted into the abrading chamber 22. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the closable opening 20 is illustrated as having a zipper-type closure, but it may be any appropriate closure, e.g., snaps, buttons, or the closure as illustrated in FIG. 3 below, as long as the flexible containment assembly 12 is able to maintain a positive pressure when in use as described in more detail below.

The flexible containment assembly 12 also includes at least two access ports 24 to allow a user to access an interior portion, e.g., the abrading chamber 22, from a position external to the flexible containment assembly 12. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the two access ports 24 also preferably include flexible sleeves 26 that extend into the abrading chamber 22. The flexible sleeves 26 also preferably include elastic enclosures 28 at the distal ends thereof to assist with maintaining a positive pressure in the flexible containment assembly 12 during use.

The abrasive blasting container 10 also preferably includes support member 14, which is illustrated in FIG. 1 as a rigid conduit having a generally U-shaped configuration and an opening extending therethrough. Flexible containment assembly 12 is connected at opening 30 to support member 14 at a first end 14a. The opening 30 is preferably at the top of the flexible containment assembly 12, as illustrated in FIG. 1, and is in fluid communication with the opening extending through the support member 14. At second end 14b of support member 14 is a filter 32 to collect abrading materials that exit opening 30 in the flexible containment assembly 12, rather than fall to the bottom of the abrading chamber 22.

Connected to a bottom portion 34 of the flexible containment assembly 12 is a container 36 to hold the abrading material (not shown) for use in the portable, flexible abrasive blasting container 10. Flexible containment member 16 is preferably sealingly connected to the container 36 to assist in maintaining positive pressure in the abrading chamber 22 during use. Container 36 preferably includes an opening 38 to supply air through the tube 40 to blasting gun 42 from an air source (not shown). Blasting gun 42 also has attached thereto a tube 44 to supply abrading material to the blasting gun 42 from the container 36. It should be noted that the flexible containment assembly 12 is sealingly connected to container 36 by a band clamp 46. Support member 14 is also preferably attached to the opening 30 in flexible containment assembly 12 and filter 32 by band clamps. However, any appropriate means may be used to seal each of these locations, e.g., tape, elastic bands, rope, etc.

Since blasting gun 42 is typically a hand-held suction-feed blasting gun, air is fed into the abrading chamber 22 (as well as flexible containment assembly 12) through the blasting gun 42 and the tube 40. The air fed into flexible containment assembly 12 causes the flexible containment member 16 to be inflated since all openings are essentially closed. The only escape for the air fed through the blasting gun 42 is through the opening 30, the opening through support member 14, and the filter 32. The filter 32 collects abrading materials as well as the abraded material from the air prior to exit from the system. As with typical blasting containers, the majority of the abrading materials used by the blasting gun 42 against the work piece will simply fall back into container 36 and can be reused.

FIG. 2 illustrates the portable, flexible abrasive blasting container 10 prior to (or even after) use. Since the blasting container 10 is not being used in FIG. 2, and no air is being fed into the blasting container 10, the flexible containment assembly 12 will hang loosely from support member 14. Similarly, FIG. 1 shows the condition of flexible containment assembly 12 during use, that is, in an inflated state having positive pressure relative to the exterior atmosphere.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, support member 14 has two eyelets 50 attached to either end. The blasting container 10 can be attached to a structure such as a ceiling, overhead beam, etc. (not shown), with a chain, rope, string, or by any other appropriate means, attached to the two eyelets 50. It is also possible to have fewer or more eyelets attached to support member 14. Additionally, the eyelets 50 may be placed along support member 14 in different locations and also have different configurations or sizes. Preferably, a chain 52 extends downward from one of the eyelets 50 through one end 14a of the opening in support member 14 and into abrading chamber 22. Again, chain 52 may be a rope, string, or any other appropriate member to which a work piece may be secured.

Another embodiment of a portable, flexible abrasive blasting container 100 is illustrated in FIG. 3. The blasting container 100 is illustrated in a cross-sectional view in FIG. 3. As with the prior embodiment, the abrasive blasting container 100 includes a flexible containment assembly 102 and a support member 104, which supports the flexible containment assembly 102 and the work piece 103. The flexible containment assembly 102 preferably includes a frameless, flexible containment member 106 that is preferably translucent (or even clear) to allow light to penetrate the containment assembly 102. The flexible containment assembly 102 also preferably includes at least one viewing portal 108 which allows for easy viewing of the work piece 103. The flexible containment assembly 102 also preferably includes at least one closable opening 110 through which the work piece 103 can be inserted into the abrading chamber 112. The closable opening 110 includes an access point 114 into the containment assembly 102. The closable opening 110 also preferably includes an enlarged sleeve 116 that is preferably sealed by a clamp 118 or other means that allows for easy and quick access to the abrading chamber 112. The access point 114 and enlarged sleeve 116 may be as large or as small as needed by the user. The enlarged sleeve 116 or the access point 114 may also be closed by a zipper as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 or any other appropriate way to close the opening.

The flexible containment assembly 102 also preferably includes at least to access ports 124 (only one of which is illustrated in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3). Access ports 124 allow a user standing externally to the flexible containment assembly 102 to insert their hands and arms through the access ports 124 to manipulate the work piece 103 and the abrading gun 142. Again, the access ports 124 may also include flexible sleeves 126 that had a closable (or at least a reduced) distal end.

The abrasive blasting container 100 also preferably includes a support member 104, which as illustrated in FIG. 3, is a rigid conduit having a generally U-shaped configuration and an opening therethrough. Flexible containment assembly 102 is connected at opening 130 to support member 104 at a first end 104a. The opening 130 is preferably at the top of the flexible containment assembly 102, as illustrated in FIG. 3, and is in fluid communication with the opening through support member 104. At the second end 104b of support member 104 is a filter 132 to collect abrading materials that exit opening 130 in the flexible containment assembly 102. The flexible containment assembly 102 and the filter 132 are preferably connected to support member 104 by band clamps 105, although other securing the members may be used, e.g., tape, string, elastic bands, etc.

Connected to a bottom portion 134 of the flexible containment assembly 102 is a container 136 to hold the abrading material 137 for use in the portable, flexible abrasive blasting container 100. Flexible containment member 106 is preferably sealingly connected to a container 136 to assist in maintaining positive pressure in the abrading chamber 112 during use. Container 136 also preferably includes an opening 138 to supply air through a tube 140 the blasting gun 142 from an external air source (not shown). Blasting gun 142 also has attached thereto a tube 144 to supply the abrading material 137 to the blasting gun 142 from the container 136. Flexible containment assembly 102 is sealingly connected to the container of 136 by a band clamp 146.

Another embodiment of a portable, flexible abrasive blasting container 200 is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. The abrasive blasting container 200 includes a flexible containment assembly 202 that may be configured around a work piece. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the containment assembly 202 is preferably a flexible sheet that is also preferably translucent to allow light to illuminate the work piece. The containment assembly 202 preferably has a number of viewing portals 218 and access ports 224 to provide flexibility to the user when securing the containment assembly 202 around the work piece. Also provided in containment assembly 202 are a number of openings 206. Openings 206a and 206b provide access to the abrading chamber 222 for an air supply tube 240 and an abrading material supply tube 244 (FIG. 5). Opening 206c provides access for a conduit to an air filter 232 to vent the air from the containment assembly 202.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, flexible containment assembly 202 is preferably folded along the line 205 around an object to be blasted (a chandelier as illustrated in FIG. 5). In this embodiment, the chain holding the chandelier may be considered to be the support member that supports not only the chandelier but also the flexible containment assembly 202. The flexible containment assembly 202 preferably has edges 210 that can be sealed to provide containment of the abrading material and define an abrading chamber 222. The edges 210 can be sealed in a number of ways, including with tape, clamps, an adhesive, etc. In this embodiment the flexible containment assembly 202 need not be sealingly connected to the abrading material container 236. Rather, the abrading material supply tube 244 exits through opening 206b and is inserted into container 236 to supply the abrading materials to the abrading gun 242. Similarly, the air supply tube 240 exits through opening 206a and is connected to an air supply (not shown). The flexible containment assembly 202 may be large enough, however, to reach the ground so that the container 236 may be disposed inside the flexible containment assembly 202 and not adversely affect the sealed edges 210 at the top of flexible containment assembly 202 or interfere with the movement of the work piece in the abrading chamber 222.

Filter 232 is preferably connected to flexible container assembly 202 by a flexible conduit that exits through opening 206c. As illustrated, the filter 232 can be laid on the ground or any appropriate surface, or even hung from a ceiling, wall, or other structure.

Access ports 224 are illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 without the flexible sleeves illustrated in other embodiments. However, flexible sleeves, which can be ordered as disposable vinyl sleeves (8 mils) from a number of manufacturers, may be attached to the flexible containment assembly 202 by the user at the access ports 224. In fact, flexible sleeves may be attached to the flexible containment assembly of each embodiment, particularly since the flexible containment assemblies are typically made of vinyl or polyethylene, which is readily available from a number of sources. It is simply a matter of making an appropriate sized hole at an appropriate location and securing a flexible sleeve to the flexible containment assembly with appropriate securing elements, e.g., tape, band clamps, etc.

Another embodiment of a portable, flexible abrasive blasting container 300 is illustrated in FIG. 6. The blasting container 300 includes a flexible containment assembly 302 and a support element 304. The work piece 303 is not removable from the structure 305 and, in the present embodiment, is illustrated as a steel door. The flexible containment assembly 302 preferably includes a frameless, flexible containment member 306 that is preferably translucent to allow light to penetrate the containment assembly 302. Again, the flexible containment member 306 is preferably made from a heavy duty plastic containment bag. The flexible containment assembly 302 preferably includes at least one viewing portal allows for easy viewing of the work piece 303.

The flexible containment assembly 302 also includes at least two access ports 314 to allow a user to access an interior portion, e.g., the abrading chamber 322, from a position external to the flexible containment assembly 302. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the two access ports 314 also include flexible sleeves 316 that can extend into the abrading chamber 322. The flexible sleeves 316 are illustrated in FIG. 6 as extending outward due to the positive pressure created by operation of the abrading gun 342. The flexible sleeves 316 also preferably include elastic enclosures 318 at the distal ends to assist with maintaining a positive pressure in the flexible containment assembly 302 during use.

The flexible containment assembly 302 also preferably includes several viewing portals (not seen in the side view of FIG. 6) as with the prior embodiments. A number of viewing portals allows the user to readily view various locations on the work piece without having to move the flexible containment assembly 302. The flexible containment assembly 302, in one embodiment, may be the same as or similar to flexible containment assembly 202.

Support element 304 in this embodiment is illustrated as securing the flexible containment assembly 302 to the structure 305 and as a nail-in strip. The flexible containment assembly 302 is placed above the work piece 303 and secured with the nail-in strip to the structure. Similarly, the sides and bottom of the flexible containment assembly 302 are secured to the structure (the walls and floor, for example) to prevent the abrading materials and the abraded material from escaping from the abrading chamber 322. The flexible containment assembly 302 may be secured to the structure 305 in other ways as well, including, for example, tape, adhesives, staples, etc.

The flexible containment assembly 302 preferably includes a number of openings 336. The openings 336 can be the same as those illustrated in FIG. 4, but they need not be. For example, the openings 336 need not be grouped together but may be disbursed around the flexible containment assembly 302. Additionally, there may be fewer or more openings in the flexible containment assembly depending upon the user and the need. If, for example, the user located the container 338 with the abrading material in the abrading chamber 322 between the work piece 303 and the flexible containment assembly 302, then one opening 336 would not be required for the tube 344 since tube 344 would not have to pass through the flexible containment assembly 302. It is also contemplated, that the opening 336 that is in fluid communication with the filter 332 be located apart from the other openings 336. For example, the opening for the filter 332 may be located at the top of the flexible containment assembly 302 near the support element 304.

Two flexible containment assemblies 302 are illustrated in FIG. 6 so as to ensure that the abrading material is contained. It is contemplated that the abrading material could pass under around or over the work piece 303, which is illustrated as a door, resulting in a mess if a second flexible containment assembly 302 is not provided on the opposite side of the door 303. This configuration also allows the user to open the door 303 to abrade the edges of the work piece without having to worry about containing the abrading material. However, if the work piece were placed against a solid wall, then only one of the flexible containment assemblies 302 would be required.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A portable, flexible abrasive blasting container comprising:

a frameless, flexible containment assembly for enclosing a work piece to be abraded, the frameless, flexible containment assembly further comprising:

a frameless, deformable, flexible containment member

at least one viewing portal disposed in the flexible containment member for viewing the work piece therein;

at least one closable opening in the flexible containment member through which the work piece can be inserted;

at least two access ports for accessing an interior portion of the flexible containment member from a position exterior the flexible containment member; and

an opening in the flexible containment member for exhausting air therefrom; and

a support member to support the frameless, flexible containment assembly and work piece from above the frameless, flexible containment assembly, the support member connected to the frameless, flexible containment assembly only at an upper end.

2. The portable, flexible abrasive blasting container according to claim 1, further comprising a filter in fluid communication with the opening in the flexible containment member.

3. The portable, flexible abrasive blasting container according to claim 2, wherein the support member has a opening therethrough and is connected at a first end to the opening in the flexible containment member and at a second end to the filter.

4. The portable, flexible abrasive blasting container according to claim 1, further comprising a container removably attached to a bottom portion of the frameless, flexible containment assembly for holding abrading material.

5. The portable, flexible abrasive blasting container according to claim 4, wherein the container includes an opening for supplying air to the flexible containment assembly.

6. The portable, flexible abrasive blasting container according to claim 1, wherein the flexible containment member is under positive pressure.

7. The portable, flexible abrasive blasting container according to claim 1, wherein the flexible containment member has at least one edge that is to be sealed after the work piece is disposed therein.

8. The portable, flexible abrasive blasting container according to claim 7, wherein the work piece is unremovably attached to a structure.

9. The portable, flexible abrasive blasting container according to claim 1, wherein the flexible containment member is translucent.

10. The portable, flexible abrasive blasting container according to claim 1, wherein the access ports are installed by a user.

11. The portable, flexible abrasive blasting container according to claim 1, wherein the frameless, deformable, flexible containment member comprises a sheet folded back onto itself and sealed along its edges.

12. The portable, flexible abrasive blasting container according to claim 1, further comprising an abrasion shield in the flexible containment member to shield the containment member from abrading material directed toward the work piece.

13. A portable, flexible abrasive blasting container comprising:

a frameless, flexible containment assembly for enclosing a work piece to be abraded, the frameless, flexible containment assembly further comprising:

a frameless, deformable, flexible containment member, the flexible containment member being translucent;

at least one viewing portal disposed in the flexible containment member for viewing the work piece therein;

at least one closable opening in the flexible containment member through which the work piece can be inserted;

at least two access ports for accessing an interior portion of the flexible containment member from a position exterior the flexible containment member; and

an opening in the flexible containment member for exhausting air from the deformable, flexible containment member;

a filter in fluid communication with the opening in the flexible containment member to exhaust air therefrom;

an opening for supplying air to the flexible containment assembly;

a container for holding abrading material attached to the flexible containment member; and

a support member to support the frameless, flexible containment assembly from above the frameless, flexible containment assembly, the support member connected to the frameless, flexible containment assembly only at an upper end.

14. The portable, flexible abrasive blasting container according to claim 13, wherein the frameless, deformable, flexible containment member comprises a sheet folded back onto itself and sealed along its edges.

15. The portable, flexible abrasive blasting container according to claim 13, further comprising an abrasion shield in the flexible containment member to shield the containment member from abrading material directed toward the work piece.

16. A portable, flexible abrasive blasting container for containing an abrading device and a work piece to be abraded, the abrasive blasting container comprising:

a frameless, flexible containment assembly for enclosing the work piece to be abraded, the frameless, flexible containment assembly further comprising:

a frameless, deformable, flexible containment member defining an abrading chamber and having no support structures extending from a top end to a bottom end thereof and;

at least one viewing portal disposed in the flexible containment member for viewing the work piece therein;

at least one closable opening in the flexible containment member through which the work piece can be inserted into the abrading chamber; and

an opening in the flexible containment member for exhausting air therefrom; and

a support member to support the frameless, flexible containment assembly and work piece from above the frameless, flexible containment assembly,

wherein the abrading device causes positive pressure in the flexible containment member thereby inflating the flexible containment member to enlarge the abrading chamber.

17. (canceled)

18. A portable, flexible abrasive blasting container for containing an abrading device and a work piece to be abraded, the portable, flexible abrasive blasting container comprising:

a flexible containment assembly for enclosing the work piece to be abraded, the flexible containment assembly having no support structures between a top end and a bottom end and further comprising:

a frameless, deformable, flexible containment member defining an abrading chamber;

at least one viewing portal disposed in the flexible containment member for viewing the work piece therein; and

an opening in the flexible containment member for exhausting air therefrom;

a support member connected to the opening to support the flexible containment assembly, the support member having an opening therethrough; and

a filter in fluid communication with the opening in the flexible containment member through the opening in the support member.