Containment Device

Abstract

A disposable debris containment apparatus for a vacuum cleaner comprising a collection receptacle having at least one intake aperture into which debris collected by suction created by a vacuum device travels, a hose fitment which attaches to various sizes of conventional vacuum cleaner hoses and a filter debris and vapors.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of debris collection and containment devices, and in particular with a debris containment device that is easily adapted for use with standard vacuum cleaners and suction devices known in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a containment device adapted for use with a vacuum cleaner or suction device.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of one embodiment of a containment device adapted for use with a vacuum cleaner or suction device.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of one embodiment a hose fitment and filter assembly for use with a containment device.

FIG. 4 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of an assembled containment device for use with a vacuum or suction device.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of one embodiment of a hose fitment assembly for use in a containment device.

FIG. 6 is an assembled side view of one embodiment of a hose fitment assembly for use in a containment device.

FIG. 7 illustrates vapor and particle flow in one embodiment of a containment device for use with a vacuum.

BACKGROUND

Vacuum cleaner and suction devices are known in the art for cleaning, filtration, evidence collection and various forensic uses. These systems often include receptacles, and various types of filters. However, most of these devices are in use in laboratories, and have specialized applications and markets.

However, there is a need for a convenient containment and debris disposal device that is adapted for use for in domestic, commercial and other non-laboratory settings. For example, such a device may be used for cleanup of broken fluorescent light bulbs which are increasing in popularity and which emanate fine mercury particles and gaseous mercury vapor. Additionally, in both residential and commercial settings special clean-up issues may be presented by insecticide residue, insect bodies and larvae, rodent hair and feces, urine, blood, feces, bodily fluids, and other materials that would contaminate or de-sanitize a vacuum cleaner.

With respect to collection and disposal of broken compact fluorescent lamps, there are particular hazards related to mercury contamination which make traditional vacuum cleaners unsuitable. Commonly, when fluorescent bulbs are broken, mercury vapors are emitted from the fluorescent lamps and contaminate the immediate area and eventually evaporate, exposing increasingly distal areas to mercury vapor.

Presently, the DOE website and EPA advise consumers to pick up large glass pieces and to seal them in a glass container for removal to a waste facility. Smaller glass and dust pieces too small for manual cleanup may be removed using stiff pieces of paper such as index cards, the sticky side of tape, and/or use a damp paper towel to pick up the finest particles. However, these procedures are impractical for soft or textured surfaces like carpet. For areas like carpet where cleanup is most difficult, the Maine EPA, which has done a specific study on this topic, suggests consumers may consider removing throw rugs or that area of carpet where the breakage occurred. This report further recommends not using a vacuum cleaner itself to avoid contaminating the vacuum cleaner and dispersing the mercury vapor throughout the room.

Current cleanup methods of broken fluorescent bulbs do not specifically include using a vacuum cleaner to pick up the broken glass pieces and mercury. The concern of unfiltered mercury spreading through the air and contaminating it and the vacuum are serious concerns. To contain the released mercury and prevent dissemination, broken parts must be effectively captured and contained, and circulating air must be filtered to capture gaseous mercury vapors.

Additionally, other materials that may or may not be hazardous to humans may present special clean-up issues which are not effectively addressed by commercially available vacuum cleaners and attachments known in the art. For example, pollutants (such as rodent and bird droppings) or bio-hazardous materials may emanate harmful airborne matter and vapors. Other examples with special clean-up issues include various electrically conductive materials, fine particulates viscous materials and adhesives that may damage a vacuum cleaner or compromise hoses, fittings and other parts.

Some substances in fine particulate state, such as powder coating paint substances and baking flour, may possess explosive or combustible properties if drawn through or into vacuum. (The process of moving these substances as well as the collection presents a risk of combustion).

Moreover, in some manufacturing environments, valuable materials, pharmaceuticals and small parts may be dropped, and it is desirable to use a vacuum cleaner to retrieve the items themselves from mixing or being contaminated by other items in the vacuum cleaner device.

It is desirable to introduce a containment device into the market which is inexpensive, lightweight, fully or partially disposable and easily adapted for a variety of commonly sold vacuum cleaner devices.

It is further desirable that such a device capture all harmful substances using a standard vacuum cleaner device, and control the recovery of such substances for proper disposal and/or for further tracking and analysis.

It is further desirable that such a device prevent contaminants from entering components of the vacuum cleaning device (in particular the hose and motor).

GLOSSARY

As used herein, the term “vapor” or “gaseous material” shall refer to any diffused matter suspended in the air such as mercury, pesticide fumes, chemical fumes, combustible substances, bacterial, viral and fungal agents, molds, spores, insect contaminants and larvae, allergens and airborne substances.

As used herein, the term “filter” or “filter assembly” refers to any component or apparatus that serves the function of separating debris, particulate matter, vapors, fluids and combinations thereof. A filter may be a substance (e.g., activated charcoal, disinfectant or any other neutralizing chemical) or it may be a structural component such as a screen, any porous material, net, grid, web, mesh, adhesive, repellent material, deflector or viscous layer.

As used herein, the term “deflector” refers to any object positioned in or on a collection receptacle as used herein that acts to turn aside, redirect, or block the flow of debris and particles in suctioned air, which may or may not also serve as a filter or component of the filter assembly. Generally a deflector is an optional component for a containment device.

As used herein, the term “deflection screen” refers to a functional or structural component used to redirect, block, or further screen the flow of debris and particles in suctioned air and to allow the passage of vapors for further filtering, which is contained within a collection receptacle.

As used herein, the term “vacuum cleaner” or “suction device” refers to any device known in the art to provide airflow and/or suction to facilitate the collection, gathering, cleaning and/or accumulation of debris.

As used herein, the term “debris” refers to particles and particulate matter, vapors and liquids which can be suctioned into or through a receptacle by a vacuuming device, including but not limited to insect remains, powdered insecticide or pesticide residue, gaseous byproducts, hair, feces, bait, vomit, urine, blood, bodily fluids, mold, fungus, bacterial and/or viral agents, and noxious chemicals, vapors and/or gases.

As used herein, the term “hose fitment” refers to any object that serves as a selective attachment point for various sizes of standard vacuum cleaner hoses including but not limited to molding (such as internal step molding), conical tapering, threading, die-cutting, forming, or attaching that may be made from various materials such as plastic, metal alloys, composites, or any variation thereof.

As used herein, the term “filter” or “filter assembly” refers to any known filtering mechanism that acts to filter gases and vapors and small particulate matter individually or in combination. A filter assembly may include a filter such as a HEPA filter known in the art or a filter constructed from substances known to facilitate filtration such charcoal, activated charcoal, a disinfectant, a neutralizing chemical, a screen, a porous material, a net, a grid, a web, a mesh, an adhesive, a repellent material, a deflector, viscous layer or combinations thereof. A filter assembly may further be comprised of parts with which to mount or secure a filter within a containment device filter. A filter may be adapted to filter fine particles, gasses, viral and biologically active pollutants.

As used herein, the term “collection receptacle” refers to an object formed to accept suctioned flow of air and debris, and which contains a chamber to hold particulate matter, that may be shaped and/or contoured in any manner which allows the collection receptacle to contain and confine debris, liquids and vapors.

As used herein, the term “internal step molding” refers to a hose fitment as used herein that is adapted to fit various standard sizes of vacuum cleaner hoses by moldings, a conical shape, one or more contours or protuberances of any shape or other structural features with allow vacuum cleaner hoses of varying sizes and shapes to fit securely to a hose fitment.

As used herein, a “plug” is any structural component that prevents suctioned and/or accumulated material from escaping a collection receptacle after the vacuum cleaner is turned off (e.g., during transport).

As used herein, the term “intake aperture” means an aperture or structure through which debris, vapors and liquids may enter a collection chamber of a containment device.

As used herein, the term “collection receptacle” means a contained area into which debris, vapors and liquids are accumulated by suction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention disclosed herein is a containment device comprised of a filtering system to filter and separate particles and vapors, comprised of a collection receptacle having at least one intake aperture, at least one filter assembly, at least one deflector and at least one hose fitment. The containment device operates to contain debris and contaminants that present hazards to humans, animals and equipment when cleaned with a standard vacuum device. Various filters and filter assemblies known in the art may be structurally adapted for use with the containment device described herein. For example, the deflector and filter can be integrated with the hose fitment may be integrally manufactured or fixedly attached to the collection receptacle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the present invention, references are made in the text hereof to embodiments of a containment device for use and adaptation with vacuum cleaners and suction devices. Only some of these embodiments are depicted in the figures. It should nevertheless be understood that no limitations on the scope of the invention are thereby intended. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that modifications such as the dimensions, size, and shape of the components may be made. Moreover, alternate but functionally similar materials may be used, The inclusion of additional elements are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the written description do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Some of these possible modifications are mentioned in the following description. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed apparatus or manner.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In addition, in the embodiments depicted herein, like reference numerals in the various drawings refer to identical or near identical structural elements.

Moreover, the term “substantially” or “approximately” as used herein may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. The invention includes any alterations and further modifications in the illustrated devices and described methods and further applications of the principles of the invention which would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of containment device 100. In the embodiment shown, containment device 100 includes hose fitment 22, which serves as an interface and selective point for a standard vacuum cleaner hose (not shown). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, hose fitment 22 is adapted to receive three different sizes of vacuum cleaner hoses of 1½, 1¼ and 1 inches by having three fitment attachment points of varying diameters. Other embodiments may have more or fewer hose fitments 22 or fitments of varying diameters (from ½ inches to 8 inches) to accommodate a wide range of vacuum devices which may be commercially available or custom made.

In the embodiment shown, hose fitment 22 is fixedly attached to collection receptacle 10, which serves as a cavity and container for ultimate collection of debris which does not pass through filter assembly 25 (not visible). Collection receptacle 10 may be elliptical, rounded, rectangular, square, oval, tubular, conical or irregular in shape. Collection receptacle 10 may be made of plastic, fiber, metal, rubber, paper, treated paper or any combination of substances known in the art that may be adapted to form a receptacle.

In the embodiment shown, collection receptacle 10 further includes intake aperture 30 which is ½ to 1 and 1½ inches wide in the embodiment shown, but may be of any shape or dimension in other embodiments.

In the embodiment shown, containment device 100 further includes intake throat 70 that is a chamber-forming structure that keeps debris from escaping from intake aperture 30 and directs it toward filter assembly 25. Filter assembly 25 (not visible) captures fine particles, gasses, viral and biologically active pollutants and blocks them from entering the vacuum cleaner hose (not shown) attached to hose fitment 22.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 further includes plug 35 that is inserted to intake aperture 30. Intake aperture 30 accepts suctioned particles into collection receptacle 10. Plug 35 prevents suctioned and/or accumulated material from escaping collection chamber 10 after the vacuum cleaner is turned off (e.g., during transport). In the embodiment shown plug 35 structural component is configured to block or fit within intake aperture 30 of intake throat 70.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 further includes deflector 50, which may include any structure, contour or protuberance known that functions to deflect the direct impact of particle media on filter assembly 25 and redirects particles to either side of collection receptacle 10 of intake throat 70. In the embodiment shown, intake throat 70 provides an area into which debris is drawn toward filter assembly 25 and directed/dispersed away from intake aperture 30.

In the embodiment illustrate in FIG. 2, receptacle 10 is comprised of two separately molded and securely joined halves 10a and 10b that may be temporarily or permanently interlocking by structural conformations, attachment devices, bolts, staples, clamps, snaps, pins, adhesive, thermal processes or a singly molding or machining process.

In various embodiments, containment device may include additional optional end caps (not shown), which may attach to collection receptacle 10 to provide additional protection for leakage and may serve the function of encasing or protecting components of containment device 100 (including but not limited to plug 35, entry aperture 30 and/or hose fitments 22.)

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of one embodiment of a hose fitment for use with containment device 100 adapted for use with a vacuum illustrating a hose fitment 22. Hose fitment 22 serves as a selective attachment point for various sizes of standard vacuum cleaner hoses including but not limited to molding (such as internal step molding), conical tapering, threading, die-cutting, forming, or attaching that may be made from various materials such as plastic, metal alloys, composites, or any variation thereof. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, hose fitment 22 utilizes an internal step molding construction by which hose fitment 22 is adapted to fit various standard sizes of vacuum cleaner hoses. In other embodiments, hose fitment 22 may exhibit a conical shape, one or more contours or protuberances of any shape or other structural features to facilitate attachment of vacuum cleaner hoses having various diameters. In the embodiment shown, hose fitment 22 also serves as a structural attachment point for hose filter assembly 25 within containment receptacle 10.

FIG. 4 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of containment device 100. In the embodiment shown, fitment 22 has a tapered, conical shape which narrows to accept conventional vacuum cleaner hoses, but in other embodiments may have a tubular, rounded, contoured shape. In the embodiment shown, hose fitment 22, is made of flexible or semi-rigid material to stretch over outside of vacuum hose and form a positive seal, which may be plastic, nylon, resins, rubber or any material or composite known in the art.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of fitment 22 and filter assembly 25. FIG. 5 further shows deflector 55 which is structurally attached to filter enclosure 57 in the embodiment shown.

FIG. 6 illustrates an assembled view of an alternative embodiment of fitment 22 and filter assembly 25. FIG. 6 further shows deflector 55 which is structurally attached to filter enclosure 57 in the embodiment shown

FIG. 7 illustrates vapor and particle flow in one embodiment of containment device 100 in use. Debris and vapor are suctioned through intake aperture 30 into collection receptacle 10. Particles and debris can be deflected away from filter 27 by deflector 50 and by deflection screen 55 to settle in chamber 15, while vapors are filtered by filter 27, and noxious materials safely stored for later disposal.

Claims

1. A debris containment apparatus for a vacuum cleaner comprising:

a collection receptacle having at least one intake aperture adapted to accept debris and vapors;

a hose fitment; and

a filter assembly.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, which further includes a deflector.

3. The filter of claim 1, wherein said filter assembly consists of a filtering component selected from a group consisting of charcoal, activated charcoal, a disinfectant, neutralizing chemical, a screen, a porous material, a net, a grid, a web, a mesh, an adhesive, a repellent material, a deflector, viscous layer or combinations thereof.

4. The filter of claim 2 which is adapted to filter fine particles, gasses, viral and biologically active pollutants, fluids and combinations thereof.

5. The filter of claim 2 which is adapted to capture substances selected from a group consisting of retrievable matter, machine parts, debris, particles, airborne contaminates, moisture, and gaseous residue and combinations thereof.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said collection receptacle contains a plug.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said hose fitment is adapted to securely attach to a hose having a diameter of 0.5 to 8.0 inches.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said collection receptacle is disposable.

9. The apparatus of claim one which further includes at least one disposable component selected from a group consisting of a containments receptacle a filter and a filter assembly.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said hose fitting is a singly-molded component adapted to receive vacuum hoses of varying diameters.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said hose fitting includes an internal step molding.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said hose fitting is tapered.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, which further includes at least one intake throat.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, which further includes at least one end cap.

15. A disposable debris containment apparatus for a vacuum cleaner comprising:

a filter assembly;

a collection receptacle, into which debris collected by suction created by a vacuum device travels, having at least one intake aperture adapted to accept debris and vapors and further including a structural component adapted to secure said filter assembly;

a hose fitment which attaches to various sizes of conventional vacuum cleaner hoses wherein said hose fitment is adapted to securely attach to a hose having a diameter of 0.5 to 8.0 inches;

at least one intake throat;

at least one deflector; and

at least one plug.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said collection receptacle contains a plug.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said hose fitting is a singly-molded component adapted to receive vacuum hoses of varying diameters.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said hose fitting includes an internal step molding.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said hose fitting is tapered.

20. A disposable debris containment apparatus for a vacuum cleaner comprising:

a collection receptacle, into which debris collected by suction created by a vacuum device travels, having at least one intake aperture adapted to accept debris and vapors;

a hose fitment which attaches to various sizes of conventional vacuum cleaner hoses wherein said hose fitment is adapted to securely attach to a hose having a diameter of 0.5 to 8.0 inches;

a filter assembly adapted to receive and filter mercury vapors and mercury-contaminated debris;

at least one intake throat;

at least one deflector, and

at least one plug.