Abstract: A settling apparatus for the separation of amalgam from waste water in a dental procedure includes an inclined passage through which the water is caused to flow from below and upwards while depositing amalgam. The inclined passage has an inclination of between 3.degree. and 15.degree.. It is filled with a large number of thin-walled, narrow tubes, which contact each other in a side-by-side manner. The water flows from below and upwards through the tubes and through the channels between the tubes while amalgam is settled and deposited on the interior, as well as on the exterior, surfaces of the tubes.

Abstract: A variable suction aspirator head for an end fitting of a suction hose consisting simply of an inner valve tube having wall holes and a slideable outer barrel, permitting variations in suction, the trapping of solid material by the valve tube wall holes and easy disassembly for cleaning and sterilization of the parts after each use.

Abstract: A disinfectant and flush system for a dental waste evacuator comprises a container filled with disinfectant and connected to the interior of a main flow tube of the evacuator, positioned between a disposable mouth piece and a suction source. A control valve is installed between a tubing leading from the disinfectant container and the main flow tube, which ensures that the disinfectant is admitted into the main flow tube during operation of the evacuator to flush the tube continually or intermittently.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a back-flow prevention device for use with a water supply for supplying water to dental instruments within a dental clinic for preventing bacteria contamination of a water source feeding water supply. The device provides no mechanical connection between the water source and the water supply.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved vacuum assembly for forming a vacuum comprising a vacuum pump having water rings wherein a water stream is injected into the water rings of the vacuum pump and wherein the water stream is comprised of a combined fresh water and a recycled waste water stream and wherein the fresh water stream is used as a motivating force for an eductor for inducing the recycled waste water stream to form the water stream injected into the water rings of the vacuum pump.

Abstract: For the separation of a mixture of solids and liquids, which is produced in dental suction units, a separator is used which comprises a housing in which a mixture inlet, a liquid collecting chamber and a lower sedimentation chamber are provided. A drain opening for clarified liquid is associated with the liquid collecting chamber. The drain opening is arranged above a maximum settling level of the solids, and a first section of a drain line extends vertically upwards from the drain opening. To eliminate disturbance of the settling of solids in the sedimentation chamber to the greatest possible extent, the collected clarified liquid is discharged in each case, when a predetermined flood level of the first section of the drain line is reached. The sedimentation chamber is formed in a removable collector bowl so that the collected solids can be discharged.

Abstract: A dental vacuum system includes a sludge trap and liquid separator between dental operatories and a vacuum source (vacuum pump). The sludge trap separates out metals, such as silver, gold, and mercury, and other large particles from the fluid flow between the operatories and the vacuum source. By utilizing a static structure including a sanitary tee, a plastic pipe extending downwardly from the tee, and a slide valve, the metals may be easily collected, and periodically capped and sent to salvage, for the recovery of the metals. The liquid separator comprises a number of plastic pipes extending downwardly from a linear flow path of the fluid slurry to the vacuum pump. A number of sanitary tees are provided connected to the pipes, the pipes each having a larger cross-sectional area (diameter) than the fluid conduit connected to the vacuum pump. At their bottoms, the pipes are connected to a common drain valve. No-hub (quick release) couplings may be used for easy removal of components.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved liquid-solids-gas separator assembly permitting recovery of a major portion of the liquid stream for recirculation to a vacuum producing assembly wherein the separator assembly includes a gas-liquid and solids separator chamber and a liquids separator chamber for recovery of a recycle water stream and wherein the separator assembly comprises a vessel defining a cylindrically-shaped chamber into which a dental effluent including water, gases and lighter and heavier than water particles and from which a gas is vented through an upper conduit and liquid streams are recovered from a liquid pool wherein one liquid stream includes lighter than water particles and in one aspect is combined with heavier than water particles and a second liquid stream is recovered for recycling purposes.

Abstract: In an aspirating unit for dental workstations the blower impeller of a vacuum pump (32), a propeller (84) and a pump impeller (68) sit on a common drive shaft (66). The drive shaft (66) is enclosed by a cyclone air extractor (34), the propeller (84) keeping foam components contained in the incoming air and fluid mixture clear of the air discharge connection of the cyclone fluid extractor (34). The pump impeller (68) conveys the fluid discharged at the bottom end of the cyclone fluid extractor (34) forcibly to the fluid outlet connection (28) of the aspirator.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for removing food remains from the oral cavity, particularly from the teeth. The apparatus includes a suction chamber, enclosing a removable filter, a suction member removably fixed to said suction chamber, a pipe in fluid communication with said suction chamber through a casing, and an outer cover of collapsible material removably fixed to said casing. Through depression upon said outer cover and, as a consequence, on said suction member, a depression is created inside the suction chamber, so that, through a pneumatic action, the food remains are moved from the oral cavity into the suction chamber where they are collected on said removable filter.

Abstract: A spittle separation and disposal device is disclosed that incorporates a drainage pump and forms part of the suction equipment used in dentistry. The device comprises a separator vessel (1) fitted with a drain valve (2); the drainage pump (8), located downstream of the valve and kept normally at standstill, is set in motion by a control signal from level sensors (9, 10) within the vessel, whenever liquid in the vessel itself rises to a prescribed level. The vessel has a lid (3) provided with an element (14) in the form of a cone frustum the inside of which communicates with a port connected to an air pump, and the internal surface of which exhibits a number of helical starts (15) disposed in opposition to the helical pattern tern of movement of the air which is drawn up through the element by the air pump.

Abstract: A valve for a suction system, which comprises a sedimentation chamber (3) for collection of particles contained with the liquid sucked into the valve and suction outlet (6) having suction openings (8) in a float house (9), which suction openings (8) cooperate with a membrane (22), which is attached to a float member (21) in the float house (9) so that the membrane seals against the suction openings (8) when liquid do not reach the float house (9) and so that the area of the suction openings (8) is successively uncovered when the membrane (22) moves with the float member (21) at rising liquid level in the float house (9).

Abstract: A vacuum operated dental high volume evacuation system is provided wherein an extraction instrument is connected to a debris collector for solids which in turn is connected to a separator unit wherein the liquid in the evacuated material is separated from the vacuum air and the dry vacuum air is directed to the vacuum source unit which creates the vacuum for the system. The separator unit includes a vacuum chamber positioned above a drainage chamber with a valve disposed therebetween. The drainage chamber is normally maintained at atmospheric pressure and the valve is normally closed due to the pressure differential between the two chambers. A liquid level sensor is provided in the vacuum chamber to sense the rise of liquid therein which upon reaching a certain level trips the sensor which results in an equalization of vacuum pressure between the two chambers and the draining of the liquid in the vacuum chamber into the drainage chamber.

Abstract: A separator for incorporation into dental suction apparatus for separating from the suction stream liquid and solid materials coming from the mouth of a patient comprises a housing, a separation chamber in the housing, an inlet for the suction stream into the separation chamber and an outlet for cleaned suction air from the separation chamber. Below the separation chamber there is a smaller collecting chamber below which is a drainage chamber provided with a liquid-solid discharge opening. In the separation chamber there is a cyclone device into which the suction stream enters tangentially so as to provide a swirling movement. The suction air then passes up through a central opening defined by the cyclone means. Also in the separation chamber there is a rotating element in the form of a rotatable float having a stem extending up from the float and provided with vanes associated with the cyclone device so as to rotate the float.

Abstract: The gravity separator is intended for use in dental suction apparatus comprising at least one sucker having a suction mouthpiece and a sucker line. The suction apparatus comprises also a suction-producing machine including a pump for generating a vacuum in a suction line. The separator comprises at least two collecting containers, which are adapted to be connected in series to the at least one sucker line connected to one or more suction mouthpieces and are detachably connected to respective hollow head pieces, one of which has an inlet for connection to said at least one sucker line whereas another head piece is adapted to be connected to a suction line leading to the suction-generating machine, particularly to a pump. Each container has an open mouth leading to the associated head piece. A suction pipe extends into each container. That suction pipe which extends into the last container is connected to the suction line leading to the pump.

Abstract: A surgical suction tip includes an outer housing and an inner removable filter device. The housing includes a suction opening at one end and a filter receiving handle formed as a sleeve at the other end; the inner removable filter device is connected in the filter receiving handle by a quick connect-disconnect means; the housing tapers so as to increase in size from its suction opening to the filter device. A seal is located between the housing and filter device.

Abstract: The invention concerns a console specifically designed for the suction tubes of suction units used in dentistry.The console basically comprises a box-like shell which is furnished with a collector, maintained in a state of vacuum and connected to the suction tubes, inside of which is a filter drawer through which pass all the fluids sucked in by the tubes. There is a compartment located in the top of the box-like shell, its top open, which contains the pneumatic and electrical command devices necessary to the console's functioning.The console further comprises a cover in which are located the forked housings for the tubes, which can be attached directly to the top of the box-like shell or which can be connected to the box-like shell by means of articulating arms which allow adjustment of the position of the cover and, consequently, the tubes' housings, with respect to the box-like shell, which will normally be fixed to the dentist's main assembly.

Abstract: Particles of precious metal are recovered from a mixture drawn from the mouth of a dental patient. An enclosure is interiorly divided by a perforated baffle into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The mixture is introduced into the lower chamber by an inlet conduit which has a substantially smaller cross section than the lower chamber so that a reduced velocity in the lower chamber will permit gravitational settlement of the particles. Residual fluids flow upwardly through the perforated baffle at a relatively low velocity, and they are removed through an outlet conduit which extends into the upper chamber and is connected to a vacuum source.

Abstract: An inverted fluid vortex is created by an impeller within an inverted funnel. Heavier than water particles are forced outward and downward by the interplay of centrifugal, centripetal, gravitational forces and the internal downward cant of a funnel. A vortical fluid apex is suctioned from the system as necessary to keep the volume of the vacuum portion of the system constant and therefore the vacuum pressure constant.

Abstract: A water recycling unit and system for dental operatories for use to supply operating priming water to liquid seal type vacuum pumps and including a conduit connectable to a municipal water supply, a solenoid valve in said conduit operated by a timer to open the valve for very short intervals periodically to furnish fresh makeup water to an air-water separator mounted above the level of the pumps and provided with a discharge to drain that is regulated to maintain a constant supply of contaminated water withdrawn from a patient's mouth and a small amount of the makeup water to comprise priming water delivered to the vacuum pump by gravity flow. The only moving element in the basic system is the solenoid valve and it only passes fresh municipal water free of impurities to insure complete closing of the valve and thereby obviate possible partial opening due to impurities lodged between the valve and its seat.

Abstract: A selectively usable particle collector for recovering precious metals in clean condition during use of dental suction apparatus is shown. A reservoir where particles are deposited has a closure cap with ports to one of which can be removably attached a replaceable pick up tube to be inserted in the patient's mouth; the other is adapted to removably receive a flexible hose leading to a vacuum source both ports being in communication with the reservoir. In another embodiment a portion of the cap can be rotated to selectively effect either direct communication from the pick up tube to the flexible hose or through the reservoir. A metering vent is provided to regulate vacuum pressure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device for separating particulate matter from a fluid which includes an inlet conduit which carries the matter and fluid into a separation chamber defined by a substantially spherical dome having separable upper and lower portions and a flattened bottom surface within which is contained a plurality of baffles suitably oriented within the chamber so that the particulate matter and fluid entering within the chamber is caused to go through a tortuous path, the particulate matter experiencing deceleration due to the increased volume within the chamber relative to the conduit, and a liquid reservoir along the bottom edge portion of the chamber for entraining the matter there within, so that fluid can be allowed to leave the chamber while a discreet level of liquid is maintained and controlled within the chamber itself.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a liquid separating and evacuating device for fluid suction equipment and, in particular, for dental surgery equipment, with which it is possible to separate the air from the liquids and to continuously drain the latter without interrupting the suction.The said device consists essentially of a cylindrical container, placed on a vertical axis, that is provided on the bottom part thereof with a draining valve. Placed inside the said container there is a horizontal partition that is divided into two superposed chambers. This partition has a valve which either allows or prevents the liquid from passing from the first chamber to the second chamber.A float contained in the first chamber controls, by actuating a pneumatic distributor, the opening and the closing of the aforementioned valves which successively allow the liquid to pass from the first chamber to the second chamber and from the latter to the outside.

Abstract: An attachment device for use in a tracheal aspirator comprising a hand-held container with rigid walls having a secretion inlet opening with an inside diameter sufficiently large to permit passage of solid particles and an outlet opening for connection to the suction tube of a pump. The device further comprises a secretion suction tube of correspondingly large inside diameter and a length just sufficient to enable the device to be operated in front of the mouth of the patient. One end of the suction tube is received by the secretion inlet opening of the container. The inside diameters of the secretion inlet opening and suction tube are between 6 and 12 millimeters and the length of the suction tube is in the range between 200 and 300 millimeters.

Abstract: A waste trap for collecting solid wastes in a drain system connectable at a fitting to a drain pipe. The trap includes a removable receptacle which is disposable or houses a disposable insert when the trap is full. A siphon is associated with the trap to draw down the liquid level to facilitate removal of the receptacle.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a water recycling system for economy in water consumption by dental evacuating equipment employing a water seal type pump and includes a storage tank for waste water received from the pump, a fresh water tank above the storage tank, and an air and water separator compactly arranged with said tanks, passage means between said tanks to permit makeup and flushing water to pass from the fresh water tank to the storage tank and flush the latter through syphon mechanism, except residual seal water remaining in the pump. Conduits extend from dental evacuating equipment to the pump and then to the air and water separator to vent air to atmosphere and pass waste water to the storage tank, and an additional waste water conduit extends in gravity-flow manner from the storage tank back to the pump for recycling and economy in water consumption.