DUST CONTROL DEVICE AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING AIRBORNE PARTICLES FROM A DUST-CONTAINING MATERIAL

Abstract

A dust control device for withdrawing airborne particles from a container includes a body defined by a cylindrical wall and having a hollow interior extending between first and second open ends. The cylindrical wall has a continuous circumferential surface extending from the first open end to the second open end, a funnel-shaped inlet portion extending from the first open end, a base located at the second open end that is engageable with a container and that extends around at least a portion of the circumferential surface of the cylindrical wall, an outlet port located between the first and second open ends of the body, and a channel extending around the circumferential surface of the cylindrical wall that is in fluid communication with the outlet port. The channel has a bottom opening extending around the circumferential surface of the cylindrical wall and wherein the base surrounds the channel.

Claims

1. A dust control device for withdrawing airborne particles from a container, the dust control device comprising: a body defined by a cylindrical wall extending between a first open end and a second open end, wherein a hollow interior extends between the first and second open ends, the cylindrical wall having a continuous circumferential surface extending from the first open end to the second open end; a funnel-shaped inlet portion extending from the first open end; a base located at the second open end that is engageable with a container and that extends around at least a portion of the circumferential surface of the cylindrical wall; an outlet port located between the first and second open ends of the body, the outlet port connectable to a vacuum source; and a channel extending around the circumferential surface of the cylindrical wall that is in fluid communication with the outlet port, wherein the channel has a bottom opening extending around the circumferential surface of the cylindrical wall and wherein the base surrounds the channel.

2. The dust control device of claim 1, wherein the base extends around the entire circumferential surface of the cylindrical wall.

3. The dust control device of claim 2, wherein the base includes an interface groove configured to mate with a top edge of a container.

4. The dust control device of claim 2, wherein the channel is defined by the circumferential surface of the cylindrical wall, an interior surface of the base, and an exterior surface of the funnel-shaped inlet portion.

5. A dust control system, comprising: a container having an interior for receiving a dust-containing material; a vacuum source; and a dust control device, comprising: a body defined by a cylindrical wall extending between a first open end and a second open end, wherein a hollow interior extends between the first and second open ends, the cylindrical wall having a continuous circumferential surface extending from the first open end to the second open end; a funnel-shaped inlet portion extending from the first open end; a base located at the second open end that is engageable with the container and that extends around at least a portion of the circumferential surface of the cylindrical wall; an outlet port located between the first and second open ends of the body, the outlet port connectable to a vacuum source; and a channel extending around the circumferential surface of the cylindrical wall that is in fluid communication with the outlet port and the interior of the container for withdrawing airborne particles when the outlet port is connected to a vacuum source, the channel having a bottom opening that extends towards the interior of the container and that extends around the circumferential surface of the cylindrical wall, wherein the base surrounds the channel.

6. The dust control system of claim 5, wherein the base extends around the entire circumferential surface of the cylindrical body.

7. The dust control system of claim 5, wherein the base includes an interface groove configured to mate with a top edge of the container.

8. The dust control system of claim 7, wherein the interface groove seals against the container when the outlet port is connected to the vacuum source.

9. The dust control system of claim 5, wherein the base seals against the container when the outlet port is connected to the vacuum source.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] FIG. 1 shows the dust control device 10 sitting on a container C, such as a 3 or 5 gallon bucket, and a shop vacuum hose H attached to the outlet port 14 of the dust control device 10. It also shows a typical shop vacuum V.

[0006] FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional view from the side of the dust control device 10 having an inlet funnel 20, the outlet port 14 with the 2 stage 1¾″ and 2¼″ connection point for the vacuum hose H. The base 24 of the dust control device 10 is designed to rest on top of a bucket or container C.

[0007] FIG. 3 shows a side perspective view of the dust control device 10 with the inlet funnel 20, the bottom of the inlet funnel 30, the bucket interface groove 34 and the outlet channel 40, which leads to the outlet port 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0008] Referring to FIG. 1, the dust control device 10 consists of a funnel shaped opening or inlet funnel 30 in the top of the dust control device, where the product is poured into. As the product enters this opening, the narrowing of the opening causes both the material and the air to increase in speed. The interior develops a low pressure zone by attachment of a shop vacuum, which is attached at the outlet port 14 of the dust control device 10 via the vacuum cleaner hose H. The dust control device 10 is placed on the mixing container C, usually a 3, 5 or 7 gallon bucket. The bucket interface groove 34 makes contact with the container C and the static pressure of the dust control device 10 resting on the container C is sufficient to seal them when the vacuum is applied. The worker can pour the material, add mixtures, and water or other required liquid into the inlet funnel 30. They next will typically use a paddle bit and drill motor to mix the materials in the low pressure zone of the interior of the container C through the inlet funnel 30. Once the desired consistency is achieved, the dust control device 10 can be lifted off of the container C and the material can be safely used.

[0009] FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional view from the side of the dust control device 10. The inlet funnel 30 where material and the mixing tool will be introduced into the container C.

[0010] The outlet channel 40 leads to the outlet port 14 with the two stage connection point to accommodate either 1¾″ or 2¼″ vacuum hoses. The interface groove 34 of the dust control device 10 is designed to rest on top of a container C.

[0011] FIG. 3 shows a side perspective view of the dust control device 10 with the inlet funnel 20, the bottom of the inlet funnel 30, the bucket interface groove 34 and the outlet channel 40, which leads to the outlet port 14.