Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02431445 2003-06-06
WET-DRY VACUUM CLEANING DEVICE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention deals with the removal of unwanted waste, whether solid or
liquid, or mixed, such as animal feces or hazardous medical spills like blood
or
organs.
More specifically, the invention deals with removal of waste by a convenient
specialized wet-dry vacuum system, which may be handheld, wheeled, and may be
any suitable size.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the prior art, there have been a variety of hand-held wet-dry vacuum
cleaners, whose main features have been directed to the ability to operate on
liquids
without injecting those liquids into the vacuum's motor or pump systems, nor
through
the waste receptacle or out the exhaust air vents. Chiefly, those problems
have been
solved by adding baffles and filters in the stream of airflow through the
machines
after the receptacle and before the mechanical parts, as well as after the
pump and
before the exhaust exits the machine. The inlets for waste and incoming air
are not
sealed when not in use, and waste can vent or fall from those inlets. There is
no
provision for insertion of self-sealing receptacle bags or any easy way of
clearing the
receptacle and cleaning it without involving manual work which potentially
exposes
the operator to the waste.
The larger wet-dry or shop-vac vacuuming devices are arranged with
relatively large waste-collection receptacles, and relatively large distances
between
the vacuum pump and the waste inlet into the receptacle, and with a good level
of
filtration at the pump, typically hanging into the receptacle's cavity. These
types of
machines rely upon the power of the vacuum created and volume of airflow into
the
receptacle to urge waste matter up into their collector hoses and nozzles. The
interior
of their hoses cannot be easily cleaned or unclogged if wet or semi-solid
waste is
encountered. Their inlets and outlets do not seal when not in use, and there
is no
method of cleaning nozzles except manually. It is to be noted that receptacle
liners
can be retrofitted into some of these bucket-style wet dry vacuums, but that
there is
no method of remotely or conveniently tying or sealing the bag inserts for
disposal
when they are full except manually, which exposes the operator to the waste
contents
in the bag.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention aims to overcome the shortfalls of the prior art by
providing liquid
spraying nozzles deployed within the collection nozzle and hose to cut,
deteriorate, and loosen the
waste during the collection phase, to lubricate the hose and internal channels
within the body of
the device during the passage of the waste through the hose and into an
included waste receptacle,
and after passage of the waste, to clean the internal surfaces of the nozzle,
hose and device
passages automatically. In addition, the device is equipped with filters in
addition to those found
on typical wet-dry vacuum cleaners in order to eliminate or mitigate odours
from the waste during
collection and while stored within the device, deployed in the airflow after
the vacuum pump but
before air exits the device, such filters being capable of being replaced by
an operator with no
special tools. In addition all air inlets and outlets are closed and sealed
during times when the
device is idle. The waste collection receptacle is lined with removable bags
which are impervious
to the type of waste being collected, and which are sealed within the airflow
system of the device.
It can be seen then that when the device is not in use, any waste collected is
sealed from the
outside atmosphere.
This is useful when the waste has unpleasant odours, but also when the waste
has some
other undesirable features, such as containing airborne contaminants,
particles, or infectious
agents.
The removable bag, when removed, may be subjected to an automated cycle within
the
device's internal body which ties and seals the bag's entry point, and permits
the operator to
essentially "eject" the sealed bag for further handling without touching any
contaminated surfaces.
The bags may have a neck portion with embedded metal or plastic ties which is
twisted against
itself during the removal cycle, causing the embedded ties to hold the twisted
neck in a closed and
sealed position.
In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a wet-dry vacuum cleaning
device for
collection of solid, liquid or mixed matter including:
an intake head for accepting the solid, liquid or mixed matter;
a passageway in fluid communication with the intake head;
a waste receptacle in fluid communication with the passageway to collect the
solid, liquid
or mixed matter;
a vacuum pump for providing suction to the intake head and for collecting and
moving the
solid, liquid or mixed matter into the waste receptacle;
a self-cleaning compartment for accepting the intake head;
the intake head including an intake spray nozzle;
a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the intake spray nozzle; and
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a fluid pump in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir for pressurizing
fluid in the
fluid reservoir.
In a further aspect, the present disclosure provides a wet-dry vacuum cleaning
device for
collection of solid, liquid or mixed matter including:
an intake head for accepting the solid, liquid or mixed matter;
a passageway in fluid communication with the intake head;
a waste receptacle in fluid communication with the passageway to collect the
solid, liquid
or mixed matter;
a vacuum pump for providing suction to the intake head and for collecting and
moving the
solid, liquid or mixed matter into the waste receptacle;
a self-cleaning compartment for accepting the intake head;
the self-cleaning compartment including a spray jet;
a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the spray jet; and
a fluid pump in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir for pressurizing
fluid in the
fluid reservoir.
In a further aspect, the present disclosure provides a wet-dry vacuum cleaning
device for
collection of solid, liquid or mixed matter including:
an intake head for accepting the solid, liquid or mixed matter;
a passageway in fluid communication with the intake head;
a waste receptacle in fluid communication with the passageway to collect the
solid, liquid
or mixed matter;
a vacuum pump for providing suction to the intake head and for collecting and
moving the
solid, liquid or mixed matter into the waste receptacle;
a self-cleaning compartment for accepting the intake head;
the self-cleaning compartment including a spray jet;
the intake head including an intake spray nozzle;
a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the spray jet and with the
intake spray
nozzle; and
a fluid pump in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir for pressurizing
fluid in the
fluid reservoir.
In an embodiment, the waste receptacle includes a removable liner.
In an embodiment, the waste receptacle includes a removable liner having
sealing means
for sealing the removable liner.
In an embodiment, the waste receptacle includes a removable liner having a
neck portion
with stiffeners included in the neck portion that seal the removable liner
when the neck portion is
twisted.
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In an embodiment, the waste receptacle includes a removable liner and the wet-
dry
vacuum cleaning device includes remote sealing means for remotely sealing the
removable liner.
In an embodiment, the wet-dry vacuum cleaning device further includes a
passageway
spray nozzle in the passageway and wherein the passageway spray nozzle is in
fluid
communication with the fluid pump.
In an embodiment, the wet-dry vacuum cleaning device further includes a
passageway
spray nozzle in the passageway and wherein the passageway spray nozzle is in
fluid
communication with the fluid pump, and wherein fluid pump is adapted to
provide fluid to the
passageway at a pressure sufficient to lubricate the passageway to ease the
passage of the solid,
liquid or mixed matter there through to the waste receptacle.
In an embodiment, the wet-dry vacuum cleaning device further includes a vent
in fluid
communication with the waste receptacle for venting gases received through the
intake head, a
filter for cleansing and deodorizing the gases received through the intake
head, the filter in fluid
communication with the vent and with the environment.
In an embodiment, the wet-dry vacuum cleaning device further includes a vent
in fluid
communication with the waste receptacle for venting gases received through the
intake head, and
an activated charcoal filter for cleansing and deodorizing the gases received
through the intake
head, the filter in fluid communication with the vent and with the
environment.
In an embodiment, the wet-dry vacuum cleaning device further includes a vent
in fluid
communication with the waste receptacle for venting gases received through the
intake head, and a
replaceable filter for cleansing and deodorizing the gases received through
the intake head, the
filter in fluid communication with the vent and with the environment.
In an embodiment, the wet-dry vacuum cleaning device further includes a vent
in fluid
communication with the waste receptacle for venting gases received through the
intake head, the
vent including sealing means for sealing the waste receptacle from the
environment, and a filter for
cleansing and deodorizing the gases received through the intake head, the
filter in fluid
communication with the vent and with the environment.
In an embodiment, the wet-dry vacuum cleaning device further comprises a lid
on the
intake head for reception into the self-cleaning compartment, the lid adapted
to form a watertight
seal when received into the self-cleaning compartment.
In an embodiment, the wet-dry vacuum cleaning device is adapted to selectably
deliver
fluid from the intake spray nozzle.
In an embodiment, the fluid is a cleaning agent.
In an embodiment, the fluid is a disinfecting agent.
In an embodiment, the solid, liquid or mixed matter targeted for pickup is
animal feces.
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In an embodiment, the solid, liquid or mixed matter targeted for pickup is
animal feces
from household pets.
In an embodiment, the solid, liquid or mixed matter targeted for pickup is
toxic or
dangerous waste.
In an embodiment, the solid, liquid or mixed matter targeted for pickup is
toxic or
dangerous waste from a medical facility.
In an embodiment, the solid, liquid or mixed matter targeted for pickup is
toxic or
dangerous waste from an industrial process.
In an embodiment, the solid, liquid or mixed matter targeted for pickup is
toxic or
dangerous waste from a chemical or other unintentional spill.
In an embodiment, the vacuum pump is powered by electricity.
In an embodiment, the vacuum pump is powered by electricity from an on-board
battery.
In an embodiment, the wet-dry vacuum cleaning device is self-contained and
human
portable.
In an embodiment, the wet-dry vacuum cleaning device is self-contained and
human
portable, and the intake head, passageway, waste receptacle, vacuum pump,
fluid reservoir, and
fluid pump are vertically oriented.
In an embodiment, the wet-dry vacuum cleaning device is a handheld unit that
is self-
contained and human portable.
In an embodiment, the intake head, passageway, waste receptacle, vacum pump,
fluid
reservoir, and fluid pump are vehicle-mounted.
In an embodiment, the wet-dry vacuum cleaning device further includes intake
sealing
means to seal the intake head from the environment when not in use.
In an embodiment, the wet-dry vacuum cleaning device further includes intake
head
sealing means to seal the intake head from the environment when not in use and
the intake head
sealing means includes means to deliver fluid from the fluid reservoir to wash
the intake head.
In an embodiment, the wet-dry vacuum cleaning device further includes intake
head
sealing means to seal the intake head from the environment when not in use and
the intake head
sealing means includes means to deliver fluid from the fluid reservoir to wash
the intake head and
the wet-dry vacuum cleaning device further includes a passageway spray nozzle
in the passageway
to deliver fluid to the passageway when the intake head is sealed and wherein
the passageway
spray nozzle is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir.
In an embodiment, the wet-dry vacuum cleaning device further includes a hose
in fluid
communication with the passageway and the intake head.
In an embodiment, the wet-dry vacuum cleaning device further includes a
wheeled body to
permit ease of movement by its operator.
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In an embodiment, the wet-dry vacuum cleaning device further includes
rotatable blades
located externally to the intake head.
In an embodiment, the wet-dry vacuum cleaning device further includes
rotatable blades
located externally to the intake head on a detachable portion of the intake
head.
In an embodiment, the wet-dry vacuum cleaning device further includes a cover
grill
connected to the intake head.
In an embodiment, the wet-dry vacuum cleaning device further includes a cover
grill
hingedly connected to the intake head.
In an embodiment, the wet-dry vacuum cleaning device further includes a check
valve
within the intake head.
In an embodiment, the wet-dry vacuum cleaning device further includes a tap
between the
passageway and the waste receptacle.
In an embodiment, the self-cleaning compartment further includes a washbasin
suspended
on gimbals, the washbasin adapted to receive the intake head.
In an embodiment, the self-cleaning compartment is movable between a closed
state and
an open state and:
the intake head may be present within the self-cleaning compartment when the
self-
cleaning compartment is in either the open or the closed state;
the intake head may be placed into, and removed from, the self cleaning
compartment
when the self-cleaning compartment is in the open state; and
the self-cleaning compartment is sealed from the environment when in the
closed state.
In an embodiment, the self-cleaning compartment is movable between a closed
state and
an open state and:
the intake head may be present within the self-cleaning compartment when the
self-
cleaning compartment is in either the open or the closed state;
the intake head may be placed into, and removed from, the self cleaning
compartment
when the self-cleaning compartment is in the open state;
the self-cleaning compartment is sealed from the environment when in the
closed state;
and
the self-cleaning compartment further includes a first control button, the
first control
button adapted to be activated when the intake head is received by the self-
cleaning compartment,
and activation of the first control button causes the self-cleaning
compartment to close.
In an embodiment, the self-cleaning compartment is movable between a closed
state and
an open state and:
the intake head may be present within the self-cleaning compartment when the
self-
cleaning compartment is in either the open or the closed state;
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the intake head may be placed into, and removed from, the self cleaning
compartment
when the self-cleaning compartment is in the open state;
the self-cleaning compartment is sealed from the environment when in the
closed state;
and
the self cleaning compartment further comprises a second control button, the
second
control button adapted to be activated when the self-cleaning compartment is
closed and the intake
head is received by the self-cleaning compartment, and activation of the
second control button
activates the fluid pump.
In an embodiment, the spray jet is adapted to deliver a defined volume of
fluid from the
fluid reservoir on activation of the spray jet.
In an embodiment, the wet-dry vacuum cleaning device includes a removable
liner, the
removable liner including:
a spout for receiving the solid, liquid, or mixed solid and liquid waste
materials;
a holder connected to the spout positioned externally about the spout;
a neck portion in fluid communication with the spout; and
stiffeners in the neck portion, the stiffeners adapted to seal the removable
liner when the
neck portion is twisted.
In an embodiment, the wet-dry vacuum cleaning device further includes:
a removable liner, the removable liner including a spout for receiving the
solid, liquid, or
mixed solid and liquid waste materials, a holder connected to the spout
positioned externally about
the spout, a neck portion in fluid communication with the spout, and
stiffeners in the neck portion,
the stiffeners adapted to seal the removable liner when the neck portion is
twisted;
a screw cap connecting the passageway to the removable liner, the screw cap
having
an outside wall positioned concentrically about a screw cap seal and wherein:
the outside wall includes a top end, a bottom end, an outside exterior
surface, and
an outside interior surface, each of the outside exterior surface and outside
interior surface
extending between the top end and the bottom end, and wherein the outside
exterior surface
includes a motor engagement gear extending between the top end and the bottom
end, the outside
interior surface includes a threaded portion adapted for engaging the
passageway near the top end,
and the outside interior surface includes a plurality of interior gears near
the bottom end; and
the screw cap seal includes a seal exterior surface and a seal interior
surface,
wherein the seal interior surface includes a shaped slot, the shaped slot
adapted to engage the
holder, the seal exterior surface includes a plurality of seal gears, the seal
gears adapted to engage
with the interior gears to form a ratchet, the ratchet allowing the outside
wall to rotate freely in a
first direction and causing the outside wall to rotate the screw cap seal when
the outside wall is
rotated in a second direction;
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the threaded portion is adapted to engage the passageway when the outside wall
is
rotated in the first direction; and
the threaded portion is adapted to disengage from the passageway when the
outside wall and the screw cap seal are rotated the second direction;
two-way motor driving a driving gear; and
the driving gear is drivingly engaged with the motor engagement gear and
wherein the two
way gear may be selected to drive the motor engagement gear in the first
direction or in the second
direction.
In an embodiment, the wet-dry vacuum cleaning device further includes:
a removable liner, the removable liner including a spout for receiving the
solid, liquid, or
mixed solid and liquid waste materials, a holder connected to the spout
positioned externally about
the spout, a neck portion in fluid communication with the spout, and
stiffeners in the neck portion,
the stiffeners adapted to seal the removable liner when the neck portion is
twisted;
a screw cap connecting the passageway to the removable liner, the screw cap
having
an outside wall positioned concentrically about a screw cap seal and wherein:
the outside wall includes a top end, a bottom end, an outside exterior
surface, and
an outside interior surface, each of the outside exterior surface and outside
interior surface
extending between the top end and the bottom end, and wherein the outside
exterior surface
includes a motor engagement gear extending between the top end and the bottom
end, the outside
interior surface includes a threaded portion adapted for engaging the
passageway near the top end,
and the outside interior surface includes a plurality of interior gears near
the bottom end; and
the screw cap seal includes a seal exterior surface and a seal interior
surface,
wherein the seal interior surface includes a shaped slot, the shaped slot
adapted to engage the
holder, the seal exterior surface includes a plurality of seal gears, the seal
gears adapted to engage
with the interior gears to form a ratchet, the ratchet allowing the outside
wall to rotate freely in a
first direction and causing the outside wall to rotate the screw cap seal when
the outside wall is
rotated in a second direction;
the threaded portion is adapted to engage the passageway when the outside wall
is
rotated in the first direction; and
the threaded portion is adapted to disengage from the passageway when the
outside wall and the screw cap seal are rotated the second direction;
two-way motor driving a driving gear;
the driving gear is drivingly engaged with the motor engagement gear and
wherein the two
way gear may be selected to drive the motor engagement gear in the first
direction or in the second
direction;
a carrier hanger gear drivingly engaged with the driving gear;
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a carrier hanger drivingly engaged by the carrier hanger gear, the carrier
hanger adapted to
move upwards when the carrier hanger gear is rotated in the first direction
and to move downwards
when the carrier hanger gear is rotated in the second direction; and
a suspending hanger positioned above the carrier hanger and below the screw
cap, the
suspending hanger positioned to lift upwards when the carrier hanger moves
upwards, and lift the
screw cap up and towards the passageway when the suspending hanger is lifted
upwards. In an
embodiment, the wet-dry vacuum cleaning device further includes:
a removable liner, the removable liner including a spout for receiving the
solid, liquid, or
mixed solid and liquid waste materials, a holder connected to the spout
positioned externally about
the spout, a neck portion in fluid communication with the spout, and
stiffeners in the neck portion,
the stiffeners adapted to seal the removable liner when the neck portion is
twisted;
a screw cap connecting the passageway to the removable liner, the screw cap
having
an outside wall positioned concentrically about a screw cap seal and wherein:
the outside wall includes a top end, a bottom end, an outside exterior
surface, and
an outside interior surface, each of the outside exterior surface and outside
interior surface
extending between the top end and the bottom end, and wherein the outside
exterior surface
includes a motor engagement gear extending between the top end and the bottom
end, the outside
interior surface includes a threaded portion adapted for engaging the
passageway near the top end,
and the outside interior surface includes a plurality of interior gears near
the bottom end; and
the screw cap seal includes a seal exterior surface and a seal interior
surface,
wherein the seal interior surface includes a shaped slot, the shaped slot
adapted to engage the
holder, the seal exterior surface includes a plurality of seal gears, the seal
gears adapted to engage
with the interior gears to form a ratchet, the ratchet allowing the outside
wall to rotate freely in a
first direction and causing the outside wall to rotate the screw cap seal when
the outside wall is
rotated in a second direction;
the threaded portion is adapted to engage the passageway when the outside wall
is
rotated in the first direction; and
the threaded portion is adapted to disengage from the passageway when the
outside wall and the screw cap seal are rotated the second direction;
two-way motor driving a driving gear;
the driving gear is drivingly engaged with the motor engagement gear and
wherein the two
way gear may be selected to drive the motor engagement gear in the first
direction or in the second
direction;
a carrier hanger gear drivingly engaged with the driving gear;
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a carrier hanger drivingly engaged by the carrier hanger gear, the carrier
hanger adapted to
move upwards when the carrier hanger gear is rotated in the first direction
and to move downwards
when the carrier hanger gear is rotated in the second direction;
a suspending hanger positioned above the carrier hanger and below the screw
cap, the
suspending hanger positioned to lift upwards when the carrier hanger moves
upwards, and lift the
screw cap up and towards the passageway when the suspending hanger is lifted
upwards; and
a pullout hanger gear drivingly engaged by the driving gear, the pullout
hanger gear
adapted to move downwards when rotated in the first direction and to move
upwards when rotated
in the second direction;
a push rod connected to a bottom surface of the pullout hanger gear; and
a pullout hanger positioned to be engaged by the push rod when the pullout
hanger gear is
rotated in the first direction, the pullout hanger positioned to be rotate
towards the neck and push
the holder out of the shaped slot.
In an embodiment, the wet-dry vacuum cleaning device further includes a
removable liner
and a carrier drawer, wherein the removable liner is received within the
carrier drawer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 shows a side elevation rendering of an embodiment, fully closed;
Figure 2 shows a side elevation rendering of an embodiment, deployed for use;
Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of air and liquid flow within the
device;
Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of flows within the device when in
use;
Figures 5 through 10 show renderings of the device in one embodiment from
various
angles in order to visualize their interrelationships;
Figure 11 shows a cutaway internal view of the device in one embodiment with
subcomponents;
Figure 12 shows a cross-sectional diagram rendering of an upright embodiment
to make
clear internal air and liquid flows and stopper valves and controls;
Figure 13 shows a detailed rendering of the grill segment of the intake head
in the upright
embodiment discussed;
Figure 14 shows details in a cross-sectional rendering of a part of the
nozzled and airflow
conduits internal to the device;
CA 02431445 2010-11-17
Figure 15 shows a rendering much like figure 14 but with an added hose washer
nozzle for
clarification of discussion;
Figure 16 shows intake head with grill closed;
Figure 17 shows intake head with grill opened to discard larger materials;
Figure 18 shows a cross-section of the nozzle and hose with one-way flapper or
other
valve to stop reverse flow of collected matter;
Figure 19 shows figure 18 with the one-way valve deployed in an open position;
Figure 20 shows the internal spray nozzle to spray fluid inside the hose and
passageways
of the collection conduit;
Figures 21 through 23 show a type of intake grill nozzle control device to
open and close
the grill;
Figure 24 shows an example of a replenishable filter for exit air;
Figure 25 shows the exit hose, the discharge hose and the electrically
controlled tap or
valve between them;
Figure 26 shows a representative drawing of the waste receptacle, empty;
Figure 27 shows an embodiment of the waste-bag connection device where the new
bag is
attached without much intervention automatically to the waste output conduits
within the device's
internal cavity;
Figure 28 shows a detail of the pullout hanger for the waste containing bag
and connecting
spout;
Figure 29 shows a schematic of the fluid flows within the washer reservoirs
and sprayers;
Figure 30 shows a schematic of the nozzle self-cleaning compartment in one
embodiment;
Figure 31 shows a gimballed washbasin for cleaning the nozzle's outermost
parts within
the device;
Figure 32 shows an embodiment, in cutaway or cross-section, with the nozzle's
outermost
parts bathed in the washbasin of figure 30;
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Figure 33 shows another detail of insertion of the nozzle's outermost end into
the
washbasin before closing and sealing the device in its idle position;
Figure 34 shows the same device as figure 33, but in its fully closed and idle
or "stand-by"
position;
Figure 35 shows a lift device in one embodiment of the invention, for lifting
the waste
receptacle and included installed removable bag into operational position;
Figure 36 shows the lift mechanism of figure 35 with additional details to
make clearer the
integrated action of removing the replaceable bag when filled from the waste
collection tubing;
Figure 37 shows an exemplary drawing of a removable replaceable waste-
receiving bag,
with its essential features;
Figure 38 shows a detailed drawing of the installation and automatic
attachment of a new
bag;
Figure 39 shows a detailed drawing of the sealing and removal/disconnection of
a used
bag;
Figures 40 through 43 show details of the bag's connecting neck and folding
symmetrical
cogged holder/hanger part;
Figures 44 through 46 show the waste receptacle's drawer feature which permits
ejection
of the spent, sealed bag without necessity of direct handling; and
Figure 47 shows details of one method of self-sealing the removable bags.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally provides a wet-dry vacuum-cleaning device 10
for
collecting solid, liquid or mixed solid and liquid waste. More specifically,
the present invention
will vacuum up pet stool from a surface area which may be wet, dry or sandy,
or from grass or
bushes. The device 10 generally includes an intake system 20, a fluid supply
system 200 and a
waste litter storage and disposal system 140.
The intake system 20 further includes an intake member 25 including an intake
head 27
connected to a vacuum pump 155 via a passageway 146. The vacuum pump 155
provides suction
to the intake system 20 thereby allowing the intake head 27 to collect and
move matter from
outside the device 10 through the passageway 146 and into the litter storage
and disposal system
140.
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The fluid supply system 200 may further include a fluid reservoir 212, a fluid
pump 214, a
self-cleaning compartment 75 and a spray nozzle 45 for a hose 40 and an
external spray wand 225
having an adjustable spray nozzle 227.
The litter storage and disposal system 140 includes a waste receptacle 148, a
removable
liner 143 for placement within the waster receptacle 148 and an automatic
mechanism for
connecting and disconnecting the removable liner 143 to and from a passageway
146. The
removable liner 143 may be disconnected from the system using a screw cap 152
for preparing the
removable liner 143 for discarding or disposal. The litter storage and
disposal system 140 may
further include a carrier drawer 156 for carrying or removing the removable
liner 143 for disposing
of the removable liner 143 and may still further include an ejection mechanism
for ejecting the
removable liner into the carrier drawer 156.
A description of the general operation of one embodiment of the system
follows.
With reference to Figure 1, an adjustable or collapsible handle 411, which may
be situated
at the back upper part of the device 10, is pulled out and upward to a
desirable height as desired by
the operator as shown in Figure 2.
The operator may depress a pedal (not shown) attached to the self-cleaning
compartment
75 (as shown in Figure 2) to release the intake member 25.
The vacuum pump 155 is turned on at which time the operator places the intake
head 27 in
the vicinity of the waste matter and the vacuum pump 155 sucks the waste into
the device 10
through the intake head 27 and into the hose 40.
The waste is pumped into the waste receptacle 148 through the passageway 146
which is
located inside the waste receptacle 148. Once the waste has been vacuumed into
the device 10, the
device 10 is turned off.
The intake member 25 is then returned to the self-cleaning compartment 75 by
depressing
the pedal of the self-cleaning compartment 75 where it is washed and sanitized
employing an
automatic process.
After the self-cleaning process, when the removable liner 143 is ready for
disposal, the
power is turned off and the removable liner 143 is disconnected and disposed.
The hose 40 is then
rolled into place at the top of the device 10 or, alternatively, stored within
the device 10.
A general overview of the operation of the device 10 and the interconnection
between the
systems described above can generally be seen in Figures 3 and 4 which provide
two operative
embodiments. Figure 4 shows a more compact embodiment suitable for a handheld
embodiment of
the present invention. A cross sectional view of the back of the device 10
also showing various
components can be seen in Figure 11.
More specific embodiments and particular features of the present invention
will now be
described.
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INTAKE SYSTEM
The vacuum pump 155 is used to provide suction to suck various types of solid,
liquid or
mixed solid and liquid matter into the intake system 20 and deposit the matter
into the waste or
litter storage and disposal system 140 for disposal.
In operation, the hose 40 is removed (Figure 6) and then the intake head 27 is
removed as
shown in Figure 7. The intake head 27 is placed in the vicinity of the matter
which the operator
wishes to vacuum up, such as pet litter. The vacuum pump 155 sucks the matter
into the intake
head 27 and through the hose 40 for deposit into the removable liner 143.
To clean and sanitize the intake system 20, the intake head 27 is placed in
the self-
cleaning compartment 75 as shown in Figure 10. In one embodiment the intake
head 27 includes a
lid 28 as shown in Figure 8 for reception into the self-cleaning compartment
75 and for covering
the self-cleaning compartment 75. The lid 28 is then inserted into a slot 78
defined by the self-
cleaning compartment 75 as shown in Figure 10. Once the intake head 27 is
fully inserted and
locked in the self-cleaning compartment 75, the fluid pump 214 automatically
draws fluid from the
fluid reservoir 212 and dispenses fluid through the spray hose 220 into the
self-cleaning
compartment 75 for cleaning and sanitizing the intake head 27. During the
automatic self-cleaning
process, the hose 40 is shut off.
Once the intake head 27 is cleaned and sanitized or after a preprogrammed
period of time,
the fluid pump 214 and the spray hose 220 are shut off and the vacuum pump 155
then sucks in
any waste or litter cleaned off the intake head 27 together with the cleaning
fluid, and deposits the
waste or litter and fluid into the removable liner of the collection system
143 for disposal. This
self-cleaning system ensures that the entire intake system 20 is cleaned and
sanitized.
In some cases the waste may be hard, dry or frozen. In these cases, an
operator may use a
detachable intake head 27 having rotating blades (not shown) as shown in
Figures 14 and 15.
Typically these blades (not shown) are located outside a protective cover or
grill 30 of the intake
head 27 (see Figures 13 and 16) such that the incoming waste is already cut
into manageable
pieces before being sucked into the intake system 20. Power for the blades
(not shown) may be
provided from the device 10's main power supply 400 and controlled through a
control panel 26
located on the intake member 25. In this embodiment, the intake head 27 may be
lined with noise
reduction material (not shown) such as soft thick rubber for reducing the
noise during processing
of the waste.
In one embodiment, the intake head 27 may include wheels 31 as shown in Figure
12 to
conveniently allow forward and backward movement of the intake head 27 during
operation.
These wheels 31 may be connected to each other by a connecting rod (not shown)
and the rod (not
shown) may include blades (not shown) in a fan formation. The blades (not
shown) allow free
14
CA 02431445 2010-11-17
rotating movement of the connecting rod for ensuring that the wheels 31 are
turned when the
intake head 27 is inserted inside the self-cleaning compartment 75 for
cleaning. More particularly,
spray from a spray jet in the self-cleaning compartment 75 hits the blades
(not shown) on the fan
thereby rotating the rod (not shown) which in turn rotates the wheels 31 for
thorough cleaning.
In another embodiment, the inside of the walls of the hose 40 and the intake
head 27
include a spray nozzle 45 as shown in Figure 20 (which also forms part of the
fluid supply system
200 described below). The spray nozzle 45 allows the walls of the hose 40 to
be washed and
lubricated during operation thereby making it easier for the vacuum pump 155
to suck up the litter
by clearing the hose 40 for incoming material.
The spray hose 220 may be activated from the control panel 26, but should only
be
activated when the vacuum pump 155 is in use.
As described above, the intake head 27 may be protected by a cover grill 30 to
prevent
larger waste material from being sucked into the intake system 20. Further,
the grill 30 may be
flipped opened or closed by the operator as shown in Figure 17, either by
manually opening the
grill 30 or through the use of a control handle located on the intake. This is
useful in the event that
larger material is stuck to the grill 30 owing to the suction power of the
intake/vacuum pump 155.
More specifically, the grill 30 includes a lock or hook 30a to keep the grill
30 closed. A
thin rod 30b as shown in Figure 21 connects the lock or hook 30a of the grill
to the control panel
26. The thin rod 30b can then unlock or push open the grill 30 for pushing any
larger material 30
that is too large to pass through the grill 30 off. When the thin rod 30b is
no longer depressed then
the grill 30 returns to a closed position through the use of a return spring
30c which pushes the thin
rod 30b upward to its normal position.
In another embodiment as shown in Figures 18 and 19, the inside of the intake
head 27
includes a flap 31 which acts as a check valve to allow waste to flow
unidirectionally toward the
waste receptacle 148. A second flap 32, attached to the opposite wall of the
first flap 31, acts as a
redundancy system for the first flap 31 and further ensures the unidirectional
flow of the waste.
The flap 31 also prevents waste from falling out of the hose 40 before the
hose 40 is
placed in the self-cleaning compartment 75. When the vacuum pump 155 is
switched on the flap
31 is opened by the suction power of the vacuum pump 155 to allow incoming
material to be
sucked into the hose 40.
The flap 31, where attached, defines an opening to ensure that during the
cleaning process
the fluid runs through both sides of the flap 31 thereby cleaning the flap 31.
The general operation of the intake system 20 is as follows:
The main power button 405 is turned on thereby providing power to the system.
Once the
system is powered up, a two-way electric motor 70, which can be used to either
open or close the
self-cleaning compartment 75, opens the self-cleaning compartment 75 thereby
releasing the intake
CA 02431445 2010-11-17
member 25 from the self-cleaning compartment 75. The operator removes the
intake member 25
from the compartment allowing the compartment to close and return to a closed
position.
The operator then uses the control panel 26 to activate the vacuum pump 155,
open
electric control valves 147 in the passageway 146 and open an exit hose 149
inside the waste
receptacle 148 described more particularly below.
Next, the flap 31 within the intake is forced opened by the suction of the
vacuum pump
155 and the fluid pump 214 is turned on to dispense pressurized fluid into the
hose 40 to lubricate
the inside of the hose 40. The flap 31 ensures that waste already in the
device 10 cannot flow out
of the device 10 when the device 10 is not in use.
The operator places the intake head 27 in the vicinity of waste or pet litter
or stool thereby
sucking the waste into the intake head 27 and further into the hose 40. Once
inside the hose 40, the
spray nozzle 45 inside the hose 40 sprays fluid at the waste to further soften
or break down the
waste, make the waste less sticky, and to wash and lubricate the hose 40
thereby making it easier
for the vacuum pump 155 to further suck in the waste. By making it easier for
the vacuum pump
155 to vacuum up the waste, the present invention reduces the need for a high-
powered vacuum
pump 155.
The diluted waste travels through the hose 40 of the vacuum pump 155 and is
discharged
into the removable liner 143 through the passageway 146.
After use, the operator turns off the vacuum pump 155, which may turn off the
fluid pump
214 and the electric control valve 147. The operator presses an auto clean
button (not shown) on
the control panel 26 which causes the self-cleaning compartment 75 to open and
allow the operator
to insert and lock the intake head 27 into the self-cleaning compartment 75.
When the intake head
27 is nearly fully inserted, the intake head 27 depresses a first control
button (not shown) that turns
on the motor 70 for causing the self-cleaning compartment 75 to close. The
self-cleaning
compartment 75, upon closing, causes the intake member 25 to depress a second
control button
(not shown) which switches on the fluid pump 214 and switches off the electric
control valve 147
of the pressurized spray nozzle 45. The fluid pump 214 supplies fluid to a
spray jet 240 inside the
self-cleaning compartment 75. The spray jet 240 sprays fluid at the intake
head 27, thereby
washing and disinfecting the head. The spray jet 240 sprays a preset volume of
spray for a preset
time and then turns off the fluid pump 214. When the fluid pump 214 is
deactivated, the vacuum
pump 155 is switched on for vacuuming the dirty fluid from a washbasin 232 in
the compartment
into the removable liner 143. The fluid travels through the intake head 27,
through the hose 40,
through the vacuum pump 155 and is finally deposited into the removable liner
143, thereby
cleaning the entire intake system 20 as the fluid travels through and
sanitizes the intake system 20.
After completing this self-cleaning process the device 10 automatically turns
off, and the dirty
fluid and waste material are contained within the removable liner 143.
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CA 02431445 2010-11-17
THE FLUID SUPPLY SYSTEM
The fluid supply system 200 includes at least one fluid reservoir 212 for
containing fluid
for the fluid pump 214 to be dispersed to required areas through the hose 40.
The device 10 may
include two separate and independent reservoirs (Figure 29) which connect with
each other
through a supply hose (not shown) for alleviating the need to constantly
refill a single reservoir,
Further, each fluid reservoir 212 may contain a different fluid or liquid. For
instance, one reservoir
may contain washer fluid for cleaning or lubricating the intake system 20 and
the other reservoir
may contain liquid fertilizer or herbicide as required by the operator so that
the operator does not
have to empty the fluid reservoir 212 in order to pour in household chemical
for external use when
required. A worker skilled in the art will appreciate that the reservoirs may
also contain
suspensions, fine powders, gels or other substances which can be used to clean
or treat the system
or for external uses.
The fluid supply system 200 may also include an external spray wand 225 for
dispensing a
variety of desired fluids or household chemicals like liquid fertilizer,
herbicide or pesticide. For
instance, if the operator is removing pet litter from a lawn, the operator may
dispense water or
dilute chemicals on the grass where the pet litter was removed to dilute or
wash or fertilize and
thus prevent the grass from dying, as pet litter can be toxic to plants.
The external spray wand 225 includes an adjustable spray nozzle 227 which is
controlled
by the operator using the control panel 26 or which may be controlled by the
operator using a
trigger on the external spray wand 225. The external spray wand 225 also
includes a switch button
229 to shut off the electric control valves (not shown) of the spray hose 220
to prevent supplying
the spray nozzle 45 inside the hose 40 and the spray jets 240 inside the self-
cleaning compartment
75 with fluid. The external spray wand 225 is connected to the fluid supply
hose 40 and to the
electrical wiring of the device 10.
When the intake member 25 is connected to the device 10 for operation, the
switch button
229 is switched on which starts the fluid pump 214 and shuts off the pump
valves (not shown) to
prevent the fluid pump 214 from providing fluid to the rest of the device 10
to ensure that fluid is
pumped from the fluid reservoir 212 to the intake member 25 when the operator
pulls the control
trigger to dispense fluid. When the switch button 229 is switched off, the
pump valves (not shown)
are opened thereby permitting regular use of the device 10.
The fluid supply system 200 may include a washbasin 232 as shown in Figure 31.
The
washbasin 232 is a cylindrical barrel or tub received within the self-cleaning
compartment 75. The
washbasin 232 is suspended on gimbals within the self-cleaning compartment 75
thereby allowing
the washbasin to freely rotate within the self-cleaning compartment 75 which
is meant to ensure
17
CA 02431445 2011-07-26
that the opening of the washbasin is always facing up. The washbasin 232
allows the intake head
27 to be compactly stored within the device 10.
The washbasin 232 includes a rotating spray jet (not shown) as shown in Figure
30 for
dispensing fluid to wash the intake head 27 when placed within the self-
cleaning compartment 75
for cleaning.
The rim of the basin mates with the lid 28 to form a watertight seal when the
lid 28 is slid
within a slot 78 defined by the basin.
The self-cleaning compartment 75 is attached to the device 10 using hinges to
allow the
self-cleaning compartment 75 to be opened and closed. Various means known to
those skilled in
the art may be used to automatically or manually open and close the self-
cleaning compartment 75.
The self-cleaning process described above is generally shown in Figures 32-34.
THE LITTER STORAGE AND DISPOSAL SYSTEM
The passageway 146 includes an electric control valve 147 which is opened to
allow the
incoming waste and gases to be deposited into the removable liner 143. The
gases leave the waste
receptacle 148 through an exit hose 149. The exit hose 149 includes a filter
360 such as an
activated charcoal filters or similar substances which absorb any toxic or
foul smelling
components of vacuumed air prior to release of the exhaust air to the
atmosphere.
The device 10 may include a second exit hose 150 which is connected to the
overflow
protection compartment to ensure that any gases in the overflow protection
compartment are also
treated by the filter 360 before entering the atmosphere. The exit hose 149 is
opened and closed by
electric tap/valve controls (not shown) to ensure that the liquid content of
the removable liner 143
does not flow out through either of the exit hoses when the equipment is
turned off.
The passageway 146 connects the vacuum pump 155 to the removable liner 143
through
the use of a screw cap 152. An electric tap/valve control (not shown) controls
the flow of waste
into the removable liner 143 and further ensures that the liquid material
inside the removable liner
cannot escape. The tap is electrically controlled by switching on the intake
button. That is, when
the vacuum pump 155 is activated, the tap opens to allow waste to flow into
the removable liner
143 and when the vacuum pump 155 is turned off the tap closes or stops to
ensure that the waste
inside the removable liner 143 cannot flow out of the removable liner 143 into
the passageway 146
or back into any other part of the system. The tap simultaneously controls the
opening and closing
of the exit hose 149.
Waste remains in the removable liner 143 until disposal. The electric control
valves 147
are turned off when the vacuum pump 155 is off to ensure that waste already
sucked into the
device 10 remains in the removable liner 143.
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CA 02431445 2010-11-17
Once the removable liner 143 is full of waste (which may be determined by an
electronic
monitor within the waste receptacle 148 and read by a gauge on the exterior of
the waste
receptacle 148 or as gauged by visual inspection), the operator turns on a
removal switch (not
shown) which causes the motor 70 to connect and disconnect the screw cap 152
of the removable
liner 143 from the passageway 146. As the screw cap 152 is being removed from
the removable
liner 143, the removable liner 143 is being sealed. More specifically, the
removable liner 143 may
have a neck 165 which includes integrated "twist tie" material or embedded
metal or plastic ties or
other stiffeners 160. When being removed, the screw cap 152 unthreads the
stiffeners 160 and
engages a ratchet 163 to turn the removable liner's neck 165 at the same time,
thereby causing the
stiffeners 160 to twist closed and be secured closed by the neck 165 and its
included stiffeners 160.
After the screw cap 152 is disconnected from the passageway 146, the motor 70
automatically turns off and an optional signal light (not shown) indicates
that the removable liner
143 is sealed.
The waste receptacle 148 includes a handle 154 for allowing an operator to
pull out or
disconnect the tied up removable liner 143 from the connecting screw cap 152
as shown in Figure
46. A rear view of the device 10 showing the waste receptacle 148 can be seen
in Figure 26. The
removable liner 143 falls into a removable drawer 156 in the waste receptacle
148 which allows
the operator to dispose of the removable liner 143 without coming into contact
with the removable
liner 143.
Once the removable liner 143 is disposed of, the operator installs a new clean
disposable
removable liner 143 in the drawer 156 and returns the drawer 156 back into the
waste receptacle
148. The drawer 156 is slid into the waste receptacle 148 and as the drawer
156 is secured in place,
a switch (not shown) is activated which turns on the motor 70, causing the
screw cap 152 to be
connected to the removable liner 143. As the removable liner 143 is being
installed, the screw cap
152 turns to thread onto the passageway 146 but the removable liner's neck 165
is not turned.
The walls of the waste receptacle 148 may be watertight.
The litter and disposal storage system may include a carrier hanger 158 as
shown in
Figure 35. The carrier hanger 158 raises a suspending hanger 171 to allow the
screw cap 152 to
connect with the passageway 146.
The carrier hanger 158 includes a mounted lift gear 159 which threadably runs
through a
carrier hanger gear 166. The mounted lift gear 159 engages a driving gear 168
which also drives a
motor engagement gear 170 on the outer surface of the screw cap 152.
Accordingly, as the driving
gear 168 turns the motor engagement gear 170 to connect the screw cap 152 with
the passageway
146, the driving gear 168 also turns the carrier hanger gear 166 in the same
direction thereby
raising the carrier hanger 158 and the suspending hanger 171 up.
19
CA 02431445 2010-11-17
When the removable liner 143 is being prepared for removal, the motor 70 turns
the
driving gear 168 in the direction opposite as when the screw cap 152 is being
connected to the
passageway 146. The driving gear 168 turning in the opposite direction causes
the screw cap 152
to disconnect from the passageway 146 and, simultaneously causes the carrier
hanger gear 166 to
turn in the opposing direction thereby lowering the carrier hanger 158,
thereby lowering the
suspending hanger 171 to coordinate with the unscrewing of the screw cap 152.
The cooperating
relationship between the gears 166, 168, and 170 can be seen in Figures 27, 38
and 39.
The litter storage and disposal system 140 may include a pullout hanger 188 as
shown in
Figures 28 and 36 for pulling the removable liner 143 away from the screw cap
152. The pullout
hanger 188 also includes a pullout hanger gear 145 which is driven by the
driving gear 168.
Once the screw cap 152 is disconnected from the passageway 146 and the
removable liner
143 is sealed, the carrier hanger 158 still suspends the suspending hanger
171. The driving gear
168 continues to turn. As the pullout hanger gear 145 travels downward, a push
rod 190 attached
to the pullout hanger 188 engages the pullout hanger 188 thereby causing the
pullout hanger 188 to
travel in the same direction as the pullout hanger gear 145.
The pullout hanger 188 pivots between the space between the suspending hanger
171 and
the top walls of the carrier drawer 156. The suspending hanger 171 continues
to be upheld by a
holder 162 of the removable liner 143 which is, at this point, still installed
in the screw cap 152
and is already tied up.
The pullout hanger 188 continues to move forcing the attached seal of the
holder 162 to
pull out of the screw cap 152. The motor 70 is timed to ensure that the
pullout hanger 188 does not
continue to pivot further than necessary.
After a spout 161 of the removable liner 143 is sealed, the removable liner
143 is still
suspended or hanging inside the screw cap 152 by the hanger 162 which is
fitted into a shaped slot
77 of the screw cap seal 230. Accordingly, the removable liner 143 is not
removed from the screw
cap 152 until the drawer 156 is pulled out which pulls the pullout hanger 188
away from the device
10. The pullout hanger 188 then hooks or pulls the holder 162 away from the
screw cap 152 after
the screw cap 152 has been disconnected and after the removable liner 143
spout 161 is sealed or
tied up.
A spring 189 attached to the pullout hanger 188 as shown in Figure 36 biases
the pullout
hanger 188 to its original position once the removable liner 143 drops into
the drawer 156 of the
waste receptacle 148 awaiting disposal.
Once the removable liner 143 separates from the screw cap 152, the pullout
hanger 188
returns to its original position which adjusts the other gears.
The spout 161 of the removable liner 143 that is disconnected or pulled out
from the screw
cap 152 now falls inside the carrier drawer 156 where it is ready for
disposal. When the operator
CA 02431445 2010-11-17
pulls out the carrier drawer 156 from the waste receptacle 148 the removable
liner is already tied
up and fully disconnected from the screw cap 152 assembly equipment, ready for
the operator to
carry the carrier drawer 156 with the removable liner 143 away for disposal of
the removable liner
143.
When the operator returns the carrier drawer 156 into the waste receptacle
148, after the
installation of a new removable liner 143, the drawer 156 depresses a switch
inside the waste
receptacle 148 which starts or turns on the motor 70 to connect the
independent screw cap 152 and
the removable liner 143 with the passageway 146.
On insertion into the waste receptacle 148, the carrier hanger 158 slides
underneath the
suspending hanger 171 such that when the motor 70 starts turning, the carrier
hanger 158 rises to
carry the suspending hanger 171 up while connecting the screw cap 152 with the
passageway 146.
The motor 70 will turn the pullout hanger gear 145 upward but does not perform
any function
when the screw cap 152 is being connected.
The removable liner 143 may be comprised of durable, puncture-resistant and
waterproof
material to prevent breakage as the removable liner 143 is filled up. The
removable liner 143 may
also be comprised of a biodegradable material if the device 10 is used for pet
litter to reduce the
environmental impact of that use of the device 10. If the removable liner 143
is biodegradable then
it may be composed of a material such that the removable liner 143 degrades or
decays from the
outside - in. Still further, the removable liner 143 may be comprised of
medical-grade waste
disposal material to provide maximum protection against removable liner
breakage.
The removable liner 143 may also be opaque such that an operator does not see
the
contents of the removable liner 143 upon disposal.
The removable liner 143 may include a square (or other "grippable" and
symmetrical
shape) holder 162 which is hinged in middle of the opening of the removable
liner 143 as shown in
Figures 37 and 40. A square holder 162 may fold into an arrow shape (Figure
41) for insertion into
the screw cap 152 during installation. The holder 162 is slid within a shaped
slot 77 in the screw
cap 152 (Figure 42) at which time the holder 162 expands into a flat shape
which is engaged
within a shaped slot 77 defined by the screw cap 152 as shown in Figure 43. As
the screw cap 152
tightens, the shaped slot 77 flattens thereby holding the folded holder 162 in
its flattened state.
The holder 162 may be any shape that fits into the shaped slot 77 of the screw
cap 152
provided that when fitted into the shaped slot 77, the holder will turn when
the screw cap 152 turns
for sealing the removable liner 143.
The holder 162 and the screw cap 152 form a watertight seal once the holder is
flattened
within the screw cap 152 and secured.
The removable liner 143 is sealed, closed or tied up during the disconnection
of the screw
cap 152 from the passageway 146. More specifically, when disconnecting the
screw cap 152 from
21
CA 02431445 2010-11-17
the passageway 146, the driving gear 168 turns the screw cap 152. The screw
cap 152, having the
holder sealed within the shaped slot 77, begins to turn the holder 162 and the
removable liner 143.
However, the weight of the waste within the removable liner 143 or shape of
the liner 143 prevents
it from turning or continuing to turn with the holder 162 and, accordingly,
the neck 165 continues
to turn but the removable liner 143 does not. The walls of the neck 165 of the
removable liner 143
are lined with stiffeners 160, which may be wires. When the neck 165 is
twisted but the removable
liner 143 remains stationary, the stiffeners 160 bias the neck 165 in a closed
or sealed position. As
a result, the removable liner 143 is sealed sufficient for disposal.
The suspending hanger 171 as shown in Figure 47 is connected to a connecting
rod which
is disposed within the walls of the drawer 156. The connecting rod includes a
return spring 30c
which biases the suspending hanger 171 such that the screw cap 152 is properly
aligned with the
passageway 146 prior to connecting the screw cap 152 with the passageway 146.
An outside wall 200 of the screw cap 152 forms the motor engagement gear 170.
In
addition, the screw cap 152 includes an interior gear 210 towards or at the
bottom of the screw cap
152 for engaging a seal gear 220 of a screw cap seal 230. Above the interior
gear 210 are threads
(not shown) for engaging the passageway 146.
The screw cap seal 230 extends and opens to the other side of the screw cap
152. The
screw cap seal 230 has the seal gear 220 on its outside surface 235 but to
allow the interior gear
210 at the screw cap 152 to travel in a first direction 240, the screw cap
seal 230 is suspended
inside the screw cap 152 and allows the screw cap 152 to travel/rotate around
the seal in the first
direction 240. As the screw cap 152 rotates or travels in first direction 240,
the screw cap seal 230
remains stationary. The motor engagement gear 170 of the screw cap 152
turns/rotates or drives
the screw cap 152 around the screw cap seal 230 in the first direction 240.
The motor engagement
gear 170 moves the outside wall 200 around the screw cap seal 230 and the
interior gear 210
becomes the driving gear of the screw cap seal 230 when caused to travel in a
second direction
250.
Hence the interior gear 210 and seal gear 220 are for driving the rotation in
opposite
directions during rotation. The interior gear 210 can travel around the seal
gear 220 in the first
direction 240. When rotated in the second direction 250, the interior gear 210
catch the seal gear
220 inside causing the seal 230 and the outside wall 200 to travel in the
second direction 250,
making the interior gear 210 the drive gear for the seal gear 220.
The screw cap seal 230 has fitting space on the top side (connecting side).
The fitting
space is for the attached seal of the removable liner 143 spout to fit into -
when installed.
The motor engagement gear 170, the screw cap seal 230, and the fitting space
77 for the
holder 162 become the driving gear to twist or turn the neck 165 of the
removable liner 143,
22
CA 02431445 2010-11-17
twisting it in, thereby tying the litter removable liner's spout by the holder
162 inside the screw
cap 152 fitted into the screw cap seal 230.
That is, when the screw cap 152 is disconnecting from the passageway 146, the
interior
gear 210 of the outside wall 200 is made to travel in second direction 250,
and it catches the seal
gear 220, which then makes or causes the screw cap seal 230 to travel in the
second direction 250.
When the screw cap 152 is connecting or being screwed onto the passageway 146
it travels freely
to connect with the passageway 146 because seal gear 220 is not opposing this
movement.
The present device 10 includes many portability and storage features designed
to improve
the convenience of use for the operator. Some of these features and
embodiments are described in
more detail below.
The device 10 may include a clamp (not shown) to securely hold the intake when
the
device 10 is not in use.
The device 10 may include a strap 410 which may be attached at both sides of
the device
10 for allowing the system to be carried by the operator. Alternatively, the
strap 410 may be
attached at the top and bottom of the device 10 thereby allowing an operator
to carry the device 10
over the operator's shoulder like a backpack. Still further, the device 10 may
include a plurality of
strap 410 to distribute the weight of the device 10 thereby increasing the
portability of the system
when the operator is walking around.
Further, the adjustable handle 411 may be used for steering the system and may
be
adjusted to a desirable height. When collapsed, the adjustable handle 411 is
level with the top of
the device 10 thereby improving the portability of the system.
The device 10 may include wheels 420 underneath allowing an operator to
conveniently
roll the device 10 around.
In order to improve the portability of the system, the device 10 may include
an
electric/rechargeable battery 414 or dry cell for providing power to the
device 10. The battery 414
may include an indicator (not shown) for alerting the operator when the
battery 414 needs to be
recharged.
The above-described embodiments of the present invention are intended to be
examples
only. Alterations, modifications and variations may be effected to the
particular embodiments by
those of skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention,
which is defined solely
by the claims appended hereto.
23
