Device for the containment and protection of parts subject to pollution of suction devices

Abstract

A device for the containment and protection of parts subject to pollution of suction devices endowed, overall, with an elongated form which houses, in the upper part or head thereof, together with the vent to discharge the suctioned air, a suction unit, including the motor(s), and in the lower part thereof, a container for the suctioned material, characterised by the fact that the said device comprises at least one (or more) external protection elements, each one structurally and dimensionally designed to be overlaid respectively to cover and hermetically isolate a part of the suction device (1).

Description

[0001] DEVICE FOR THE CONTAINMENT AND PROTECTION OF PARTS SUBJECT TO POLLUTION OF SUCTION DEVICES DESCRIPTION

[0002] The present invention concerns a device for containing and protecting parts that are subject to pollution in suction devices designed for operation in environments requiring remediation or treatment of pollutants and / or materials which are harmful for health.

[0003] These are usually industrial suction devices endowed with an overall elongated cylindrical form which houses the vacuum motor or motors in the upper part or head and a container for the vacuumed material in the lower part, which may consist of a plastic bag with moderate mechanical strength. These suction devices are normally mounted on a wheeled trolley for movement.

[0004] Use of such suction devices for the collection of pollutants is frequent in work areas. Due to the pollutants dispersed in the environment, these suction devices are also exposed to pollution on the external surfaces. This means that, before being transferred outside the work site or to another work site, the devices must, in turn, be remediated externally via suction and / or by washing with water.

[0005] It should also be noted, in particular, that washing with water is neither simple nor risk-free as it concerns sensitive parts of the suction device. At present, to prevent the need for such remediation activities, the suction devices are wrapped and insulated in large plastic bags or partially dismantled so as to be cleaned inside too. These solutions make it difficult to handle and transport the suction device and do not always guarantee that the insulation, which contains the pollution, is maintained during handling and in the event of impacts. Furthermore, they involve significant costs.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to overcome the aforesaid drawbacks of the prior art.

[0007] The objects of the present invention also include creating a system for protecting and insulating the suction devices parts subject to pollution as described below, as illustrated in the appended drawings, and as stated in the claims.

[0008] Advantages provided by the invention include the functional and construction simplicity thereof.

[0009] Further characteristics and advantages will better emerge more clearly from the following description of some preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of the invention illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the appended drawings, in which:

[0010] - Figure 1 shows a schematic exploded axonometric view of a first embodiment;

[0011] - Figure 2 shows a lateral view, in vertical elevation, of a suction device without the containment device envisaged in the invention and shown in a raised position with respect to the trolley (2) on which the said suction device is to be mounted;

[0012] - Figure 3 shows a lateral view, in vertical elevation, of a suction device, shown without the relative trolley but equipped with the containment device according to the invention;

[0013] - Figure 4 shows the lateral view, in vertical elevation, shown in Figure 3 in which the suction device, equipped with the containment device according to the invention, is mounted on a trolley 2.

[0014] With reference to the aforesaid figures, 1 denotes a suction device with an overall elongated - in particular cylindrical - form, which is mounted, with a vertical axis, on a trolley 2 which is movable on wheels 3 and 4. The suction device 1 comprises a suction unit, including motor(s) housed in the upper part or head 10 thereof, together with the vent outlet for the suctioned air, and a container for the suctioned material housed in the lower part, below a central part.

[0015] The external surfaces of the suction device 1 , as they are directly exposed to pollutants dispersed in the environment which must be remediated, also become polluted. Pollutants that are harmful or hazardous for health must be eliminated or in any case confined, i.e. adequately isolated, to prevent them propagating to other work environments.

[0016] The confinement or isolation of such external surfaces is achieved by creating a cover with one or more protection elements, each of which is dimensionally structured to be overlaid and respectively cover and hermetically isolate a well-defined portion of the external surface of the suction device 1 , isolating the said portion from the external environment.

[0017] In the embodiment illustrated, protection is ensured by providing covering via a kit containing elements or segments including, in the following order: an upper protection segment 20 and a second protection segment 22, which are shaped and sized so as to be positioned to cover and isolate, respectively, the said upper part, or head 10, and to cover, enclose, and isolate the said lower or vent part of the suction device 1 which has a frustoconical (or cylindrical) shape. Sealed connecting means, comprising a connecting ring 21 operating between the upper segment 20 and the external surface of the suction device 1 , are provided to achieve a snap-fitted hermetically sealed mechanical coupling, in this case between the upper segment 20, creating complete protection of the upper part of the suction device 1. The connecting ring 21 is not visible in Figures 3 and 4 as the said ring is covered by the lower edge 25 of the upper segment 20, and such protection is extended to the lower or vent part of the said suction device 1 through the insertion of the lower segment 22. This results in a solid, overall cylindrical, body which is easily cleaned and / or washed without damaging the head and the vent part and comprises a container for the suctioned material, often consisting of a plastic bag. The lower protection segment 22 has a cylindrical form that is closed at the bottom by a base which is can be used to rest the suction device on any uneven work surface, but can also be open, i.e. without a closed base, if the suction device 1 is designed to rest on a surface of a structure that is part of the work area. All of this is implemented, however, in such a way as to ensure complete containment.

[0018] The upper segment 20, the lower segment 22 and the ring 21 are made of materials (such as plastics and metal alloys) which are capable of maintaining their form and dimensions over time and of offering good mechanical and chemical strength when exposed to liquid and gaseous pollutants.

[0019] In this way, the protection thus created, which can be installed and uninstalled manually without requiring special tools and / or equipment, simplifies cleaning operations for the suction devices 1 since it provides a hermetic protection that isolates at least the upper part (head) and the lower part of the suction device (dust outlet), which in practice cover the entire suction device 1 , transforming the said suction device into a cylindrical body that can easily be cleaned and / or washed without damaging the head and the outlet part.

[0020] Advantages of the invention include the simplification of cleaning operations for the suction devices and, undoubtedly, the facilitation of the movement thereof when polluted. This results in savings in terms of time during cleaning and remediation operations and consequently operating costs.

Claims

CLAIMS1 ). A device for the containment and protection of parts subject to pollution of suction devices endowed, overall, with an elongated form which houses, in the upper part or head thereof, together with the vent to discharge the suctioned air, a suction unit, including the motor(s), and in the lower part thereof, a container for the suctioned material, characterised by the fact that the said device comprises a kit consisting of protection elements or segments including, in the following order: an upper protection segment (20) and a second protection segment (22), which are shaped and sized so as to be positioned to cover and isolate, respectively, the said upper part, or head (10), and to cover, enclose, and hermetically isolate the said lower or vent part; the protection being ensured by providing covering via a kit containing elements or segments including, in the following order: a first upper protection segment (20) and a second protection segment (22), which are shaped and sized so as to be positioned to cover and isolate, respectively, the said upper part, or head (10), and to cover, enclose, and hermetically isolate the said external lower or vent part, endowed with a frustoconical (or cylindrical), of the suction device (1 );2) A device according to Claim 1 , characterised by the fact that the said device comprises sealed connecting means, comprising a connecting ring (21 ), operating between the upper segment (20) and the head (10), provided to achieve a snap-fitted hermetically sealed mechanical coupling, in this case between the upper segment (20), creating complete protection of the upper part of the suction device (20) and the upper surface of the head (10).3) A device according to Claim 1 , characterised by the fact that the upper segment (20) has a frustoconical or cylindrical conformationdepending on the external shape of the upper part or head (10), which is closed at the top to create a sort of protective cap for the head (10) of the said device and the said lower segment (22) features an essentially cylindrical conformation endowed with a bottom which is therefore closed at the bottom in order to achieve complete closure of the entire lower portion.4) A device according to Claim 1 , characterised by the fact that the upper segment (20) features an essentially cylindrical or slightly frustoconical conformation which is closed at the top to create a sort of protective cap for the head of the said device and that the said lower segment (22) features an essentially cylindrical conformation without a bottom, therefore open at the bottom.

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