Portable vacuum system

Abstract

A portable and disposable vacuum system that may be used for collecting, containing and disposing of material is disclosed. The vacuum system may include a relatively rigid plastic bellows container with an upper opening. A spring may be inserted into the bellows container through the opening. A cap may be sealed to the bellows container at the upper opening. The spring may extend from the cap to the base of the container so as to bias the container into an expanded position. The cap may include one or more couplers that provide for the ingress and egress of fluid to and from the container. A suction tube may be connected to one of the couplers and an exhaust fluid receptacle may be connected to the other coupler. A valve may control the flow of fluid through the suction tube. In an alternative embodiment a powered vacuum device may be connected to the other coupler.

1 . A vacuum system comprising: 
 a flexible container having a generally rigid base wall defining a first end of the container, a generally elongated and compressible cylindrical side wall extending away from said base wall, and an opening disposed at a second end of the container;    a cap removably attached and sealed to the opening, said cap having a first coupler and including means for receiving a biasing force urging said cap away from said opening;    a helically wound spring disposed within said container and extending between said cap and said base wall;    an elongated tube connected to the first coupler; and    a valve communicating with the elongated tube.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a second coupler disposed on said cap; and    a one-way valve communicating with said second coupler, said one-way valve oriented so as to prevent the flow of fluid that passes through said second coupler back into the container.    
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a compressed gas powered vacuum motor connected to said second coupler.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising an expandable exhaust receptacle connected to said second coupler.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a rigid base member disposed in the container between the spring and the base wall.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the means for receiving a biasing force comprises a rigid cap member disposed in the container between the cap and the spring.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the spring is adapted to provide a biasing force capable of achieving a vacuum pressure in excess of about 29 inches of mercury.  
   
   
       8 . A vacuum system for collecting, containing and disposing of material, the vacuum system comprising: 
 a relatively flexible plastic bellows container adapted to selectively attain an expanded configuration and a compressed configuration, said container having a threaded opening and a base wall opposite the opening;    a threaded cap connected to and forming a seal with the opening, said cap having a first coupler;    a rigid cap member inserted into the cap;    a helically wound spring disposed in said container and having a first end secured so as to be maintained adjacent to the base wall of the container and a second end biased against the cap member;    a flexible suction tube connected to the first coupler; and    a valve communicating with the suction tube, said valve adapted to control the ingress of material through the suction tube into the container.    
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8  further comprising: 
 a second coupler disposed on said cap; and    a one-way valve communicating with said second coupler, said one-way valve oriented so as to prevent the flow of fluid that passes through said second coupler back into the container.    
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9  further comprising a rigid base member disposed in the container between the spring and the base wall.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the spring is adapted to provide a biasing force capable of achieving a vacuum pressure in excess of about 29 inches of mercury.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11  further comprising a compressed gas powered vacuum motor connected to said second coupler.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 11  further comprising an expandable exhaust receptacle connected to said second coupler.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 2  further comprising a second one-way valve communicating with the first coupler, said second one-way valve oriented so as to prevent the flow of fluid that passes through said first coupler back toward the elongated tube.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 9  further comprising a second one-way valve communicating with the first coupler, said second one-way valve oriented so as to prevent the flow of fluid that passes through said first coupler back toward the suction tube.  
   
   
       16 . A vacuum system for collecting, containing and disposing of material, the vacuum system comprising: 
 a relatively flexible plastic bellows container adapted to selectively attain an expanded configuration and a compressed configuration, said container having a threaded opening and a base wall opposite the opening;    a threaded cap connected to and forming a seal with the opening, said cap having integrally formed first and second barbed nipple couplers;    a helically wound spring disposed in said container and having a first end secured so as to be maintained adjacent to the base wall of the container and a second end biased against the cap member, said spring providing a biasing force capable of achieving a vacuum pressure in excess of about 29 inches of mercury;    a flexible suction tube connected to the first coupler;    a valve communicating with the suction tube, said valve adapted to control the ingress of material through the suction tube into the container;    a first one-way valve communicating with said second coupler, said one-way valve oriented so as to prevent the flow of fluid that passes through said second coupler back into the container;    a second one-way valve communicating with the first coupler, said second one-way valve oriented so as to prevent the flow of fluid that passes through said first coupler back toward the suction tube; and    a flexible exhaust receptacle connected and sealed to the second coupler.