System having an improved nozzle device for reducing the volume of hazardous waste

Abstract

Described is a system having an improved nozzle device for reducing the volume of an already-sealed bag containing compressible hazardous waste without contaminating the nozzle device itself. The nozzle device is adapted to puncture and penetrate the bag and to cooperate with a vacuum device that draws most of the air within the bag through the nozzle device and into the vacuum device through suitable filters, thus decreasing the volume of the bag. A sheath cooperates with the nozzle device such that when the nozzle device has penetrated the bag, only the sheath member is exposed to the hazardous contents of the bag, the sheath member remaining in the bag after volume reduction, mitigating the release and spread of hazardous contaminants out of the bag.

1 . A nozzle device for reducing the volume of an already-sealed conventional receptacle bag containing compressible hazardous waste without contaminating said nozzle device, said nozzle device comprising: 
 a base member defining a first through-passage, the first through-passage having a first terminal and a second terminal, said base member comprising a first end at the first terminal of the first through-passage, said base member comprising a second end at the second terminal of the first through-passage, the second end of said base member cooperating with a vacuum device; and    a sheath member defining a second through-passage, the second through-passage of said sheath member receiving the first end of said base member such that the first end of said base member fits concentrically within the second through-passage of said sheath member, said sheath member being removable from said base member.    
   
   
       2 . The nozzle device of  claim 1  further comprising a stopper member, said stopper member secured to said base member between the first end of said base member and the second end of said base member.  
   
   
       3 . The nozzle device of  claim 2  wherein said sheath member engages said stopper member.  
   
   
       4 . The nozzle device of  claim 3  wherein said sheath member extends beyond the first end of said base member.  
   
   
       5 . The nozzle device of  claim 1  wherein said sheath member is capable of puncturing a conventional receptacle bag.  
   
   
       6 . The nozzle device of  claim 5  wherein said sheath member has an aslant contour.  
   
   
       7 . The nozzle device of  claim 5  wherein said sheath member extends beyond the first end of said base member.  
   
   
       8 . The nozzle device of  claim 1  wherein the first end of said base member is capable of puncturing a conventional receptacle bag.  
   
   
       9 . The nozzle device of  claim 8  wherein said sheath member extends beyond the first end of said base member.  
   
   
       10 . The nozzle device of  claim 8  wherein the first end of said base member has an aslant contour.  
   
   
       11 . The nozzle device of  claim 1  wherein said base member has a cylindrical contour.  
   
   
       12 . The nozzle device of  claim 11  wherein said sheath member has a cylindrical contour.  
   
   
       13 . A system for reducing the volume of an already-sealed conventional receptacle bag containing compressible hazardous waste without contaminating said system, said system comprising: 
 a nozzle device, said nozzle device comprising a base member and a sheath member, the base member defining a first through-passage, the first through-passage having a first terminal and a second terminal, the base member comprising a first end at the first terminal of the first through-passage, the base member comprising a second end at the second terminal of the first through-passage, the sheath member defining a second through-passage, whereby the first end of said base member fits concentrically within the second through-passage, said sheath member being removable from said base member;    an air-suction hose comprising a first end and a second end, the first end of said air-suction hose cooperating with said nozzle device at the second end of the base member of said nozzle device such that a passageway is created from the first end of the base member of said nozzle device to the second end of said air-suction hose; and    a vacuum device generating a suction, said vacuum device cooperating with the second end of said air-suction hose such that said vacuum device generates a suction that extends to the first terminal at the first end of the base member of said nozzle device.    
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein said vacuum device includes at least one air filter.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14  wherein said air filter is a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 14  wherein said air filter is a carbon filter.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 14  wherein said air filter is a chemical filter.  
   
   
       18 . A method for reducing the volume of a conventional receptacle bag containing compressible hazardous waste without contaminating the surrounding environment, said method comprising the steps of: 
 inserting a nozzle device into an already-sealed receptacle bag, wherein the nozzle device includes a base member and a sheath member;    suctioning substantially all unnecessary volume-creating air from the receptacle bag;    extracting the nozzle device from the receptacle bag;    removing the sheath member of the nozzle device while extracting the nozzle device from the receptacle bag such that the sheath member remains within the receptacle bag after the nozzle device is removed.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising the step of sealing an opening created when the nozzle device is extracted from the receptacle bag.