Manifold Assembly with Tangential Intake Port

Abstract

A manifold assembly ( 12 ) for a medical waste collection device ( 10 ) includes a manifold housing ( 14 ), a manifold cap ( 16 ), and a connection ( 18 ). The housing ( 14 ) includes a bottom ( 20 ) having a wall ( 24 ) extending upwardly about an axis ( 26 ) and defines open periphery ( 28 ) having a shoulder ( 32 ). A support structure defines a filter support surface ( 30 ). An outlet port ( 34 ) is disposed on the bottom ( 20 ). The surface ( 30 ) includes an inner ring ( 38 ), an outer ring ( 40 ), outer spokes ( 44 ) and inner spokes ( 52 ). The cap ( 16 ) includes an intake port ( 58 ) and is disposed on the housing ( 14 ) to define a chamber ( 56 ). Filters ( 60, 62 ) are supported on the surface ( 30 ). The cap ( 16 ) includes a top ( 64 ). The connection ( 18 ) includes a lip ( 76 ).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A manifold assembly for use in a medical waste collection device, said assembly comprising:
 a manifold housing including a bottom and a wall extending upwardly from said bottom about an axis to define an open periphery, said wall having an inner surface and an exterior surface;   a manifold cap attached to said manifold housing to define a chamber therebetween;   an outlet port disposed on said bottom;   an intake port tangentially disposed to direct the waste against said inner surface of said wall so that the waste swirls against said inner surface of said wall when being directed into said chamber from said intake port; and   a filter supported in said chamber to filter the waste between said intake port and said outlet port.   
     
     
         2 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said filter is spaced radially inwardly from said wall to define a space between said wall and said filter for collecting material. 
     
     
         3 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 1  including a filter support structure disposed on said bottom and extending upwardly therefrom, said filter support structure defining a plurality of open spaces therein. 
     
     
         4 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 3  wherein said filter support structure defines a filter receiving space disposed about said axis, said filter having a first end disposed in said filter receiving space. 
     
     
         5 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 4  wherein said filter has a cylindrical shape. 
     
     
         6 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 5  wherein said filter is a hollow cylinder. 
     
     
         7 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 3  wherein said filter support structure is formed separately from said manifold housing and is mated to said manifold housing. 
     
     
         8 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 3  wherein said outlet port defines a passageway extending into said chamber and said filter support structure is disposed on said bottom of said manifold housing in coaxial alignment with said passageway. 
     
     
         9 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 1  including a connection retaining said manifold cap on said manifold housing. 
     
     
         10 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 9  wherein said connection includes:
 a shoulder disposed on said exterior surface of said wall about said open periphery; and 
 a lip disposed on said manifold cap and snap-fit over said shoulder to retain said manifold cap on said manifold housing. 
 
     
     
         11 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 9  wherein said connection includes a lip disposed on said manifold cap and protruding radially inwardly toward said exterior surface of said wall. 
     
     
         12 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 1  including a secondary filter disposed in said chamber. 
     
     
         13 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said bottom is conical. 
     
     
         14 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 1  including a plurality of circumferentially spaced ribs disposed on said cap and engaging said inner surface of said wall. 
     
     
         15 . A manifold assembly for use in a medical waste collection device, said assembly comprising:
 a manifold housing including a bottom and a wall extending upwardly from said bottom about an axis to define an open periphery, said wall having an inner surface and an exterior surface;   a manifold cap attached to said manifold housing to define a chamber therebetween;   a connection retaining said manifold cap on said manifold housing;   an outlet port disposed on said bottom and extending therefrom about said axis, said outlet port defining a passageway and being configured to engage the collection device for transporting waste from said chamber to the collection device through said passageway;   an intake port disposed tangent to said wall and configured to direct the waste against said inner surface of said wall so that the waste swirls against said inner surface of said wall when being directed into said chamber from said intake port; and   a filter supported in said chamber to filter the waste between said intake port and said outlet port, said filter being spaced radially inwardly from said wall to define a space between said wall and said filter for collecting material.   
     
     
         16 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 15  including a support structure disposed on said bottom. 
     
     
         17 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 16  wherein said support structure defines a filter receiving space disposed about said axis, said filter having a first end disposed in said filter receiving space. 
     
     
         18 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 17  wherein said filter has a cylindrical shape. 
     
     
         19 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 18  wherein said filter is a hollow cylinder. 
     
     
         20 . A manifold assembly for use in a medical waste collection device, said assembly comprising:
 a manifold housing including a conical bottom and a wall extending upwardly from said bottom about an axis to define an open periphery, said wall having an inner surface and an exterior surface;   a manifold cap attached to said manifold housing to define a chamber therebetween;   a connection retaining said manifold cap on said manifold housing, said connection including a lip disposed on said manifold cap and protruding radially inwardly toward said exterior surface of said wall;   an outlet port disposed on said bottom and extending therefrom about said axis, said outlet port defining a passageway and being configured to transport waste from said chamber to the collection device;   an intake port disposed tangent to said wall and configured to direct the waste against said inner surface of said wall so that the waste swirls against said inner surface of said wall when being directed into said chamber from said intake port;   a support structure disposed on said bottom in coaxial alignment with said passageway, said support structure being formed separately from said manifold housing; and   a filter supported in said chamber by said support structure to filter the waste between said intake port and said outlet port, said filter being spaced radially inwardly from said wall to define a space between said wall and said filter for collecting material.