Process and apparatus for treating an exhaust stream from a dental operatory

• US 20030198919A1
• Filed: 04/17/2002
• Published: 10/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Air Techniques, Inc. (Dürr Dental SE)
• Original Assignee: Air Techniques, Inc. (Dürr Dental SE)
• Inventors: Gemunder, Elliot R., Hubner, Henry, Foster, Selwyn Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 6,923,646 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 433/92
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/065 characterised by provisions for processing the collected matter, e.g. for separating solids or air

Abstract

There is disclosed a process and apparatus for withdrawing an exhaust stream including gas, liquids and solids from the dental operatory connected to the suction side of a vacuum pump wherein solids and liquids are sequentially removed such that compressed gas from the vacuum pump is passed through a heat exchanger for cooling, thus permitting the use of lightweight, less expensive conduit piping for a vent exhaust conduit.

Claims

1. Apparatus for treating a waste stream from a dental operatory which comprises:

means for compressing a gaseous stream having a suction inlet port and a compressed gas outlet port;

conduit means for withdrawing said waste stream from said dental operatory in fluid communication with said suction inlet port of said means for compressing a gaseous stream;

heat exchanger means including an inlet port and an outlet port for cooling a gaseous stream;

conduit means in fluid communication with said compressed gas outlet port of said means for compressing a gaseous stream and said inlet port of said heat exchanger means;

conduit means for venting to atmosphere a gaseous stream exiting said outlet port of said heat exchanger means.

2. Process for treating a waste stream from a dental operatory which comprises the steps of:

a. compressing a gaseous stream in fluid communication with said waste stream from said dental operatory;

b. cooling said compressed gaseous stream of step a; and

c. venting to atmosphere said cooled, compressed, gaseous stream of step a.