Drum lid for minimal liquid carryover in a vacuum system

• US 6,767,380 B2
• Filed: 11/07/2002
• Issued: 07/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Roland Jr. Von Stackelberg
• Original Assignee: Roland Jr. Von Stackelberg
• Inventors: von Stackelberg, Roland Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chiesa, Richard L.
• Application Number:
  US10/289,349
• Publication Number:
  US 20040089157A1
• Time in Patent Office: 628 Days
• Field of Search: 554/31, 554/39, 554/65, 554/62, 55D/IG.3, 964/06, 962/04, 962/06, 962/20, 964/16, 153/53
• US Class Current: 55/431
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/365 of the vertical type, e.g. tank or bucket type
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0014 with additional means or devices between nozzle and casing
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0028 Security means, e.g. float valves or level switches for preventing overflow
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0038 with means for emptying the tanks
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0042 Gaskets; Sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 45/08 by impingement against baffle separators
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 55/03 Vacuum cleaner

Abstract

A universal drum lid for vacuum systems includes an inlet port configured to intercept downwardly flowing influent at a baffle and engage a direction plate which redirects the flow laterally against an adjacent side wall of the receptacle. An outlet port is shielded by the direction plate. Maximum liquid removal and minimal liquid carryover is achieved through the use of the drum lid. Preferably, a disengagement chamber precedes the baffle for disengaging suspended particles, including liquid, and permitting debris to pass the baffle without blockage. A single float ball-valve is sensitive to flow and will seal the outlet on high liquid entrainment and on high liquid levels.

Claims

1. A container lid for receiving an influent of gas and liquid and discharging a substantially liquid free gas stream, said lid comprising:

upper and lower planer surfaces and adapted for detachably sealing a top opening of a container having vertical side walls,

an inlet port fit into and located adjacent a periphery of the lid and oriented for receiving the influent and redirecting the influent downwardly into the container adjacent a vertical side wall;

a baffle spaced from and positioned below the inlet port so as to intercept the influent and redirect the influent laterally;

a plate depending from the lid adjacent the inlet port and extending downwardly to the baffle for blocking at least a portion of the laterally redirected influent so that substantially all of the laterally redirected influent is towards the side wall for removing a substantive amount of liquid from the influent; and

an outlet port fit into the lid and adapted for connection to a vacuum source, the outlet port spaced from the inlet port and plate for discharge of the gas stream.

2. The lid of claim 1 wherein the baffle is suspended from the plate.

3. The lid of claim 1 further comprising a chamber fit between the inlet port and the lid, the chamber further comprising:

an inlet surface to which the inlet port is fit, the inlet port having a cross-sectional area through which the influent flows into the chamber; and

peripheral walls spacing the inlet surface from the lid, forming a bottom opening exiting into the container and having a cross-sectional area greater than that of the inlet port.

4. The lid of claim 2 further comprising a chamber fit between the inlet port and the lid, the chamber further comprising:

an inlet surface to which the inlet port is fit, the inlet port having a cross-sectional area through which the influent flows into the chamber; and

peripheral walls spacing the inlet surface from the lid, forming a bottom opening exiting into the container and having a cross-sectional area greater than that of the inlet port.

5. The lid of claim 1 further comprising a shut-off valve fit to the outlet port.

6. The lid of claim 4 further comprising a shut-off valve fit to the outlet port.

7. The lid of claim 5 wherein the shut-off valve comprises a ring seal at the lid, a frame depending downwardly from the lid and having a bottom for supporting a bail operable in the frame between a top closed position against the ring seal and a bottom open position at the bottom of the frame.

8. The lid of claim 6 wherein the shut-off valve comprises a ring seal at the lid, a frame depending downwardly from the lid and having a bottom for supporting a ball operable in the frame between a top closed position against the ring seal and a bottom open position at the bottom of the frame.

9. The lid of claim 1 wherein the lid further comprises a sight glass positioned between the lid and the outlet port.

10. The rid of claim 7 wherein the lid further comprises a sight glass positioned between the lid and the outlet port.

11. The rid of claim 8 wherein the lid further comprises a sight glass positioned between the lid and the outlet port.

12. The lid of claim 1 further comprising a conduit having a pump end at the lid and depending downwardly to a suction end positioned in the drum, the pump end being adapted for connection to a pump for withdrawal of accumulated liquids from the container.

13. The lid of claim 2 further comprising a conduit having a pump end at the lid and depending downwardly to a suction end positioned in the drum, the pump and being adapted for connection to a pump for withdrawal of accumulated liquids from the container.

14. The lid of claim 3 further comprising a conduit having a pump end at the lid and depending downwardly to a suction end positioned in the drum, the pump end being adapted for connection to a pump for withdrawal of accumulated liquids from the container.

15. The lid of claim 4 further comprising a conduit having a pump end at the lid and depending downwardly to a suction end positioned in the drum, the pump end being adapted for connection to a pump for withdrawal of accumulated liquids from the container.

16. The lid of claim 11 further comprising a conduit having a pump end at the lid and depending downwardly to a suction end positioned in the drum, the pump end being adapted for connection to a pump for withdrawal of accumulated liquids from the container.