U.S. patent application number 10/926517 was filed with the patent office on 2006-03-02 for smoke generating device.
Invention is credited to Kirollos S. Kirollos, Gueorgui Milev Mihaylov.
Application Number | 20060042373 10/926517 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35941134 |
Filed Date | 2006-03-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060042373 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kirollos; Kirollos S. ; et
al. |
March 2, 2006 |
Smoke generating device
Abstract
A cold smoke generating device includes an air source that may
include a hollow flexible collapsible container having an
expandable and compressible cavity for accepting air and air-borne
reagent therein. The collapsible container is fluidly connected
with a narrow flexible extension that includes an elongated cavity
or chamber. Isolated and/or free reagents are disposed within the
chamber of the narrow flexible extension. These reagents are
capable of reacting with each other, with atmospheric air, or with
other gases and fluids to generate a visible aerosol when expelled
into the surrounding air.
Inventors: |
Kirollos; Kirollos S.;
(Virginia Beach, VA) ; Mihaylov; Gueorgui Milev;
(Virginia Beach, VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BRADLEY D. GOLDIZEN
505 SOUTH INDEPENDENCE BOULEVARD, SUITE 102
VIRGINIA BEACH
VA
23452
US
|
Family ID: |
35941134 |
Appl. No.: |
10/926517 |
Filed: |
August 25, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
73/170.04 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C06D 3/00 20130101; A01M
13/00 20130101; A62B 27/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
073/170.04 |
International
Class: |
A63B 53/00 20060101
A63B053/00; G01W 1/00 20060101 G01W001/00 |
Claims
1. A smoke generating device for generating smoke to be discharged
into air near the device, said device comprising: a collapsible
hollow container including a compressible cavity that contains a
reduced pressure; a flexible extension having two ends and a
sidewall that defines a chamber, an end of said flexible extension
being in fluid connection with the collapsible hollow container, a
second end of the flexible extension being sealed; and at least one
ampoule comprising an inert rigid breakable material filled with a
reagent capable of generating aerosol when exposed to air and being
disposed within said chamber.
2. The smoke generating device of claim 1 further comprising at
least one porous plug for absorbing a reagent.
3. The smoke generating device of claim 1 further comprising an
ampoule being breakable upon bending or twisting said flexible
extension and said ampoule being fixed in place by at least one
porous plug such that said plugs are soaked when said ampoule is
broken to enrich air which passes through said plug.
4. The smoke generating device of claim 1 further including a gas
tight connector disposed between the collapsible container and the
flexible extension.
5. The smoke generating device of claim 1 wherein said ampoule has
longitudinally situated mechanically weakened points that aid in
breaking the ampoule.
6. The smoke generating device of claim 1 wherein said ampoule is a
cylindrical and having one or more places where a diameter is
smaller to aid in breaking the ampoule.
7. The smoke generating device of claim in 1 wherein the ampoule
includes surface scratches for aiding in breaking the ampoule.
8. The smoke generating device of claim 1 wherein said ampoule has
one conical end inserted into a hard tube disposed within said
chamber to facilitate breaking of the ampoule.
9. The smoke generating device of claim 1 wherein said chamber and
said collapsible container are separate pieces assembled together
directly before use to allow use of one collapsible container with
several consecutive elongated containers.
10. The smoke generating device of claim 1 wherein said plug
comprises felt.
11. The smoke generating device of claim 1 wherein said plug
comprises a sintered material.
12. The smoke generating device of claim 1 wherein said ampoule
comprises a weakened are having one or more selected from a group
consisting of a smaller diameter, a notch, a sidewall having a thin
region, a prescored sidewall and a scratched surface to aid in
breakage of the ampoule.
13. The smoke generating device of claim 1 further comprising a
removable end cap that seals an end of the chamber.
14. The smoke generating device of claim 1 a pair of plugs disposed
in a longitudinal direction on an exterior of said ampoule within
the chamber.
15. The smoke generating device of claim 1 further comprising a
hollow rigid material for accepting a tip of the ampoule to aid in
breakage of the ampoule.
16. A smoke generating device for generating smoke to be discharged
into air near the device, said device comprising: an external
source of air flow; a flexible extension having two ends and a
sidewall that defines a chamber, an end of said flexible extension
being in fluid connection with the external source of air, a second
end of the flexible extension being sealed; and, at least one
ampoule comprising an inert rigid breakable material filled with a
reagent capable of generating aerosol when exposed to air and being
disposed within said chamber
17. The smoke generating device of claim 16 wherein said source of
air flow is an electric driven pump or blower.
18. The smoke generating device of claim 16 wherein said source of
air flow is a hand operated pump.
19. The smoke generating device of claim 16 wherein said source of
air flow is a pressurized gas container.
20. The smoke generating device of claim 16 wherein said source of
air flow is a collapsible hollow container including a compressible
cavity that contains a reduced pressure.
Description
[0001] There are no related applications.
[0002] The present invention did not receive any federal research
and development funding.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The invention generally relates to a cold smoke generating
device and more particularly to a device which comprises a hollow
flexible collapsible container having an expandable and
compressible cavity for accepting air and air-borne reagent
therein. The collapsible container is fluidly connected with a
narrow flexible extension that comprises an elongated cavity or
chamber. Isolated and/or free reagents are disposed within said
chamber of the narrow flexible extension. These reagents are
capable of reacting with each other, with atmospheric air, or with
other gases and fluids to generate a visible aerosol. This aerosol
may be easily dispersed or expelled from the chamber by exerting a
force or pressure onto an exterior of an expanded container causing
air located therein to be forced from the container, into an end of
the chamber, across the reagents to be expelled through an open end
of the chamber. The process is begun by exposing a reduced pressure
interior of the chamber to an atmospheric pressure by removing an
end of the chamber. This creates an enriched blending of air with
reagent to promote an air quality having a greater percentage of
reagent to produce stronger more visible vapor or smoke
streams.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Portable, compact smoke generators are widely used for
marking a direction and velocity of current air currents or gas
flow. They are used to generate a continuous stream of fumes when
used with an air supply pump or to produce a small cloud of smoke
when used with stroke-type hand pumps.
[0005] Conventional smoke generators, commonly called ventilation
smoke tubes, operate by passing air over a bed of granular sorbent
material impregnated with a substance that reacts with the moisture
in the air resulting in dense smoke. One such use of these
generators is testing the fitting of respiratory protection
equipment, in accordance with OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard
29 CFR 1910.134.
[0006] A major drawback of the known art is the use or presence of
highly reactive substances that are harmful and must be carefully
handled to prevent personal injury or property damage. Typically,
the substances are impregnated in carrier materials and sealed
glass tubes that include breakable tips. The carrier material is
retained in place by mesh-cups and plugs. The process of
manufacturing known smoke generators involves many difficult
technological steps which result in more costly generators.
[0007] Another problem associated with the current smoke generators
is the slow reaction between the active reagent and surrounding
materials which limits the shelf life of the tubes. Use of glass in
the prior art devices presents a hazard to both the user and the
generator itself. Edges of broken glass are hazardous when the tube
is used in close proximity with humans (such as in the air tight
fitting tests for respirators). The use of such glass tubes
requires frequent changes of a rubber bulb used widely as a pump
because glass particles tend to destroy or limit the life of the
pump. The whole construction is bulky and is unsafe.
[0008] McConnaughey, U.S. Pat. No. 3,658,719, teaches a smoke
generating tube constructed with two reagents that are contained
within separate glass ampoules. Each ampoule is enclosed within a
perforated envelope of polyethylene tubing. The ampoules have to be
broken together to produce smoke. The perforations within each
envelope are small in dimension so that transfer of the volatile
acid is substantially by diffusion. That is, there is no
significant convection flow of gases through the envelope. The
above mentioned problems and drawbacks apply to this device.
Moreover, it is very difficult to break the glass containers to
activate the tube.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention is a cold smoke generating device that
comprises a collapsible container having a cavity for accepting air
therein. The collapsible container is fluidly connected with a
flexible extension having a chamber that contains one or more
ampoules comprised of breakable or crushable material. One or more
reagents are included in the ampoule(s) for chemically reacting to
produce a visible vapor or smoke.
[0010] The chamber may be provided at a reduced pressure and
include a removable tip that hermetically seals the chamber. During
use, the ampoule is broken to release the reagents. The tip is then
removed causing atmospheric pressure to force air into the
collapsible container by passing it across the reagent. The
collapsible container fills with enriched vaporous air and may be
collapsed to cause the enriched vapors to pass through the chamber
and across the reagent to be expelled from the removed tip into the
surrounding air to generate a vapor or aerosol.
[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide a smoke
generating tube which is simple to manufacture, safe to use and has
a long shelf life.
[0012] Another objective of the invention is to apply contemporary
materials and use their features to provide a completely sealed
ready-to-use self-contained smoke generator that alleviates the
need for a separate pump unit and mountable glass tube
construction. The present invention incorporates the features of a
pump and smoke generator into one unit which is easy hermetically
assembled together.
[0013] According to the present invention, a collapsible hollow
plastic container is connected fluidly with an elongated flexible
hollow plastic extension. The flexible hollow plastic extension
preferably includes a generally round cross-section shape that may
include a cylindrical, conical, ogival or any such combinational
shape. One or more ampoules comprising crushable material such as
crystalline polystyrene, acrylic, glass, or the like are disposed
within an interior cavity of the flexible hollow extension.
[0014] Each ampoule is filled with reagent or a plurality of
reagents that react to produce a vapor or smoke. Each ampoule has
at least one weakened region in the sidewall thereof to aid in
breakage of the ampoule and release of a stored substance, such as
a reagent. Typically the ampoule includes a region across the
longitudinal axis which is mechanically less sound or rigid than
the other areas of the ampoule structure. This region may be of
smaller diameter than other regions of the sidewall comprising the
ampoule, a mechanical scratch, notch or the like. The purpose of
this mechanically weakened place is to allow easy breakage of the
ampoule when the surrounded container is bent or twisted. The
ampoules are immobilized and held in place within the interior of
the flexible hollow plastic extension by means of at least one
chemically-resistant plug. The plug may comprise felt, such as
polypropylene or polyester felt, semi or fully sintered low or high
porous plastic materials that exhibit low aerodynamic resistance
characteristics.
[0015] In one embodiment, the collapsible container is fully
collapsed and hermetically sealed to one end of the elongated
extension when stored. The other end of the elongated extension
that retains the ampoules is sealed with a removable end. The
system is under moderate vacuum and has minimum volume. That is to
say, the interior of the collapsible container and the elongated
extension is exposed to a vacuum. By simply bending the flexible
container, the inserted ampoule or plurality of ampoules breaks and
the contents spread into the plug material. To activate the smoke
detector, the interiors of the collapsible container and extension
are exposed to atmospheric air by opening the sealed end of the
flexible extension. Typically this is achieved by removing the
sealed end seal by cutting or tearing off the end. Atmospheric air
fills the container and extension to fully expand the sidewalls of
the collapsible container to its nominal volume. The container then
may be partially or fully collapsed to expel reagent laden air from
within the smoke generating tube.
[0016] When the collapsible container is squeezed, the air passes
through the plugs, evaporates part of the reagent and mixes it
within the chamber directly before the air is expelled from the
removed end. Depending upon the type of reagents used, the vapors
react together and/or with the air (preferably with normally
present water content in the air) to generate an aerosol visible as
smoke. Single compound reagents such as titanium tetrachloride
and/or tin tetrachloride can be used to fill a single ampoule. Both
of these reagents evaporate at over 100.degree. C. (212.degree. F.)
and can be stored safely in ampoules. Their vapors when coming into
contact with air, immediately forms aerosols exhibiting good
visibility qualities. Less irritating fumes can be generated. by
using two or more ampoules filed with acid and base reagents. As
one skilled in the art will notice, the collapsible container
serves as a portable source of air flow. Other sources, such as a
hand pump, electric pump, blower or pressurized cylinder air
supply, can be used provided the average air flow is within the
same air flow range as with the original collapsible container.
[0017] The air stream mixes the vapors by the mechanism of
molecular diffusion and turbulence caused by the internal structure
of the tube. The result is emitting an agent that reacts with
humidity content in air to form a very visible aerosol.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The present invention is illustrated on the accompanying
drawings where FIG. 1 A through E shows the schematic of the smoke
generating device in different stages of action.
[0019] FIG. 1 A depicts a view of a device of the present invention
and in a stored shape. The interior of the collapsed hollow
container is under reduced pressure conditions. An ampoule within
the elongated extension is intact. A plug is disposed within a
chamber of a flexible extension
[0020] FIG. 1B represents the first phase of activation of the
smoke generating device wherein the ampoule is broken to release
reagents stored therein by stressing or flexing the extension.
Next, the sealed end of the extension is opened.
[0021] FIG. 1C shows the expansion of the collapsible hollow
container by atmospheric pressure being drawn in through an open
end of the flexible extension. The air is drawn in and passes
through the reagent soaking into the porous plugs.
[0022] FIG. 1 D renders the collapsible hollow container and the
flexible extension full of air enriched with reagent vapors.
[0023] FIG. 1 E illustrates the phase of smoke generation where the
enriched air passes again through the reagent impregnated plugs, to
increase its concentration of the reagent before it is emitted into
the surrounding air where it generates a strong cloud of
aerosol.
[0024] FIG. 2 shows an inactive device prior to use and containing
an ampoule with two mechanically weakened points along its main or
longitudinal axis. Plugs are disposed within the flexible extension
at opposite ends of the ampoule. The ampoule is secured at one end
for aiding in breakage of the ampoule.
[0025] FIG. 3 represents a variant for easy ampoule breaking and
comprises a short, sharp and hard tube surrounding a weakened tip
of the ampoule.
[0026] FIG. 4A depicts an elevation view for a gas tight joint
between the collapsible container and flexible extension.
[0027] FIG. 4B is a cross section view of FIG. 4A.
[0028] FIG. 4C shows the gas tight joint of FIG. 4A in a partial
cross section view and having an end attached to the flexible
extension.
[0029] FIG. 5 is an elevation view showing the flexible extension
in cross section and depicting another embodiment of the invention.
This embodiment includes a tube as in FIG. 3. However, the ampoule
includes notched sections for facilitating the breakage thereof.
The ampoule in this embodiment may include a plurality of regions
that are segregated to include multiple reagent that react with one
another upon breaking of the ampoule. Felt plugs may provided at
either end of the ampoule for absorbing reagent.
[0030] FIG. 6A is a partial cross section view of the device
showing a broken ampoule and having the content of ampoule soaked
onto the walls of the collapsible container cavity.
[0031] FIG. 6 B is a bulb-type collapsible container and showing a
gas tight joint for joining the container to a flexible
extension.
[0032] FIG. 6C shows a different embodiment of the invention
wherein an end of the flexible extension includes a cap connected
to a conduit that connects the flexible extension to a depressible
bulb-type collapsible container
[0033] FIG. 7 shows a plurality of ampoules disposed within the
flexible extension. A removable end cap is included at an end of
the flexible extension.
[0034] FIG. 8 is a partial cross section view of another embodiment
of the invention. The flexible extension includes a removable end
cap. Plugs are longitudinally disposed along an exterior of the
ampoule.
[0035] FIG. 9 is a partial cross section view of another embodiment
of the invention showing the flexible extension with a removable
end cap. Plugs are disposed within the chamber of the extension at
opposite ends of the ampoule.
[0036] FIG. 10 A shows smoke generating devices with marked line of
separation between the collapsible and elongated flexible
containers.
[0037] FIG. 10 B shows a variety of flexible elongated extensions
separated from the collapsible container and used with an
alternative source of air flow.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0038] For one skilled in the art, the illustrated invention is
self-explanatory and the features and advantages are
self-explanatory as well. As seen on the drawings FIG. 1 A to E.,
the device 1 comprises a collapsible hollow container 22 is in
fluid connection with one end of the flexible elongated extension
32 defined by a sidewall 39. The other end of the flexible
extension 32 is sealed with tip 34 (or hermetical cap 38 shown on
FIG. 3 and FIGS. 7-9). The flexible extension 32 includes an
elongated chamber 37 for accommodating an ampoule 42. A plug 52 is
disposed within chamber 37 between ampoule 42 and end 34. A gas
tight joint 62 connects the flexible extension 32 to the
collapsible container 22.
[0039] In this embodiment, at least one ampoule 42 is filled with
reagent. The ampoule includes a cavity 43 defined by ampoule
sidewall 45. The ampoule sidewall 45 typically comprises crushable
materials such as crystalline polystyrene, polymethylmetacrylate
(acrylic), glass etc. In this embodiment, the ampoule 42 has along
its longitudinal axis at least one place mechanically or
structurally weakened area 47 that may comprise a thin sidewall
region. This may be achieved by notching or scratching the sidewall
45 of the ampoule 42.
[0040] In FIG. 1A, the collapsible container 22 is shown fully
collapsed to develop a partial vacuum confined, within the interior
of the collapsible container 22 and chamber 37. In FIG. 1B, the
device 1 is activated after crushing or breaking ampoule 42 to
release its contents by flexing or bending the sidewall 39 of the
flexible elongated container 32 in a direction of Arrow A. Next,
the tip 34 is cut or removed from extension 32. Air from the
surrounding atmosphere passes through the released reagent that
spills from the broken ampoule 42. The reagent typically soaks into
the plugs 52 that may comprise a porous felt or sintered porous
material.
[0041] FIG. 1C shows the device 1 the moments following the removal
of tip 34. Atmospheric air, depicted by arrows C, is sucked through
the chamber 37 and into the collapsible container 22 to expand the
container 22 in the direction of arrow B. This air is enriched to
some level with vapors from the broken ampoule 42 with reagent and
the sintered plug 54. In FIG. 1D, the flexible extension 32 fills
with air enriched to some level with vapors of the reagent. This
position illustrates the device ready to release the generated
smoke.
[0042] FIG. 1E illustrates the phase of smoke generation where the
air passes the plugs for a second time to absorb more vapors from
the reagent to increases the content of the reagent vapors within
the air. The enriched air is released to the environment where it
reacts with the moisture normally present in the air even if the
absolute humidity is low. As a result of this immediate reaction a
smoke from fine aerosol particles is generated. More than one
ampoule 42 may be included within the chamber 37. Each ampoules 42
has at least one mechanically weakened point such as smaller
diameter, thinner wall, notch or surface pre-scored scratch.
[0043] In FIG. 2, the device 1 is shown inactivated and having an
ampoule with two weakening diameters along the main axis. In this
embodiment, notches 70A and 70B, include a region of the ampoule
sidewall 45 that has a smaller diameter and an area that is less
resistive to compressive, tension or other shear forces. In this
embodiment, sintered plugs 52A and 52B are provided within chamber
37 near opposite ends of ampoule 42. A holder 71 secures ampoule 42
so that it may be easily broken by flexing the sidewalls 39 that
define chamber 37.
[0044] FIG. 3 depicts an alternative method for easily breaking the
ampoule 42. In this embodiment, the ampoule 42 includes a tip 48
and a shoulder 49. The tip 48 is disposed within a cylindrical tube
72 as shown. The cylindrical tube 72 is arranged within the chamber
37 along with the ampoule 42. The cylindrical tube 72 includes a
sharp cut diameter and is comprised of a hard material (preferably
glass) for receiving a weakened edge or tip of the ampoule. When
the sidewalls 39 are flexed, the hard tube 72 easily breaks the tip
48 of the ampoule 42 and facilitates further crushing. This
embodiment includes a removable check.
[0045] Turning now to FIG. 4A through 4C, the connection between
the collapsible hollow container 22 and the flexible extension 32
must be hermetic. To facilitate this connection and to support the
content of the tension from moving into collapsible container 22, a
specially designed click-lock connector 62 has two joining surfaces
allowing hermetically tight connection. The connector 62 comprises
an internal extension 63 that extends into chamber 37. An external
extension 64 defines a seat 65 for accommodating an end of
extension 32. A lip 40 may be included on an exterior of the
sidewall 39 for locking the extension 32 onto the collapsible
container 22.
[0046] In FIG. 5, another embodiment for easily breaking the
ampoule 42 includes a combination of previously mentioned
embodiments. In this embodiment, the ampoule 42 includes two
weakened regions or notches 70A and 70B. One end of the ampoule 42
comprises a tip 48 that extends into a hardened cylindrical tube
72. An opposite end of the ampoule 42 is secured within chamber 37
by holder 71. The ampoule is easily broken by flexing extension
32.
[0047] The device shown in FIG. 6A, does not include a plug
disposed between the ampoule 42 and connector 62. This allows the
content 80 to flow onto the interior of the walls of the
collapsible container 22 decreasing the aerodynamic resistance of
the assembly. This variant is convenient one if pre-assembled
containers are intended as initial device. In FIG. 6B, a bulb type
collapsible container 22 is shown. In use, the container 22 is
squeezed by the operator to expel air from within the container 22.
A connector 62 is connected at an end of the container 22 for
mating with an end of a flexible extension. In FIG. 6C, plugs 54
are disposed within chamber 37 at opposite ends of the ampoule. An
end of the flexible extension is sealed by a cap 38 that connects
to a collapsible container 22 via conduit 85.
[0048] The example illustrated in FIG. 7 shows the use of more than
one ampoule 42A and 42B, similar to FIG. 5. into the elongated
container. This is the case when two or more reagents have to a
produce substance capable of reacting with the air once they exit
the chamber 37. In this embodiment, a removable end cap 38
hermetically seals an end of chamber 37 until removed. Plugs 52 are
disposed at opposite ends of the chamber 37. A first hollow tube
72A receives a tip of ampoule 42. A second hollow tube 72B receives
a second tip of ampoule 42A at one end and a tip of ampoule 42B at
an opposite end thereof.
[0049] In FIG. 8, plugs 54 are disposed longitudinally along an
exterior of ampoule 42 within chamber 37. Flexible extension 32 may
include a flared region as shown for accommodating the plugs 54 and
ampoule 42. In FIG. 9, plugs 54 are disposed at opposite ends of
ampoule 42, as shown.
[0050] The variety of flexible elongated extensions separated from
the collapsible container can easily be used with any alternative
source of air flow as can be recognized in FIGS. 10A and 10B. Such
sources can be: a hand pump, electric pump, electric blower, gas
pressurized canister or the like, provided the air flow through the
elongated extension with broken ampoule is moderately similar to
the one received with the collapsible container.
* * * * *