U.S. patent application number 13/406475 was filed with the patent office on 2013-03-07 for localized dust containment apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is James Preston Shields. Invention is credited to James Preston Shields.
Application Number | 20130058594 13/406475 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47753240 |
Filed Date | 2013-03-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130058594 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shields; James Preston |
March 7, 2013 |
Localized Dust Containment Apparatus
Abstract
A portable, removable dust containment system is disclosed for
capturing and containing the dust generated by work performed on a
work surface, such as the wall or ceiling inside a room. The device
includes a transparent plastic bag with a first large opening at
one end, and with the bag tapering to a smaller second opening at a
second end. The device is removably affixed by an adhesive onto a
wall surface, with the perimeter of the first opening surrounding
an area where work is to be done on the wall. The user extends his
or her hand through the second opening and closes the second
opening. Any dust generated by the work is captured and contained
within the bag and can be discarded when the bag is removed from
the wall.
Inventors: |
Shields; James Preston;
(Wildomar, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Shields; James Preston |
Wildomar |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
47753240 |
Appl. No.: |
13/406475 |
Filed: |
February 27, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61454478 |
Mar 18, 2011 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/41 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04G 21/243 20130101;
E04G 21/30 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/41 |
International
Class: |
B65D 33/00 20060101
B65D033/00 |
Claims
1. A dust containment apparatus that is adapted to be affixed onto
a wall, ceiling or other surface where dust-generating work is to
be performed by a person, the apparatus comprising: (a) a flexible
bag having an interior volume within the bag; (b) a first opening
in the bag with a perimeter that is sufficiently large to surround
the area of the surface where the work is to be performed; (c) a
second opening that is sufficiently large to permit the person to
extend his or her hand through the second opening and into the
bag's interior volume; (d) means for removably affixing the bag
onto the wall surface with the perimeter of the first opening
surrounding the work area; and (e) means for constricting the
second opening about the person's arm as they extend their hand
through the second opening into the interior of the bag; (f)
wherein at least a portion of the bag is sufficiently transparent
to permit the person to view the work area through the bag while
the dust-generating work is being performed.
2. The dust containment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bag
comprises a polymeric material.
3. The dust containment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for
affixing the bag onto the wall surface comprises an adhesive that
is applied around the perimeter of the first opening.
4. The dust containment apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a
removable backing that covers the adhesive and that can be peeled
away to expose the adhesive before the bag is affixed onto the work
surface.
5. The dust containment apparatus of claim 2, wherein the adhesive
is applied directly onto the bag.
6. The dust containment apparatus of claim 2, wherein the adhesive
is applied onto a thin, flat ring that is attached to the bag and
that extends around the perimeter of the first opening.
7. The dust containment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for
affixing the bag onto the wall surface comprises a thin, flat ring
that is attached to the bag and that extends around the perimeter
of the first opening and at least one fastener that extends through
the ring and into the surface on which work is to be performed.
8. The dust containment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for
affixing the first end of the bag onto the wall surface comprises a
plurality of fasteners that extends through the bag, near the
perimeter of the first opening, and into the surface on which work
is to be performed.
9. The dust containment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for
tightening the second opening around the worker's hand comprises an
elastic band that surrounds the perimeter of the second
opening.
10. The dust containment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means
for tightening the second opening around the worker's hand
comprises a drawstring that surrounds the perimeter of the second
opening.
11. The dust containment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means
for tightening the second opening around the worker's hand
comprises an adjustable strap.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/454,478, filed Mar. 18, 2011.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention pertains generally to the field of
portable dust containment systems for use in construction or
renovation projects. More particularly, the invention pertains to a
relatively small, portable dust containment apparatus that can be
removably affixed onto a wall, ceiling or other surface, covering a
relatively small area where the surface is to be sanded, cut or
otherwise worked upon, to capture and contain dust that is
generated by the work.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Drilling holes, sanding or performing other types of work on
interior walls, ceilings or other surfaces can generate a great
deal of dust and other particulates. This is particularly true when
the walls or ceilings are constructed using drywall (also known as
plasterboard, wallboard or gypsum board), which is made of gypsum
plaster pressed between two thick sheets of paper. Drywall is
commonly used to make interior walls and ceilings, and the dust and
other particulate that are generated from sanding or cutting
through drywall can be extremely fine and difficult to contain.
Drywall dust is extremely lightweight, and can easily becoming
airborne and travel throughout room or the job site. Drywall dust
is also a known health hazard and a huge nuisance in remodeling and
new construction. It can easily be drawn into a home's ventilation
system, spreading through the home and causing problems with the
ventilation system.
[0006] The problem is particularly serious when repairs or work are
being done on a wall or surface within an existing room that
already contains furniture, equipment or other items, because the
dust will settle onto and into the items. Drywall dust harms
computer and audio equipment. Drywall dust can also contaminate
every finish in a home or other building, including wall and trim
paint, wood finishes, hardwood floors and other surfaces.
[0007] Various approaches have been used in an effort to address
these problems. For example, electric sanders and saws have been
developed that include integrated vacuum systems. However, the
devices tend to be bulky, heavy and costly.
[0008] It has also previously been known to hang sheets of plastic
or other materials around a work area, to confine the generated
dust within the space defined by the hanging sheets. U.S. Pat. No.
8,074,700 (Melino et al.) discloses a dust containment system that
comprises one or more poles that extend between the floor and the
ceiling of a room, with flexible sheeting being held in place on
the poles by one or more clamps. However, while such systems can
prevent generated dust from escaping beyond the defined space, the
dust will still settle inside that space and onto any items that
are inside the space. The dust must eventually be swept or vacuumed
up, which can take a great deal of time and effort. Further,
although this approach can be well suited for large-scale
construction projects, it is not well suited for situations in
which small, isolated repairs or installations are to be performed
on a relatively small section of a pre-existing wall within a room.
Examples of such situations include cutting holes in dry wall to
receive receptacles, vents or light fixtures, sanding small
sections of drywall, or repairing a small area of drywall that has
been broken or punctured.
[0009] In view of these deficiencies in the previously known
approaches for dealing with dust generation issues, there is a need
for an improved apparatus that will capture and contain dust
generated when work is done on interior walls and ceilings. There
is also a need for an improved apparatus that is well suited for
use in connection with repairs or installations on a relatively
small section of a pre-existing wall within a room. There is also a
need for a device that will capture and contain the dust for
disposal, to avoid the need to sweep or vacuum the dust from inside
the room.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] These and a number of other objects are met by the present
invention. The invention is a dust containment apparatus that is
adapted to be affixed onto a wall, ceiling or other surface where
dust-generating work is to be performed by a worker. Once the work
has been completed, the apparatus can be easily removed from the
surface and the dust or particulates can be emptied from the
bag.
[0011] In a basic aspect, the apparatus comprises a bag that
defines an interior volume, the bag having a first opening that is
large enough to encompass the area where the work is to be done; a
second opening with a perimeter that is sufficiently large to
permit the worker to extend his or her hand and any necessary hand
tool(s) through the second opening and into the interior volume of
the bag; means for removably affixing the bag to the wall with the
perimeter of the first opening surrounding the work area; and means
for tightening the second opening around the worker's hand, wrist
or arm where it extends through the second opening into the
interior volume of the bag.
[0012] At least a portion of the bag (and preferably the entire
bag) is made of a material that is sufficiently transparent so as
to permit the worker to see the area of the surface where the work
is being done, by looking through the bag.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0013] FIG. 1 of the drawing is a perspective view of an embodiment
of the present invention, showing the basic structural elements of
the embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 2 of the drawing shows the embodiment of FIG. 1
positioned on a wall, with a workers hand extending into the bag to
perform work on the wall.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] Turning first to FIG. 1, a dust containment apparatus 10
comprises a bag 12 having a first end 14 and second end 16. At the
first end 14, the bag 12 has a first opening 18 formed therein. At
the second end 16, the bag 12 has a second opening 20 formed
therein.
[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the device is adapted to have the first
end 14 of the bag 12 affixed to a wall, ceiling or other surface
(element 22 in FIG. 2), with the perimeter of the first opening 18
surrounding the area of the surface where the work is to be
performed. A person's hand (element 24 in FIG. 2) can be inserted
into the bag 12 through the second opening 20 while gripping a hand
tool (element 26 in FIG. 2), which can be powered or
non-powered.
[0017] The first opening 18 has a perimeter that is large enough to
encompass the area of the surface where work is to be performed.
The second opening 20 is also preferably circular with a perimeter
that is large enough to permit a person to insert his or her hand
and a hand tool through the opening 12 and into the interior of the
bag 12.
[0018] The bag 12 is preferably made of a flexible plastic
material, such as any of the types of materials from which plastic
trash bags can be made, including various biodegradable materials,
provided the material is capable of containing the fine dust
generated by the work. The bag is preferably made of a single
relatively transparent material, to enable a person to see the area
of the surface where the work is to be performed. However, the bag
can also be made of a non-transparent material if it includes a
separate window of a relatively transparent material, to enable a
person to see the area of the surface where the work is to be
performed.
[0019] The bag 12 preferably tapers down from first end 14 and the
first opening 18, to a narrower shape at the second end 16 and the
second opening 20. However, the bag can have any of a variety of
other shapes. The first and second openings 18 and 20 are
preferably at opposite ends of the bag, but may be at other
locations on the bag 12. The bag can be any of a variety of
different sizes and shapes, provided the bag is large enough to
contain the dust and particulates from most small jobs, without
being so large as to be cumbersome. The smaller sizes will be
suitable for covering the area involved in cutting through a wall
to install a small switch plate or wall plug, and the larger sizes
can be large enough to cover an entire panel of drywall, for
example, to permit plumbing repairs to be made on pipes running
through the wall.
[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the device includes means 28 for
tightening the bag 12 and the second opening 20 around the worker's
hand 24 that extends into the interior of the bag 12. The means for
tightening the bag can be any of a variety of different known
structures, including an elastic band, a drawstring, an inelastic
band that is adjustable to a desired position, a strip of adhesive
tape, a strip of hook-and-loop tape, a length of string or twine,
or any other material that will close the bag 12 and the opening 20
around the person's hand, wrist or arm, depending on how much of
the person's arm is extended into the interior of the bag 12. The
means 28 can be integrated with the bag or physically separated
from the bag, for example, a rubber band that extends around the
second opening when the user's hand extends through the
opening.
[0021] The apparatus 10 also includes means 30 for removably
affixing the first end of the bag onto a wall, ceiling or other
surface (element 22 in FIG. 2), with the perimeter of the first
opening 18 surrounding the area where the worked is to be
performed. The attachment means is preferably a strip or band of
adhesive material that extends around the perimeter of the first
opening 18, to permit the bag to be affixed to the wall and then
removed after the work is done. The adhesive strip is preferably
continuous around the perimeter of the opening 18, to prevent dust
from leaking out between the device 10 and the wall 22. The
adhesive material is preferably pre-applied onto the bag or the
ring, with a paper backing that can be peeled away to expose the
adhesive before the device 10 is affixed to the wall 22. For
example, double sided tape, with adhesive on both sides of the tape
can be used to affix the bag to the wall. One side of the
double-sided tape is applied onto the bag in any suitable location,
on the inner our outer surface of the bag, around the perimeter of
the first opening. One sticky side of the tape can be applied to
the bag before the bag is affixed onto the wall, and the peel-away
backing can then be removed from the tapes second surface, to
permit the bag to be affixed onto the wall. Alternatively, one
sticky side of the tape can be used to affix the tape to the wall,
the backing can then be removed from the tape's second surface, and
the bag can be affixed to the wall by pressing it against the
exposed, sticky, second side of the tape that is already positioned
on the wall surface around the work area. Suitable adhesive
materials include any adhesive that is strong enough to hold the
device 10 in position on a wall or ceiling, while also permitting
the device 10 to be pulled away from the wall after the work is
completed without damaging the wall surface. An example of a
preferred type adhesive with a peel-away backing is the adhesive
used on products sold under the trademark "Command Strips", made by
the 3M Corporation, of Maplewood, Minn. Other examples include 3M's
Scotch brand Removable Mounting Squares with peel-away backing,
3M's Scotch brand Blue Painter's Tape, and a product sold under the
trademark FrogTape, made by Shurtape Technologies LLC of Hickory,
N.C.
[0022] In another embodiment, attachment means 30 can also be a
ring, strip or strips of cardboard, card stock, heavy paper or any
other thin, flat material that is attached to the bag 12 around the
perimeter of the first opening 18, with an adhesive material
applied to the exposed outer surface of the ring or strip(s).
[0023] Although less preferable, the attachment means can also
comprise one or more fasteners (e.g., nails, screws, tacks, staples
or the like) that can be driven through the bag 12 and into the
wall 22 to hold the apparatus 10 in place. When such fasteners are
used, they can be driven directly through the bag material, or
through the bag material and a ring as described above (with or
without adhesive), or through a strip or strips of cardboard, card
stock, heavy paper or other thin material positioned at the
perimeter of the opening, to prevent the bag from tearing away from
the fasteners when the fasteners are driven into the wall 22.
Adhesive tape, alone or in combination with the various means
described above, can also be used to attach the device 10 onto the
wall 22.
[0024] In one embodiment, a tie string (or a pair of tie strings)
32 is attached to the bag adjacent each of the first and second
openings 18 and 20, so the bag can be tied shut and disposed of
after the device has been used, with the dust and particulates
inside the bag. Alternatively, the dust can be emptied from the bag
after each use so the bag can be reused.
[0025] The invention is not limited to the specific examples or
embodiments describe or shown herein, but encompasses the devices
described in the claims below.
* * * * *