Patent ID: 6237186
Filing Date: 2001-05-29
Classification: A47L,Y10S

Abstract:
A vacuum system for vacuuming both dry matter and liquid, the system comprising:(a) a first canister having an inlet port, an air outlet port, and a liquid outlet port, the first canister having a chamber configured to hold the liquid;(b) vacuum means for producing a vacuum within the chamber such that the dry matter and the liquid can be drawn into the chamber through the inlet port;(c) switch means for automatically turning off the vacuum means when the liquid within the chamber rises to a predetermined upper level and for automatically turning on the vacuum means when the liquid within the chamber drops to a predetermined lower level;(d) valve means for automatically stopping flow of the liquid from the chamber through the liquid outlet port when the vacuum means is on and for permitting flow of the liquid from the chamber through the liquid outlet port when the vacuum means is off; and(e) a tubular separator disposed within the chamber and bounding an internal passageway, the separator having an exterior surface extending from an upper end to an opposing lower end, the lower end having a maximum outer diameter greater than a maximum outer diameter of the upper end, the upper end of the separator being in communication with the vacuum means such that air within the chamber exits the chamber by passing through the passageway from the lower end to the upper end.