Patent Publication Number: US-2022211475-A1

Title: Disposable dental waste filter device

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/926,044, filed on Jul. 10, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     This disclosure relates to a disposable dental filter device for use during a dental procedure and more particularly to a disposable dental waste filter device for capturing debris and other matter from a mouth of a patient during a dental procedure. 
     During a dental procedure it is important to be able to remove saliva, blood, water, tooth fragments, metals, and other debris or fluids from the mouth of a patient. Removal of this matter allows a dentist to be able to perform a procedure in an unobstructed manner. Various systems or devices have been developed to remove liquid and solid materials from a mouth during a dental procedure. One device that is capable of removing saliva is known as a saliva ejector or a low volume ejector. A saliva ejector typically comprises a plastic flexible tube or straw for placement in the mouth of a patient. The saliva ejector tube is connected to a valve which in turn is connected via suction tubing to a source of vacuum. In this manner, saliva is passed through the ejector tube, the valve, and the tubing to be disposed of in a sanitary manner. Once the procedure is completed, the ejector should be discarded and the valve should be sterilized by autoclave to be used again. Although it is suggested to autoclave the valve after each use, it is known that the autoclave procedure is hardly ever done. Another device that is capable of removing solid materials is a high volume evacuator system. A high volume evacuator system generally consists of a rigid tube or straw that may be inserted into a mouth of a patient with the tube connected to a valve which is connected via a tubing to a source of vacuum. Again, in this manner, debris may be removed from the mouth of the patient. After the dental procedure, the tube is disposed of and the valve should be sterilized for reuse. However, although it is suggested to sterilize the valve after use, it is known that this suggested procedure is hardly ever followed. 
     As can be appreciated, the saliva ejector and the high volume evacuator are used to remove liquids and debris from a mouth of a patient to prevent a patient from swallowing or aspirating liquids and debris produced during a dental procedure. One such dental procedure is when dental fillings are removed or replaced. Dental fillings are used to fill cavities in teeth caused by tooth decay. The fillings may consist of a mixture of materials or metals that may include silver, mercury, copper, zinc, tin, or palladium. The fillings typically consist of half mercury and the other half some other metal or metals that form an amalgam. As is known, mercury is a poison that should be prevented from contaminating the environment. When drilling out the amalgam from a tooth, the amalgam should be captured or collected to prevent the mercury and other metals from entering into the environment such as waste water. Also, some of the metals, such as silver, are valuable and can be captured to be recycled for money. 
     In view of this, various separator systems and devices have been developed to capture the amalgam before it is introduced into waste water. One system is a vacuum system that has a collecting tank for collecting amalgam. The amalgam is suctioned from a mouth of a patient through a line into the collecting tank by a vacuum pump. Various problems exist with this type of system. In particular, such a system is expensive to purchase, to operate, and to maintain, takes up space in a dental office due to its size, and has a number of mechanical parts that can fail. Further, after collecting the amalgam, the amalgam must still be disposed of in an environmentally safe manner. The dental office typically sends the amalgam to a recycle center which is a time consuming proposition. Also, collection tank need to be cleaned by hand. Cleaning requires an individual to manually clean the tank and any other ancillary equipment which is an unpleasant experience and exposes the individual to hazardous material. 
     Another device that has been developed to capture or separate the amalgam is a disposable hand held amalgam separator device that is used to capture amalgam at the mouth of the patient. The disposable hand held amalgam separator device has a unitary body having an internal filter that is used to separate amalgam from other materials, such as saliva, water, tissue, or blood. After the dental procedure is completed and the device is filled with amalgam, the device is sent to a recycle center to retrieve any valuable or recyclable metals captured within the device. Although such a device is useful, when attempting to retrieve the recyclable metal from the interior of the device, the device must be cut open. Cutting the device open may result in the hazardous material being dispersed into the atmosphere and unto the individual cutting open the device. This may require that the room in which the device was opened to be cleaned resulting in added expense. This also may require the individual to wear a suit to prevent from coming into contact with the hazardous waste. 
     Therefore, it would be desirable to have a disposable dental waste filter device that captures any metal or other debris produced during a dental procedure for being able to properly dispose of the metal or other debris. It would also be desirable to have a disposable dental waste filter device that is easy to install on or remove from a dental valve attached to suction tubing connected to a source of vacuum. Further, it would be advantageous to have a disposable dental waste filter device that is easy to open to retrieve any valuable or recyclable material captured within the device. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     In one form of the present disclosure, a disposable dental waste filter device comprises a body having a receiving end, and a separable cap having a tip end, the body for receiving and capturing therein amalgam that enters into the body through the tip end and the separable cap. 
     In another form of the present disclosure, a disposable dental waste filter device comprises a body having a receiving end, a central lumen for receiving and capturing amalgam, and a circular leg portion having an exterior channel, and a separable cap having a tip end, a circular outer rim having a circular end ridge portion with the ridge portion adapted to be inserted into the exterior channel of the body for a snap fit engagement between the cap and the body, the body for receiving and capturing therein amalgam that enters into the body through the tip end and the separable cap. 
     In yet another form of the present disclosure, a disposable dental waste filter device comprises a body having a receiving end, a central lumen for receiving and capturing amalgam, a filter, and a circular leg portion having an exterior channel, a separable cap having a tip end, a circular outer rim having a circular end ridge portion with the ridge portion adapted to be inserted into the exterior channel of the body for a snap fit engagement between the cap and the body, the body for receiving and capturing therein amalgam that enters into the body through the tip end and the separable cap, and a dental valve having a rotatable valve sealing body. 
     The present disclosure provides a disposable dental waste filter device for use during a dental procedure that is suitable for one time use and may be properly recycled after a single use. 
     The present disclosure is related to a disposable dental waste filter device that is easy to open to retrieve any valuable or recyclable material captured within the device. 
     The present disclosure provides a disposable dental waste filter device that is easy to install on a dental valve connected to suction tubing which is in turn connected to a source of vacuum. 
     The present disclosure provides a disposable dental waste filter device that is small, lightweight, easy to handle, easy to install, and easy to operate. 
     The present disclosure also provides a disposable dental waste filter device which is of simple construction and design and which can be easily employed with reliable results. 
     The present disclosure is related to a disposable dental waste filter device that does not require sterilization and captures metal that can be properly recycled. 
     The present disclosure provides a disposable dental waste filter device that may have an antimicrobial agent or chemical incorporated into the device to prevent any bacterial growth on the device. The antimicrobial agent or chemical may also be a coating applied to the disposable dental waste filter device. 
     The present disclosure is related to a disposable dental waste filter that may be constructed of plastic that is recyclable or biodegradable to reduce the cost of the device and to allow the device to be disposable and discarded after a single use. 
     The present disclosure provides a disposable dental waste filter device that is used to capture any metal produced during a dental procedure for recycling the metal. 
     The present disclosure is related to a disposable dental waste filter device that automatically suctions or captures any metal, debris, or other material produced during a dental procedure. 
     The present disclosure provides a disposable dental waste filter device that may be used with a high volume evacuator valve and does not require that the valve be retrofitted. 
     The present disclosure further provides a disposable dental waste filter device that does not require the device to be welded or glued during manufacturing of the device. 
     These and other advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent after considering the following detailed specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of a disposable dental waste filter device constructed according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the disposable dental waste filter device shown in  FIG. 1  taken along the plane of line  2 - 2 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of another embodiment of a disposable dental waste filter device constructed according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of another embodiment of a disposable dental waste filter device constructed according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the valve sealing body constructed according to the present disclosure being removed from the device shown in  FIG. 3  or the device shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of another embodiment of a disposable dental waste filter device constructed according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a dental valve of the disposable dental waste filter device shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of another embodiment of a disposable dental waste filter device constructed according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of another embodiment of a disposable dental waste filter device constructed according to the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 10  is a partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a disposable dental waste filter device constructed according to the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numbers refer to like items, number  10  identifies a disposable dental waste filter device for use with a dental system (not shown) constructed according to the present disclosure. With reference now to  FIG. 1 , the device  10  comprises a body  12  having a receiving end  14  and a separable cap or lid portion  16  having a tip end  18 . The valve receiving end  14  is adapted to be connected to a valve (not shown) or to a vacuum line (not shown) of a vacuum system (also not shown). As should be appreciated, the device  10  is used with a vacuum or suction system which provides suction through the device  10  and a hose or line so that any debris, liquid, or saliva that passes through the device  10  is properly disposed. The device  10  is constructed of material that allows the device  10  to be disposable and suitable for one time use. The tip end  18  is adapted to being inserted into a mouth of a patient during a dental procedure for collection of amalgam during the dental procedure. Amalgam is captured or collected within the body  12  of the device  10 . After the dental procedure is completed, the device  10  is sent to a recycle center where any valuable metals captured within the device  10  may be retrieved by separating the cap portion  16  from the body  12 . Further, any hazardous material, such as mercury, may be retrieved from the device  10  and properly disposed of by the recycle center. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 2 , an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the disposable dental waste filter device  10  is shown. The device  10  comprises the body  12  having the receiving end  14  and the cap portion  16  having the tip end  18 . The body  12 , the receiving end  14 , the cap portion  16 , and the end  18  have a central lumen  20  through which debris, metals, and liquids may flow. The cap portion  16  has a circular outer rim  22  having a circular end ridge portion  24 . The cap portion  16  also has a circular inner rim  26 . An annular channel or ring  28  is formed between the rims  22  and  26 . The body  12  has a circular leg portion  30  having an exterior channel or ring  32  that is adapted to receive the circular end ridge portion  24  for a snap fit engagement of the cap portion  16  to the body  12 . The leg portion  30  also has a pair of nubs  34  and  36  on an interior surface  38  of the leg portion  30 . The nubs  34  and  36  are used to capture and hold a filter element  40 . The filter element  40  may be a bag, capsule, or container type filter. The leg portion  30  also has a rounded end  42  that abuts a rounded end  44  of the channel  28 . This engagement of the ends  42  and  44  further assists in holding and securing the cap portion  16  to the body  12 . 
     The body  12  has a central core or lumen  46  which is larger or wider than the central lumen  20 . The central core  46  is used to capture amalgam that enters the central core  46  through the central lumen  20 . As can be appreciated, the central core  46  is larger than the central lumen  20  to be able to capture as much amalgam as possible. The central core  46  has a front end  48  and a rear end  50 . The front end  48  has a circular ring  52  having a flap  54  inserted therein in a bottom cavity  56 . The flap has a bottom end  58  and a top end  60 . The bottom end  58  is fitted into and captured within the bottom cavity  56 . The top end  60  is free to move backwards into the central core  46 . The circular ring  52  has an upper ledge  62  against which the top end  60  of the flap  54  butts against. The flap  54  is in a closed position when the top end  60  is against the upper ledge  62 . The flap  54  is in the opened position when the top end  60  moves away from the upper ledge  62  into the central core  46 . The flap  54  is used to contained any amalgam that enters into the central core  46  through the tip receiving end  18 . The flap  54  prevents any amalgam from escaping from within the body  12  since the flap  54  can only open in one direction. An annular channel  64  is also formed between the circular ring  52  and the circular inner rim  26 . The annular channel  64  is capable of capturing amalgam. The rear end  50  of the central core  46  has a filter  66  that is used to prevent any amalgam from entering into the receiving end  14 , a vacuum system, and ultimately into a waste stream. The filter  66  may be a circular or puck shaped device. The filter  66  is held in place against a circular rim portion  68 . The filter  66  serves as a final stage filter or a secondary filter to the filter element  40  to capture any amalgam that may get past the filter element  40 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates another embodiment of a disposable dental waste filter device  100  constructed according to the present disclosure. The device  100  comprises a body  102  having a receiving end  104  and a separable cap or lid portion  106  having a tip end  108  and a dental valve  110 . The valve receiving end  104  is barbed and adapted to be connected to a tailpiece (not shown) or to a vacuum hose or line (not shown) of a vacuum system (also not shown). As should be appreciated, the device  100  is used with a vacuum or suction system which provides suction through the device  100  and a hose or line so that any debris, liquid, or saliva that passes through the device  100  is properly disposed. The device  100  is constructed of material that allows the device  100  to be disposable and suitable for one time use. The tip end  108  is adapted to being inserted into a mouth of a patient during a dental procedure for collection of amalgam during the dental procedure. Amalgam is captured or collected within the body  102  of the device  100 . After the dental procedure is completed, the device  100  is sent to a recycle center where any valuable metals captured within the device  100  may be retrieved by separating the cap portion  106  from the body  102 . Further, any hazardous material, such as mercury, may be retrieved from the device  100  and properly disposed of by the recycle center. The dental valve  110  is used to control a source of vacuum connected to the device  100 . The dental valve  110  has a rotatable valve sealing body  112  having a handle  114  for operating the rotatable valve sealing body  112 . Manual operation of the handle  114  will open the dental valve  110 , or close the dental valve  110 , or partially open the dental valve  110 . The manner in which the cap portion  106  is connected to the body  102  is the same as described and disclosed with respect to the device  10 . Further, the interior of the body  102 , the structure of the body  102 , and the components within the body  102  are the same as discussed with respect to the device  10 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 4 , another embodiment of a disposable dental waste filter device  150  constructed according to the present disclosure. The device  150  comprises a body  152  having a receiving end  154  having a dental valve  156  and a separable cap or lid portion  158  having a tip end  160 . The valve receiving end  154  is barbed and adapted to be connected to a tailpiece (not shown) or to a vacuum hose or line (not shown) of a vacuum system (also not shown). As should be appreciated, the device  150  is used with a vacuum or suction system which provides suction through the device  150  and a hose or line so that any debris, liquid, or saliva that passes through the device  150  is properly disposed. The device  150  is constructed of material that allows the device  150  to be disposable and suitable for one time use. The tip end  160  is adapted to being inserted into a mouth of a patient during a dental procedure for collection of amalgam during the dental procedure. Amalgam is captured or collected within the body  152  of the device  150 . After the dental procedure is completed, the device  150  is sent to a recycle center where any valuable metals captured within the device  150  may be retrieved by separating the cap portion  158  from the body  152 . Further, any hazardous material, such as mercury, may be retrieved from the device  150  and properly disposed of by the recycle center. The dental valve  156  is used to control a source of vacuum connected to the device  150 . The dental valve  156  has a rotatable valve sealing body  162  having a handle  164  for operating the rotatable valve sealing body  162 . Manual operation of the handle  164  will open the dental valve  156 , or close the dental valve  156 , or partially open the dental valve  156 . The manner in which the cap portion  160  is connected to the body  152  is the same as described and disclosed with respect to the device  10 . Further, the interior of the body  152 , the structure of the body  152 , and the components within the body  152  are the same as discussed with respect to the device  10 . 
       FIG. 5  depicts the rotatable valve sealing body  112  being removed from the dental valve  110  of the device  100 . The rotatable valve sealing body  112  has a top  170 , a central body portion  172  having a bore  174 , and a bottom  176 . The handle  114  is part of the top  170 . The central body portion  172  also has an annular ridge portion  178  near the top  170 . The ridge portion  178  is capable of fitting into a ring (not shown) in a snap fit engagement to secure the rotatable valve sealing body  112  within the dental valve  110 . The bore  174  is adapted to be aligned with a central lumen (not shown) of the body  102  ( FIG. 3 ). When the bore  174  is aligned with the lumen, the device  100  is in an opened position and the source of vacuum will draw any amalgam, fluid, or debris from the tip end  108  through the lumen and the bore  174  into the body  102 . As can be appreciated, fluid will escape through the receiving end  104 . In this manner, fluid may be removed from a mouth during a dental procedure or operation. The rotatable valve sealing body  112  also has a first opening  180  and a second opening  182 . The openings  180  and  182  are aligned with the bore  174 . When the rotatable valve sealing body  112  is in a closed position, the central body portion  172  will block any air flow through the dental valve  110  and the device  100 . In essence, the bore  174  is no longer aligned with the tip end  108 . The rotatable valve sealing body  112  is moved into the closed position by use of the handle  114 . The openings  180  and  182  are concave and this provides a lower annular ring  184  that is formed in the sealing body  112 . 
     With particular reference now to  FIG. 6 , another embodiment of a disposable dental waste filter device  200  constructed according to the present disclosure. The device  200  comprises a body  202  having a receiving end  204  and a separable cap or lid portion  206  having a tip end  208  and a dental valve  210 . The valve receiving end  204  is adapted to be connected to a tailpiece (not shown) or to a vacuum hose or line (not shown) of a vacuum system (also not shown). As should be appreciated, the device  200  is used with a vacuum or suction system which provides suction through the device  200  and a hose or line so that any debris, liquid, or saliva that passes through the device  200  is properly disposed. The device  200  is constructed of material that allows the device  200  to be disposable and suitable for one time use. The tip end  208  is adapted to being inserted into a mouth of a patient during a dental procedure for collection of amalgam during the dental procedure. Amalgam is captured or collected within the body  202  of the device  200 . After the dental procedure is completed, the device  200  is sent to a recycle center where any valuable metals captured within the device  200  may be retrieved by separating the cap portion  206  from the body  202 . Further, any hazardous material, such as mercury, may be retrieved from the device  200  and properly disposed of by the recycle center. The dental valve  210  is used to control a source of vacuum connected to the device  200 . The dental valve  210  has a movable valve sealing body  212  having a handle  214  for operating the movable valve sealing body  212 . Manual operation of the handle  214  will open the dental valve  210 , or close the dental valve  210 , or partially open the dental valve  210 . The manner in which the cap portion  206  is connected to the body  202  is the same as described and disclosed with respect to the device  10 . Further, the interior of the body  202 , the structure of the body  202 , and the components within the body  202  are the same as discussed with respect to the device  10 . Although not shown, it is also contemplated to position the dental valve  210  on the receiving end  204  instead of the tip end  208   
       FIG. 7  shows an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the dental valve  210 . The dental valve  210  comprises an upper extension portion  216  formed therein with the upper extension portion  216  having an upper opening  218 . A lower extension portion  220  is formed in the dental valve  210  having a lower opening  222 . The movable valve sealing device  212  also has an opening  224  formed therein for allowing the passage of any saliva, liquid, amalgam, or debris to pass there through when the movable valve sealing device  212  is in an opened position, as is depicted in  FIG. 7 . The movable valve sealing body  212  is capable of sliding or moving through the openings  218  and  222 . In particular, the movable valve sealing body  212  may be positioned to a closed position by grasping the handle  214  and moving the handle  214  upwardly so that the opening  224  is not within a lumen  226  and thereby blocking any suction or air flow. In essence, the opening  224  is now positioned in the upper extension portion  216  when the dental valve  210  is in the closed position. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , another embodiment of a disposable dental waste filter device  300  is illustrated. The device  300  comprises a body  302  having a receiving end  304  and a separable cap or lid portion  306  having a tip end  308 . The cap portion  306  is secured to the body  302  by use of threads  310 . Although not shown, the cap portion  306  will also have mating threads that thread onto the threads  310 . In this manner, the cap portion  306  may be screwed on or off of the body  302 . Further, it is possible that the body  302  may be reusable and fitted with a new cap portion  306 . It is also contemplated that a removable filter capsule, container, or bag may be inserted into the body  302  and removed from the body  302  to make the body  302  reusable. The receiving end  304  is adapted to be connected to a valve (not shown) or to a vacuum line (not shown) of a vacuum system (also not shown). The device  300  is used with a vacuum or suction system which provides suction through the device  300  and a hose or line so that any debris, liquid, or saliva that passes through the device  300  is properly disposed. The device  300  is constructed of material that allows the device  300  to be disposable and suitable for one time use. The tip end  308  is adapted to being inserted into a mouth of a patient during a dental procedure for collection of amalgam during the dental procedure. Amalgam is captured or collected within the body  302  of the device  300 . After the dental procedure is completed, the device  300  is sent to a recycle center where any valuable metals captured within the device  300  may be retrieved by unscrewing the cap portion  306  from the body  302 . Further, any hazardous material, such as mercury, may be retrieved from the device  300  and properly disposed of by the recycle center. 
       FIG. 9  shows another embodiment of a disposable dental waste filter device  350 . The device  350  comprises a body  352  having a receiving end  354  and a separable cap or lid portion  356  having a tip end  358 . The cap portion  356  has a swivel mechanism  360  that allows tip end  358  to swivel or move into various positions. For example, the tip end  362  shows how the tip end  362  may be moved relative to the position of the tip end  358 . The cap portion  356  may be secured to the body  352  in any manner herein disclosed. The receiving end  354  is adapted to be connected to a valve (not shown) or to a vacuum line (not shown) of a vacuum system (also not shown). The device  350  is used with a vacuum or suction system which provides suction through the device  350  and a hose or line so that any debris, liquid, or saliva that passes through the device  350  is properly disposed. The device  350  is constructed of material that allows the device  350  to be disposable and suitable for one time use. The tip end  358  is adapted to being inserted into a mouth of a patient during a dental procedure for collection of amalgam during the dental procedure. Amalgam is captured or collected within the body  352  of the device  350 . After the dental procedure is completed, the device  350  is sent to a recycle center where any valuable metals captured within the device  350  may be retrieved by separating the cap portion  356  from the body  352  and retrieving amalgam captured therein. Further, any hazardous material, such as mercury, may be retrieved from the device  350  and properly disposed of by the recycle center. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 10 , another embodiment of a disposable dental waste filter device  400  is shown. The device  400  is only shown partially in this particular view. As should be appreciated, the device  400  is similar to the device  10  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) with the exception being that the circular rim  68  ( FIG. 2 ) has been modified to provide an airflow path in a labyrinth type construction. The device  400  has a body  402  having a central lumen  404  and a receiving end  406 . A central core or lumen  408  which is used to capture amalgam that enters into the device  400 . A filter  410  is provided within the central core  408  and the filter  410  is provided to prevent any amalgam from entering into the receiving end  406  through the central lumen  404 . The filter  410  may be a circular or puck shaped device. The filter  410  is held in place against a first circular rim portion  412 , a second circular rim portion  414 , and a third circular rim portion  416 . A first pocket  418  is formed between the first circular rim portion  412  and the second circular rim portion  414 . A second pocket  420  is formed between the second circular rim portion  414  and the third circular rim portion  416 . The pockets  418  and  420  provide for flow of air, saliva, liquids, and other matter through the filter  410  into the central lumen  404  and out through the receiving end  406 . 
     The disposable dental waste filter devices  10 ,  100 ,  150 ,  200 ,  300 ,  350 , and  400  may be formed of any suitable material such as plastic, polyethylene, and high density polyethylene or any other suitable material that is disposable and recyclable. Any suitable plastic may be used to construct the devices  10 ,  100 ,  150 ,  200 ,  300 ,  350 , and  400  so that the devices  10 ,  100 ,  150 ,  200 ,  300 ,  350 , and  400  may withstand use in a dental operation or procedure and are capable of containing hazardous waste. It is also possible and contemplated to incorporate an antimicrobial agent or chemical in the plastic or to provide a coating of an antimicrobial agent on the plastic to further prevent cross-contamination when using the devices  10 ,  100 ,  150 ,  200 ,  300 ,  350 , and  400 . As can be appreciated, the antimicrobial agent may be incorporated into any of the components of the devices  10 ,  100 ,  150 ,  200 ,  300 ,  350 , and  400 . It is further possible and contemplated that the various filters described herein may be constructed of various materials such as, by way of example only, plastic, aluminum, carbon, coconut, cotton, wool, fibers, spun polymers, spun polypropylene, or any other suitable filtering media. 
     From all that has been said, it will be clear that there has thus been shown and described herein a disposable dental waste filter device which fulfills the various advantages sought therefore. It will become apparent to those skilled in the art, however, that many changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications of the subject disposable dental waste filter device are possible and contemplated. All changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure are deemed to be covered by the disclosure, which is limited only by the claims which follow.